The 2026 Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 15 May 2026, and Uganda confirmed its first case the same day. Neither country had a licensed vaccine or treatment for the virus, yet the outbreak took very different courses in the two. This scoping review maps the evidence on their national preparedness instruments and health system readiness. We followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework, Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. National instruments in force at the onset, International Health Regulations evaluations and outbreak documents were sought from the issuing bodies, verified and charted against 52 component requirements in ten dimensions, with operational specificity as an eleventh. A fixed rule assigned each country a four-level descriptor per dimension, and documented outbreak risks were mapped against the gaps. We included 57 sources, 15 of them national instruments. Uganda's instruments addressed 47 of 52 components (90.4
Childhood diarrhoeal disease remains a leading cause of child mortality worldwide. Although predictive models have been increasingly proposed for early warning, their methodological quality and validation have not been systematically appraised using formal risk of bias frameworks. This systematic review aimed to identify, describe, and critically appraise individual-level prediction models and population-level forecasting studies for childhood diarrhoeal outcomes, focusing on model development, validation, reporting quality, and operational readiness. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420251232269), we searched seven databases and grey literature sources from January 2000 to September 18, 2025. We included studies that developed or validated multivariable prediction models for diarrhoeal outcomes in children, including statistical, machine learning, and hybrid approaches. Individual-level models were assessed using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST), and population-level studies were appraised qualitatively for methodological credibility, with emphasis on validation. From the 20,662 records screened, 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. Publications accelerated after 2020, with 78.9
During a Mass drug administration (MDA) campaign for schistosomiasis using praziquantel in Namibia in 2019, three cases of serious neurological adverse events were observed due to neurocysticercosis caused by the parasite Taenia solium. To have a better understanding of T. solium endemicity, and to prevent and minimize adverse events in future disease control campaigns, the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia decided to conduct field surveys, and take the opportunity to integrate schistosomiasis, scabies, and Guinea-worm disease (GWD) surveillance. In July 2024, ten survey teams were deployed to the five regions selected as high-risk (Kavango West, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto), using the World Health Organization (WHO) Risk Classification tool for T. solium. Stool and urine samples were collected and analyzed using Kato–Katz and urine filtration, interviews were undertaken relating to GWD and clinical assessments conducted for scabies. Geographical variations in parasite distribution were evaluated for each species using the design-adjusted Rao-Scott second-order chi-square test of independence. Roaming pigs and deficient sanitation were confirmed in all regions (61
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis with a high case-fatality rate and expanding geographic range. Its persistence depends on complex cycles involving ticks and vertebrate animal hosts. A comprehensive understanding of animal roles is critical for predicting spillover risk and developing effective interventions under a One Health framework. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize existing evidence on the roles of domestic animals, wildlife, and companion animals in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and transmission of SFTSV. A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Multiple databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang) and grey literature sources were searched from January 1, 2011 to October 21, 2025. Eligible studies involved non-human animals or ticks and confirmed SFTSV infection or exposure. Evidence was narratively synthesized across prespecified themes: animal host roles, clinical manifestations, transmission dynamics, and prevention strategies. We mapped the distribution of evidence across animal species, study designs, geographic regions, diagnostic approaches, and thematic domains. The review identified a broad animal host range comprising at least 15 vertebrate species across domestic, wildlife, and companion categories. Domestic ruminants show high seroprevalence and act as primary amplification hosts. Wildlife (e.g., rodents, shrews) contribute to enzootic maintenance. Cats are highly susceptible, develop severe disease with high viral loads, and are a major source of direct non-vector transmission to humans. Dogs often have mild illness but can shed virus persistently. Transmission primarily occurs via the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, but direct transmission via contact with blood/secretions of sick animals (especially cats and farmed mink) is significant. Prevention requires integrated tick management, biosecurity in veterinary/farm settings, and public education. Animals are central to the ecology of SFTSV. Current evidence underscores the necessity of integrated, multisectoral One Health strategies for surveillance, risk communication, and control. Future research priorities include standardizing host-competence studies, harmonizing diagnostics, elucidating comparative immunopathology, and evaluating the feasibility and impact of intervention bundles, including potential veterinary vaccines.
