Imagine investigators navigating city streets, collecting clues on a hidden health threat from the city’s furry inhabitants. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) living in New York City are helping to uncover the secrets of zoonotic diseases – illnesses that move between animals and humans. This is critical because early detection and response to zoonotic and emerging diseases while still in animals is essential in limiting or preventing human outbreaks.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has partnered with the University of Missouri to unlock hidden data that these adaptable creatures sharing our spaces may hold. By closely monitoring rat populations, researchers can track the spread of various zoonotic diseases to understand how they move between animals and people. This intel is vital for developing strategies to intercept and potentially contain outbreaks before they spread.
This isn't just an urban story. APHIS' "One Health" approach recognizes that the health of animals, plants, people, and the environment are intricately linked.
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Categories: Missouri, General