Research Projects

Emerging diseases in human populations are linked to wildlife interactions and zoonoses being transmitted from the wild to domestic animals, humans, and pets. Surveillance of wildlife populations is crucial for understanding and defending against future disease outbreaks in human populations. Identifying factors that govern migration, interactions with species, and total resource exploitation provides a fundamental understanding of potential exchanges between organisms and diseases. Parasitic zoonosis, including protozoans and helminths like nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes, can infect humans. In India, there has been limited research on bird trematodes, except for some screening in captive birds and a few wild species. Heronry birds in public areas pose a serious public health concern due to their droppings and fallen prey, and the possibility of disease transmission during foraging. Continuous epidemiological surveillance is needed to address these concerns and protect heronry birds. This research proposal aims to evaluate the potential of heronry birds to spread disease and assess their potential to spread. Faeces samples and dead birds will be collected from various areas, and the diversity and load of parasites will be determined. Prevmap and Biomod2 tools in R software will be used to simulate the prevalence and parasitic load in relation to heronry sites. The maps created will help identify high-risk regions and suggest mitigation steps. This study may enhance the effectiveness of public health initiatives and integrate the domains of ecology, wildlife illnesses, and public health to implement the One Health concept.