Risk assessment of zoonotic viruses in urban-adapted wildlife

Abstract

The repeated emergence of pandemic viruses underscores the linkages between land-use change and wildlife disease, and urban-adapted wildlife are of special interest due to their close proximity to humans. However, viral diversity within urban-adapted species and their zoonotic potential remains largely unexplored. We compiled a large dataset on seven priority urban-adapted mammal species and their viruses covering over 115 countries from 1574 to 2023. These urban-adapted species host 286 virus species spanning 24 orders and 38 families, 14 of which are potentially high risk for human infection. Raccoons carried the most high-risk viruses, while raccoon dogs had increased viral positivity in urban habitats compared to raccoons, wild boars, and red foxes. Many viruses in urban-adapted species were phylogenetically related to those found in humans, and we also observed evidence of possible viral spillback. These results highlight zoonotic risks associated with urban-adapted species and suggest enhanced surveillance to mitigate future outbreaks.