NaturePath

More than ever before, the health of humans, animals and the natural environment is inextricably linked. Human activity in the modern era shapes the way pathogens emerge from their natural reservoirs through urbanization, global air travel, agriculture and many other activities. In fact, 75% of emerging infectious diseases and nearly all recent pandemics are zoonoses, pathogens originating from animals. 

Despite the significant health, economic and societal impact of these recent pandemics, current routine surveillance is designed to focus on known diseases and clinical symptoms found in human patients. Health security experts have determined that using metagenomic sequencing to assess unusual disease patterns in humans and animals while simultaneously conducting random environmental sampling to capture pathogen circulation is a crucial element of future pandemic preparedness. In particular, the sampling of wastewater is needed because it offers a way to detect pathogens of pandemic potential prior to their manifestation in human patients.

NaturePath aims to respond to this need by performing pathogen-agnostic sequencing of water samples that represent a wide diversity of wildlife with the goal of being able to recognize potential emerging pathogens while gaining a better understanding of the viral diversity from disparate ecosystems. A primary focus of NaturePath’s activity is on pathogens of pandemic potential such as avian H5N1 influenza, but an important secondary focus will be a more general survey of viral dynamics in wildlife. 

Potential outcomes of NaturePath include: