Search Results (426)

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) viruses, particularly IAV (H5N1), continue to pose a major global threat due to their widespread circulation and high mortality rates in birds. Management of HPAI is complicated by challenges in conserving migratory bird populations, sustaining poultry production, and uncertainties in disease dynamics. Structured decision-making frameworks, such as those based on the PrOACT model, are recommended to improve outbreak response and guide critical actions, especially when HPAI virus (HPAIV) detections occur in sensitive areas like wildlife refuges. Surveillance data from late 2024 to early 2025 show persistent HPAI activity, with 743 detections across 22 European countries and beyond, and notable outbreaks in poultry in nations like Hungary, Iceland, and the UK. The proximity of poultry farms to water sources increases environmental contamination risks. Meanwhile, HPAI A(IAV (H5N1)) and other H5Nx viruses have been detected in a wide range of mammalian species globally, raising concerns about mammalian adaptation due to mutations like E627K and D701N in the PB2 protein. Human infections with IAV (H5N1) have also been reported, with recent cases in North America highlighting zoonotic transmission risks. Molecular studies emphasize the importance of monitoring genetic variations associated with increased virulence and antiviral resistance. Preventive strategies focus on biosafety, personal protective measures, and vaccine development for both avian and human populations. Ongoing genetic characterization and vigilant surveillance remain critical to managing the evolving threat posed by HPAI viruses. Full article

Wild boars, widely distributed across natural, agricultural, and urban landscapes, represent an ideal sentinel species for monitoring the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at the human–wildlife–livestock interface within the One Health framework. This review summarizes current knowledge on the prevalence, diversity, AMR, and epidemiological significance of major enteric pathogens isolated from wild boars in the European Union, with particular attention to their potential role in AMR dissemination. Numerous studies have reported variable prevalence rates for Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and Campylobacter spp. High prevalence rates has been observed in fecal samples—35% for Salmonella, 27% for Y. enterocolitica and STEC, and 66% for Campylobacter—highlighting the role of wild boars as carriers and the associated risk of carcass contamination during slaughter. Tonsils represent a key niche for Y. enterocolitica, with prevalence reaching 35%. Several studies have identified resistance to antimicrobials classified by the World Health Organization as critically important or high priority for human medicine, including fluoroquinolone-resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Y. enterocolitica, raising notable public health concerns. Despite increasing interest, most available studies remain descriptive and geographically limited, providing limited insight into AMR acquisition and transmission pathways in wild boars. New approaches—such as resistome analyses and epidemiological cut-off values—offer added value to distinguish wild-type from acquired-resistant strains and to better understand AMR dissemination dynamics. Integrating wildlife into One Health surveillance systems is essential to capture the full complexity of AMR spread. Full article

Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is a zoonotic pathogen with significant public and veterinary significance. Whilst livestock are considered as primary reservoirs of the pathogen, ticks play a crucial role in transmission and environmental contamination. Within Namibia, there is serological evidence of pathogen circulation in livestock and wildlife. However, no study has ever been conducted to determine the prevalence of C. burnetii in ticks in Namibia. Thus, this study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of C. burnetii in ticks collected from two different ecological settings. A total of 502 ticks (Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Hyalomma) collected from 278 cattle (139 from each of the tropical Zambezi and arid Khomas regions) were screened for C. burnetii using PCR targeting the genus-specific 16S rRNA and the species-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase (icd) genes. Based on the isocitrate dehydrogenase (icd) genes, an overall prevalence of 8% (40/502) was observed for C. burnetii, with significantly higher infection rates observed in the more tropical Zambezi region (11.7%) when compared to the more arid Khomas region (2.8%) [p = 0.0005]. Variation was observed amongst tick species [p = 0.00121], with prevalence being slightly higher in Amblyomma ticks (12.9%) and Hyalomma (10.6%) as compared to Rhipicephalus ticks (3.6%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the icd gene sequences confirmed 99–100% identity with C. burnetii strains from around the world, thus confirming the circulation of this pathogen in ticks, ultimately supporting their potential role in the epidemiology of this pathogen in Namibia. The observed regional prevalence difference could be driven by variation in the ecological factors, with the subtropical climatic conditions of Zambezi likely favoring higher tick infection rates. Our findings highlight the need for One Health–based surveillance to mitigate the risks associated with pathogen risk. This study provides the first molecular evidence of C. burnetii in ticks in Namibia, highlighting their role in the pathogen’s epidemiology and providing relevant information for informed control strategies. Full article

Intensive aquaculture and animal farming along riverbanks have emerged as significant drivers of downstream public health risks, facilitating the transmission of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes from farm effluents into natural water systems. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive 12-week water monitoring program at the Wei River in Shandong, China, using a combination of rapid detection techniques (RPA-LFD) and whole-genome sequencing to trace the origins of detected pathogens. RPA-LFD screening revealed the sequential appearance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Aeromonas veronii, norovirus GII, and Brucella spp. in surface water from March onward, coinciding with documented wastewater discharge events from upstream shrimp and fox farms. Subsequent isolation efforts confirmed the presence of V. parahaemolyticus and A. veronii in both river water and shrimp samples, while Brucella abortus was isolated from fox feces and water samples. Whole-genome sequencing of bacterial isolates revealed that V. parahaemolyticus strains from water and shrimp shared identical sequence types (ST150 and ST809) and resistance gene profiles, indicating a clonal relationship. Similarly, B. abortus isolates from water and fox feces differed by fewer than five SNPs, confirming farm-to-water transmission. Norovirus GII.3 and GII.6 sequences from water and fecal samples clustered phylogenetically with regional clinical strains, suggesting local circulation and environmental dissemination. Our findings highlight the critical role of river water monitoring as an early warning system for pathogen spread, emphasizing the need for integrated surveillance systems that monitor both water quality and the health of upstream farms and wildlife populations. The combined use of RPA-LFD and whole-genome sequencing provides a robust framework for real-time detection and source tracing of zoonotic pathogens, offering valuable insights for future environmental monitoring and public health interventions. Full article

Migratory birds travel long distances and interact with diverse environments, making them potential reservoirs and disseminators of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This study investigated the species distribution of migratory birds, bacterial isolates from bird internal organs, and the corresponding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles in South Korea. A total of 35 bird carcasses representing 20 species were collected from five major stopover sites on the Sinan-gun islands along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. More than half of the sampled birds belonged to the genus Emberiza, reflecting the prevalence of small migratory passerines in coastal habitats. From these carcasses, 54 bacterial isolates belonging to 24 species were identified, including Enterococcus spp., coliforms such as Enterobacter spp. and Escherichia coli, and opportunistic pathogens including Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Serratia spp. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 18 isolates (33.3%) were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Enterococcus isolates displayed high resistance to tigecycline and daptomycin, and two vancomycin-resistant strains were identified. Coliform isolates were resistant to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, and colistin. The two E. coli strains exhibited concurrent carbapenem–colistin resistance, posing a significant public health concern. These findings provide the first organ-level AMR dataset for migratory birds in South Korea and highlight the potential role of small passerines as ecological sentinels of environmental contamination. The detection of MDR strains underscores the need to integrate wildlife surveillance into One Health strategies for AMR monitoring. Full article

Chlamydia pecorum is a widespread zoonotic pathogen infecting livestock and wildlife, with recent reports of severe human infection. To assess its epidemiological threat, we investigated its prevalence, genetic diversity, and evolutionary dynamics in livestock from western China. Rectal swabs (n = 1322) were collected from cattle and sheep across four provinces in western China in 2024–2025. Samples were screened by Nested PCR, and positives were characterized by ompA genotyping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Overall, 18.9% of samples tested positive for C. pecorum. ompA analysis defined 33 sequence similarity-based clades (17 unique to the region), while MLST revealed 114 sequence types (111 novel). Discordance between ompA and MLST trees highlighted recombination and complex evolutionary trajectories. These findings demonstrate both a high prevalence and marked genetic heterogeneity of C. pecorum in western Chinese livestock, with numerous unique local clades and sequence types highlighting its ongoing evolution and zoonotic potential. Therefore, this study provides a foundational genetic database and has prompted the creation of a One Health surveillance network, which are essential for precise source-tracing and early detection to mitigate zoonotic spillover risk. Full article

Influenza A virus (IAV) has a wide range of avian and mammalian hosts, leading to disease outbreaks and increasing the risk of panzootics and pandemics. Subtype H5N1 of clade 2.3.4.4b is causing the current high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) panzootic. Environmental changes are fuelling the spread of HPAI H5N1 in wildlife worldwide, with occasional spillover events from seabirds to cetaceans. Sampling difficulties and limited tests available for diagnosis are a challenge to cetacean virology research. Understanding the risk of HPAI outbreaks in cetaceans requires a comprehensive examination of events of IAV infection. Documented cases relate to IAV subtypes H1N3, H13N2, H13N9, and H5N1 and have been reported in cetaceans sampled in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans. The number of H5N1 IAV isolated from cetaceans is increasing and affects six host species of the families Delphinidae and Phocoenidae of the suborder Odontoceti. The analysis of 40 molecular markers of viral adaptation to mammals in 21 H5N1 cetacean isolates reveals mutations are present in three viral proteins: hemagglutinin (HA), polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2), and nucleoprotein (NP). Phylogenetic analysis of HA and PB2 sequences isolated from cetaceans and co-occurring cases in seabirds and marine mammals do not support sustained transmission of the virus between cetaceans. IAV H5N1 appears to be reaching cetaceans after spillover from seabirds and other marine mammals. Increasing worldwide surveillance of IAV infection of cetaceans is crucial, as these marine mammals are sentinel species for human pandemic preparedness and key species for marine biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. Full article

Background: Giardia duodenalis is one of the most prevalent protozoan pathogens, commonly infecting a wide range of hosts including humans, livestock, companion animals, and wildlife globally. The Bamaxiang pig (Sus scrofa domesticus), a native livestock variety from China’s Guangxi region, holds significant importance in Bama Yao Autonomous County. This breed not only supports regional meat production systems but also fulfills dual roles as human companions and valuable subjects for biomedical investigations. The aim of present study was to investigate the prevalence of G. duodenalis and assess its genetic characteristics. A total of 311 fresh fecal samples were collected from three farms in Bama Yao Autonomous County. The presence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis were determined by nested PCR and sequence analysis of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), β-giardin (bg) and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes. Results: The total occurrence rate of G. duodenalis in Bamaxiang Pigs was 17.36% (54/311). Among different age groups, suckling piglets exhibited the highest infection rate at 24.29% (17/70). The infection rates in the sows, fattening pigs, and weaned piglets were 20.88% (19/91), 14.10% (11/78), and 9.72% (7/72), respectively (p < 0.05). Phylogenetic analysis of sequences from three genetic loci identified two G.duodenalis genetic assemblages, namely assemblages A and E. Among them, assemblage A (n = 31) was the predominant genotype across the three farms, followed by the assemblage E (n = 21) and mixed assemblage A/E (n = 2) infections. Conclusions: This study represents the first report demonstrating that G. duodenalis infection is prevalent in Bamaxiang pigs, with variable positivity rates across different growth stages. The zoonotic assemblage A was the predominant assemblage, suggesting a potential risk of transmission to humans through close contact with this specific pig breed. The results provide basic data for controlling infections in Bamaxiang pigs. Full article

Wildlife can act as both a reservoir and a sentinel for emerging pathogens, but surveillance is often constrained by difficulties in obtaining samples without disturbing animals. This study explored the viral diversity of wild mammals inhabiting the Foreste Casentinesi National Park (Central Italy) using non-invasive fecal sampling. From 2021 to 2022, 99 fecal samples from several species were collected and analyzed by PCR and metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Of 26 pools examined, 10 (38.5%) tested positive for at least one viral target. Astroviruses were the most frequently detected, found in deer, foxes, wolves, small mustelids, and porcupines. Several sequences showed low similarity to known strains, suggesting divergent or novel viral lineages. Metagenomic analysis also identified members of Circoviridae, Anelloviridae, and Picobirnaviridae. While none of these virus families are currently recognized as major zoonotic agents, their widespread occurrence in wildlife and domestic animals underscores the importance of continued surveillance to better assess their ecological roles, host range, and potential implications for both animal and human health. These results provide new insights into the virome of European wildlife, including the first reports of some viruses in certain species. Overall, our study demonstrates that non-invasive surveillance is a valuable tool for monitoring ecosystem health and supports a One Health approach to early detection of viral threats. Full article

Influenza B viruses (IBV) belong to the family of Orthomyxoviridae and circulate annually in humans causing respiratory illness. Although they are considered an exclusively human pathogen, there is evidence of IBV infections in animals, including wildlife, companion animals and livestock. In addition, metagenomic studies have identified novel orthomyxoviruses in amphibians and fish that appear related to IBV, suggesting influenza viruses, including IBV, have been associated with vertebrates across their evolutionary history. In this review, we summarise our current knowledge of potential IBV and IBV-like infections in animals. These collectively suggest that the ecology of IBV extends beyond humans and warrants further investigations. Full article

CerMapp is a multi-platform and system application designed to address a critical gap in veterinary public health: the lack of a standardized, national-scale geodatabase for wildlife diseases. This gap has long hindered the effective application of GIS and remote sensing in spatial epidemiology. Currently deployed at the prototype level in Aosta Valley, NW Italy, the application’s core innovation is its ability to generate a structured, analysis-ready data repository, which serves as a foundational resource for One Health initiatives. Developed by the National Reference Center for Wildlife Diseases on the ESRI ArcGIS Survey123 platform v.3.24, CerMapp enables veterinarians, foresters, and wildlife professionals to easily collect and georeference field data, including species, health status, and photographic evidence using flexible methods such as Global Navigation Satellite System or manual map entry. Data collected via CerMapp are stored in a centralized geodatabase, facilitating risk analyses and detailed geospatial studies. This data can be integrated with remote sensing information processed on cloud platforms like Google Earth Engine or within traditional GIS software, contributing to a comprehensive and novel wildlife health registry. By promoting the rational and standardized collection of essential geospatial data, CerMapp data may support predictive disease modeling, risk assessment, and habitat suitability mapping for wildlife diseases, zoonoses, and vector-borne pathogens. Its scalable, user-friendly design ensures alignment with existing national systems like the Italian Animal Disease Information System (SIMAN), making advanced geospatial analysis accessible without requiring specialized digital skills from field operators or complex IT maintenance from institutions. Full article

This review summarizes the interactions between three major bacterial groups, Rickettsia sp., Bartonella sp. and Yersinia pestis, the flea vectors and the diverse gut microbiota of fleas and highlights open questions. The focus is on the plague pathogen, Y. pestis, which adapted to transmission by fleas several thousand years ago. This caused one of the deadliest infectious diseases known to mankind, and the three pandemics resulted in an estimated 200 million deaths. In the vector, Y. pestis resists the adverse conditions, like other numerous bacterial species. Rickettsia sp. and Bartonella sp. as well as Y. pestis induce specific changes in the microbiota. The presence of bacteria in the ingested blood activates the production of antimicrobial proteins and reactive oxygen species, which normally have no effect on the development of Y. pestis. This bacterium infects mammals by different modes, first by an early-phase transmission and then by biofilm-mediated blockage of the foregut. Both interfere with blood ingestion and lead to reflux or regurgitation of intestinal contents containing Y. pestis into the bite site. Blockage of the gut leads to more attempts to ingest blood, increasing the risk of transmission. The lifespan of the fleas is also reduced. As Y. pestis is still endemic in wildlife in many regions of the world and human infections continue to occur in limited areas, studies of the interactions are needed to find new ways to control the disease. Full article

Urban green spaces are essential components of city ecosystems, providing environmental and social benefits while simultaneously serving as potential entry points for invasive plant pathogens. In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward the role of urban environments as reservoirs and transmission corridors for oomycetes, a group of highly destructive microorganisms affecting trees and shrubs. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and potential introduction pathways of oomycetes in three Warsaw parks representing distinct ecological settings: a historical city park, a large landscape park with aquatic features, and a newly constructed linear park. Samples of soil, and surface water were collected and analysed using standard isolation and molecular identification methods. Four species were identified: Phytophthora cactorum, P. cambivora, Phytopythium vexans, and Ph. montanum—the latter two representing first records for urban parks in Poland. The results indicate that nursery plant material, surface water systems, and wildlife activity, particularly birds, are likely contributors to the introduction and spread of these pathogens in city landscapes. The findings underscore the growing phytosanitary risk associated with urban greenery, where the interplay of anthropogenic disturbance, high plant turnover, and complex hydrological networks facilitates pathogen establishment. This research highlights the urgent need to integrate urban biosecurity strategies with routine molecular monitoring, nursery inspections, and wildlife surveillance to limit further dissemination of invasive oomycetes and enhance the resilience of urban tree populations. Full article

As viromics advances, the diversity and ecological significance of RNA viruses in global ecosystems are gaining growing recognition. Nevertheless, studies on RNA viruses in wildlife, especially non-model avian species, are still relatively scarce. This study employed viral metagenomics to systematically characterize the gut RNA viromes of three widely distributed corvid species on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: the Red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Daurian jackdaw (Coloeus dauuricus), and Rook (Corvus frugilegus). These three corvid species are closely associated with human-inhabited areas on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and display distinctive scavenging behaviors that may lower their exposure to environmental pathogens while concurrently elevating their risk of viral infection, rendering them key targets for viral surveillance and research into zoonotic disease transmission. The analysis annotated viral communities into 4 phyla and 8 classes, with Pisuviricota and Kitrinoviricota emerging as the predominant phyla in all samples. Alpha diversity analysis indicated no significant differences among groups, while beta diversity showed significant compositional differences. KEGG annotation revealed that enriched functional pathways were mainly concentrated in “Global and overview maps”, “Drug resistance: antimicrobial”, and “Biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites”. Furthermore, 4 antibiotic resistance genes and 13 putative virulence factor genes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis further indicated that several identified viruses have the potential for cross-species transmission, underscoring the pivotal role of wild birds in viral ecosystems and disease spread. This study uncovered multi-faceted features of the gut RNA viromes in the three crow species, spanning structural, functional, and evolutionary dimensions. These results offer novel perspectives on the viromes of wild corvids and their potential contributions to viral emergence and dissemination in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau ecosystem. Full article

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