Close Contact Research Articles

Clustering of hepatitis C infection among family members in Aden, Yemen

Abstract Background Hepatitis C infection is a common cause of liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. This study aims to determine the clustering of HCV infection among family members of HCV-positive patients (index cases) and the association between internal and external risk factors and HCV infection among these family members. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted during a period from January to June 2024. One hundred and seventeen family members belonging to 26 index cases were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected from all family members, and then sera were separated and tested for anti-HCV antibodies by using a commercially available Cobas technique based on ECLIA. Results Among 117 family members, the majority 55.6% were females. The clustering of HCV infection among family members was 7.7%. The highest rates were 9.6% among males and 11.8% among members who were in close contact with female-positive cases, 12.8% in the age group 20–29 years, and 27.3% among brothers, but there were no HCV-positive cases detected among fathers, daughters, and husbands. There was a significant association between HCV infection and some behaviors of family members such as sharing the same sleeping places, nail clippers, and towels with index cases and exposure to cupping (p = 0.0001, 0.002, 0.017, and 0.050), respectively. Conclusion The HCV infection among family members in Aden, Yemen, was low in comparison with most studies globally. The highest rates were found among males, those in contact with female index cases, in the age group 20–29 years, and brothers as relatives, but there were no positive cases among fathers, husbands, daughters, and other relatives.

Analysis of Burn Casualties in the Swords of Iron War

Abstract The Swords of Iron (SOI) War is an armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has been taking place in Gaza from October 2023 until the present time of writing this article. This war is characterized by urban close contact combat. The combat equipment, weaponry, and protective measures employed, differ markedly from those in previously documented major conflicts, significantly impacting the types of injuries sustained by soldiers. This study examines the number of injured soldiers in combat, field mortality rates, incidence of burns and trauma, demographic details of the injured, causes and distribution of injuries, burn characteristics, hemodynamic status, and injury severity. This is a retrospective, registry-based cohort study. Military personnel treated by IDF medical teams with burn injuries from the ground maneuver in Gaza between October 27th, 2023 to April 2024 were included in the analysis. Diagnosis of burn injuries was made in the prehospital setting and recorded in the patient’s casualty cards and the IDF trauma registry and/or in the hospitals, and then recorded by the Israel National Trauma Registry. A total of 2,627 documented military personnel were included. Of them, there was a total of 249 burn casualties. They were all male combat soldiers and their mean age was 22 years. Most of the burn injuries were combined with other injuries, only 12% were defined as in shock state, and 14% received whole blood in the field. The burn degree was second and third degree for most cases. A third (34%) of burn injured soldiers had surgery (Table 2), and half of the total were sent to rehabilitation departments following their initial hospitalization. An analysis of total body surface area (TBSA)% affected by burns among SOI War casualties reveals a higher proportion of severe burns exceeding 20% TBSA, compared to previous conflicts. Additionally, a higher proportion of personnel suffered from second and third degree burns. This is likely attributed to the operational mode of the IDF in Gaza, where urban close-contact warfare exposes soldiers to heightened risks of explosive and blast injuries. A significant percentage of live casualties had TBSA percentages that were not life-threatening, which underscores the importance of updating emergency burn treatment protocols and employing rapid evacuation and medical response systems in the field. Most of the wounded that suffer from significant burns had other significant and life-threatening injuries, making the appropriate protective measures and the preparation for rapid evacuation the best way to improve burn casualty survival. The significance of this research lies in the timely analysis of accumulated combat data to derive lessons and conclusions relevant to ongoing and future conflicts, and to understand the clinical implications arising from combat situations. Given the relatively high prevalence of burn injuries, understanding their etiology, severity, and consequences is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment courses.

Respiratory tract bacteria distribution and transmission patterns among individuals in close contact.

Respiratory disease outbreaks frequently occur in settings where individuals are in close contact, for example, schools and factories. However, the transmission patterns of oropharyngeal microbiota among healthy individuals living in clusters are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the respiratory tract bacteria distribution and transmission patterns among individuals in close contact. A total of 36 freshmen from Peking University Medical School participated in the study. We collected pharyngeal swabs on the first day of enrollment, 15, 30, and 60 days after cohabitation. DNA was extracted from the swabs and subjected to high-throughput sequencing to profile the microbial composition. Statistical analyses were performed to assess diversity and significance. Neisseriaceae, Prevotellaceae, and Streptococcaceae were the most abundant bacterial families detected. Over time, changes were observed in the bacterial communities, with a tendency for increased similarity between dormitory room members. By day 60 of cohabitation, the bacterial communities appeared to be more similar compared to the baseline (prior to cohabitation). The transmission patterns included spreading with colonization, spreading without colonization, and non-spreading. Bacteria belonging to the core genera are most likely to spread and colonize easily. The risk of healthy cohabitants acquiring respiratory pathogens through close contact may be overestimated in epidemiological studies. Therefore, monitoring the spread of core genera that are easily transmitted and colonized is crucial for effective prevention of respiratory pathogen transmission.

Using a computational cognitive model to simulate the effects of personal and social network experiences on seasonal influenza vaccination decisions

IntroductionSeasonal influenza poses significant societal costs, including illness, mortality, and reduced work productivity. Vaccination remains the most effective strategy for preventing the disease, yet vaccination rates in the United States fall below 50% for adults. Understanding the factors influencing vaccination decisions is crucial for designing interventions to improve uptake. This study investigates how personal experiences and the experiences of social contacts affect individual decisions to get vaccinated against influenza.MethodsA multi-year longitudinal survey study was conducted to examine the impact of personal and social network experiences on vaccination decisions. Participants' vaccination behaviors and experiences with influenza were tracked over time. To model these influences, we developed a memory-based vaccination decision model using the Adaptive Control of Thought – Rational (ACT-R) integrated cognitive architecture, which incorporates cognitive processes associated with memory and decision-making.ResultsThe survey results demonstrated that both personal experiences with influenza and the experiences of close social contacts significantly influenced vaccination decisions. The memory-based model, built within the ACT-R framework, effectively captured these effects, providing a computational representation of how personal and social factors contribute to vaccination behaviors.DiscussionThe findings suggest that personal and social experiences play a critical role in shaping vaccination decisions, which can inform the development of targeted interventions to increase vaccination uptake. By incorporating cognitive processes into the model, we identified potential strategies to enhance vaccine promotion efforts, such as recalling past experiences with illness to motivate individuals to get vaccinated.

Abstract 4116949: Specialized Pericyte Subtypes in the Pulmonary Capillary

Introduction: Lung pericytes (PCs) are mural cells in close contact with endothelial cells (ECs) in the microvasculature. A significant challenge in investigating PC biology is largely due to the absence of a unique cell marker, making it difficult to distinguish them from other mural cell populations. The identification of such a marker would allow investigators to describe the role of PCs in various diseases including pulmonary arterial hypertension. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that HIG1 hypoxia-inducible domain family member 1B ( Higd1b ) is exclusively expressed in lung PCs, which contributes to hypoxia (Hx)-induced vascular remodeling. Methods: We utilized single-cell RNA sequence (scRNA-seq) databases, spatial transcriptomics, and RNAscope from human and murine lungs to identify a PC-specific cell marker and compare the gene expression between PC subtypes. We utilized Cre-LoxP and CRISPR technology to construct a novel tamoxifen-inducible Higd1b-CreERT2 knock-in mouse model and performed lineage-tracing studies to describe the role of PC subtypes in Hx-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). Results: ScRNA-seq analysis from the lungs of humans and mice identified Higd1b as a specific gene marker for PCs whose expression is absent in other mural cell populations. Validation with a reporter mouse line Higd1b-CreERT2::R26-tdT confirmed Higd1b-Cre+ cells specifically label PCs and no other mural cells ( Fig 1A ). Lineage tracing in the Hx-induced murine model of PH demonstrated the accumulation of PCs in the muscularized distal arterioles ( Fig 1B ). Through scRNA-seq and immunofluorescence validation, we identified two HIGD1B + PC subtypes that exist in the pulmonary capillary: Type 1 PCs, which are quiescent in the capillaries, and Type 2 PCs exhibit multipotent cell-like properties and accumulate in the arterioles after exposure to Hx. Furthermore, we found Type 2 PCs transited into SMC-like cells via the upregulation of Vimentin, contributing to vascular remodeling in Hx-induced PH. Conclusion: We identified Higd1b as a unique marker for PCs and generated a novel Higd1b-CreERT2 mouse that specifically labels PCs in the lungs. The discovery of PC-subtype specialization advances our understanding of lung pericyte biology and PC’s contribution to capillary remodeling under pathological conditions.

Soil Mediated Helminthiasis: A Study on Neglected Tropical Disease in Wild Animals in Haryana

Background: Soil mediated/ transmitted helminthiasis (STH/SMH) is a neglected tropical disease and includes Ascarids, Trichuris and Hookworms, which prominently affects population living either in the low sanitary condition or in close proximity with the animals. Recent years have witnessed elevation in the Trichuris infection, with India ranking first globally. Variety of factors including low sanitation, close contact with animals, increased man and wild conflict contribute towards STH. However, co-relation of STH/SMH infection from wildlife have not been studied. Methods: The study was conducted for a period of 1 year from August, 2021 to September, 2022. Trichuris infection was present in 72 out of 131 carcasses of wild animals with prevalence rate of 35%. The prevalence percentage of Trichuris infection in different sub categories of wild animals was calculated. Seasonal prevalence rate was calculated with increased cases reported in summer season followed by monsoon. Additionally, fecal samples, worms and intestinal samples for further studies were collected. Result: Wild animals act as bridge for transmission of various zoonotic diseases. However, zoonotic potential of parasitic diseases are neglected in wild animals with no systematic literature. Based on our study we illustrate that wild animals hold considerate potential plausibly demonstrating an iceberg phenomenon. Wildlife is an essential component in the epidemiology of many, if not most, zoonoses, wildlife should be taken into account in the risk analysis framework.

Preventing MRSA Infections in Sports: Effective Strategies and Approaches

Introduction: Infections caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) are a growing concern, particularly among asymptomatic individuals. CA-MRSA can lead to various conditions such as skin infections, septic arthritis, pyomyositis, endocarditis, and pubic osteomyelitis, with athletes being especially vulnerable due to shared equipment, close contact, and skin trauma. Prolonged colonization of the anterior nares and persistence on shared surfaces contribute to its spread. Purpose of work: This study aims to review MRSA prevalence in sports and provide effective strategies for prevention and management.The purpose of this paper is to evaluate MRSA prevalence in sports and provide effective strategies for prevention and management. Materials and methods: A comprehensive analysis of research papers available on PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus was undertaken using the search terms encompassing the following keywords: Community- acquired MRSA / MRSA and Sport / MRSA and athletes / MRSA Prevention Strategies in Sports / MRSA Infection Risks in Athletes / MRSA Colonization and Sports Participation. Results: A meta-analysis found that about 6% of asymptomatic athletes are colonized with MRSA, though rates vary by sport and country. Decolonization methods may reduce infection risk, but their effects are often temporary. This study examines MRSA colonization and infections in athletes, stressing the importance of preventive measures.

Dynamic maternal synthesis and segregation of the germ plasm organizer, Bucky ball, in chicken oocytes and follicles.

Maternal germ plasm determines the germline in birds. Previously, we proposed the chicken-specific Bucky ball (cBuc) as a functional equivalent of the zebrafish germ plasm organizer. This study demonstrated the maternal cBuc synthesis, and verified a highly dynamic distribution of Bucky ball from oocyte nests to maturing follicles using specific antibodies. The dynamic re-localization of cBuc from the ovarian stroma to the granulosa cells, and the Balbiani structure of the oocyte was revealed. Following the accumulation of cBuc in the Balbiani body, an increased signal of chicken vasa homolog (CVH) in close contact to cBuc could be detected. Highest transcription of cBuc was recorded in follicles with diameters up to 500µm. First RNA-interference experiments in an in-vivo follicle culture assay revealed inhibiting effects on cBuc in small follicles. These data demonstrate the maternal origin of cBuc, and underpin its role as germ plasm organizer.

Rapid prediction of molecular crystal structures using simple topological and physical descriptors.

Organic molecular crystals constitute a class of materials of critical importance in numerous industries. Despite the ubiquity of these systems, our ability to predict molecular crystal structures starting only from a two-dimensional diagram of the constituent compound(s) remains a significant challenge. Most structure-prediction protocols require a customized interatomic interaction model on which the quality of the results can depend sensitively. To overcome this problem, we introduce a new topological approach to molecular crystal structure prediction. The approach posits that in a stable structure, molecules are oriented such that principal axes and normal ring plane vectors are aligned with specific crystallographic directions and that heavy atoms occupy positions that correspond to minima of a set of geometric order parameters. By minimizing an objective function that encodes these orientations and atomic positions, and filtering based on the vdW free volume and intermolecular close contact distributions derived from the Cambridge Structural Database, stable structures and polymorphs for a given crystal can be predicted entirely mathematically without reliance on an interaction model.

Rat Hepatitis E Virus Isolates Cluster among Urban Norway Rats (Rattus norvegicus) across a Roadway.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a globally distributed pathogen that causes acute hepatitis in people. Recent human cases of HEV arising after contact with urban rats (Rattus spp.) have raised concerns regarding whether rats may be a source of HEV infection. We investigated whether urban Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) could be a source of HEV in an underserved urban neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada. We found that 15% of rats tested positive for rat HEV, and that HEV status was associated with increasing rat body length and family relationships. Rat HEV isolates were clustered according to their location on either the east or west side of a busy roadway bisecting this neighborhood, suggesting that this street is a barrier to HEV spread. Widespread distribution of HEV among rats in this neighborhood poses potential human health risks, emphasizing the need to reduce close contact of people with rats and their excreta.

What is the nature and impact of workplace friendships within child protection social work? Implications for emotional support, professional learning, job satisfaction and worker wellbeing

Abstract Stakeholders continue to express concern about the state of crisis facing the UK’s social work workforce, with statutory children’s services being an area causing particular apprehension. Here, high sickness and vacancy rates, and large agency costs are consistently being linked with poor working conditions, inadequate resources, limited time with children, and practitioners reporting a poor sense of ‘work-life balance’. Whilst suggested reforms have focussed on reducing workloads, improved investment of resources, enhanced supervision and managerial support, reputational enhancement, and safer staffing levels, there has been limited research into the impact of workplace friendships, nor their role in mitigating for different sources of job stress. This article seeks to address this knowledge gap. It reports on the findings of a qualitative study with twenty-five child protection social workers. Implications that emerge are of the role that workplace friendships play in providing emotional support and a source for professional learning amongst social workers—and that this can help mitigate for sources of job stress and burnout; their positive impact on job satisfaction, worker wellbeing and practitioners’ propensity to remain in the role; and the importance of working environments that promote close contact and proximity between work colleagues of different levels of experience.

Magnesium Fluoride Interlayers Enabled by Wet‐Chemical Process for High‐Performance Solid‐State Batteries

AbstractGarnet‐type solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) exemplified by Li6.5La3Zr1.5Ta0.5O12 (LLZT) are chemically unstable when exposed to air, leading to the formation of impurities and poor wettability with Li metal. Herein, a protocol to address this Li/LLZT interface challenge is demonstrated by constructing a lithiophilic MgF2 nanofilm on the LLZT pellet. Specifically, a solution‐based process is developed for the surface engineering of LLZT, utilizing magnesium trifluoroacetate (MTF) as the molecular precursor while poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as the coordinating agent in a sol‐gel process. It is demonstrated that a facile spin‐coating treatment followed by high‐temperature annealing reliably forms crack‐free MgF2 nanofilms with precise thickness control. Introduction an MgF2 interlayer transforms the LLZT pellet into a highly lithophilic, facilitating close contact with the lithium anode, thereby leading to a significantly reduced interfacial resistance from 1190 Ω cm2 to 6 Ω cm2. Such an interfacial engineering enables stable cycling of full batteries with high reversibility and rate capability using commercial LiFePO4 and LiNi0.83Co0.07Mn0.1O2 as cathodes. This study unfolds the possibility of a solution‐based method as a facile and scalable process for the construction of fluoride nanofilms, which is promising to address the critical interfacial challenges of solid‐state batteries (SSBs) to facilitate its practical applications.

Case report: Peritonitis caused by Pantoea agglomerans from pet dog exposure in peritoneal dialysis.

Peritonitis caused by Pantoea agglomerans is a rare occurrence in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Cases potentially linked to pet dogs are even rarer, and there is limited literature available. A patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis presented with symptoms of peritonitis, including abdominal pain and cloudy dialysis fluid. Microbiological analysis identified P agglomerans as the causative organism. The patient was treated with targeted antibiotic therapy and showed a positive response. During a subsequent medical interview, it was revealed that the patient had close contact with their pet dog, raising the possibility that the infection may have been associated with this exposure. This case highlights the importance of considering zoonotic transmission as a potential source of infection in peritoneal dialysis patients, particularly when there is close contact with pets. Healthcare providers should educate patients about the potential risks posed by pets and implement preventive strategies to mitigate such risks.

Neoplasias mamária e esplênica em cadela

Regarding mammary and splenic neoplasms in dogs, the surgical therapeutic approach is often the method of choice, given its curative potential and the possibility of subsequent histopathological analysis. In veterinary medicine, the incidence of mammary neoplasms is high, especially in unneutered female dogs. Breast carcinoma in situ, with its histological particularities and clinical behavior, requires a careful diagnosis and a precise therapeutic approach, carrying out additional tests such as cytopathology and ultrasound to adequately define the treatment. Surgical excision, associated with the evaluation of adjacent healthy breast tissue, is essential to ensure complete removal of neoplastic tissue, plus it is also indicated to perform ovariohysterectomy (OVH) together with mastectomy. Spleen tumors are similarly common in dogs, especially hemangiosarcoma, which is notable for its aggressiveness and high metastatic rate. Therefore, early diagnosis and precise interventions are essential for a good prognosis, with the affected organ being often removed in its entirety. Therefore, we report the case of a female Shih-Tzu dog, 7 years old and weighing 4kg, who presented, upon palpation, a nodule in the left M3 measuring <1cm with absence of nodular secretion, change in color, itching local or galactorrhea. The patient was referred for regional mastectomy and OVH after cytological examination compatible with carcinoma and, in a pre-operative ultrasound examination, a singular hypoechoic nodular formation, discretely heterogeneous, vascularized on Doppler and in close contact with the splenic capsule was noted in the spleen in its medial parietal portion, measuring 0.96 cm in its longest axis. Thus, during intraoperative visual inspection after OVH and upon approval from the owner, it was decided to perform total splenectomy and, after histopathological examination, it was known that the organ was affected by hemangiosarcoma. The canine was discharged from the hospital a few hours after the end of the surgery, without the subsequent use of adjuvant therapies.

Pediatric Reconstruction of Full-Thickness Dog Bite Scalp Avulsion with a Combination of Acellular and Matrix Products: A Case Report

The reconstruction of large full-thickness scalp injuries represents a great challenge in pediatric plastic surgery. Epidermal–dermal substitutes come to the rescue when traditional surgical strategies are not suitable. Recently, the new Integra MicroMatrix UBM particulate has arisen on the market. This is an extracellular matrix derived from the porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM) in which the particulate structure provides close contact to the wound bed. We present the concomitant application of Integra DRT and MicroMatrix for the reconstruction of a full-thickness subtotal scalp defect in a child mauled by a dog.

RVSV-ZEBOV vaccination in people with pre-existing immunity to Ebolavirus: an open-label safety and immunogenicity study in Guinean communities affected by Ebola virus disease (l’essai proches)

BackgroundZaire Ebolavirus disease (EVD) outbreaks can be controlled using rVSV-ZEBOV vaccination and other public health measures. People in high-risk areas may have pre-existing antibodies from asymptomatic Ebolavirus exposure that might affect response to rVSV-ZEBOV. Therefore, we assessed the impact pre-existing immunity had on post-vaccination IgG titre, virus neutralisation, and reactogenicity following vaccination.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, 2115 consenting close contacts (“proches”) of EVD survivors were recruited. Proches were vaccinated with rVSV-ZEBOV and followed up for 28 days for safety and immunogenicity. Anti-GP IgG titre at baseline and day 28 was assessed by ELISA. Samples from a representative subset were evaluated using live virus neutralisation.ResultsTen percent were seropositive at baseline. At day 28, IgG in baseline seronegative (GMT 0.106 IU/ml, 95% CI: 0.100 to 0.113) and seropositive (GMT 0.237 IU/ml, 0.210 to 0.267) participants significantly increased from baseline (both p < 0.0001). There was strong correlation between antibody titres and virus neutralisation in day 28 samples (Spearman’s rho 0.75). Vaccinees with baseline IgG antibodies against Zaire Ebolavirus had similar safety profiles to those without detectable antibodies (63.6% vs 66.1% adults experienced any adverse event; 49.1% vs 60.9% in children), with almost all adverse events graded as mild. No serious adverse events were attributed to vaccination. No EVD survivors tested positive for Ebolavirus by RT-PCR.ConclusionsThese data add further evidence of rVSV-ZEBOV safety and immunogenicity, including in people with pre-existing antibodies from suspected natural ZEBOV infection whose state does not blunt rVSV-ZEBOV immune response. Pre-vaccination serological screening is not required.

Nadezhda Dobychina (1884–1950)

Abstract The opening of the first commercial art gallery in Russia by Nadezhda Dobychina (1884–1950) heralded surprising female dominance in the national art business sector, which appears even more remarkable considering that up until the early 1910s art dealers were virtually absent from the archaically pre-capitalistic Russian art market. On that account Dobychina’s Art Bureau, which opened in St. Petersburg in October 1911 was an entirely pioneering business project. Dobychina laid the groundwork for several innovative approaches which foreshadowed many aspects of modern gallery practice. Exhibitions in her Art Bureau were accompanied by talks, disputes, concerts and performances, bringing artists and public in a close contact with each other and thus providing a useful forum for the exchange of views and ideas. Dobychina’s Art Bureau aimed at showcasing the most original and distinctive artistic trends in Russia and abroad, ranging from realism, symbolism and post- impressionism to provocatively cutting-edge avant-garde. In a short span of less than a decade she organised the first exhibitions in Russia of Wassily Kandinsky and Marc Chagall and famously exhibited Malevich’s Black Square in the ground-breaking 0.10 exhibition, which was held at the Bureau in 1915. Over the years Dobychina has also assembled an important collection which included works of the World of Art and Avant-garde artists. The Art Bureau emerged as the most influential and ideologically independent centre of the contemporary art in Russia, which in turn secured artistic dialogue between Russia and Western Europe.

Close Proximity of Cholesterol Anchors in Membrane Induces the Dissociation of Amphiphilic DNA Strand from Membrane Surface.

Dynamic DNA nanotechnology is appealing for membrane surface engineering due to their versatility and programmability. To modulate the dynamic interactions between the DNA functional units immobilized on membrane surface, membrane-anchored DNA functional units often come into close proximity each other due to DNA base pairing, which also leads to the close contact of the hydrophobic anchors in membrane. However, whether the close contact of hydrophobic anchors induces the dissociation of amphiphilic DNA structures from membrane surface is not concerned. Herein, we utilized cholesterol-labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) as a simplified amphiphilic DNA structure to investigate the stability of membrane anchored DNA strands upon the closely contact of cholesterol anchors. The close contact of cholesterol-labeled ssDNA molecules driven by toe-hold mediated strand displacement reaction leads to approximately 41 % membrane anchored ssDNA dissociation from membrane surface, indicating the proximal cholesterol anchors in membrane could reduce the anchoring stability of cholesterol-modified DNA strands. This work enhances our understanding of the interactions between amphiphilic DNA and membranes, and provides valuable insights for the design of future DNA constructs intended for applications involving dynamic DNA reactions on membrane surface.

Contact Risk Assessment in Dynamic Indoor Settings through Agent‐Based Modeling: A Spatially Explicit and Reproducible Approach

This study introduces an agent‐based model (ABM) pedestrian simulation tool to assess the risk of close contact (6 feet) in dynamic indoor environments, specifically in urban settings with diverse social activities and spatial structures. Our approach uses machine learning‐based sensitivity analysis (SA) to identify factors impacting the number of individual contacts, such as individual stay time and area. In addition, we conducted an in‐depth quantitative analysis to evaluate how specific factors, such as the strategic placement of obstacles, dwell time, and stay time near the entrances, mitigate the number of contacts. This analysis provides valuable insights for developing practical guidelines to curb contact risks in indoor environments. Lastly, we share the model, validation methods, and associated data as an open‐source Python library, complete with comprehensive documentation. This aims at fostering collaborative research and enables the application of our model across various scenarios, contributing to the development of spatially explicit models. Such efforts enhance the understanding of contact risks in urban indoor settings and promote joint research efforts, thus advancing the field through shared knowledge and tools.

A community action network-based intervention for improving knowledge of zoonoses among wildlife hunters and traders in Epe, Lagos, Nigeria.

The West Africa One Health project is a multi-country project designed to utilise the One Health approach and deploy the Community Action Networks (CAN), a concept rooted in the principles of community-based participatory research, to improve knowledge of high-risk communities on zoonoses. The majority of emerging zoonoses occur at the human-wildlife interface, of which wildlife hunters and traders are critical stakeholders. We assessed the effectiveness of a CAN-based intervention involving the use of a video documentary and case studies as model tools in improving the knowledge of zoonoses among wildlife hunters and traders in Epe, an established hunting community in Lagos State, Nigeria. A single-group pre-post design involving a total of 39 consenting registered wildlife stakeholders was adopted. A pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on the participant's sociodemographic characteristics, awareness level, and knowledge of zoonoses pre and post CAN-based intervention. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics McNemar and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests at a 5% level of significance. The mean age of the participants was 46.7 ± 10.9 years. Most (76.9%) identified as male and had at least secondary education (89.7%). The number of participants who were aware that diseases could be contracted from animals and that it could be through inhalation and close contact increased significantly from 13 (33.3%), 2 (5.1%), and 9 (23.1%) pre-intervention to 37 (94.9%), 11 (28.2%), and 21 (53.8%) post-intervention, respectively. The overall median knowledge score increased significantly from 1 (Interquartile range (IQR): 0-2) pre-intervention to 3 (IQR: 2-4) post-intervention. The CAN-based intervention involving the use of a video documentary and case studies as model tools was effective in improving the knowledge of zoonoses among wildlife hunters and traders in the hunting community and may be beneficial for future practice.