Editor’s Choice Articles

Viral zoonoses or viral pathogens transmitted from animals to humans—constitute a rapidly intensifying global health and economic challenge. They are responsible for an estimated 2.5 billion illnesses and 2.7 million deaths annually, representing nearly 60% of all infectious diseases and 75% of newly emerging infections. Recent outbreaks, including Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Ebola, Nipah, and avian influenza, underscore their capacity to overwhelm health systems, with COVID-19 alone projected to reduce global Gross Domestic Product by USD 22 trillion by 2025 and impose annual healthcare costs of USD 2–3 trillion. Beyond mortality and morbidity, zoonotic events disrupt trade, depress rural livelihoods, and inflict agricultural losses exceeding USD 100 billion per outbreak, with impacts disproportionately borne by low- and middle-income countries. Hotspot regions across tropical North and South America, Asia, and Central Africa remain especially vulnerable due to accelerating land use change, climate variability, and intensified wildlife–human interfaces. While the Global One Health Index highlights high regional heterogeneity, with sub-Saharan Africa scoring lowest, a critical gap persists between the conceptual strength of One Health and its operationalization in resource-limited settings. This review synthesizes evidence on drivers, clinical manifestations, and socioeconomic burdens of viral zoonoses, while highlighting novel perspectives on equity gaps, co-infection dynamics, and limitations of global preparedness initiatives. We argue that current strategies remain over-reliant on donor-driven agendas and insufficiently integrated across sectors. Addressing future zoonotic threats requires prioritizing surveillance in high-risk geographies, integrating epidemiological and economic data for preparedness planning, and supporting context sensitive One Health approaches that confront political, financial, and structural barriers to implementation. Full article

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid growing concerns regarding viral threats such as avian influenza, Mpox, and HKU5 bat coronaviruses, the phenomenon of viral zoonotic spillover, when viruses leap from circulation in non-human animals to humans, has garnered unprecedented global attention [...] Full article

Though a variety of methods are used to conduct West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance, accurate prediction and prevention of outbreaks remain a global challenge. Previous studies have established that the concentration of antibodies to mosquito saliva is directly related to the intensity of exposure to mosquito bites and can be a good proxy to determine risk of infection in human populations. To assess exposure characteristics and transmission dynamics among avian communities, we tested the levels of IgY antibodies against whole salivary glands of Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus, as well as WNV antigen, in 300 Northern cardinals sampled from April 2019 to October 2019 in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Though there were no significant differences in antibody responses among sex or age groups, exposure to Ae. albopictus bites was more positively associated with exposure to WNV compared with Cx. quinquefasciatus exposure (ρ = 0.2525, p < 0.001; ρ = 0.1752, p = 0.02437). This association was more pronounced among female birds (ρ = 0.3004, p = 0.0075), while no significant relationship existed between exposure to either mosquito vector and WNV among male birds in the study. In general, two seasonal trends in exposure were found, noting that exposure to Ae. albopictus becomes less intense throughout the season (ρ = −0.1529, p = 0.04984), while recaptured birds in the study were found to have increased exposure to Cx. quinquefasciatus by the end of the season (ρ = 0.277, p = 0.0468). Additionally, we report the identification of several immunogenic salivary proteins, including D7 family proteins, from both mosquito vectors among the birds. Our results suggest that Ae. albopictus may have a role in early-season transmission of WNV, particularly among brooding females and hatchling cardinals. However, bloodmeal analysis was not included in this work and further studies are needed to verify this assumption. Yet, broad circulation of WNV in nesting avian communities could enhance risk of infection among Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in the late season, with the potential to contribute to human disease incidence and epizootic spillover in the environment. Full article

Marburg virus (MARV) is one of the deadliest human zoonotic pathogens, historically traced back to Uganda, in East African-cave-dwelling Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), the probable cradle of MARV. Since its first identification in Germany and Serbia in 1967 due to laboratory contamination, MARV has caused 18 outbreaks in humans in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the latest in Tanzania in 2025 and 2023, Rwanda in 2024, and Equatorial Guinea in 2023. Efforts to control MARV through bat extermination in Sub-Saharan Africa have been ineffective, likely due to incomplete extermination and the recolonization of infected juvenile fruit bats. Over the past two decades, extensive molecular epidemiological research has generated over 70 complete MARV genomes, enabling detailed phylogenetic analysis, though bat-derived sequences are still rare. Phylogenetic analysis of Sub-Saharan African Marburgviruses from 1975 shows clustering with sequences from humans and bats, indicating that the virus reservoir species in these regions are not considerably distinct. This review aims to consolidate MARV comprehensive genomic data to provide a clearer picture of the current Marburg virus disease situation in Sub-Saharan Africa and, in turn, highlights the need for active genomic surveillance to identify hotspots and prevent future global outbreaks. Full article

Zoonotic diseases pose a significant global health threat, driven by factors such as globalization, climate change, urbanization, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and intensified human–animal interactions. The increasing interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health underscores the importance of the OH paradigm in addressing zoonotic threats in a globalized world. This review explores the complex epidemiology of zoonotic diseases, the challenges associated with their management, and the necessity for cross-sector collaboration to enhance prevention and control efforts. Key public health strategies, including surveillance systems, infection control measures, and community education programs, play crucial roles in mitigating outbreaks. However, gaps in governance, resource allocation, and interdisciplinary cooperation hinder effective disease management, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To illustrate the effectiveness of the OH approach, this review highlights successful programs, such as the PREDICT project, Rwanda’s National One Health Program, the EcoHealth Alliance, and the Rabies Elimination Program in the Philippines. These initiatives demonstrate how integrating human, animal, and environmental health efforts can enhance early detection, improve outbreak responses, and reduce public health burdens. Strengthening global health governance, enhancing surveillance infrastructure, regulating antimicrobial use, and investing in research and technological innovations are essential steps toward mitigating zoonotic risks. Ultimately, a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach is vital for addressing the dynamic challenges posed by zoonotic diseases and ensuring global health security in an increasingly interconnected world. Full article

Salmonellosis in humans is a public health threat and cattle are important reservoirs for the pathogen. Cattle products such as ground beef have been linked to human salmonellosis outbreaks, and some disease investigations have been traced back to infected animal herds on farms and animal markets as the origin of infection. It is now common to isolate Salmonella from many cattle operations as the pathogen once introduced onto a farm can establish an undesirable endemic condition among herds. It is, therefore, essential to adopt measures to mitigate or prevent the introduction and spread of zoonotic disease agents like Salmonella in animal populations. With this background, the potential sources and risks of Salmonella infection in cattle, the control of already established infection, and other preventative measures are discussed in this article. We conclude that a holistic approach involving all stakeholders in cattle production is needed to safeguard public health, eventually forestalling human salmonellosis from cattle sources. In achieving this, it will be essential to consider the farm as a critical control point in preventing the introduction of Salmonella into the food chain. Full article

The Mpox virus (MPXV), a zoonotic pathogen from the Orthopoxvirus genus, has emerged as a significant global public health concern, especially after the unprecedented outbreak in 2022. This review synthesizes the MPXV’s molecular features, focusing on its genomic structure, replication mechanisms, immune evasion strategies, and implications for diagnostics and therapeutics. The study examines the virus’s genomic organization utilizing recent peer-reviewed literature, highlighting essential genes like OPG027 and D1L, which contribute to host adaptation, increased transmissibility, and immune evasion. Advances in molecular diagnostics, including real-time PCR and genome sequencing, are reviewed, emphasizing their critical role in outbreak monitoring and control. However, challenges persist, such as diagnostic limitations in resource-constrained settings and the lack of targeted vaccines and antivirals. This review discusses new antiviral candidates, confirmed through computational and in vitro techniques, identifying thymidine kinase and VP39 as key therapeutic targets. Emphasizing the need for genomic surveillance to track adaptive evolution, results show that particular mutations, such as in the OPG027 and D1L genes, increase the transmissibility and immune evasion of the MPXV. These molecular revelations highlight the urgent necessity for better diagnostics catered towards addressing present constraints and developing focused treatments that reduce the effect of the virus. This study emphasizes how these results underscore the need for combined public health plans to handle the changing MPXV epidemiology properly. Full article

Bats and rodents serve as reservoirs for numerous zoonotic pathogens, including species of Trypanosoma and Leishmania. Domestic rats host the flea-transmitted Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) lewisi, which can be associated with humans, particularly young or immunocompromised individuals. Using Fluorescent Fragment Length Barcoding (FFLB) and phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA sequences, we identified two Herpetosoma species, T. lewisi-like and T. musculi-like species, in bats of different families inhabiting rooftops and peridomestic structures in Brazil (44%, 107 bats examined) and Venezuela (50%, 52 bats examined). These species are typically associated with Rattus spp. (domestic rats) and Mus musculus (house mice), respectively. Furthermore, bats were co-infected with up to five other species, including Trypanosoma dionisii, Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei, and isolates from the Trypanosoma Neobat clade, all strongly associated with bats, and Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli, known to infect various mammals, including humans. Therefore, our findings expand the known host range of Herpetosoma to bats, marking the first report of potential spillover of Herpetosoma trypanosomes from rodents to bats and underscoring the potential for the cross-species transmission of flea-borne trypanosomes. These results highlight the need for a One Health approach to assess infection risks associated with trypanosome spillover from synanthropic rodents and bats to humans. Full article

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) surveillance for influenza A virus (IAV) in the United States is conducted using a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Samples showing the presence of IAV are confirmed and characterized at the national reference laboratory. During the H5N1 HPAI outbreak in 2022, our laboratory reported the detection of IAV in a PA commercial chicken flock using rRT-PCR targeting the matrix gene, which was negative for the H5/H7 subtypes. IAV was not detected by additional sampling of the birds the following day with rRT-PCR. The virus detected was characterized as a human seasonal H3N2 with whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Further investigation revealed that the collector who visited the farm was diagnosed with an IAV infection. This case report emphasizes the importance of farm biosafety and biosecurity, of conducting regular reviews of worker safety protocols, and of advanced molecular techniques like WGS for viral characterization and epidemiology. Full article

The aim of this study was to characterize the antimicrobial resistance phenotype and genotype of non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. isolated in Luanda, Angola. Between 2013 and 2015, human clinical samples, food, and environmental samples (n = 290) were collected at different regions of Luanda city and screened for the presence of Salmonella spp. Bacterial isolates were preliminarily identified using the API 20E Kit, and their identification was confirmed using PCR and serotyping. All Salmonella spp. isolates were tested by minimum inhibitory concentration against 19 antimicrobials. The isolates were also screened using PCR for the presence of resistance genes (bla_OXA-1, bla_SHV, bla_TEM, sul1, sul2, sul3, qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, qnrC, qnrD, aac(6′)-Ib, dfrIa [targeting dfrA1, dfrA5, dfrA15, dfrA15b, dfrA16, dfrA16b] and dfrA12, cmlA, and floR) and typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Salmonella enterica non-typhoidal was detected in 21.3% of the clinical samples (n = 32/150), 11.1% of the food samples (n = 10/90), and 26% of the environmental samples (n = 13/50). Serotyping revealed that the monophasic variant of Salmonella Typhimurium (Salmonella enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:-) was detected in 38.1% of the samples. Moreover, serovar Salmonella Enteritidis was the second most frequent. Only 7.3% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Furthermore, isolates from different origins (clinical, environmental, and food) were associated with the same lineages, Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 and S. enterica ser. Typhimurium ST313. The detection of S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- in different settings reinforces the need for a One Health approach to control this zoonosis in Angola. Full article

Chikungunya and dengue are arboviral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes that have been increasingly recognized as public health concerns in Sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies conducted in Nigeria and other West African countries have revealed the seroprevalence burden and cocirculation of antibodies against mosquito-borne infections, thereby revealing a significant burden and clinical outcome complexities that have largely gone undetected. The current research study has important implications for disease surveillance, prevention strategies, and healthcare planning in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 871 outpatients and pregnant women from three regions of Nigeria. CHIKV and DENV immunoblot molecular diagnostic assays were used to analyze the serum samples for the presence of arboviral antibody serological markers IgG (Mikrogen Diagnostik, Germany) with DENV nonstructural protein 1 and DENV Equad and CHIKV virus-like particles (VLPs), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A total of 871 participants were recruited from three geographical regions in Nigeria. Among them, 17.5% (152/871) were from Abia (southern Nigeria), 34.4% (300/871) were from Kaduna (northern Nigeria), and 48.1% (419/871) were from Nasarawa (central Nigeria). The ages of the participants ranged from 0 months to 80 years, with a mean age of 36.6 years. Of the 871 subjects, 71.0% (619/871) were female, and 29.0% (252/871) were male. The overall cohort detectable antibody seropositivity against CHIKV was 64.9% (565/871), 95% CI (61.74–68.06); DENV, 44.7% (389/871), 95% CI (41.41–47.99); and CHIKV-DENV cocirculation antibodies, 31.6% (95% CI 29–35). This study highlighted the unpredictably high seroprevalence, expansion, magnitude, and undetected burden of chikungunya and dengue in Nigeria. Full article

Bat coronaviruses cause a wide range of illnesses in humans and animals. Bats are known to harbor a wide diversity of Alphacoronaviruses and Betacoronaviruses. Betacoronaviruses have been linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and other diseases such as gastroenteritis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. In the last 20 years, three betacoronaviruses emerged and caused widespread outbreaks in humans, including two deadly betacoronavirus epidemics, SARS-CoV, with mortality rate of 10%, and MERS-CoV, with mortality rate of 34.7%, and SARS-CoV-2, which caused the COVID-19 pandemic, with mortality rate of 3.4%. Studies have shown that bats are the main natural reservoirs for these viruses or their ancestral viruses. Observed variations in bat coronavirus genomes indicate that these viruses may have a potential to transmit to other hosts in close contact with humans and subsequently transmit to humans. As of today, there are no reported cases of direct coronavirus transmission from bats to humans. One reason for this might be that intermediate hosts are required for the transmission of bat coronaviruses to humans. Further studies are needed to map the amino acids and genomic regions responsible for the interactions between the spike of coronavirus and its receptors. Full article

Two-thirds of human infectious diseases are zoonotic diseases and routine data collections exist for each sector (human, veterinary, environmental). However, these operate separately and the collected data are not integrated across sectors. Publicly available information on these routine data collections in terms of metadata and the information collected is sparse. The aim was to create an inventory of routine data collections in the Federal State of Lower Saxony, Germany. A systematic screening of existing routine data collections from the human and veterinary sectors on zoonotic infectious diseases was carried out on the basis of expert interviews. A standardised template was used to collect relevant metadata on data collections and pathogens they contain. The template was transferred to Research Electronic Data Capture tools. We recorded metadata for 19 veterinary, 16 human and 2 other data collections, and for 69 different zoonotic pathogens. The frequencies of a selection of metadata were analysed descriptively. The data collections, which served different purposes, differed, e.g., in underlying population and sampling strategy, export format and access to the original data. We identified challenges for integrated analyses of data from different collections, which need to be addressed to develop a One Health monitoring and surveillance system. Full article

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States and Canada. The causative agent of Lyme disease in North America is the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. In western North America, the primary vector of Borrelia burgdorferi is the western black-legged tick, Ixodes pacificus. Surveillance and modelling efforts indicate that I. pacificus is primarily found in coastal California, Oregon, Washington and the southern coastal regions of British Columbia However, infection rates with B. burgdorferi among I. pacificus ticks remain low, ranging from 0.6% to 9.9%. Lyme disease case numbers in western North America are also relatively low compared to eastern North America. Enzootic maintenance of B. burgdorferi by hosts in natural environments and climatic factors may influence Lyme disease risk. The borreliacidal western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, may contribute to the low infection rates observed in I. pacificus ticks, while the migratory nature of avian hosts can allow for long-distance tick dispersal. Moderately warm and moist environments and protection from sunlight define the suitable habitats of I. pacificus ticks. In this review, we discuss the ecology and epidemiology of Lyme disease in relation to I. pacificus, as well as the need for more studies in western North America. Full article

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite globally infecting a wide range of species, including humans. Felids are the only known hosts that can excrete environmentally resistant oocysts into ecosystems. In boreal regions, Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) are sought by hunters primarily for their fur, and they are occasionally eaten. We examined carcasses salvaged from trappers from boreal regions of eastern (n = 97) and western (n = 357) Canada. We detected T. gondii antibodies in fluid from thawed heart tissue using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, DNA in brain and heart via magnetic capture and real-time PCR assay, and presence of DNA in feces using a real-time PCR with melt curve analysis. We detected antibodies against T. gondii and DNA in tissues in 24% and 19% of lynx, respectively. One lynx was positive for DNA of T. gondii in feces, which could indicate intestinal infection and potential for shedding oocysts. Our results indicate that lynx may be a useful sentinel species for monitoring environmental circulation of T. gondii in northern boreal regions and may pose a risk for transmission to other wildlife and to people handling or consuming lynx. Full article

Monkeypox (MPX) is a relatively unknown and minor resurgent viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). The disease can spread from person to person or from animal to person. The disease is most prevalent in the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa. The first MPXV outbreak was recorded in a monkey during 1958 as a small pox-like disease causing flu-like symptoms, such as chills and fever, as well as a rash, and the first MPXV case in a human was in a 9-month-old child in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 1 September 1970. There were 16,016 laboratory confirmed cases of MPXV infection and five deaths reported in 75 countries/territories/areas across all six WHO Regions as of 22 July 2022. MPXV has a wide host range, including humans, squirrels, mice, rabbits, hamsters, porcupines, non-human primates (orangutans, chimps, sooty mangabeys, cynomolgus monkeys), black-tailed prairie dogs, African brush-tailed porcupines, rats, and shrews. MPXV replicates at the site of inoculation, the respiratory or oropharyngeal mucosa, and spreads to other organs, such as the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract, where clinical signs and symptoms of the disease manifest. Before the rash appears, most patients have prominent lymphadenopathy, which distinguishes human MPX from small pox. This is followed by macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, umbilication, scabbing, and desquamation. Laboratory tools, such as virus isolation, PCR-based assays, haemagglutination inhibition assays, electron microscopy, ELISA, Western blotting, or immunohistochemistry, have been used to confirm diagnoses. Following a confirmatory diagnosis, tecovirimat, an FDA-approved antiviral drug, is currently available to treat severe cases of MPXV infection, along with symptomatic and supportive therapies. Physical and close contact activities, such as sleeping in the same room or on the same bed as the infected person, intimate contact with an infected partner, living in the same house as infected people, and sharing the same cups and plates, must be avoided to prevent the spread of the disease. Vaccination with vaccinia virus against monkeypox is approximately 85% effective and may protect against MPXV infection if administered within 4 days and up to 14 days (without showing any symptoms) after initial contact with a confirmed monkeypox case. Full article

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that causes severe brain inflammation. The JE virus envelope protein domain III (JEV-ED3) plays a critical role in activating receptor binding and membrane fusion. This communication briefly describes, in a computational approach, how structural changes within the JEV-ED3 mutant epitopes suppress their antibody neutralization function. The simulated results demonstrate that mutant Ser40Lys acts as an antibody neutralization escape while Asp41Arg may play the role of an escape mutant. Additionally, an examination of the double mutants on JEV-ED3 suggests that these mutants may qualify as stronger neutralizing escape agents than their single variants. The structural analysis of this work helps to identify the proper antiviral target sequences and specific monoclonal antibodies for the JEV-ED3 escape mutants. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Salmonella in poultry poses a serious human health threat as it has zoonotic importance. Poultry is often linked with outbreaks of Salmonella-associated foodborne illness. Since antimicrobials are heavily used in poultry in Bangladesh, multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella is quite frequently found there. MDR Salmonella is challenging to treat with antimicrobials and often causes a severe economic loss in the poultry sector. By horizontal gene transfer and/or evolutionary mutations, antimicrobials primarily exert selection pressure that contributes to antimicrobials resistance. In addition, resistance patterns can vary with variations in time and space. Without having prior knowledge of resistance patterns, no effective drugs could be prescribed. Therefore, it is crucial to have updated knowledge on the status of AMR in Salmonella in Bangladesh for effective treatment and management of the flocks against salmonellosis. There are several review articles on AMR in Salmonella in poultry in Bangladesh; they lack the whole scenario of the country and particularly do not have enough data on the poultry environment. Considering this scenario, in this review, we have focused on AMR in Salmonella in poultry in Bangladesh (2011–2021), with particular emphasis on data from the poultry and farm environments on a divisional zone basis. Full article