Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

According to the World Health Organization, 75% of emerging infectious diseases recognized over the past 10 years are zoonotic (transmitted from animals to humans). This has led to the realization that zoonotic diseases, particularly those associated with wildlife, pose a significant threat to human health. People living in cities are at increased risk for certain zoonotic diseases because the urban environment creates an opportunity for close contact between humans and certain wildlife species, most notably rats. Rats have been, and continue to be, the source of a number of important zoonotic diseases, e.g., plague and leptospirosis, for people living in cities around the world. Given that over 23 million people currently live in Canada's urban centers (Statistics Canada, 2005), a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors associated with disease transmission from rats to humans is crucial to protect the health of Canadians. However, despite evidence that rats are thriving in cities across Canada, there is a paucity of data on Canadian rat populations and the risks that they may pose to human health. This is problematic because the non-specific illnesses caused by many rat-borne zoonoses can be misdiagnosed if health professionals are unaware of the presence of, and risk factors associated with, these diseases in their jurisdictions. Also, since the distribution and incidence of many rat-borne zoonotic diseases are increasing in association with increased global urbanization, Canadian cities may be vulnerable to future epidemics associated with these diseases if adequate surveillance is not in place. By studying the dynamics of rat-borne zoonoses in Vancouver, we will be able to characterize the human health risks associated with urban rats and to analyze existing and potential surveillance systems for rat-associated disease, allowing us to provide insight into how these systems can be improved to better protect human health, both locally and nationally.