May-August, 2025

A study coordinated by Emma Lahmer funded by CNRS@CREATE under Olivier Telle and Serge Morand.

The study focuses on the interactions between the transmission of leptospirosis in Singapore, rat population dynamics and the urban environment within Outram Planning Area in the context of high urban density and historical touristic area.

The analysis is structured into three components: (1) the identification and analysis of leptospirosis dynamics and the human population most at risk, based on demographic data of leptospirosis and fieldwork in Outram; (2) the assessment of infrastructure and urban management (drainage systems, waste collection, maintenance of green spaces) factors influencing the presence and activity of rodents; (3) the study of the role of governmental agencies, such as the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Public Utilities Board (PUB), in prevention and pest control measures.

Findings indicate that rat proliferation is strongly correlated with the presence of food sources and urban configurations such as drainage infrastructure, green space or historical neighborhood.

The study concludes that an integrated approach combining urban planning, public health and wildlife management is essential to reduce leptospirosis incidence as well as public awareness in Singapore.

More information:

A presentation of the study

A report by Emma Lahmer

Bangkok: September-November, 2025

A study coordinated by Emma Lahmer, with the support of Olivier Telle, Serge Morand  and Kittipong Chaisiri

The project emphasizes the need to better understand the interactions between urban environments, synanthropic fauna and health risks in order to anticipate the future vulnerabilities of large tropical cities.

This work proposes an environmental impact study focused on the evolution of natural and human-made environments in Bangkok Metropolitan Province between 2018 and 2025, specifically around three major public parks: Lumphini Park, Wachirabenchathat Park and Benchakitti Park.

The analysis employs a dual approach: on the one hand, remote sensing, spectral indices and multi-source environmental data; on the other hand, in-depth fieldwork aimed at documenting urban structures, practices, infrastructure, green spaces and the conditions that favor the presence of rodents. Through a progression from the macro to the micro-territorial level, this study examines urban transformations, identifies factors that promote or limit rodent proliferation and compares the results with a study conducted in Singapore to shed light on the common challenges faced by

Southeast Asian metropolises.

More information:

A presentation of the study

A report by Emma Lahmer

A fieldwork coordinated by Elisa Foujols and Chayanan Arahkong, supported by MITI CNRS to Olivier Telle and Rodolphe Hamel

 This work developed an active surveillance program through the collection, identification, and spatial analysis of mosquito larvae across the diverse urban patterns of Nan city, a medium-sized city of Northern Thailand that experienced a significant urban expansion since the 1980s. We adopted a holistic approach combining the use of demographic data, land-use covers and passive surveillance reports to select our areas of interest.

The fieldwork team gathered representatives from the Ministry of Public Health in Nan, members of Primary Care Units, village volunteers, and students from the IRL HealthDEEP laboratory (Kasetsart University). The team successfully investigated 11 areas distributed across 3 distinct urban environments, and surveyed a total of 116 households and 621 water-holding breeding sites. During this fieldwork, 109 interviews were conducted with household members to collect socio-economic information complementing our entomological data. Later, the number and genus of the collected larvae were determined.

The analysis of these data will improve our understanding of local transmission risks in small and medium cities presenting heterogeneous urban patterns. Our findings will later be shared with local health authorities to support discussions on the vulnerability of surveyed areas and potential vector management strategies. Moreover, this work allowed us to strengthen the collaboration and contacts between IRL HealthDEEP members and local authorities, facilitating future collaborations in this area..

A project coordinated by Rodolphe Hamel

Recent studies have highlighted the global health risks posed by arboviruses and the impact of urbanization on public health. However, few studies have explored the effect of urban development and landscape changes on the risk of exposure to arboviruses in the urban peripheries of Southeast Asian cities.

The project Urban-EXAM – Urban Exposome and Arbovirus Management – propose to investigate this exposomic risk in Nan, a provincial capital city in expansion in northern Thailand. Building on the concept of the urban exposome, this interdisciplinary project combines microgeography, arbovirology, and entomology. It aims to understand how urbanization affects population exposure to arboviruses, refine the study of vector and reservoir ecology within a One Health approach, and analyze the links between local urban management and arbovirus transmission to better anticipate public health risks.

At the heart of this project, the urban exposome, which enables the study of the total environmental exposures that urban populations experience throughout their lives, offering a holistic and dynamic perspective on public health risk prevention.

In collaboration with IRL HealthDEEP, Urban-EXAM program brings together two laboratories, both highly recognized in their respective fields: MIVEGEC, specializing in health ecology, and IRASEC, focusing on social sciences. Focused on the Global South, this exploratory project will be carried out in Thailand in collaboration with expert researchers in epidemiology, virology, and public health from one of the country's leading universities, Mahidol University.

A project coordinated by Olivier Telle.

Funded by CNRS MITI, and in partnership with Geographie-cités, this project adopts a One Health perspective to investigate the dynamics of arbovirus transmission in urban ecosystems, with a focus on marginalised urban spaces. By exploring the interactions between human activity, ecological systems, and vector habitats, the project examines how urbanisation influences the risks of arboviruses spread. Using a mixed-methods approach, OUR-HEALTH combines spatial analysis, socio-environmental assessments, and public health governance studies to identify effective local interventions.

Key outcomes include recommendations for integrated vector management, policy frameworks for urban health, and strategies to reduce human vulnerability to arbovirus transmission. By linking public health with urban governance, OUR-HEALTH establishes a foundation for adaptive, sustainable health interventions across South and Southeast Asia.

A project coordinated by Olivier Telle.

The EXPOSOC project investigates the urban exposome—the totality of environmental exposures individuals face in urban settings—through a One Health lens. With a case study in Nan, Thailand, the project evaluates how environmental contaminants, zoonotic pathogens, and air pollution interact with human behaviours, including mobility, work habits, and preventive measures. By examining the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health, EXPOSOC delivers a comprehensive understanding of health risks in peri-urban and urban areas.

In collaboration with the UMR Mivegec and UMR Geographie-cités, this project integrates diverse data sources, including serological sampling, environmental assessments, and social behaviour studies, to identify systemic vulnerabilities. Outcomes include targeted public health interventions, recommendations for pollution and vector control, and frameworks addressing inequalities in urban health, aligning with One Health principles for holistic, interdisciplinary solutions.

Funded by the National Research Fundation of Singapore, the SPACE project develops predictive epidemiological models rooted in urban health, using Singapore as a foundational case study. By integrating spatial, climatic, social, and mobility data, WP1, co-led by Olivier Telle, examines how disease transmission dynamics can inform regional interventions. The project emphasises the interplay between human mobility, socio-environmental factors to understand the spread of diseases such as dengue and COVID-19.

SPACE aims to provides a scalable framework to address diverse urban health challenges. The project highlights the importance of regional collaboration and data-driven governance in enhancing public health systems, supporting targeted interventions, and improving community resilience to epidemic risks.