The researcher of IOC Jorlan Fernandes analyzes genomic sequencing data of viruses detected in rodent samples during training given by a UK-PHRST specialist. Photo: Rudson Amorim
A collaborative project of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FiocA research project (ruz) in collaboration with institutions in the United Kingdom is investigating the presence of viruses in rodents from the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro.
In addition to detecting microorganisms that cause serious diseases, such as hantaviruses and arenaviruses, scientists are seeking to identify new pathogens with the potential to threaten public health.
The collaboration involves the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), a partnership between the UK Health Security Agency and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care with resources from UK international aid.
No IOCThe initiative is coordinated by Laboratory of Hantaviruses and Rickettsiosis, which acts as a regional reference center for hantaviruses, spotted fever, and other rickettsioses in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
The project also has the collaboration of Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammals Reservoirs, which serves as a national reference in the taxonomy of wild reservoirs in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
As part of this project, from January 26th to 30th, a UK-PHRST specialist was at IOC, providing training on genetic sequencing methodologies that expand the potential for detecting pathogens in rodent samples.
Representatives of the IOC They also participated in a meeting of the British team's scientific partners, in Brasília, from February 3rd to 5th.
“The partnership with the UK team helps our Laboratory prepare for probable and possible emergencies associated with rodent-borne viruses, including high-impact diseases that already occur in Brazil, such as hantavirus and Brazilian hemorrhagic fever, caused by the Sabiá virus. This preparation is even more necessary because we are experiencing climate and environmental changes, which are bringing us ever closer to our fauna,” says Jorlan Fernandes, researcher at the Hantavirus and Rickettsiosis Laboratory of [Institution Name]. IOC.
“The genomics training ensures that the team will be able to use new methods to search for emerging viruses in rodents. This work is important because it allows us to understand which viruses are circulating in animals that may pose a risk to humans. With this information, if infections occur, we hope to be able to detect these cases in clinical settings,” says Daniel Carter, a genomics specialist at UK-PHRST, who led the training. IOC.
UK-PHRST genomics experts, Daniel Carter (top left), with a team of professionals and students from IOC involved in the cooperation project. Photo: Rudson Amorim
The municipality of Rio Claro, in the southern part of the state of Rio de Janeiro, was chosen as the study site for the teams. In 2015, the city registered the first case of hantavirus in the state of Rio de Janeiro, which was confirmed by [unclear - possibly a medical institution]. IOCSince then, no new infections have been reported in the state.
“Knowing the viruses circulating in rodents in this region is important information for public health, since there is a history of hantavirus occurrence and the presence of rodents that potentially act as reservoirs for these pathogens and other still unknown viruses. The municipality is also close to the state of São Paulo, where the only cases of arenavirus hemorrhagic fever in Brazil were diagnosed, caused by the Sabiá virus, which, to this day, has no known reservoir,” highlights Renata Oliveira, head of the Hantavirus and Rickettsiosis Laboratory.
The researcher of IOC Bernardo Teixeira installs a trap to capture rodents and analyzes a sample during fieldwork in the municipality of Rio Claro. Photo: Acrevo
The investigation began in December 2025 with the capture of small wild mammals. A field laboratory was set up in Rio Claro to collect biological samples following biosafety protocols.
“We established study areas in fragments of the Atlantic Forest, including interior forest sections and forest edges interfacing with peridomestic areas. Among other species, we collected samples of wild rodents.” Akodon cursor e Oligoryzomys nigripes“They are recognized as potential reservoirs of hantavirus in the region,” points out Bernardo Teixeira, a researcher at the Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammal Reservoirs, who coordinated the fieldwork and taxonomic identification of the wild rodents.
The activities were supported by the Rio de Janeiro State Health Department and the Rio Claro Municipal Health Department.
In the Hantavirus and Rickettsiosis Laboratory, the first set of tests applied molecular and serological diagnostic methodologies to identify the presence of hantavirus and arenavirus.
Sample application in portable equipment for genomic sequencing during training at the Hantavirus and Rickettsiosis Laboratory of IOC. Photo: Rudson Amorim
During the training with UK-PHRST, which included the participation of researchers and postgraduate students from the Institute, the samples were subjected to metagenomic sequencing, a technique that enhances virus detection.
“Unlike traditional molecular diagnostics, where we seek to detect the genomes of already known viruses, metagenomics allows us to identify all viruses present in the sample. From this, we can discover new viruses with the potential to infect humans and prepare for possible outbreaks,” explains Jorlan.
The training covered protocols focused on rodent sample analysis and the use of portable equipment for genetic sequencing.
“With this equipment, acquired through the project, we will be able to carry out analyses during field research, offering a faster response in outbreak situations,” Renata points out.
After the laboratory stages, scientists perform bioinformatics analyses to characterize the viruses identified through metagenomics. The expectation is to present research results by March.
In Brasilia, the UK-PHRST scientific partners meeting discussed five research projects being developed in Brazil in collaboration with the UK team. The ongoing study in IOC It was presented by Jorlan Fernandes.
A meeting of UK-PHRST partners brought together scientists responsible for five research projects, as well as representatives from PAHO and the Ministry of Health, among others. Photo: Archive
The event also discussed proposals to strengthen policies aimed at preventing and controlling public health emergencies in Brazil and around the world.
"In addition to scientific advancement, cooperation between IOC "UK-PHRST contributes to forming institutional networks, with national and international partners who can work together to strengthen emergency preparedness and response," highlighted Carlos Eduardo Rocha, coordinator of International Relations at UK-PHRST. IOC, who was part of the Institute's delegation at the event.
"It has been very positive to conduct excellent research alongside our partners in Brazil, including the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, of Fioc"This initiative aims to strengthen the scientific evidence base and improve outbreak response at the municipal, state, and national levels. Our meeting in Brasília was very productive, with rich discussions on both the work already done and the next steps. We look forward to continuing these initiatives as we seek to identify shared research priorities and build sustainable pathways for more informed management of public health emergencies, both locally and globally," said Edmund Newman, director of UK-PHRST.
The UK-PHRST partner meeting also included representatives from the Vice Presidency for Global Health and International Relations of the UK.iocruz (VPSGRI/Fiocruz), from the Aggeu Magalhães Institute (Fiocruz Pernambuco), from the Leônidas and Maria Deane Institute (FiocThe project was conducted by the Amazon River Basin), the Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), ProEpi, the University of São Paulo (USP), and the British Embassy in Brasília, among other institutions.
The researcher of IOC Jorlan Fernandes analyzes genomic sequencing data of viruses detected in rodent samples during training given by a UK-PHRST specialist. Photo: Rudson Amorim
A collaborative project of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/FiocA research project (ruz) in collaboration with institutions in the United Kingdom is investigating the presence of viruses in rodents from the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro.
In addition to detecting microorganisms that cause serious diseases, such as hantaviruses and arenaviruses, scientists are seeking to identify new pathogens with the potential to threaten public health.
The collaboration involves the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), a partnership between the UK Health Security Agency and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care with resources from UK international aid.
No IOCThe initiative is coordinated by Laboratory of Hantaviruses and Rickettsiosis, which acts as a regional reference center for hantaviruses, spotted fever, and other rickettsioses in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
The project also has the collaboration of Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammals Reservoirs, which serves as a national reference in the taxonomy of wild reservoirs in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.
As part of this project, from January 26th to 30th, a UK-PHRST specialist was at IOC, providing training on genetic sequencing methodologies that expand the potential for detecting pathogens in rodent samples.
Representatives of the IOC They also participated in a meeting of the British team's scientific partners, in Brasília, from February 3rd to 5th.
“The partnership with the UK team helps our Laboratory prepare for probable and possible emergencies associated with rodent-borne viruses, including high-impact diseases that already occur in Brazil, such as hantavirus and Brazilian hemorrhagic fever, caused by the Sabiá virus. This preparation is even more necessary because we are experiencing climate and environmental changes, which are bringing us ever closer to our fauna,” says Jorlan Fernandes, researcher at the Hantavirus and Rickettsiosis Laboratory of [Institution Name]. IOC.
“The genomics training ensures that the team will be able to use new methods to search for emerging viruses in rodents. This work is important because it allows us to understand which viruses are circulating in animals that may pose a risk to humans. With this information, if infections occur, we hope to be able to detect these cases in clinical settings,” says Daniel Carter, a genomics specialist at UK-PHRST, who led the training. IOC.
UK-PHRST genomics experts, Daniel Carter (top left), with a team of professionals and students from IOC involved in the cooperation project. Photo: Rudson Amorim
The municipality of Rio Claro, in the southern part of the state of Rio de Janeiro, was chosen as the study site for the teams. In 2015, the city registered the first case of hantavirus in the state of Rio de Janeiro, which was confirmed by [unclear - possibly a medical institution]. IOCSince then, no new infections have been reported in the state.
“Knowing the viruses circulating in rodents in this region is important information for public health, since there is a history of hantavirus occurrence and the presence of rodents that potentially act as reservoirs for these pathogens and other still unknown viruses. The municipality is also close to the state of São Paulo, where the only cases of arenavirus hemorrhagic fever in Brazil were diagnosed, caused by the Sabiá virus, which, to this day, has no known reservoir,” highlights Renata Oliveira, head of the Hantavirus and Rickettsiosis Laboratory.
The researcher of IOC Bernardo Teixeira installs a trap to capture rodents and analyzes a sample during fieldwork in the municipality of Rio Claro. Photo: Acrevo
The investigation began in December 2025 with the capture of small wild mammals. A field laboratory was set up in Rio Claro to collect biological samples following biosafety protocols.
“We established study areas in fragments of the Atlantic Forest, including interior forest sections and forest edges interfacing with peridomestic areas. Among other species, we collected samples of wild rodents.” Akodon cursor e Oligoryzomys nigripes“They are recognized as potential reservoirs of hantavirus in the region,” points out Bernardo Teixeira, a researcher at the Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammal Reservoirs, who coordinated the fieldwork and taxonomic identification of the wild rodents.
The activities were supported by the Rio de Janeiro State Health Department and the Rio Claro Municipal Health Department.
In the Hantavirus and Rickettsiosis Laboratory, the first set of tests applied molecular and serological diagnostic methodologies to identify the presence of hantavirus and arenavirus.
Sample application in portable equipment for genomic sequencing during training at the Hantavirus and Rickettsiosis Laboratory of IOC. Photo: Rudson Amorim
During the training with UK-PHRST, which included the participation of researchers and postgraduate students from the Institute, the samples were subjected to metagenomic sequencing, a technique that enhances virus detection.
“Unlike traditional molecular diagnostics, where we seek to detect the genomes of already known viruses, metagenomics allows us to identify all viruses present in the sample. From this, we can discover new viruses with the potential to infect humans and prepare for possible outbreaks,” explains Jorlan.
The training covered protocols focused on rodent sample analysis and the use of portable equipment for genetic sequencing.
“With this equipment, acquired through the project, we will be able to carry out analyses during field research, offering a faster response in outbreak situations,” Renata points out.
After the laboratory stages, scientists perform bioinformatics analyses to characterize the viruses identified through metagenomics. The expectation is to present research results by March.
In Brasilia, the UK-PHRST scientific partners meeting discussed five research projects being developed in Brazil in collaboration with the UK team. The ongoing study in IOC It was presented by Jorlan Fernandes.
A meeting of UK-PHRST partners brought together scientists responsible for five research projects, as well as representatives from PAHO and the Ministry of Health, among others. Photo: Archive
The event also discussed proposals to strengthen policies aimed at preventing and controlling public health emergencies in Brazil and around the world.
"In addition to scientific advancement, cooperation between IOC "UK-PHRST contributes to forming institutional networks, with national and international partners who can work together to strengthen emergency preparedness and response," highlighted Carlos Eduardo Rocha, coordinator of International Relations at UK-PHRST. IOC, who was part of the Institute's delegation at the event.
"It has been very positive to conduct excellent research alongside our partners in Brazil, including the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, of Fioc"This initiative aims to strengthen the scientific evidence base and improve outbreak response at the municipal, state, and national levels. Our meeting in Brasília was very productive, with rich discussions on both the work already done and the next steps. We look forward to continuing these initiatives as we seek to identify shared research priorities and build sustainable pathways for more informed management of public health emergencies, both locally and globally," said Edmund Newman, director of UK-PHRST.
The UK-PHRST partner meeting also included representatives from the Vice Presidency for Global Health and International Relations of the UK.iocruz (VPSGRI/Fiocruz), from the Aggeu Magalhães Institute (Fiocruz Pernambuco), from the Leônidas and Maria Deane Institute (FiocThe project was conducted by the Amazon River Basin), the Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), ProEpi, the University of São Paulo (USP), and the British Embassy in Brasília, among other institutions.
The non-profit reproduction of the text is allowed as long as the source is cited (Comunicação / Instituto Oswaldo Cruz)
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