Investigating Risky Behaviors Associated with Bat Handling on Social Media
Disciplines
Epidemiology | Other Public Health | Virology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Rabies is a fatal, yet preventable viral disease that primarily affects the central nervous system and brain. In 2018, 4,591 cases of animal rabies were reported in the United States. Of these cases, bats accounted for 1,653 confirmed cases, and serves as the primary reservoir for rabies in the United States. Studies have shown that social media use positively correlated with risk taking-taking behaviors, such as substance use and distracted driving. In this study, the occurrence of risk-taking behaviors associated with animal handling (e.g. contact in the absence of personal protective equipment) on social media was investigated. Videos were collected from a major social media platform and risk-taking behaviors were recorded. Preliminary results showed a large number of videos exhibited potentially dangerous bat handling behaviors, especially the lack of personal protective equipment while handling animals. Our results show that social media may normalize behaviors that increase the risk of zoonotic pathogen spillover from wildlife.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Andrew Haddow
Investigating Risky Behaviors Associated with Bat Handling on Social Media
Rabies is a fatal, yet preventable viral disease that primarily affects the central nervous system and brain. In 2018, 4,591 cases of animal rabies were reported in the United States. Of these cases, bats accounted for 1,653 confirmed cases, and serves as the primary reservoir for rabies in the United States. Studies have shown that social media use positively correlated with risk taking-taking behaviors, such as substance use and distracted driving. In this study, the occurrence of risk-taking behaviors associated with animal handling (e.g. contact in the absence of personal protective equipment) on social media was investigated. Videos were collected from a major social media platform and risk-taking behaviors were recorded. Preliminary results showed a large number of videos exhibited potentially dangerous bat handling behaviors, especially the lack of personal protective equipment while handling animals. Our results show that social media may normalize behaviors that increase the risk of zoonotic pathogen spillover from wildlife.