Risk Of Zoonoses Research Articles

Multicriteria Risk Ranking of Zoonotic Diseases in a Developing Country: A Case Study of Zambia

The integration of a multicriteria decision analysis approach, including techniques such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), has yielded valuable insights in the realm of zoonotic disease risk assessment. This analytical framework draws from the OIE-supported manual, utilizing impact assessments, transmission pathways, and categorizations as provided by the OIE itself. Moreover, the consideration of specific zoonotic disease scenarios tailored to individual countries enhances the contextual relevance of the analysis. Through this approach, the ranking of zoonotic diseases is systematically established, offering a comprehensive evaluation of their potential impacts and risks. This methodology encompasses pivotal criteria, including prevalence, economic impact, health impact, transmission pathways, and healthcare capacity, collectively offering a holistic perspective that mirrors the intricate nature of zoonotic diseases. The resultant rankings, derived from both ECDC and OIE data, illuminate diseases that harbor significant threats to both human and animal populations. This ranking fosters the identification of diseases with potential for rapid spread and substantial impact, guiding resource allocation towards prevention, control, and mitigation strategies. The alignment between ECDC and OIE rankings underscores the robustness of the applied methodology, with Plague and Zoonotic TB consistently emerging as high-ranking diseases, reinforcing their acknowledged significance. A consolidated ranking, amalgamating data from both sources, provides an insightful overview of potential risks linked to various zoonotic diseases. Plague, Zoonotic TB, Brucellosis, Trypanosomiasis, and Rabies consistently occupy top positions, presenting a valuable instrument for policymakers, public health officials, and stakeholders in prioritizing resource allocation and intervention strategies. The implementation of a multicriteria decision analysis approach, integrating AHP and TOPSIS methodologies, underpins the generation of informed rankings for Zambian zoonotic diseases. The intricate interplay of criteria like prevalence, economic impact, health impact, transmission pathways, and healthcare capacity forms a comprehensive framework for evaluating the potential risks of diverse diseases. The ensuing ranking, led by Plague and succeeded by Anthrax, Rabies, and others, mirrors their collective risk scores calculated via the adopted methodology. This approach empowers strategic decision-making by pinpointing diseases with heightened potential for adverse impacts on both human and animal populations. The rankings serve as invaluable aids in directing resources, devising strategic interventions, and formulating targeted measures for prevention and control. However, acknowledgment of the dynamic disease landscape and the imperative of adaptive strategies underscores the ongoing importance of monitoring and managing zoonotic diseases effectively in Zambia. By amalgamating data from authoritative sources and embracing a systematic, evidence-based approach, this study accentuates the necessity of addressing zoonotic diseases with a holistic lens, fostering proactive perspectives that augment public health and avert future outbreaks.

South Asian dairy smallholders: A scoping review of practices and zoonoses

Objective: To identify and discuss on-farm management practices linked to bacterial zoonosis risk in smallholder dairy farmers in South Asia. Methods: This scoping review was conducted as per the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Five hundred and two publications were retrieved from five online databases using a comprehensive search strategy. Studies were selected if they discussed a farm management practice which impacted human health within a South Asian country. Results: Twenty-two studies were included. Seven management practices relevant to farmers, livestock and their shared environment were identified including raw milk consumption, farm hygiene management, personal protective equipment uses, animal vaccination, cleaning udders, hand washing and disposal of afterbirth materials. Preventive practices were found to be utilized at lower frequencies compared to risk increasing practices. Awareness of bacterial zoonoses is particularly low within the region Conclusions: Based on the results of this review, it was determined that improving farmer awareness of bacterial zoonotic diseases may favor several of the presented leverage points within the South Asian smallholder dairy system. Relying on formal school education to improve this awareness may not solve this problem, instead, more focus on accessible and affordable zoonoses education and farming programs is required.

Utilization of a zoo for mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) diversity analysis, arboviral surveillance, and blood feeding patterns.

Zoos provide a unique opportunity to study mosquito feeding ecology as they represent areas where exotic animals, free-roaming native animals, humans, and mosquito habitats overlap. Therefore, these locations are a concern for arbovirus transmission to both valuable zoo animals and human visitors. We sampled mosquitoes in and around The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere in Tennessee, USA, over 4 months in 2020 using 4 mosquito trap methods and 12 sampling locations. Mosquitoes were identified to species, Culex mosquitoes were analyzed for arboviruses, and all engorged mosquitoes were preserved for host usage analysis. We captured over 9,000 mosquitoes representing 27 different species, including a new species record for Davidson County, TN (Culex nigripalpus Theobald). Minimum infection rates for West Nile virus (WNV) (Flaviviridae: Flavivirus), St. Louis encephalitis virus (Flaviviridae: Flavivirus), and Flanders virus (Hapavirus: Rhabdoviridae) were 0.79, 0, and 4.17, respectively. The collection of 100 engorged mosquitoes was dominated by Culex pipiens pipiens Linnaeus (38%), Culex erraticus Dyar and Knab (23%), and Culex pipiens pipiens-Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus hybrids (10%). Host DNA from 84 engorged mosquitoes was successfully matched to a variety of host species (n = 23), with just 8 species belonging to the zoo. Wild birds were the most frequently fed upon host, in particular northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis L. Passeriformes: Cardinalidae), which are competent WNV reservoirs. Taken together, our results demonstrate the utility of zoos as sentinels for emerging pathogens, for studying wildlife and human risk of zoonotic diseases, and for assessing vector diversity.

Assessement of Geohelminth Contamination of Playground and Sanitation Compliance among Primary Schools in Akwa Ibom State’s Rural Area

The study was carried out to assess the level of geohelminth contamination in playgrounds of six Government Primary School (GPS) randomly selected within the three districts of Akwa Ibom State and also their state of compliance on sanitation in order to ensure a child-friendly learning environment. Soil samples were collected and analyzed using the zinc sulphate floatation method and the Baermann technique while sanitation facility compliance was assessed using structured checklist which was subjected to Water Access, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) grading criteria for sanitation. Out of 300 soil samples analyzed, a 22% contamination rate was recorded, with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most encountered. Toxocara canis and Taenia sp. were also encountered in the study which are associated with visceral larval migran and cysticercosis, respectively. Sanitation compliance rate recorded was 68.8% which revealed that the existing facilities in the public primary schools in the area need improvement. A high level of improper fecal disposal and also the potential risk of geohelminthiasis and zoonotic diseases among pupils in the schools were revealed in the study as such, health education and awareness is advocated alongside strategies for the provision and sustainable use of sanitation facilities in schools.

Risk of zoonoses involving slow-growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria: Survey of antimicrobial resistance among strains from domestic and wild animals

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria are opportunistic pathogens that cause disease mainly in immunocompromised hosts. The present study assessed the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among such mycobacteria from domestic and wild animals in Croatia sampled during several years within a national surveillance program. A total of 44 isolates belonging to nine slow-growing species were genotyped and analyzed for susceptibility to 13 antimicrobials often used to treat non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections in humans. Most prevalent resistance was to moxifloxacin (77.3%), doxycycline (76.9%), and rifampicin (76.9%), followed by ciprofloxacin (65.4%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (65.4%), and linezolid (61.4%). Few isolates were resistant to rifabutin (7.7%) or amikacin (6.8%). None of the isolates was resistant to clarithromycin. Nearly all isolates (86.4%) were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Our findings suggest substantial risk that human populations may experience zoonotic infections with non-tuberculous mycobacteria that will be difficult to treat using the current generation of antibiotics. Future work should clarify how resistance emerges in wild populations of non-tuberculous mycobacteria.

Support for wildlife consumption bans and policies in China post-Covid-19

AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic, which probably arose from zoonotic sources, has provoked wide-ranging discussion on which wildlife policies can best prevent future pandemics. More work needs to be done to investigate support for regulatory frameworks in China post-Covid-19 and specifically to model how perceptions of the relationship between wildlife consumption and risk of zoonotic diseases combine with other variables to influence support for wildlife policies. We report on a 2021 quantitative survey conducted in China. The objectives were to measure attitudes towards the current wildlife consumption ban and wildlife regulations in China and to model which variables correlate with support for bans on wild-caught and farmed wildlife. The sample was almost evenly split between considering the ban on wild animal consumption in China to be adequate (45%) or not strict enough (42%). Protection against future pandemics and protection of the environment were motivators for supporting the ban for c. 80% of respondents. The results also indicated strong support for wildlife bans. A majority of respondents supported bans of both wild-caught and farmed wildlife, although support for bans of wild-caught animals was greater for most taxa. Furthermore, the perceived zoonotic risk of a taxon was a more prevalent correlate of support for a ban for wild-caught wildlife than for farmed wildlife. Our results indicate substantial support for the current wildlife consumption ban in China, and opportunities to further mitigate the environmental and zoonotic risks of wildlife consumption.

Links between industrial livestock production, disease including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance

AbstractA range of studies indicates that keeping farm animals in crowded, stressful conditions leads to an increased risk of the emergence, transmission, and amplification of pathogens including zoonoses. Some such zoonoses could lead to a pandemic. Biosecurity, though essential, is not on its own sufficient to prevent the entry of disease into large, intensive livestock housing. To minimize disease risks, both biosecurity measures and the keeping of animals in conditions that are supportive of good health and effective immunocompetence are necessary. A further threat to human health arises from the routine use of antimicrobials in intensive livestock production to prevent disease. This high use of antimicrobials contributes significantly to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in animals, which can then be transferred to people, thereby undermining the efficacy of the antimicrobials that are so important in human medicine. If we want to save our antimicrobials and minimize the risk of future zoonoses and pandemics, we need to move to “health‐oriented systems” for the rearing of animals, systems in which good health is inherent in the farming methods rather than being dependent on the routine use of antimicrobials. Health‐oriented systems should avoid high stocking densities and large group size, should minimize stress and mixing of animals, and ensure that animals can perform their natural behaviors as the inability to do so is highly stressful. They should avoid the use of animals selected for excessive production levels as these appear to involve an increased risk of immunological problems and pathologies.

Viruses in saliva from sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Pathogen surveillance for great ape health monitoring has typically been performed on non-invasive samples, primarily feces, in wild apes and blood in sanctuary-housed apes. However, many important primate pathogens, including known zoonoses, are shed in saliva and transmitted via oral fluids. Using metagenomic methods, we identified viruses in saliva samples from 46 wild-born, sanctuary-housed chimpanzees at two African sanctuaries in Republic of Congo and Uganda. In total, we identified 20 viruses. All but one, an unclassified CRESS DNA virus, are classified in five families: Circoviridae, Herpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, Picobirnaviridae, and Retroviridae. Overall, viral prevalence ranged from 4.2% to 87.5%. Many of these viruses are ubiquitous in primates and known to replicate in the oral cavity (simian foamy viruses, Retroviridae; a cytomegalovirus and lymphocryptovirus; Herpesviridae; and alpha and gamma papillomaviruses, Papillomaviridae). None of the viruses identified have been shown to cause disease in chimpanzees or, to our knowledge, in humans. These data suggest that the risk of zoonotic viral disease from chimpanzee oral fluids in sanctuaries may be lower than commonly assumed.

Promoting landscapes with a low zoonotic disease risk through forest restoration: The need for comprehensive guidelines

Abstract Zoonotic diseases represent 75% of emerging infectious diseases worldwide, and their emergence is mainly attributed to human‐driven changes in landscapes. Land use change, especially the conversion of natural areas to agricultural use, has the potential to impact hosts and vector dynamics, affecting pathogen transmission risk. While these links are becoming better understood, very few studies have investigated the opposite question—how native vegetation restoration affects zoonotic disease outbreaks. We reviewed the existing evidence linking native vegetation restoration with zoonotic transmission risk, identified knowledge gaps, and, by focusing on tropical areas, proposed forest restoration strategies that could help in limiting the spread of zoonotic diseases. We identified a large gap in information on the effects of native vegetation restoration on zoonotic diseases, especially within tropical regions. In addition, the few studies that exist do not consider environmental aspects that can affect the outcomes of restoration on disease risk, such as the land use history and landscape structural characteristics (as composition and configuration of native habitats). Our conceptual framework raises two important points: (1) the effects of forest restoration may depend on the context of the existing landscape, especially the percentage of native vegetation existing at the beginning of the restoration; and (2) these effects will also be dependent on the spatial arrangement of the restored area within the existing landscape. Furthermore, we propose important topics to be studied in the coming years to integrate zoonotic disease risk as a criterion in restoration planning. Synthesis and application. Our results contribute to a more comprehensive forest restoration planning, comprising multiple ecosystem services and resulting in healthier landscapes for both people and nature. Our framework could be integrated into the post‐2020 global biodiversity framework targets.

Cat attacks towards people and/or animals, an educational pending task on pet’s owners?

This study aimed to explore the context and the characteristics of domestic cats’ (Felis catus) attacking their owners or other pets and their probable risk factors. A survey was targeted to persons perceiving that their cat attacked to people or/and animals. Only no-stray, healthy cats’ information were included. 48 questions covered general information of the owners, and type of house; age sex, color, and medical record of cats; the context on which the aggression to people or other pet took place; handling habitudes in owner-cat interaction. Chi-square and Fisher test were used to compare the frequency of cat’s characteristics between cats with and without attacks towards people and/or animals. Risk factors analysis was made with WinEpi©. The information of 154 cats was obtained, the 91.5% of owners declared to play with their cats, 63 cats performed attacks to people and/or animals in the past three months. 8 (5.2%) cats perceived by their owners as non-aggressive, in fact performed attacks towards people and/or animals. The most commons wounds reported were scratches and bites (68.2%), largely considered by owners (76.2%) as no needing medical revision. 62% of aggression events were preceded by vocalization and/or body posture changes of cats. A significant higher proportion of cats combining < 2years, and with nonexclusive litter box performed aggressions. Cats of age of < 2 years resulted with 4.7 to 32.2 more probabilities to perform aggression. The absence of other animals also resulted as risk factor. Owner attitudes minimizing cat aggression could imply the maintenance of unwanted behaviors in cats, also accidental aggression during human-animal interaction deserve deeper studies due to possible zoonosis risk to owners.

Prevalence and occupational exposure to zoonotic diseases in high-risk populations in the Free State Province, South Africa.

Zoonotic diseases are responsible for 2.5 billion human cases globally and approximately 2.7 million deaths annually. Surveillance of animal handlers and livestock for zoonotic pathogens contributes to understanding the true disease burden and risk factors within a community. This study investigated the prevalence of selected zoonoses in cattle, farm workers and occupational exposure to endemic zoonotic diseases and their associated risk factors. Sputum samples from farmworkers were screened for Mycobacterium bovis. Blood specimens from farmworkers and archived sera were tested for serological evidence of Brucella sp., hantaviruses, and Leptospira sp. Communal and commercial cattle herds were tested for bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis. Mycobacterium bovis was not isolated from human samples. A total of 327 human sera were screened, and 35/327 (10.7%) were Brucella sp. IgG positive, 17/327 (5.2%) Leptospira sp. IgM positive, and 38/327 (11.6%) hantavirus IgG positive (95% CI). A higher proportion of Brucella sp. IgG-positive samples were detected among veterinarians (value of p = 0.0006). Additionally, two cattle from a commercial dairy farm were bovine tuberculosis (bTB) positive using the bTB skin test and confirmatory interferon-gamma assay. A higher percentage of confirmed brucellosis-positive animals were from communal herds (8.7%) compared to commercial herds (1.1%). These findings highlight the brucellosis and M. bovis prevalence in commercial and communal herds, the zoonotic disease risk in commercial and subsistence farming in developing countries, and the occupational and rural exposure risk to zoonotic pathogens.

Continuous surveillance and viral discovery in animals and humans are a core component of a one-health approach to address recent viral reverse zoonoses.

Contemporary human and animal viruses have a broad or narrow host range-those with a broad host range are potentially transmitted from animals to humans (ie, zoonosis) or humans to animals (ie, reverse zoonosis). This Currents in One Health article reviews the recent reverse zoonoses involving Coronaviridae, Poxviridae, arboviruses, and, for nonhuman primate species, the human respiratory viruses. The prevention and control of reverse zoonoses are also reviewed. Coronaviruses continue to emerge as new zoonotic agents, including a canine coronavirus, CCoV-HuPn-2018, circulating in people at low levels, and a pangolin coronavirus, MjHKU4r-CoV-1, circulating in Malayan pangolins. Moreover, the risk for SARS-CoV-2 variants to mutate in animal reservoirs and reinfect humans is ongoing. In the case of mpox, the risk of reverse zoonosis is low and there are vaccines for use in humans at risk. The situation with arboviruses is as varied as the number of human arboviruses, and only yellow fever virus and dengue virus have licensed vaccines in the Americas. As for reverse zoonoses in endangered species, solutions require changing human behavior and policies at all levels impacting wildlife. Overall, continuous surveillance and viral discovery in humans and animals remain core components of a one-health approach to reduce and, where possible, eliminate zoonotic and reverse zoonotic diseases. Viral zoonosis and viral reverse zoonosis focusing on recent influenza A virus disease events in humans and other species are the subjects of the companion Currents in One Health by Kibenge, AJVR, June 2023.

Viromics Reveals the High Diversity of Viruses from Fishes of the Tibet Highland.

Aquaculture is important for food security and nutrition. The economy has recently been significantly threatened and the risk of zoonoses significantly increased by aquatic diseases, and the ongoing introduction of new aquatic pathogens, particularly viruses, continues to represent a hazard. Yet, our knowledge of the diversity and abundance of fish viruses is still limited. Here, we conducted a metagenomic survey of different species of healthy fishes caught in the Lhasa River, Tibet, China, and sampled intestinal contents, gills, and tissues. To be more precise, by identifying and analyzing viral genomes, we aim to determine the abundance, diversity, and evolutionary relationships of viruses in fish with other potential hosts. Our analysis identified 28 potentially novel viruses, 22 of which may be associated with vertebrates, across seven viral families. During our research, we found several new strains of viruses in fish, including papillomavirus, hepadnavirus, and hepevirus. Additionally, we discovered two viral families, Circoviridae and Parvoviridae, which were prevalent and closely related to viruses that infect mammals. These findings further expand our understanding of highland fish viruses and highlight the emerging view that fish harbor large, unknown viruses. IMPORTANCE The economy and zoonoses have recently been significantly threatened by aquatic diseases. Yet, our knowledge of the diversity and abundance of fish viruses is still limited. We identified the wide genetic diversity of viruses that these fish were harboring. Since there are currently few studies on the virome of fish living in the Tibet highland, our research adds to the body of knowledge. This discovery lays the groundwork for future studies on the virome of fish species and other highland animals, preserving the ecological equilibrium on the plateau.

Long-distance spread of Tembusu virus, and its dispersal in local mosquitoes and domestic poultry in Chongming Island, China

BackgroundChongming Island in China serves as a breeding and shelter point on the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. The resting frequency of migratory birds, abundance of mosquito populations, and the popular domestic poultry industry pose a potential risk of mosquito-borne zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study is to explore the role of migratory birds in the spread of mosquito-borne pathogens and their prevalent status on the island.MethodsWe conducted a mosquito-borne pathogen surveillance in 2021, in Chongming, Shanghai, China. Approximately 67,800 adult mosquitoes belonging to ten species were collected to investigate the presence of flaviviruses, alphaviruses, and orthobunyaviruses by RT-PCR. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to explore the virus genotype and potential nature source. Serological survey was performed by ELISA to characterize Tembusu virus (TMUV) infection among domestic poultry.ResultsTwo strains of TMUV and Chaoyang virus (CHAOV) and 47 strains of Quang Binh virus (QBV) were detected in 412 mosquito pools, with the infection rate of 0.16, 0.16, and 3.92 per 1000 Culex tritaeniorhynchus, respectively. Furthermore, TMUVs viral RNA was found in serum samples of domestic chickens and faecal samples of migratory birds. Antibodies against TMUV were detected in domestic avian serum samples, generally ranging from 44.07% in pigeons to 55.71% in ducks. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the TMUV detected in Chongming belonged to Cluster 3, Southeast Asia origin, and most closely related to the CTLN strain, which caused a TMUV outbreak in chickens in Guangdong Province in 2020, but distant from strains obtained previously in Shanghai, which were involved in the 2010 TMUV outbreak in China.ConclusionsWe speculate that the TMUV was imported to Chongming Island through long-distance spreading by migratory birds from Southeast Asia, followed by spill over and transmission in mosquitoes and domestic avian species, threatening the local domestic poultry. In addition, the expansion and prevalence of insect-specific flaviviruses and its simultaneous circulation with mosquito-borne virus are worthy of close attention and further study.

Forests harbor more ticks than other habitats: A meta-analysis

With increasing deforestation, questions are being raised about the risk of zoonotic disease to humans. To better assess the role of forest in the emergence of tick-borne diseases, we conducted a meta-analysis of the scientific literature to compare the abundance or diversity of ticks between forest and open habitats (natural or anthropogenic) and a meta-regression to test how tick abundance is influenced by the abundance of their vertebrate hosts in forest habitats.We found that Ixodes ticks were on average more abundant in forests than in any other non-forested habitats, the difference being more pronounced with mixed deciduous- coniferous than with deciduous forests. At the forest scale, exophilic Ixodes tick abundance was positively influenced by the abundance of their ungulate hosts.Our results suggest that mixed forests represent the habitats with the highest level of tick hazard. However, more studies are needed to assess the risk of transmission of tick-borne diseases in forests, which also depends on the prevalence of pathogens and the exposure of people.

Retrospective Screening of Anthrax-like Disease Induced by Bacillus tropicus str. JMT from Chinese Soft-Shell Turtles in Taiwan.

Bacillus cereus is ubiquitous in the environment and a well-known causative agent of foodborne disease. Surprisingly, more and more emerging strains of atypical B. cereus have been identified and related to severe disease in humans and mammals such as chimpanzees, apes, and bovine. Recently, the atypical B. cereus isolates, which mainly derive from North America and Africa, have drawn great attention due to the potential risk of zoonosis. The cluster of B. cereus carries several anthrax-like virulent genes that are implicated in lethal disease. However, in non-mammals, the distribution of atypical B. cereus is still unknown. In this study, we conducted a retrospective screening of the 32 isolates of Bacillus spp. from diseased Chinese soft-shelled turtles from 2016 to 2020. To recognize the causative agent, we used various methods, such as sequencing analysis using PCR-amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, multiplex PCR for discriminating, and colony morphology by following previous studies. Furthermore, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were calculated, respectively, below the 70 and 96% cutoff to define species boundaries. According to the summarized results, the pathogen is taxonomically classified as Bacillus tropicus str. JMT (previous atypical Bacillus cereus). Subsequently, analyses such as targeting the unique genes using PCR and visual observation of the bacteria under various staining techniques were implemented in our study. Our findings show that all (32/32, 100%) isolates in this retrospective screening share similar phenotypical properties and carry the protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), hyaluronic acid (HA), and exopolysaccharide (Bps) genes on their plasmids. In this study, the results indicate that the geographic distribution and host range of B. tropicus were previously underestimated.

Molecular Epidemiological Investigation of Cyclospora spp. in Holstein Cattle in Partial Areas of the Yunnan Province, China.

Cyclospora spp. is a food-borne intestinal protozoan, which is widely distributed in the world and poses the risk of zoonosis. In order to reveal the prevalence of Cyclospora spp. in Holstein cattle in partial areas of the Yunnan Province, 524 fresh fecal samples of Holstein cattle were collected from Dali, Kunming, Chuxiong, and Qujing in Yunnan Province. A nested PCR amplification of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene of Cyclospora spp. was carried out, and the products of the nested PCR were further analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using Bsp E Ⅰ. The results of the present study showed that 13 samples were positive for Cyclospora spp., and the total infection rate of Cyclospora sp. was 2.48%. The infection of Cyclospora spp. was detected in Dali, Qujing, and Chuxiong. Chuxiong showed the highest infection rate (5.71%), and infection rate in Dali and Qujing was 2.19% and 3.16%, respectively. Interestingly, the infection of Cyclospora spp. was not detected in Kunming. The infection of Cyclospora spp. showed no significant differences among different regions (p > 0.05). Cyclospora sp. infection was detected in all ages and sexes, but the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that five Cyclospora spp. samples were closely related to the Cyclospora spp. of humans, and the others were closely related to the Cyclospora spp. of bovines. The results of the present study suggested that there was an infection of Cyclospora spp. in Holstein cattle in the Yunnan Province, and the Cyclospora spp. showed a risk of zoonosis. Thus, the prevention and control of Cyclospora spp. should be strengthened in the Yunnan Province, China. The results of this investigation provide data references for the further research of Cyclosporiasis in Holstein cattle in the Yunnan Province.

Occurrence of canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis (Dirofilaria repens) in Switzerland

Infectious diseases are increasingly introduced into Switzerland due to the increased travel activity in recent decades and the import of dogs. Dirofilariasis, caused by Dirofilaria immitis or D. repens, is one of them. An infection with D. repens, the cause of canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis, is often asymptomatic in dogs, but represents a potential zoonotic disease risk for humans. Due to the rapidly increasing number of human cases, D. repens is considered an emerging zoonosis in north-eastern Europe. The prevalence of D. repens infections in dogs and humans in Switzerland is unknown. Since 2016 the analysing diagnostic laboratory provided with the newly introduced filaria PCR a realiable diagnostic test to differentiate betweeen D. immitis and D. repens. Total nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) was extracted from 200 μl EDTA blood without prior enrichment followed by a species-specific real-time PCR assay. The analyses for Dirofilariae in the years 2016 to 2021 were examined in a descriptive retrospective study and the proportion of positive tests per year (prevalence with 95 % confidence interval) was calculated. Furthermore, blood samples of 50 imported dogs to Switzerland were analyzed in an exploratory cross-sectional study for the presence of dirofilaria. No D. repens positive case was found in the first two years after the introduction of the PCR. In 2018 five of 546 analyzed samples (5/546, 0,9 %, 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI]=0,7 - 1,2 %) tested positive for D. repens, in 2019 four of 591 (0,7 %, 95 % CI=0,5 - 0,9 %), in 2020 15 of 783 (1,9 %, 95 % CI=1,6 - 2,3 %) and in 2021 eleven of 1058 samples (1,0 %, 95 % CI=0,8 - 1,3 %). In the exploratory cross-sectional study, four of the 50 examined dogs were positive for D. repens (8 %, 95 % CI=2,6 - 20,1 %). One dog had a concurrent infection with D. immitis and D. repens. All four positive tested dogs were imported from Hungary. Potentially zoonotic infections with D. repens occur in dogs living in Switzerland. This disease should be included in the differential diagnoses of imported dogs and a monitoring during routine health checks should be done more often. The veterinary profession can thus assume its responsibility for the prevention of zoonoses as part of a One Health approach.

Tracing the future of epidemics: Coincident niche distribution of host animals and disease incidence revealed climate-correlated risk shifts of main zoonotic diseases in China.

Climate has critical roles on the origin, pathogenesis and transmission of infectious zoonotic diseases. However, large-scale epidemiologic trend and specific response pattern of zoonotic diseases under future climate scenarios are poorly understood. Here, we projected the distribution shifts of transmission risks of main zoonotic diseases under climate change in China. First, we shaped the global habitat distribution of main host animals for three representative zoonotic diseases (2, 6, and 12 hosts for dengue, hemorrhagic fever and plague, respectively) with 253,049 occurrence records using maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling. Meanwhile, we predicted the risk distribution of the above three diseases with 197,098 disease incidence records from 2004 to 2017 in China using an integrated Maxent modeling approach. The comparative analysis showed that there exist highly coincident niche distributions between habitat distribution of hosts and risk distribution of diseases, indicating that the integrated Maxent modeling is accurate and effective for predicting the potential risk of zoonotic diseases. On this basis, we further projected the current and future transmission risks of 11 main zoonotic diseases under four representative concentration pathways (RCPs) (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, RCP8.5) in 2050 and 2070 in China using the above integrated Maxent modeling with 1,001,416 disease incidence records. We found that Central China, Southeast China and South China are concentrated regions with high transmission risks for main zoonotic diseases. More specifically, zoonotic diseases had diverse shift patterns of transmission risks including increase, decrease and unstable. Further correlation analysis indicated that these patterns of shifts were highly correlated with global warming and precipitation increase. Our results revealed how specific zoonotic diseases respond in a changing climate, thereby calling for effective administration and prevention strategies. Furthermore, these results will shed light on guiding future epidemiologic prediction of emerging infectious diseases under global climate change.

Wild meat consumption in urban Sierra Leone during the Covid-19 pandemic

AbstractWild meat is associated with an increased risk of zoonotic diseases. In some West African countries wild meat consumption declined as the result of official restrictions following Ebola outbreaks during 2013–2016, and was also affected by the current Covid-19 pandemic. In Sierra Leone, a country affected by these diseases, we documented wild meat use in four markets in the capital, Freetown. From a total of 197 interviews, we analysed the influence of age and gender on the types of wild meat eaten and the reasons for their consumption. We found that more men than women consumed wild meat, and for both genders taste was the main reason for eating wild meat. Age did not affect wild meat consumption amongst women. Evidence for changes in consumer behaviour in response to zoonotic disease risk was mixed. Although some consumers avoided wild meat because of disease risk, none stated this was the primary reason for not eating wild meat, and monkeys (presumed to carry a high zoonotic disease risk) were amongst the species cited as being consumed often. More work is needed to identify the best pathway towards safe and sustainable consumption of wild meat in urban Sierra Leone.