Project description DEENESFRITPL Studying infectious disease transfer by seagulls The SENTIMOUV project will study the role of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) in spreading infectious diseases through access to human food sources. This coastal seabird is often found in the western Mediterranean basin, where it comes in contact with human food. The project will shed light on the ill-understood interaction between seabirds and pathogens, focusing on the spread of toxoplasmosis and avian influenza. Among others, SENTIMOUV will study disease immunity in nestling birds and the dynamics of diseases through biologging and serological sampling to determine the cycle of wildlife transfer of disease. The goal is to develop an adaptable model for predicting and managing infectious diseases related to the wildlife-human interface. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Infectious diseases present a significant and growing threat to public health, domestic livestock production, and biodiversity conservation. Due to their global distribution and wide-ranging movements, seabirds are important vectors for the spread of pathogens across continents and ocean basins. Coastal seabirds, which associate with and exploit anthropogenic food sources, are particularly likely to interact with human-associated pathogens and zoonotic agents, making them useful candidates for monitoring disease prevalence. However, many factors mediating the interactions between seabirds and pathogens remain unknown or poorly understood. Our study will combine targeted field data collection, laboratory analysis, and quantitative modeling to develop a mechanistic understanding of the factors affecting prevalence and transmission of infectious diseases by seabirds at the wildlife-human interface. We will explore spatial and demographic factors affecting exposure and transmission rates for two key zoonotic diseases, toxoplasmosis and avian influenza, by a generalist coastal seabird, the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) in the western Mediterranean basin. Within this study system, we will combine movement analysis using biologging, serological sampling, habitat and demographic analysis, and agent-based models to develop a comprehensive understanding of epidemiological dynamics. We will also use experimental studies to directly test the development of disease immunity in nestling birds and the effects of management actions on disease transfer. We will then apply scenario planning to study the effects of both management and habitat change on disease dynamics. Our results will not only improve understanding of gulls as vectors for infectious agents, but also provide a comprehensive quantitative framework for modeling disease dynamics that can be adapted to predicting and managing the spread of infectious disease at the wildlife-human interface. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyornithologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiodiversity conservationnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsagricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandrymedical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthepidemiologyzoonosis Keywords disease dynamics immunology spatial ecology management Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2018 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS Net EU contribution € 196 707,84 Address Rue michel ange 3 75794 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
