Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) are a group of zoonotic diseases caused by RNA viruses, including pathogens such as Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Lassa virus, and Rift Valley fever virus. Previous studies have identified Cameroon as a high-risk country, due to favourable ecoclimatic conditions and the presence of susceptible mammals and vectors that have been confirmed positive for viruses causing Rift Valley fever (RVF) and Ebola virus disease (EVD). Although evidence exists of RVF virus circulation in animals and serological reactivity to Ebola-related viruses among humans in Cameroon, the country has not officially documented epidemics of RVF or EVD. The objective of this study is to provide novel, context-refined knowledge of perceived risk factors and temporal patterns of RVF and EVD emergence in Cameroon, where epidemiological data on these two diseases are limited, with RVF explored through the livestock component and its early transmission dynamics in animal hosts, and zoonotic spillover to humans for EVD. The present work proposes a risk assessment of RVF and EVD emergence through the development of a One Health integrated risk assessment tool for identifying perceived high-risk periods and key risk factors. A mixed, semi-quantitative approach involving expert semi-structured interviews, and a monthly calendar was used for data collection. Expert-based risk evaluation was then compared to risk factors derived from the scientific literature. For RVF, the wettest months seem to pose the highest risk, with increased inter-animal transmission during livestock transhumance. Key spatial determinants identified by experts included rainfall, host density, reservoirs, vectors, and livestock movements. For EVD spillover risk, human activities and behaviours, land cover, and host density were also perceived as critical. Convergences and divergences regarding expert-based and literature-based risk factors for RVF and EVD were observed, with variations concerning respectively livestock trade and socio-cultural practices linked to livelihood and forest-based subsistence. The distinction is likely attributable to the differing approaches of contextualization and generalization employed respectively by the two sources of weighting. This study shows that, even in regions with no documented disease history, an integrated approach combining expert knowledge and literature-based evidence enables meaningful perceived risk assessment, generates novel and context-specific information, and supports the refinement of preventive strategies. The participatory visual tool introduced allows identification and quantification of putative zoonotic risk factors and their temporal dynamics, informing risk mapping, management, and communication.
Brucellosis is undergoing a significant southward expansion in China, with Guizhou Province emerging as a newly endemic region. This epidemiological shift underscores a divergence between rapid livestock industry intensification and frontline stakeholder biosafety awareness. However, socio-behavioral risk factors across the complete livestock value chain remain critically under-investigated in non-traditional pastoral eco-zones. Guided by the “One Health” framework, this study systematically evaluated brucellosis-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) along the cattle farm-to-table continuum. A cross-sectional survey was implemented from August to October 2024 across nine counties in Guizhou Province. Utilizing a multistage stratified sampling design, face-to-face structured interviews were executed with 771 key stakeholders, comprising 142 farmers, 123 slaughterers, 109 vendors, and 397 consumers. Nonparametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum) and Spearman’s correlation were used to compare group differences and examine inter-dimensional associations. Multi-variate binary logistic regression was performed to screen independent socio-demographic predictors. The overall awareness rate was 49.59
Prevention of zoonotic spillover requires an understanding of how human, animal, and environmental interactions shape risk in everyday life. Efforts have focused largely on surveillance and response rather than on primary prevention informed by lived experience. In Southeast Asia—a recognised hotspot for zoonotic emergence—there is limited qualitative evidence describing how spillover risk is shaped by routine practices, environmental change, and structural constraints, and how such evidence can inform the design of One Health education interventions. We conducted a formative qualitative study in Nan Province, northern Thailand, employing shared walks, in-depth interviews, community mapping, and participant and non-participant observation. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and organised using a qualitative One Health Risk Interface Framework encompassing human–animal, human–environment, human-human, animal–animal and animal–environment interfaces. Spillover risk and mitigation was produced and experienced through routine food preparation, hunting, farming, and caregiving practices. The human–animal interface includes frequent handling of wildlife and domestic animals, mixed-species environments, and informal meat processing. The human–environment interface is characterised by water scarcity, contamination, deforestation, landslides, and inadequate waste management. The human-human interface describes information and communication issues and how these problems can be addressed. The animal–animal and animal–environment interfaces reflect shifting ecologies driven by land-use change, secondary forests, and agricultural intensification, bringing wildlife, livestock, and people into closer proximity. Zoonotic spillover risk in rural Thailand is produced through interconnected behavioural, ecological, and structural processes that cannot be addressed through individual behaviour change alone. An education intervention will need to develop both knowledge and skills within a broader framework of conservation and acknowledgment of structural resource constraints.
Climate change is increasingly recognized as key driver shaping the global epidemiology of foodborne infections, influencing pathogen dynamics, toxin production, and food system safety. This review aimed to (1) examine the impact of climate change on the occurrence, growth, and geographic distribution of foodborne pathogens; (2) assess its influence on toxin production and chemical contamination in food systems; (3) evaluate disruptions across the food value chain, including production, processing, storage, and distribution; and (4) explore population vulnerability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and implications for surveillance and control strategies. A narrative review approach was used to synthesize published literature on climate-sensitive foodborne hazards, including bacterial, viral, parasitic, and toxin-producing microorganisms, as well as chemical contaminants, in relation to temperature rise, precipitation changes, and extreme weather events. Rising temperatures enhance the growth and survival of major foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, while also expanding the geographic distribution of marine-associated Vibrio species. Changes in temperature and humidity increase fungal growth and mycotoxin contamination, including aflatoxins, in major food commodities. Extreme weather events such as flooding contribute to the mobilization of chemical hazards, including pesticides and heavy metals, in food and water systems. Climate change also influences pathogen virulence and toxin production, increasing overall hazard potential. In addition, climate variability disrupts the food value chain. Water scarcity reduces agricultural productivity and irrigation capacity, while increased temperatures and weak infrastructure compromise cold chain systems during processing, storage, and distribution, particularly in low-resource settings. Climate change is a multifaceted driver of food safety risks through interconnected environmental, biological, and socio-economic pathways. Integrating climate data into foodborne disease surveillance, strengthening monitoring systems, and developing climate-resilient food safety strategies are essential to reduce emerging risks and protect public health.
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of public health and economic importance worldwide. A cross-sectional study using simple random and purposive sampling techniques was conducted from May 2024 to October 2024 in agro-pastoral areas of Mvomero district, Morogoro Region. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis, associated risk factors, and characterize the circulating Brucella spp., in livestock and humans. A total of 918 serum samples were collected from Mvomero district, comprising cattle (n = 339), sheep (n = 164), goats (n = 303), and humans (n = 112). Animal samples were obtained from 18 herds with mixed livestock species, while human samples were collected from four health facilities. All samples were screened for Brucella-specific antibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), and positive samples were subjected to competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Genomic DNA was extracted from the heparin-coated blood samples corresponding to the same samples that tested positive by c-ELISA for confirmation by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). A herd was considered Brucella seropositive if at least one animal tested positive on c-ELISA. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on potential individual and herd-level risk factors. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out using a backward elimination procedure to identify potential risk factors, following a univariate analysis, using a p-value cut-off of 0.25 from the univariable analysis to select candidate variables for a multivariable model. At the individual level, screening by RBPT revealed seropositivity rates of 9.1
One Health research and practice are evolving rapidly, necessitating solid evidence-building and quality assessment of One Health interventions. We conducted a scoping review to (1) characterize how many and what kinds of One Health interventions are published in peer-reviewed literature; and (2) assess whether the identified interventions demonstrated effectiveness. We hypothesized that the evidence was limited in numbers and ability to demonstrate effectiveness. The review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. The initial search was conducted on Medline (Ovid), Embase, PubAg, and Web of Science in May 2024 and updated in December 2025. Inclusion criteria were: Primary research in which the investigators intervened with humans, animals, or their shared environment (at least two of three domains); an outcome assessment was included, and full text was available in English, published on or before December 16, 2025. Two researchers independently screened and analyzed all manuscripts. Over 18,000 references were screened, and 151 studies were included. Studies were conducted in 53 countries representing all six WHO Regions. The highest number of interventions were reported from the United States of America, Tanzania, and India. Among 79 interventions that targeted zoonoses, the most common diseases were general zoonoses, rabies, and cysticercosis. Over half (55
As the human COVID-19 pandemic progressed, the causative agent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected in an increasing number of animal species, raising concerns about the establishment of new animal reservoirs. Here, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in serum samples of 123 mammals housed in various zoological institutions in Germany with direct or indirect contact to humans (visitors and zoo staff), collected between December 2019 and January 2025. The animals included diverse representatives from the orders Artiodactyla (n = 59), Carnivora (n = 54), as well as Proboscidea (n = 7), two perissodactyls, and a rodent. All serum samples were tested using a species-independent commercial surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) and a multispecies receptor-binding domain (RBD)-based ELISA. With two exceptions, all samples tested consistently negative in both assays. However, antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in a European moose (Alces alces) and an Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii), sampled in 2020 and 2021, respectively, expanding the known host range of SARS-CoV-2. Hence, pathogen monitoring and continued health surveillance in both captive and wild animal populations are essential for understanding the actual host range, potential reservoir formation, and the broader implications for animal and public health.
In an increasingly connected world a global One Health approach to the management of human, animal and ecosystem health will be critical to effective infectious disease responses. The emergence and rapid global spread of several emerging and re-emerging pathogens in the past decade has highlighted the need for rapid, sensitive and accurate diagnostics. Metagenomics, while commonly used for research purposes for almost two decades, entered the global spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review we discuss the impacts that metagenomic studies have had on our understanding of origins, aetiology and ecology of infectious diseases within a One Health context. We also discuss the role of metagenomics in the future of diagnostics and disease surveillance, and outline the challenges and limitations of current metagenomic methods.
Environmental surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in wildlife remains limited, despite increasing recognition that resistance determinants can circulate across human, livestock, and natural ecosystems. Migratory waterbirds move long distances and aggregate at shared stopover and wintering sites, potentially facilitating the acquisition and redistribution of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) across regions. However, nationwide evidence describing the breadth of ARGs carried by winter migratory birds in Japan is scarce. We assessed the diversity and distribution of ARGs in pooled fecal samples from winter migratory birds across Japan. We analyzed pooled fecal DNA collected at migratory bird habitats across 12 local governments during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 winter seasons (24 pools). Avian host origin was inferred by DNA metabarcoding, and ARGs were profiled by probe-based target enrichment with read-based detection (ARG detected at ≥ 10 reads). Ducks (Anas spp. and Mareca spp.) were the predominant inferred hosts. ARGs were detected in all areas and included genes associated with resistance to multiple antibiotic classes used in livestock production. Across the two seasons, genes associated with resistance to gentamicin, cephalosporins, macrolides, tetracyclines, fosfomycin, clindamycin, penicillins, streptogramins, sulfonamides/trimethoprim, colistin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, and isoniazid were detected in all 12 areas in at least one season. Genes associated with resistance to agents restricted for use in Japanese livestock production, including colistin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and rifampicin, were also detected in all 24 pools. Isoniazid-, gentamicin-, meropenem-, and tigecycline-associated genes were detected in 23/24, 20/24, 11/24, and 9/24 pools, respectively. These data indicate widespread environmental occurrence of diverse ARGs and support the possibility that migratory birds could contribute to long-distance dispersal of ARGs. Culture-based isolation, phenotypic testing, and quantitative analyses will be needed to identify host bacteria and assess clinical relevance.
Abstract Zoonotic diseases disproportionately burden settings where humans and livestock coexist, yet community-level knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) remain poorly characterized in West Africa. This study aimed to assess KAP regarding zoonotic diseases and document household biosecurity gaps among livestock-keeping community members in Ada East Distrct in Ghana. A concurrent mixed-methods design was employed, integrating a quantitative cross-sectional survey with a qualitative focus group discussion. Livestock-keeping adults were recruited from five health facilities in Ada East District. A structured survey measured knowledge, attitudes, and livestock-handling practices. Composite KAP scores were dichotomized using a modified Bloom’s cutoff (≥60%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices. A focus group discussion (FGD) explored perceptions of transmission, livestock management, and outbreak preparedness. Among 252 survey participants, 66.3% demonstrated good overall knowledge of zoonotic diseases; however, only 10.6% had good knowledge of Ebola virus disease symptoms. Positive attitudes were observed in 44.0% of respondents, while 86.9% reported good livestock-handling practices. Education beyond primary school was independently associated with higher odds of good knowledge (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.97, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.05–3.69). Animal-related occupations were associated with lower odds of positive attitudes (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25–0.85) but higher odds of good practices (aOR 3.58, 95% CI 1.26–11.8). FGD ( n = 8) identified bats and sick animals as transmission sources, described economic barriers, and expressed variable beliefs regarding prevention and stigma. These findings highlight the need for locally tailored, One Health–oriented risk communication and biosecurity interventions targeting groups with lower educational attainment and limited access to animal health services.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex global health threat, contributing to an estimated 4.95 million deaths worldwide with disproportionate impacts across regions. In Australia, the burden varies geographically with up to 50
The lower catchment area of the Akaki River is characterized by irrigation practices utilizing the Akaki River water and rearing of diverse animal species. Although the One Health approach acknowledges the interconnections among these domains that contribute to the rapid spread of antimicrobial-resistance (AMR), there is a lack of integrated, cross-domain research in this area. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae across the human-animal-environment interface. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2023 to October 2024 in the lower catchment area of the Akaki River in Ethiopia, to investigate the presence of AMR Enterobacteriaceae across the human- animal-water interface. The study analyzed a total of 720 samples, comprising 700 stool samples (350 from humans and 350 from animals) and 20 water samples. MacConkey Agar was used for the isolation of Enterobacteriaceae, followed by standard biochemical tests and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI -TOF) for the identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the disk diffusion method for all isolates against 24 different antibiotics along with two additional antibiotics specifically for Salmonella, and data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software. Of 1,042 identified Enterobacteriaceae isolates, E. coli was the most prevalent, followed by Providencia alkalifaciens, Citrobacter diversus, Salmonella group A, and Klebsiella oxytoca. The highest level of antibiotic resistance was observed against ampicillin in isolates from both human and animal stool samples. Among water isolates, resistance was highest against cefuroxime, followed by cefazolin. Notably, 62.7
FAO recently, developed and adopted a Vaccine Registration system for vaccines against priority diseases. It consists of a transparent and scientifically sound assessment process to ensure that selected vaccines meet global standards of quality, safety and efficacy, coupled with a procurement mechanism limiting the open public tender to the selected and approved suppliers. This streamlined approach accelerates the procurement of quality vaccines for disease control programs and during emergencies in FAO member nations.
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are increasing in frequency due to anthropogenic pressures such as habitat loss, land-use change, biodiversity decline, and climate change. Southeast Asia, with its high biodiversity, large livestock population, increasing human population, rapid development, and expanding agriculture, is one of the global hotspots for EIDs and as such offers a strategic opportunity for the region to place itself as a leader in pandemic prevention. The One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, presents a vital framework for addressing these risks. However, despite growing international commitment through the One Health Joint Plan of Action and the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on One Health Initiative, environmental and wildlife sectors remain underrepresented in policy influence, governance, and resource allocation. This paper presents a roadmap for mainstreaming and integrating wildlife and environment sectors into One Health in Southeast Asia, shifting from reactive outbreak response to proactive prevention by addressing upstream drivers of disease emergence. Field based, or bottom-up approaches include community-based interventions, land use planning, integrated surveillance, and sustainable food production while top-down measures focus on policy harmonization, capacity enhancement, regulatory reform, cross-sectoral governance, workforce development, and data sharing. An additional core principle is that existing mandates and priorities of each sector be fully integrated into national One Health strategies, action plans, and policies, ensuring inclusive and effective governance. We advocate for upstream preventative actions, where threats to ecosystems and health are mitigated at source, to the greatest extent possible, rather than waiting for crises to unfold. Finally, this paper calls for aligning One Health with the Multilateral Environmental Agreements to ensure coherent policy action. By institutionalizing environmental considerations into One Health systems, countries can move beyond project-based efforts toward sustainable, multisectoral governance. Southeast Asia is well positioned to lead this transformation and can serve as a global model of how integrated, preventive, and environmentally conscious One Health approaches can reduce pandemic risk and promote planetary health.
Abstract Background Antibiotic use in food-producing animals can drive antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Communication is a central strategy to promote behavioral change. As such, there is a need to determine from whom and where farmers receive information about antibiotic use. We aim to identify communication pathways that influence farmers’ antibiotic use in food-producing animals and understand the barriers and facilitators for using these information sources. Methods PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were followed. PubMed, CAB Abstracts, ProQuest Social Science Premium Collection, and PsycINFO were searched for primary peer-reviewed studies published from 2000 to April 10th, 2025, in any language. We sought studies from any country, that state from whom or where farmers or farm workers get information about antibiotic use. Title and abstract, full text screening and data charting were performed by two reviewers. One researcher inductively coded points of influence, barriers and facilitators, which were thematically combined through discussion. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were then performed. Results Our search retrieved 5925 records. After abstract review, 140 records met the inclusion criteria. After review of full texts, 75 papers were included for data charting. Overall, we identify a complex network of 25 stakeholders, all of whom can exert influence. The most mentioned actors across eligible studies were veterinarians (86.7%), followed by peers (49.3%). The major barriers to advice were access/availability (48.6%) and cost (45.9%), and the major facilitators were trust (41.7%), followed by access/availability (33.3%). Differences in mechanics and impact on antibiotic use, along with recommendations from the literature, were also summarized Conclusions Our results suggest that knowledge and awareness about appropriate antibiotic use and AMR must permeate multiple layers of actors with differing interests. We suggest potential strategies to address barriers, including ways to reduce costs, increase access and build trust.
Climate change and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are converging threats to livestock systems, food security, and public health. This review synthesizes mechanistic evidence linking climate variables to the proliferation of AMR in livestock and proposes integrated mitigation strategies. Elevated temperatures compromise livestock immunity, increase disease susceptibility, and drive antimicrobial use, while enhancing horizontal gene transfer (HGT) through increased plasmid stability, integrase activity, and bacterial stress responses. Altered precipitation and humidity influence biofilm formation, pathogen survival, and the mobilization of resistant bacteria and antimicrobial residues from manure into soil and water. Floods and droughts further concentrate or disperse resistance determinants across environmental reservoirs, creating transmission bridges between livestock, wildlife, and humans. Key evidence gaps include understudied climate variables (humidity, soil temperature), geographic blind spots (Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia), and a scarcity of field data validating laboratory-based HGT mechanisms. Addressing these challenges requires climate-smart livestock practices (improved housing, adaptive breeding), enhanced antimicrobial stewardship (vaccination, probiotics, biosecurity), and sustainable waste management (anaerobic digestion, composting). Global coordination under a One Health framework, supported by robust policy mechanisms and targeted research funding, is essential to safeguard animal and public health from AMR in a changing climate.
Abstract Background Evaluating One Health at community-level requires robust, valid measures of what communities know, believe, and do about health risks shared by people, animals, and the environment. This study aimed to develop and validate a One Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (OH-KAP) instrument tailored to (agro-)pastoralist and mixed-farming systems in Africa, covering key One Health topics including zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety. Methods An initial pool of 156 items was derived from the literature and refined through expert content validation to 126 items. Subsequently, the questionnaire was translated into Somali and field-tested with 300 adults in Middle Shabelle, Somalia. Psychometric analysis of knowledge and attitudes items was undertaken using classical test theory, exploratory factor analysis, and bifactor item response theory (2-parameter logistic models for binary knowledge items; graded response models for Likert-scale attitudes items). Practice items were analysed using exploratory graph analysis and community detection. Results The final instrument included 27 knowledge, 19 attitude and 29 practice items. The knowledge sub-scale loaded onto a general One Health factor with 4 domain-specific subfactors: zoonotic transmission and environmental risks; animal bites and safe food handling; AMR; and direct contact and food contamination risks (reliability: α = 0.94; model fit: CFI = 0.96, RMSEA 0.08). The attitudes sub-domain loaded onto a general One Health factor with 5 domain-specific subfactors: hand hygiene; animal husbandry; zoonotic outbreaks; AMR; and antimicrobial use (AMU) (α = 0.93; CFI = 0.99, RMSEA 0.05). Practices clustered into four stable domains: animal management and AMU; direct contact and exposure control; responsible husbandry, food safety and stewardship; and hand hygiene and disease reporting (bootstrap stability > 65%). Conclusions The developed OH-KAP is a concise, field-ready tool for quantifying integrated One Health knowledge, attitudes and practices. It supports baseline assessments and monitoring associated with awareness-creation and behaviour-change programming. Future work should extend coverage to additional One Health priorities and assess invariance across settings and languages.
The VII Brazilian Symposium on Toxoplasmosis (SIMBRATOX) and the IV International Symposium on Toxoplasmosis (SINTOX) were held remotely from October 6 to 8, 2025, under the theme “Toxoplasmosis – Strengthening the Connection between Science and Society for Global Health.” The meeting brought together researchers, health professionals, policymakers, and representatives of civil society from Brazil and abroad, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue grounded in One Health and Global Health perspectives. Scientific sessions and roundtables addressed key dimensions of toxoplasmosis, including human, animal, and environmental transmission pathways; advances in therapeutics and vaccine research; veterinary and epidemiological surveillance; and health education strategies for prevention. Clinical discussions focused on congenital, ocular, and immunocompromised-associated toxoplasmosis, while other sessions examined food- and waterborne transmission, environmental contamination, and emerging challenges linked to parasite diversity. Social and legal panels highlighted patient advocacy, equity, and access to public policies as integral components of disease control. This commentary summarizes the main themes, debates, and perspectives that emerged during the three-day meeting, positioning toxoplasmosis as a model for operationalizing One Health approaches in complex infectious diseases.
