Introduction L’exploitation aurifère au Mali, suscite couramment l’utilisation de métaux lourds, pouvant entraîner des conséquences graves, voire létales pour les humains, la faune et la flore. Fin juillet, l’alerte est donnée par le ministère de la santé et du développement social, à travers une correspondance du chef de village de Djangomerila, District Sanitaire de Yanfolila, pour faire l’état des lieux et proposer des solutions en vue de protéger les populations contre les conséquences d’une éventuelle contamination de l’eau par le mercure. Méthodes Après prise de contact avec les autorités administratives, coutumières, et sanitaires, suivi d’un échange avec la population, des informations sur les cas présumés de contact avec le mercure ont été collectées. La revue documentaire, une recherche des signes et des sources de contamination des eaux, de la flore et de la faune ont été menées, des prélèvements d’échantillons ont été effectués et des mesures de contrôle et de prévention ont été instaurées. Résultats Des impacts sanitaires tels que l’eczéma chronique, la gastro-entérite et la conjonctivite ont été recensés, ainsi qu’une pollution de l’eau (35 unités néphélométriques de turbidité), la destruction de la végétation et de la faune, et des décès inexpliqués dans un environnement d’exploitation traditionnelle et semi-moderne de l’or tout autour du village. Le résultat du laboratoire conclut à une contamination à l’arsenic de 0,025 et à un pH acide de l’eau (5,38-5,98). L’étude recommanda la fermeture du site d’orpaillage, effective en 2026, ainsi que des suivis réguliers par une équipe pluridisciplinaire « One Health » Conclusion L’investigation met en évidence la nécessité d’une approche « One Health » pour cerner l’ampleur des problèmes posés par l’exploitation aurifère anarchique au Mali.
Introduction La rage humaine demeure une zoonose presque toujours mortelle après l’apparition des signes cliniques, mais évitable par une prophylaxie post-exposition adéquate. Cette étude rapporte l’investigation d’un cas probable de rage humaine survenu dans une zone rurale frontalière du district sanitaire de Danané. Méthode Une investigation descriptive a été conduite le 12 décembre 2025 à Yanguileu selon l’approche OMS/IDSR. Les données ont été recueillies à partir des dossiers cliniques, d’entretiens avec la famille, les soignants et les contacts communautaires, ainsi que par la recherche active des contacts. Les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, cliniques, temporelles et spatiales ont été analysées. Résultats Le cas index était un garçon de 6 ans mordu le 7 novembre 2025 par un chien errant inconnu, sans prophylaxie post-exposition. Après une incubation d’environ un mois, il a présenté anxiété, hydrophobie, spasmes et paralysie flasque, puis est décédé le 11 décembre 2025. Trente cinq contacts ont été identifiés, dont 74,3 % avaient manipulé l’animal mort. Les enfants représentaient 62,8 % des contacts et les hommes 68,6 %. L’exposition était concentrée dans un habitat dense proche des zones forestières. Conclusion Cette investigation met en évidence une détection tardive, l’absence de prise en charge post-exposition et la nécessité de renforcer l’approche One Health, la vaccination canine et la sensibilisation communautaire.
Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest global public health threats, contributing to an estimated 4.95 million deaths annually worldwide (Murray et al., 2022). AMR is driven by inappropriate antimicrobial use in human medicine, veterinary practice, agriculture, and environmental contamination. The One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health, provides a comprehensive framework for addressing AMR. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising opportunities to strengthen AMR surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship (WHO, 2023). To systematically review applications of AI technologies in AMR surveillance, prediction, diagnosis, prevention, management, and antimicrobial discovery across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Methods A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and IEEE Xplore were searched for studies published from January 2015 to March 2026. Search terms included “artificial intelligence,” “machine learning,” “deep learning,” “predictive analytics,” “antimicrobial resistance,” “antibiotic resistance,” and “One Health.” Eligible studies evaluated AI applications for AMR surveillance, diagnostics, antimicrobial stewardship, resistance prediction, or antimicrobial discovery in human, veterinary, agricultural, or environmental settings. Results The search identified 2,146 records, of which 58 studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 20 (34.5%) focused on AMR surveillance, 16 (27.6%) on predictive modelling, 13 (22.4%) on rapid diagnostics, and 9 (15.5%) on antimicrobial discovery. AI-assisted diagnostic platforms reduced the time required for pathogen identification and susceptibility testing compared with conventional laboratory methods. Conclusion AI demonstrates substantial potential to transform the global response to AMR. Across One Health sectors, AI can strengthen surveillance, improve antimicrobial stewardship, accelerate diagnostics, predict resistance patterns, and support discovery of novel antimicrobial agents.
Introduction Preoperative anxiety is a pervasive clinical challenge that can precipitate physiological complications, exacerbate postoperative pain, and delay recovery. At the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), understanding the epidemiological burden and drivers of this anxiety is vital for optimizing perioperative protocols and patient outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and contributing risk factors of preoperative anxiety among general surgery patients. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 148 patients undergoing elective and emergency general surgical operations at UGMC. Preoperative anxiety was assessed using the validated Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), alongside a structured questionnaire evaluating patient-centric sociodemographic and clinical factors. Results A significant majority of patients (81.1%) experienced preoperative anxiety. Among those anxious, mild anxiety was the most prevalent manifestation, affecting 78.4% (n = 116) of patients. Female patients exhibited a significantly higher risk of experiencing preoperative anxiety compared to males (88% vs. 74%, P < 0.029). Bivariate analysis identified severe post-surgery pain expectations, lack of preoperative procedural awareness, and larger family sizes as statistically significant contributors to elevated anxiety scores. Conclusion Preoperative anxiety represents a highly prevalent yet addressable public health concern at major referral facilities. These findings highlight a critical need to design and implement targeted, gender-sensitive preoperative counselling and robust patient-education frameworks. Addressing modifiable drivers, such as procedural awareness and pain management expectations, can significantly mitigate patient anxiety, reduce surgical complications, and optimize institutional healthcare delivery efficiency in Ghana.
Introduction Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection remains a significant public health challenge in endemic regions like Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence, risk factors and preventive measures for HBV infection in Calabar Municipal, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional design sampled 1,000 respondents aged 18–59 years, data collected via semi-structured questionnaire and laboratory tests. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests, analyzed the data. Results The findings revealed a high HBV prevalence of 22.8%, exceeding the WHO high-endemicity threshold (8%). Socio-demographic factors showed no statistically significant association with HBV prevalence, suggesting behavioral and awareness-related factors were critical determinants. Unsafe sexual practices were strongly associated with HBV infection (χ² = 53.669, p < 0.001), highlighting sexual transmission as a dominant route. Conversely, injection drug use and blood transfusion history were not statistically significant, potentially reflecting improved medical practices. Awareness was moderate: 58.6% indicated some knowledge, yet only 38.7% had been vaccinated. Safe injection practices were significantly associated with lower infection rates (χ² = 16.260, p < 0.001). Gaps in vaccine uptake and low screening rates (28.6%) underscored the need for increased access and education. Awareness of screening and vaccination services was also significantly linked to HBV prevalence (χ² = 4.102, p = 0.043), reinforcing the importance of public health campaigns. Conclusion The study concludes that HBV infection remains a public health crisis in Calabar Municipal, driven primarily by unsafe sexual practices and limited preventive healthcare utilization. Recommendations include intensifying culturally tailored awareness campaigns, promoting safe sexual practices, strengthening vaccination coverage, integrating free or subsidized screening into routine care, and advocating for government investment in HBV prevention programs. This research contributes to Nigerian HBV epidemiology by highlighting dominant risk factors and providing actionable data to inform public health policies for urban populations in endemic regions.
