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Human-bat contacts in the Netherlands, and potential risks for virus exchange
L Begeman1, M J M Geschiere1, W F de Boer2
1Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
One Health Outlook
|February 14, 2025
Summary
Direct human-bat contact is rare in the general Dutch population but common in bat-related professions. Targeted mitigation strategies are recommended for specific high-contact groups to prevent viral disease transmission.
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic disease transmission
- Wildlife-human interactions
- Bat ecology and conservation
Background:
- Proximity of bat populations to dense human populations in the Netherlands creates potential for novel virus exchange.
- Limited research exists on the frequency and nature of human-bat interactions in the Netherlands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of human-bat contacts in the Netherlands.
- To assess public knowledge and perceptions regarding bats and potential disease transmission.
Main Methods:
- Survey of residents in the Netherlands regarding bat contact types and frequency.
- Categorization of respondents into general population, bat contact risk group, and residents near bat roosts.
- Ordinal logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with human-bat contact.
Main Results:
- 85% of the general population reported no bat contact; 4% reported direct contact.
- Individuals in bat-related professions reported frequent direct contact (37%) and injuries (38%).
- Increased knowledge about bats correlated with closer human-bat contact.
Conclusions:
- Direct human-bat contact is infrequent in the general Dutch population but common among bat-related workers.
- Targeted interventions are necessary to mitigate human-bat contact risks in specific occupational groups.
- Understanding human-bat interactions is crucial for preventing zoonotic disease outbreaks.
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