Global atlas maps 55,000 RNA viruses in urban environments worldwide

An international research project led by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine has produced the largest known atlas of RNA viruses in urban and peri-urban environments. The study, published in Nature Communications, analyzed environmental samples from nearly 100 cities in 30 countries.

Researchers identified more than 55,000 RNA virus sequences from soil, sediment and other environmental sources. About 80% of these viruses had never been documented before.

The catalog includes roughly 60 viruses that computational models predict could infect humans and 47 that may infect other animals. The study also identified 166 viruses that appear to interact with antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as ESKAPE pathogens.

Joshua Burkhart, an affiliate assistant professor in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, said the findings should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a cause for concern. He noted that regular viral surveillance of this kind could help scientists recognize unusual viral activity sooner.

The research challenges the long-held belief that RNA viruses primarily infect animals. Roughly half of the identified RNA viruses appear to infect bacteria, with soil and sediment showing extremely high viral diversity.

Burkhart said the viruses interacting with ESKAPE pathogens could open new avenues for developing antibacterial agents. He also emphasized the need to study floodwater and runoff sources more intensively given the viral diversity found in soil and sediment.

Hawaiʻi samples were collected as part of related research but were not included in this publication. Burkhart hopes future studies will expand environmental monitoring throughout the islands.

The study provides a baseline map of viruses that already exist in environments people encounter daily, which could improve surveillance efforts during future outbreaks.