Zoonoses and Public Health

The Prevalence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infection Among Humans in Heilongjiang Province of China in 2020-2023
Chen D, Lu Y, Wang W, Zhang Y, Liu T, Liu H, Zhang L, Peng X, Lv S, Wang Z, Wu W and Hou Z
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a serious and acute central nervous system infection caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). In recent years, TBE has emerged as a growing public health threat, with cases reported across Europe, the Russian Far East, Japan and China. This study aims to assess the prevalence of TBEV infection and examine behaviours associated with an increased risk of infection among individuals who visited the Heilongjiang Red Cross Sengong General Hospital due to tick bites from 2020 to 2023.
Integrated Community-Based Reporting and Field Diagnostics for Improved Rabies Surveillance in Rural Laikipia, Kenya
Odinga CO, Thomas LF, Wambugu E, Ferguson AW, Fèvre EM, Gibson A, Hassell JM, Muloi DM, Murray S, Surmat A, Mwai PM, Woodroffe R, Ngatia D, Gathura PM, Waitumbi J and Worsley-Tonks KEL
Rabies vaccination in domestic dog populations has increased globally in a bid to protect human health. Surveillance efforts, however, are inconsistent in endemic regions such as in sub-Saharan Africa, due to fragmented reporting and limited diagnostic capacity for suspected cases, limiting successful monitoring and evaluation of vaccination campaigns. Here, we conducted a pilot study aiming to strengthen rabies surveillance by combining community-based surveillance with field-based diagnostic testing in pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in central Kenya; communities which are frequently marginalised from health systems. During the 6-month pilot study, there were 14 alerts of suspected rabid dogs in the community, of which eight were tested and five diagnostically confirmed as rabid. Two positive samples processed successfully for whole genome sequencing indicated that the rabies variant circulating in central Kenya during the study period belonged to the Africa 1b subclade, which is similar to variants identified in eastern Kenya and Tanzania, suggesting regional transmission. This pilot study indicates that rabies continues to circulate in the region and that community-based surveillance, when combined with enhanced diagnostic testing, can help alleviate underreporting and guide vaccination campaigns.
Pregnancy Among Reported Lyme Disease Cases-United States, 1992-2019
Bostic TD, Kugeler KJ and Hinckley AF
Lyme disease (LD), the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, typically presents with a localised erythema migrans rash (EM). Left untreated, infection can disseminate to cause severe heart, joint or nervous system manifestations. Summaries of LD surveillance data have been published previously but did not include the frequency, demographic or clinical characteristics of LD cases during pregnancy.
Seroprevalence and Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) in Khuzestan Province, Iran
Boozhmehrani MJ, Feiz-Haddad MH, Tavalla M, Nouri M and Ghoreishi SM
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan capable of infecting warm-blooded animals, including humans, and is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) serve as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens like T. gondii, which can cause disease in humans if transmitted. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence and molecular prevalence of T. gondii in wild boars in Khuzestan Province, Iran.
Toxoplasma gondii DNA in Tissues of Anadromous Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus, Collected From Nunavik, Québec, Canada
Merks H, Gomes R, Zhu S, Meymandy M, Reiling SJ, Bolduc S, Mainguy J and Dixon BR
Toxoplasma gondii is a very common zoonotic parasite in humans and animals worldwide. Human seroprevalence is high in some regions of Canada's North and is thought to be associated with the consumption of traditionally prepared country foods, such as caribou, walrus, ringed seal and beluga. While numerous studies have reported on the prevalence of T. gondii in these animals, in the general absence of felid definitive hosts in the North there has been considerable debate regarding the source of infection, particularly in marine mammals. It has been proposed that fish could be involved in this transmission.
ESBL Producing E. coli in Chickens and Poultry Farms Environment in Selangor, Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study on Their Occurrence and Associated Risk Factors With Environment and Public Health Importance
Aliyu AB, Jalila A, Saleha AA and Zunita Z
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) are widespread multidrug-resistant zoonotic bacteria that threaten animal production, food safety and antimicrobial therapy worldwide including Malaysia. Poultry has been reported as one of the pathways for human exposure to ESBL-EC. There has been little research on the occurrence of ESBL-EC within the Malaysian poultry food chain. Hence, the objectives of the study were to determine the occurrence of ESBL-EC in chickens and to identify the potential risk factors associated with their occurrence in poultry farms.
The Emergence of Cat-Transmitted Sporotrichosis Driven by Sporothrix brasiliensis in Piauí, Brazil
Pinheiro REE, Santana CCA, Martins LMS, Veloso DS, Luz JADS, Lima OB, Santos NC, Gonsales FF, de Carvalho JA and Rodrigues AM
In Brazil, the emergence of feline sporotrichosis, a neglected subcutaneous mycosis primarily transmitted by cats and caused by the fungus Sporothrix brasiliensis, has been monitored via molecular tools. This approach underscores the geographic expansion of this disease and highlights the critical role of molecular surveillance in understanding its epidemiology and guiding public health interventions.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonotic Potential of Nontyphoidal Salmonella From Household Dogs
Kenney SM, M'ikanatha NM and Ganda E
Companion animals, like household dogs, are an overlooked transmission point for zoonotic pathogens such as nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS). Given the proximity of dogs to humans and the use of critically important antibiotics in companion animal medicine, household dogs represent a risk for the spread of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Salmonella.
Historical Summary of Tick and Animal Surveillance Studies for Lyme Disease in Canada, 1975-2023: A Scoping Review
Davidson A, Kelly PH, Davis J, Major M, Moïsi JC and Stark JH
Lyme disease (LD) is caused by infection with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bb) through the bite of an infected Ixodes spp. tick. LD has emerged as a public and animal health issue in Canada, with human incidence increasing in part due to the expansion of Ixodes scapularis ticks and their vertebrate hosts. We sought to provide the first comprehensive summary of published tick and animal surveillance literature regarding LD in Canada to describe changes in LD over time.
Susceptibility of Mammals to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: A Qualitative Risk Assessment From the Belgian Perspective
Van Leeuw V, Depoorter P, Mauroy A, Beck O, Claeys H, De Regge N, De Waele V, De Winter P, Heymans JF, Hooyberghs J, Houdart P, Houtsaeger C, Linden A, Mori M, Nauwynck H, Parys A, Rebolledo Romero J, Rettigner C, Rouffaer L, Stassijns J, Steensels M, Van Gucht S, Van Reeth K, Vermeersch K, Vervaeke M, Saegerman C and Dewulf J
The world experienced a huge number of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in birds, which could represent one of the largest registered epidemics of infectious disease in food-producing animals. Therefore, mammals, including humans, are continuously exposed to HPAI viruses leading to sporadic and sometimes unusual mammal infections. The aim of this paper is to assess the risk of crossing the avian/mammalian species barrier by the currently circulating HPAI viruses, focusing on the epidemiological situation of Belgium, a representative country for Western Europe.
Molecular characterization of rabies virus from wild and domestic animals in the Sultanate of Oman
Ali H, Ali A, Al Mawly J, Tohamy HG and El-Neweshy MS
Rabies virus (RV) is endemic in some Arabian countries. However, it is difficult to control RV without understanding the epidemiological evolution of endemic RV isolates. The current study aimed to characterize RV from domestic and wild animal clinical cases in Oman.
Modeling of the Habitat Characteristics and Ecological Niche of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in a Fine-Scale Area of a Primate Research Center Using the Maximum Entropy Model
Novianto D, Hadi UK, Soviana S, Supriyono , Kaewthamasorn M and Darusman HS
Aedes-borne diseases, such as Zika and Chikungunya, originate from an enzootic cycle in which non-human primates (NHPs) function as reservoirs. This study aimed to analyze the characteristic habitat and ecological niche models of Aedes albopictus within the confines of a Primate Research Center (PRC), to assess its potential as a site for zoonotic arbovirus transmission. Additionally, this study aimed to construct a comprehensive map to delineate the risks of arbovirus transmission.
Antimicrobial Prescription Practices and Stewardship in Washington State Small and Mixed Animal Veterinary Medicine
Cassel S, Fenelon HT, Rott E, Blazes L, Willess LM, Baines AE, Ramirez V, Kauber K, Rabinowitz P, Burbick CR and Fuhrmeister ER
Judicious antimicrobial use is essential for the continued treatment of infections in small and mixed animal veterinary medicine. To better support Washington (WA) State veterinarians in antimicrobial stewardship, we surveyed licensed small and mixed animal veterinarians and led group conversations regarding antimicrobial prescription practices.
Characterisation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Special-Fed Veal Production Environments
Dunmyre A, Vinayamohan P, Locke SR, Cheng TY, Schaffner V and Habing G
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the leading public health threats globally. AMR genes can be transferred between bacteria through lateral gene transfer, and AMR organisms can spread through environments by contaminated water, agriculture and animals. Thus, widespread environmental dissemination of bacteria and lateral gene transfer facilitate AMR transmission pathways. Farm environments in dairy and calf production are known to harbour AMR bacteria that pose a risk for food contamination and to workers in direct or indirect contact with animals. Escherichia coli is present in farm environments and is known to participate in lateral gene transfer, providing a good marker of resistance genes in each environment.
Brucella microti and Rodent-Borne Brucellosis: A Neglected Public Health Threat
Rudolf I, Kejíková R, Kosoy M, Hubálek Z, Mravcová K, Šikutová S, Whatmore AM and Al Dahouk S
Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonoses worldwide, primarily affecting livestock but also posing a serious threat to public health. The major Brucella species are known to cause a feverish disease in humans with various clinical signs. These classical Brucella species are (re-)emerging, but also novel strains and species, some of them transmitted from rodents, can be associated with human infections. As a result of our review on rodent-borne brucellosis, we emphasise the need for more comprehensive surveillance of Brucella and especially Brucella microti in rodent populations and call for further research targeting the ecological persistence of rodent-associated Brucella species in the environment, their epizootic role in wild rodents and their virulence and pathogenicity for wildlife.
Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in Free-Ranging Sapajus nigritus, Argentina
Lamattina D, Martinez MF, Couto EM, Scarry C, Tujague MP, Arrabal JP, Di Nucci DL, Lestani EA, Bombelli D, López MA, Sasoni N, Piloni R, Kim A, Zenobi C, Marfil MJ, Trigo R, Pérez NE, Cáceres MG and Salomón OD
Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are the most relevant among pathogenic mycobacteria, both belonging to the M. tuberculosis complex (MTC). Samples of blood, liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs and caseous tubercles were collected from a free-ranging juvenile black capuchin monkey (Sapajus nigritus) showing non-specific signs of illness. Macroscopic findings included emaciation, a caseous lesion in a tooth and gingiva, disseminated nodules in both lungs and left kidney parenchyma and caseous nodules on the pleura and mesentery. The lesions suggested MTC infection, a diagnosis subsequently supported in the lung by bacilloscopy, immunochromatography and PCR. A multiplex PCR further validated the presence of M. bovis genes. Cases of tuberculosis in platyrrhine primates have only been reported in animals maintained in captivity. We describe for the first time the pathological and molecular findings of M. bovis infection in a free-ranging platyrrhine monkey within an area of intense human-wildlife interaction, which has important implications from a One Health perspective.
Campylobacter Diversity Along the Farm-to-Fork Continuum of Pastured Poultry Flocks in the Southeastern United States
Al Hakeem WG, Oladeinde A, Li X, Cho S, Kassem II and Rothrock MJ
Consumer demand for pasture raised, antibiotic-free poultry products has led to an increase in pastured poultry operations within the United States. Given the level of environmental interaction and the potential increase in exposure to foodborne pathogens in these settings, a greater understanding of the prevalence and diversity of Campylobacter populations inherent within pastured poultry flocks is needed.
Dynamics of Feline Sporotrichosis in Espírito Santo, Brazil: Impact of Urbanisation
Gomes AR, Vieira LF, Enriquez-Martinez OG, Castro FCAQ, Teixeira SF, Ambrósio RP, Carneiro Rediguieri B, Gonçalves SS, Faria RO, Romero ÁF and Pereira CM
Sporotrichosis is a chronic infectious mycosis caused by traumatic implantation of Sporothrix spp., which poses a significant challenge to public health because of its zoonotic nature. It affects humans and other animals, particularly cats. This study investigated epidemiological trends and spatial distribution of feline sporotrichosis in Espírito Santo between 2017 and 2022.
Excess Healthcare Costs and Resource Utilisation of Lyme Borreliosis in Germany: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study
Brestrich G, Diesing J, Kossack N, Stark JH, Pilz A, Yu H and Suess J
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne disease in Germany; however, data on the economic burden of LB are limited. In this study, we aim to report healthcare costs, healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and diagnostic consumption associated with LB by clinical manifestation.
Evaluation of the Epidemic Situation of Anthrax in Armenia Over the Last Decade
Kharatyan S, Sargsyan K, Elbakyan H, Hakobyan V, Sargsyan V, Chobanyan G, Badalyan M and Markosyan T
Anthrax is a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-listed disease that must be reported upon confirmation based on the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Anthrax poses a serious health issue for unvaccinated livestock, is a threat to humans through interaction with contaminated livestock and animal products and is endemic in many areas throughout the world, including the Transcaucasian Region. Despite several control and eradication efforts that have been implemented by the government of the Republic of Armenia (RA), sporadic cases of anthrax are still reported. We sought to understand the epidemic situation of anthrax in RA during the last 10 years (2012-2023) based on analysis of outbreaks and reported cases in cattle and humans.
Exposure Practices to Animal-Origin Influenza A Virus at the Animal-Human Interface in Poultry and Swine Backyard Farms
Baumberger C, Anríquez G, Galdames P, Palma T, Gonzalez MA, Orozco K, Oyarzun C, Rojas C, Marambio V, Ruiz S, Di Pillo F, Schultz-Cherry S, Jimenez-Bluhm P, Rushton J and Hamilton-West C
Backyard production systems (BPS) represent an interface of contact between people, domestic and wild animals. Studies conducted in Chile during the last decade have provided extensive evidence of influenza A virus (IAV) circulation in backyard poultry and swine. The aim of this study was to investigate exposure practices of humans to animal-origin IAV within backyards.