Bats Without Borders: Long-Distance Movements and Implications for Disease Risk Management

Authors: Andrew C. Breed, Hume E. Field, Craig S. Smith, Joanne Edmonston, Joanne Meers

Year: 2010

Journal: EcoHealth

DOI: 10.1007/s10393-010-0332-z

Summary

This paper studies the long-distance movements of three species of fruit bats (Pteropus alecto, P. vampyrus, and P. neohibernicus) to determine their potential to transfer zoonotic viruses between countries in Australia, Asia, and surrounding islands.

Key Findings

Pteropus alecto individuals were observed moving between Australia and Papua New Guinea on four occasions.
Ten observations of Pteropus alecto movements between Papua New Guinea (Western Province) and Indonesia (Papua) were recorded.
Two instances of Torres Strait crossings by Pteropus alecto were observed.
One observation of Pteropus vampyrus moving between Timor-Leste and Indonesia (West Timor) was documented.
These findings expand upon the current literature on the potential for transfer of zoonotic viruses by flying-foxes between countries.

Methodology

Study Type: Observational
Sample Size: 9 individuals across three species
Geographic Focus: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste

Topics

Epidemiology, Clinical, Virology

Relevance

These findings have implications for disease risk management and the conservation of flying-fox populations in Australia, New Guinea, and the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Source

View the entire paper: File:10393 2010 Article 332.pdf