The growing threat of zoonotic diseases has driven an increased interest in “One Health”, a framework that demands a more holistic approach to understanding, preventing and controlling the emergence and spread of health risks at the human-animal-environment interface. This approach requires systems that capture data across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. However, in resource-limited settings, critical actors, namely public health departments, veterinary services, and environmental monitoring agencies, are often underfunded and lack robust surveillance systems. Additionally, the absence of historical collaboration between these sectors often results in limited or nonexistent data sharing, further hindering effective disease monitoring and response. During a study on the epidemiology of human rabies and accessibility of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in Southern Malawi, we observed significant disparities in data management infrastructure between human and animal health sectors. Furthermore, there were significant challenges in data capturing, management, and sharing. These issues remain in practice largely because of the absence of digital and standardized data management systems, especially in the animal health sector, compounded by insufficient recognition of the importance of surveillance and its low prioritization in health strategies. This gap hinders the accurate reporting of diseases, disrupts resource allocation for prevention and control, and prevents countries from contributing to global disease records, thereby limiting international efforts to track and mitigate emerging infectious disease threats. To address these challenges, future efforts should consider standardizing record capture, improving data storage practices, leveraging existing technical capacities, promoting wide-scale use of electronic records, and developing intersectoral and interoperable information management systems.
Although one of the biggest listeriosis outbreaks was reported in South Africa, due to a ready-to-eat (RTE) meat product, to date, very few data on L. monocytogenes in foods and food environments are available from other African countries. The aims of this study were to document L. monocytogenes presence in RTE products and food environments from Namibia, Sudan, and Zambia, provide isolates’ genomic characterization, and evaluate genomic similarity using data available at the Italian National Reference Laboratory for L. monocytogenes database. A total of 768 samples, including RTE meat products (n = 405), environmental swabs (n = 228), and frozen chicken (n = 135), were collected and tested for Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes by African partners. Listeria spp. presence was observed mainly in Zambia (38.7%; n = 41/106), followed by Sudan (5.0%; n = 24/480) and Namibia (3.3%; n = 6/182), mostly related to RTE meat products (10.1%; n = 41/405). MALDI-TOF confirmed 14 of 71 strains as L. monocytogenes (n = 12 from meat RTE; n = 2 from environments) and MLST identified six CCs: CC9 (n = 7), CC1 (n = 3), CC3 (n = 1), CC37 (n = 1), CC121 (n = 1), and CC31 (n = 1). A complete L. monocytogenes Pathogenicity Island 3 (LIPI-3) was observed in CC1 and CC3 strains, in addition to LIPI-1, which was identified in all 14 strains. Several resistance factors were detected, including stress islands (SSI-1 and SSI-2), Tn6188_qac, cadA, and bcr genes. Furthermore, three cgMLST clusters were detected: two for CC9 from Zambia, one for CC1 from Sudan, all related to RTE foods. This study confirmed the presence of L. monocytogenes in African RTE meat products and food environments, posing a public health concern for consumers, mainly linked to the presence of CC1 strain, known to be a hyper-virulent clone. Moreover, the presence of L. monocytogenes strains harboring several resistance factors, such as the CC9 clone, could help these strains to adapt, survive, and persist.
Since 2020, high pathogenicity avian influenza H5Nx viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b have become enzootic in Europe, causing recurrent epidemic waves characterized by extensive reassortment events. Here, we describe the emergence of a single high-fitness genotype (EA-2024-DI) that has driven two consecutive waves, evolving into distinct sub-lineages. While its circulation is ongoing, during the 2025-2026 wave it caused an unprecedented number of cases in wild birds. Using phylodynamic analyses of a large dataset of genomic sequences, we compared the spatial diffusion and host transmission pattern of the EA-2024-DI sub-lineages across the three most recent epidemic waves (2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026). We show that the genotype has persisted over time and has spread primarily through wild Anseriformes, but with a marked change in the transmission patterns between the different waves and a shift in the epicenter from Eastern to Central Europe, the latter having emerged as an important hub for virus diffusion throughout Europe. Our results reveal a recent increase in the frequency of viruses from wild and domestic mammals carrying mutations enhancing virus replication in mammalian hosts, highlighting the importance of proactive monitoring of this group of hosts to better understand its role in the virus ecology and evolution.
Three dromedary camels were infected with the Rickettsia, Anaplasma marginale. One American Type Culture Collection strain was intravenously injected into the jugular veins of two adult dromedary camels. Additionally, EDTA blood from a bovine bull naturally infected with Anaplasma marginale was also intravenously injected into the jugular vein of a third camel. All three camels were tested for A. marginale using PCR, Giemsa staining and serology. All tests were negative and the dromedary camels remained healthy throughout the study.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global threat to human and animal health. This requires extensive research in order to understand the implications on health, pathogenicity and diseases in various species.Falcons play a crucial role in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of the Arab cultural heritage. In falcons, AMR research is essential for the benefit of veterinary medicine, public health and the environment. The primary objective of this study was to assess the in vitro efficacy of antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from clinically affected captive falcons in Dubai, UAE and investigate the possibility of using bacteriophages as an alternative treatment option. To achieve this, P. aeruginosa isolates were tested by antibiogram and phagogram. The results provide valuable information on effectiveness and possible treatment options. Furthermore, demonstrating a high resistance of P. aeruginosa in falcons in veterinary-only drugs including enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin, while antibiotics are listed on the WHO AWaRe (access, watch, reserve) monitoring list such as ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam show good sensitivity.Bacteriophages, as natural viruses that lyse bacteria, have gained attention as an alternative therapeutic tool to combat bacterial infections, particularly those caused by antibiotic resistant strains. The in vitro efficacy shows that commercially available bacteriophage preparations for therapeutic use might provide an alternative to antibiotics in falcons. Nevertheless, the in vivo efficacy might differ from the in vitro results, and regulatory difficulties currently restrict therapeutic use.From a One Health perspective, this study explores AMR in falcons asf potential sentinel for AMR due to their close contact with humans, frequent antimicrobial exposure, and shared environment. It also shows possibilities to approach AMR by innovative strategies such as bacteriophage therapy. It also shows the need for effective surveillance, responsible antimicrobial use via antibiotic stewardship and control not only in human, but also in veterinary medicine. Emphasising the connectivity between human, animal and environment health is of importance under the One Health approach and is essential to combat AMR.
