Strengthen Applied Science in Chile: Doctor Osornino’s Call for Practical Solutions
- OSORNO, Chile (April 4, 2025) — Research conducted in southern Chile has analyzed the potential for disease transmission between invasive and native mammal species, raising concerns about ecological...
- Alexis Santibáñez Barría, academic director at Santo Tomás university (UST) in Osorno, recently earned a doctorate in biodiversity Conservation and Management after defending his thesis on the subject.
- Santibáñez's research focused on characterizing interactions between several mammal species to estimate the probability of disease contagion.
Disease Transmission Risk Studied Between Invasive, Native Species in Southern Chile
Table of Contents
- Disease Transmission Risk Studied Between Invasive, Native Species in Southern Chile
- Disease Transmission risk Studied Between Invasive, Native Species in Southern Chile
- 1. What is the focus of the research conducted in southern Chile?
- 2. Who conducted this research?
- 3. What was the subject of Alexis Santibáñez Barría’s doctoral thesis?
- 4. Which species of mammals were studied by the research?
- 5. What diseases were the focus of the study?
- 6. Where are these diseases typically found and what are the risks?
- 7.Why does Santibáñez emphasize the importance of applied science?
- 8.What are the specific recommendations by Santibáñez to address issues related to disease transmission?
- 9. What are the key recommendations for mink population control?
- 10. What is the estimated economic impact of mink in Chile?
- 11. How can regional governments support this research?
- 12. What areas should public-private alliances focus on?
OSORNO, Chile (April 4, 2025) — Research conducted in southern Chile has analyzed the potential for disease transmission between invasive and native mammal species, raising concerns about ecological and public health risks.
Doctoral Research Focuses on Biological Invasions
Alexis Santibáñez Barría, academic director at Santo Tomás university (UST) in Osorno, recently earned a doctorate in biodiversity Conservation and Management after defending his thesis on the subject. His research investigated the transmission of diseases between invasive species and native wildlife, with implications for human health.
Study Examines Disease Spread Among Mammals
Santibáñez’s research focused on characterizing interactions between several mammal species to estimate the probability of disease contagion. The study included domestic dogs, invasive mink, native otters, and various rodent populations.
“Indirect interactions between these mammals were characterized,estimating the probability of contagion of four diseases: distemper,canine parvovirus,leptospirosis and yersiniosis,” Santibáñez said. He noted that distemper and canine parvovirus are typically found in dogs, while leptospirosis and yersiniosis affect rodents and can be transmitted to humans, posing a public health risk.
Researcher Calls for Applied Science to Solve Socio-Ecological Problems
Santibáñez emphasized the importance of researchers contributing to applied science in Chile, aiming to provide concrete solutions to socio-ecological problems and promote innovation for enduring development.
He advocated for national-level action through research funding from the National Research and Development Agency (ANID), which manages science, technology, and innovation programs under the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation.
Regional Governments Urged to Support Research Initiatives
Santibáñez also highlighted the role of regional governments in supporting research through the Innovation Fund for Regional Competitiveness (FIC-R),part of the National Regional Development Fund (FNDR). This fund aims to promote applied research in productive sectors, improving development opportunities and quality of life for the population.
He stressed the need for efficient public-private alliances to improve the quality of life for local communities, focusing on key areas such as peasant family agriculture, ecotourism, renewable energies, food security, aquaculture, climate change, and biodiversity.
Recommendations for Vision Control
Based on his doctoral thesis, Santibáñez proposed measures to intensify biological control efforts targeting invasive mink populations:
- Reinforce mink capture programs, particularly at the northern edge of their distribution, to limit their spread and improve disease diagnosis.
- Implement mandatory vaccination programs for rural dogs and control measures on mink entering private properties. Rodent control measures should be even stricter due to their role as disease hosts.
- Share information in open-access repositories to promote collaboration between universities, state agencies, and peasant family agriculture, aiming to reduce economic losses caused by biological invasions. Losses caused by mink in Chile could reach $500 million over 20 years, according to estimates.
Disease Transmission risk Studied Between Invasive, Native Species in Southern Chile
1. What is the focus of the research conducted in southern Chile?
The research, according to the provided text, analyzes the potential for disease transmission between invasive and native mammal species, raising concerns about ecological and public health risks.
2. Who conducted this research?
The research was conducted by Alexis Santibáñez Barría,the academic director at Santo Tomás University (UST) in Osorno.
3. What was the subject of Alexis Santibáñez Barría’s doctoral thesis?
His doctoral thesis investigated the transmission of diseases between invasive species and native wildlife, with implications for human health.
4. Which species of mammals were studied by the research?
The study included domestic dogs, invasive mink, native otters, and various rodent populations.
5. What diseases were the focus of the study?
The study focused on the probability of contagion of four diseases: distemper, canine parvovirus, leptospirosis, and yersiniosis.
6. Where are these diseases typically found and what are the risks?
Distemper and canine parvovirus are typically found in dogs,while leptospirosis and yersiniosis affect rodents. Leptospirosis and yersiniosis can also be transmitted to humans, posing a public health risk.
7.Why does Santibáñez emphasize the importance of applied science?
santibáñez emphasizes the importance of researchers contributing to applied science in Chile to provide concrete solutions to socio-ecological problems and promote innovation for enduring development.
Alexis Santibáñez proposed measures based on his doctoral thesis to intensify biological control efforts targeting invasive mink populations.
9. What are the key recommendations for mink population control?
The recommendations include:
- Reinforcing mink capture programs, especially at the northern edge of their distribution, to limit their spread and improve disease diagnosis.
- Implementing mandatory vaccination programs for rural dogs and control measures on mink entering private properties.
- Stricter rodent control measures, as they serve as disease hosts.
- Sharing information in open-access repositories to promote collaboration between universities, state agencies, and peasant family agriculture.
10. What is the estimated economic impact of mink in Chile?
The text indicates that losses caused by mink in Chile could reach $500 million over 20 years, according to estimates.
11. How can regional governments support this research?
Regional governments can support research through the Innovation Fund for Regional Competitiveness (FIC-R), part of the National Regional Development Fund (FNDR). This fund aims to promote applied research in productive sectors.
12. What areas should public-private alliances focus on?
Efficient public-private alliances should focus on areas such as peasant family agriculture, ecotourism, renewable energies, food security, aquaculture, climate change, and biodiversity to improve the quality of life for local communities.