Emerging infectious diseases that jump from animals to humans, known as zoonoses, have become an increasing global health concern. From Ebola viruses to new strains of influenza, outbreaks of these pathogens most frequently occur where people and wildlife come into close contact. One such place is the area surrounding Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a region rich in biodiversity with nearby human populations that depend on the forest for their livelihoods.
Recently, our team adapted the Living Safely With Bats Book for use in the Amazonian region of Peru, where people living in close proximity to bats is common. Originally developed for use in Africa and Asia (Martinez et al. 2022), the Living Safely with Bats books are moderated picture books designed to be shared with communities by a local facilitator. These books provide straightforward advice on how to coexist safely with bats using a One Health approach, and our team was excited to expand their use to a new region.
