A web application called SpillOver, which prioritizes wildlife-origin viruses based on their risk of spreading to humans, might aid efforts to prevent future pandemics, according to a study. The rapid global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) highlights the urgent need for strategies enabling the early identification of wildlife viruses with a high potential of transmission to humans. However, previously developed viral risk-ranking tools are limited in scope, focusing on a narrow range of viruses or only a few risk factors. Jonna Mazet and colleagues examined the scientific literature and convened a panel of experts to identify the most relevant viral, host, and environmental risk factors and assemble a database of 887 wildlife viruses that may pose a threat to humans. At the top of the list were 12 known human pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, Lassa virus, and Ebola virus, validating the accuracy of the tool. In addition, several newly discovered viruses scored higher than known human pathogens. The datasets can be edited to continuously improve the completeness and accuracy of the information. According to the authors, SpillOver could help scientists and policymakers target research, surveillance efforts, and public health interventions toward viruses at risk of spillover to prevent and manage future outbreaks.
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Article #20-02324: "Ranking the risk of animal-to-human spillover for newly discovered viruses," by Zoë L. Grange et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jonna Mazet, University of California, Davis, CA; tel: 530-752-7526; email: <jkmazet@ucdavis.edu>
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences