Background:Malaria remains a leading global health threat, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, malaria continues to cause high morbidity and mortality, especially in rural areas. Animal-keeping, common in these regions, may influence the local malaria vector ecology. However, the relationship between animal-keeping and malaria risk remains to be understood, with studies showing mixed results regarding its protective or risk-enhancing effects. This study assessed the associations between malaria infection and animal-keeping practices in rural southern Tanzania, specifically whether animal species (poultry, ruminants, or pets), management location (indoors vs. outdoors), and herd size influence infection risk, providing insights for targeted malaria control strategies within a One Health framework. Methods:Data were collected from the baseline survey of the China-Tanzania malaria control project in July 2019, covering three regions: Kibiti, Rufiji and Kilwa. Interviews were conducted with households, including data on living conditions, animal-keeping practices, malaria prevalence, and health-seeking behaviors. Malaria was diagnosed using rapid detection reagents. Univariant analysis and the logistic regression models of exposure-outcome and dosage-outcome were implemented to assess the relationship between malaria infection risk and animal-keeping practices. Results:Of the 11,406 participants with malaria RDT results, 6,379 (55.93%) kept animals. Poultry-keeping was consistently associated with increased malaria risk across all analyses (univariant analysis OR 1.51 and 1.66, 95% CI 1.35-1.69, 1.51-1.82; exposure-outcome OR 1.409 and 1.596 with 95% CI 1.256-1.580, 1.450-1.757; dosage-outcome OR 1.018 and 1.014, with 95% CI 1.000-1.037 and 1.009-1.018). Results were robust after considering confounding. Conclusion:Poultry-keeping near households is associated with increased malaria risk in rural southern Tanzania. Findings suggest that managing animal placement and housing could enhance traditional vector control. Adopting a One Health framework that integrates veterinary and environmental management is essential for improving malaria intervention outcomes in rural communities.

BACKGROUND:The transmission of Schistosoma japonicum is closely related to the surrounding natural environment and socio-economic factors. In recent years, the ecological environmental management program has been implemented in S. japonicum endemic areas around Erhai Lake of China. Relevant protection and governance measures affected the transmission of S. japonicum. This study was conducted to assess the impact of ecological environmental management program on S. japonicum control, and proposed strategic alternatives with a prioritized order of implementation in Erhai Lake. METHODS:An integrated SWOT-ANP-ADAM analysis is performed to accomplish the set objective in this study. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis is conducted to identify the impact factors of ecological environmental management program on S. japonicum control and strategic alternatives. The Analytical Network Process (ANP) was used to evaluate the impact factors, and the Axial Distance-Based Aggregated Measurement (ADAM) method was applied to constructed multi-faceted polyhedron for the ranking the strategic alternatives, thereby better informing decisions for synergistic ecological-disease management. RESULTS:A total of 14 impact factors and 12 strategic alternatives were obtained. The relative importance of the group of impact factors is ranked as strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats, with weights equal to 0.3092, 0.2610, 0.2324, and 0.1975, respectively. The Chinese central government's prioritization of S. japonicum control and ecological environmental management (weight equal to 0.1562), as well as the lack of a top-level cooperative mechanism designed to integrate S. japonicum control and ecological environmental management (weight equal to 0.1424), are the most noteworthy factors. In ecological environmental management program of Erhai Lake, management of agricultural non-point source pollution (weight equal to 0.1209), construction of high-efficiency water-saving irrigation systems(weight equal to 0.0853) reduce the risk of S. japonicum transmission, while the wetland restoration may create more favorable habitats for Oncomelania hupensis, as well as increase the number of wildlife populations posing challenges for S. japonicum control(weight equal to 0.0700). Additionally, construction of the ecological management- S. japonicum control model in an integrated manner is the most important strategy (volume of complex polyhedron equal to 0.0693). CONCLUSIONS:Ecological environmental management program in the Erhai Lake has significant strengths and opportunities in promoting S. japonicum control, but also faces certain weaknesses and threats according to the weight of impact factors. This study confirms ecological environmental management as a viable complementary strategy to conventional S. japonicum control. Scientific planning and comprehensive integration can maximize synergies between schistosomiasis control and ecological protection. Additionally, 12 strategic alternatives with prioritized implementation may provide suggestions for decision makers in similar areas to adopt strategic decisions, which are of great practical significance and application value.

Background: Dysregulated immune cells contribute to Schistosoma japonicum-induced liver injury. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify feature genes and immune infiltration patterns linked to chronic schistosomiasis-associated liver injury. Methods: Differential gene expression analysis was conducted using dataset GSE61376 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was performed via Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was applied to construct further characterization of molecular networks. LASSO regression and random forest algorithms were combined to screen hub genes, whose diagnostic efficacy was assessed by ROC analysis. CIBERSORT estimated immune cell infiltration, and GSEA explored pathways associated with hub genes. Results: A total of 412 DEGs were identified between chronic schistosomiasis and control groups. The green module from WGCNA exhibited significant correlation with chronic schistosomiasis (r = −0.85, p < 0.05). ANKMY2 and FCER1A were identified as hub genes with AUC values of 0.875 (95% CI, 0.500–1.000) and 0.792 (95% CI, 0.458–1.000). GSEA revealed associations with cytokine–receptor interaction and other signaling pathways. A total of 11 differentially distributed immune cell subsets were observed, and hub genes were correlated with multiple immune cell populations. Conclusions: ANKMY2 and FCER1A participate in liver injury of chronic schistosomiasis by regulating the hepatic immunopathological microenvironment. These two genes may serve as promising targets for immunotherapy against S. japonicum-induced liver injury.

Praziquantel is the only drug recommended against Clonorchis sinensis, while adverse events are usually high. Albendazole is documented in treatment of clonorchiasis, but the evidence is low due to lack of high-quality randomized controlled trials. We did an exploratory randomized controlled trial in Binyang county, Guangxi, China. Eligible participants were adults aged 18–70 years with C. sinensis infection. Patients with light intensity (eggs per gram of feces (EPG): 1-999) and moderate plus heavy intensity (EPG: ≥ 1000) were randomly assigned to treatment groups respectively, with block sizes of two, four, and six, to receive praziquantel (25 mg/kg three times a day for 1 day) or albendazole (400 mg twice a day for 4 days) in a 1:1 ratio. Laboratory diagnosis technicians were blinded to group assignment. We assessed efficacy as cure rate and egg reduction rate in available-case analysis, while adverse events were also analyzed. Fifty-two patients with light intensity and 50 with moderate plus heavy intensity were assigned, when three were lost to follow-up. The cure rate was 84.0

What is already known about this topic?:China achieved World Health Organization certification for malaria elimination in 2021; however, the risk of local retransmission from imported malaria remains a primary challenge in the post-elimination era. While international trade is a critical driver of importation risk, current risk assessments are constrained by the lack of granular cross-border population mobility data. What is added by this report?:This study introduces service trade volume as a proxy for population mobility. By integrating global malaria epidemiology, socioeconomic factors, and geographic resistance, an enhanced gravity model was developed to stratify global malaria importation risks. The findings revealed that Plasmodium falciparum importation risk exhibited pronounced geographic clustering, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. Conversely, Plasmodium vivax importation showed a distinct "connectivity-driven" pattern. Notably, low-endemicity countries geographically adjacent to China or sharing intensive trade relations (such as Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam) present substantial cryptic importation pressures, identifying them as pivotal surveillance targets in the post-elimination era. What are the implications for public health practice?:The risk stratification matrix provides a scientific framework for tailoring surveillance strategies. For "high-endemicity, high-mobility" regions (such as specific African nations), priorities should focus on strengthening port-of-entry screening and post-arrival follow-up. For "low-endemicity, high-mobility" regions, heightened vigilance is required against cryptic importations driven by frequent commercial and economic exchanges. Public health strategies must move beyond analyses based solely on geographic proximity and incorporate economic connectivity metrics into active surveillance frameworks.

Phlebotomus chinensis is the primary vector of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in China. However, the lack of a high-quality genome assembly for this species has limited research on its biology, vector-pathogen interactions, and evolutionary adaptations. To address this critical gap, the first chromosome-level genome assembly of Ph. chinensis was constructed. Nanopore long-read sequencing served as the primary method, complemented by Illumina short-read sequencing for base-level error correction and Hi-C mapping for chromosomal anchoring and chromosome-level scaffolding. Genome annotation integrated transcriptome data from adult, larvae and pupae, homologous protein predictions from closely related sand fly species, and ab initio gene prediction. Comparative genomic analyses were further performed to explore evolutionary relationships and genomic differences between Ph. chinensis, Ph. papatasi, and Lutzomyia longipalpis. A total of 127.05 Gb of Nanopore data, 10.57 Gb of Illumina clean data, 52.95 Gb of Hi-C clean data, and 14.95 Gb of RNA-seq data were obtained. The final assembled genome size was 195.21 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 49.30 Mb, and 97.24

What is already known about this topic?:Yingjiang County, on the China-Myanmar border, reported the last indigenous malaria case in China, recorded the highest number of imported cases nationwide during the past 3 years. What is added by this report?:This study is the first to analyze malaria's spatiotemporal landscape change before and after the last indigenous case along the China-Myanmar border at township level. What are the implications for public health practice?:Fine-scale analyses of malaria hotspots along the border can identify challenges and update post-elimination surveillance and response strategies to consolidate malaria elimination efforts.

What is already known about this topic?:Echinococcosis remains a critical public health challenge in western China. Conventional routine health education (RHE) strategies have consistently proven insufficient in achieving the sustained behavioral modifications necessary to reduce disease transmission and burden. What is added by this report?:This study provides the first large-scale experimental evidence that a Smart Health Education Pillbox (SHEP) significantly enhances knowledge, corrects misconceptions, and improves practice conversion efficiency regarding echinococcosis control among dog owners in endemic pastoral areas. These findings demonstrate the substantial value of precise, automated health education tools in controlling zoonotic diseases. What are the implications for public health practice?:The SHEP represents a scalable, precise health education tool that effectively bridges the knowledge-practice gap in resource-limited settings. Its demonstrated efficacy supports integration into national echinococcosis control programs as a cost-effective digital intervention that promotes sustainable behavior change and reduces zoonotic disease transmission.

Background: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) encompasses 151 countries across six continents, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global population. However, a comprehensive, up-to-date assessment of the infectious disease burden in these countries towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—has been lacking. We aimed to systematically evaluate the burden of infectious diseases in BRI countries from 1990 to 2023, to examine regional and national disparities, and to project attainment of SDG 3.3 targets. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2023, we estimated incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for BRI countries from 1990 to 2023. We constructed the BRI synthetic region and six geographical subregions using a rigorous extract-then-aggregate approach. We calculated age-standardised rates (ASR), average annual percentage changes (AAPC), and projected 2030 ASIR for five priority diseases using two log-linear extrapolation models, benchmarking against the SDG 3.3 target of an 80% reduction from 2015 levels. Findings: In 2023, BRI countries accounted for 65·95% of global incident cases (17·05 billion), 71·95% of deaths (5·91 million), and 78·34% of DALYs (342·43 million). Between 1990 and 2023, age-standardised mortality rates (ASMR) declined by 52·15% (AAPC −2·36%, 95% CI −2·83 to −1·88) and DALY rates by 56·23% (AAPC −2·83%, −3·15 to −2·52), but absolute levels remained 13%–17% above global averages. Regional heterogeneity was substantial: Asia achieved the steepest declines (ASDR −72·23%), whereas Africa carried the highest burden (ASMR 298·12 per 100 000, 5·0 times that of Asia). Europe was the only region with synchronous increases in both incidence and mortality (ASIR +60·74%, ASMR +12·23%). A near-universal reversal in respiratory infection trends occurred around 2013, with 99·3% of countries switching from declining to rising rates in the post-2013 period. Strong inverse associations between the Socio-demographic Index and all burden metrics were observed, with the same infectious event translating into a 9–12 times greater likelihood of death or disability in low-SDI settings. Under current trajectories, none of the five priority diseases—HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, measles, and acute hepatitis—will achieve the SDG 3.3 target by 2030; malaria is projected to increase by 10%–21% from 2015 levels. Interpretation: Despite substantial declines in mortality and disability over the past three decades, BRI countries continue to bear a disproportionate and growing share of the global infectious disease burden. The post-2013 surge in respiratory infections—driven by COVID-19—and the re-emergence of dengue and malaria in many countries have offset gains made against traditional infectious diseases. The widening disparities between regions and the projected failure to meet SDG 3.3 targets underscore the urgent need for strengthened health system investments, enhanced cross-border surveillance and joint prevention mechanisms, and tailored strategies that address the dual challenge of persistent inequities in low-resource settings and emerging threats in higher-income and ageing populations.

Psittacosis caused by Chlamydia psittaci has re-emerged in China as sporadic cases and localized outbreaks. However, current knowledge remains fragmented across the clinical, veterinary, epidemiological, and public health fields. This scoping review mapped studies on psittacosis in China, identified major knowledge gaps, and defined priorities for research, clinical management, and prevention and control. Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for studies published between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 2025 and synthesized eligible studies with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. A total of 424 studies were included. Research interest showed recent sharp increases and was concentrated in Eastern and Central China. Case reports and series dominated the literature, whereas analytic epidemiology, standardized surveillance, and high-resolution molecular studies remained limited. Reported cases were most often documented in middle-aged and older adults with avian exposure, including pet birds and poultry, and the reported occurrence showed a winter-spring pattern. Pneumonia was the predominant clinical presentation, and severe cases could progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ dysfunction. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was the most frequently reported diagnostic method in recent studies, while PCR and serology remained important complementary tools. Overall, the literature is growing rapidly, but remains uneven in geographic coverage, study design, and integration across human, animal, and environmental sectors. These findings support broader One Health surveillance, stronger analytic and molecular epidemiology, and more standardized approaches to diagnosis, source investigation, and prevention in China.

What is already known about this topic?:Established in 2016, China's national surveillance system for soil-transmitted helminthiasis provides annual data that are essential for its control. Surveillance data from 2016 to 2022 indicated a steady decline in the overall infection rate, from 2.46% in 2016 to 0.64% in 2022. What is added by this report?:In 2023 and 2024, the infection rates of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) were 0.53% and 0.47%, respectively, according to national surveillance. The overall infection rate has declined since 2016. What are the implications for public health practice?:Soil-transmitted helminthiasis exhibits a low prevalence nationwide, yet displays significant geographical and demographic heterogeneity, as well as ongoing transmission risks. Tailored strategies must be implemented to strengthen national control efforts, advance transmission control and prevent interruptions.

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in Africa, which continues to bear the greatest burden. The transboundary nature of malaria necessitates regional collaboration, yet transcontinental knowledge-sharing mechanisms remain limited. The World Health Organization's (WHO) certification of China as malaria-free in 2021 presents an opportunity to leverage its expertise, cost-effective products, and elimination strategies to support Africa's malaria control efforts. The Institution-based Network on China-Africa Cooperation for Malaria Elimination (INCAM) was established in 2018 to bridge this gap, fostering cross-continental collaboration through knowledge exchange, product innovation, and policy advocacy. Between 2019 and 2025, INCAM has convened six fora, facilitated to promote the adaptation of China's anti-malaria practices to African contexts. These fora promoted the exploration of demand-driven research, the development of innovative anti-malarial products, and the advancement of evidence-based policies. INCAM exemplifies the potential of China-Africa collaboration to accelerate malaria control and elimination in Africa through solutions tailored to local contexts. To sustain this progress, there is an urgent need for stronger Public-Private-Academic Partnerships, and enhanced capacity-building programs. By addressing these gaps, INCAM can maximize its role as a leading transcontinental hub for malaria control and elimination for China and Africa.

Mosquito-borne virus surveillance is pivotal for investigating mosquito viromes, facilitating understanding of viral evolutionary histories and genetic diversity. Natural viral communities in mosquitoes include not only insect-specific viruses (ISVs) but also viruses infecting symbiotic microorganisms. In this study, a total of 654 mosquito samples-encompassing species from the Aedes and Culex genera-were collected from Egypt and subjected to metagenomic sequencing analysis. Over 130 virus species were identified, grouped into 35 families or equivalent taxonomic ranks. Detected ISVs included Culex flavivirus (CxFV), Kustavi Toti-like virus, Hanko Toti virus 5, Culex phasma-like virus (CPLV), Culex Iflavi-like virus 1, Culex Iflavi-like virus 4, Guadeloupe Culex rhabdovirus (GCRV), and Sarawak virus, confirming concurrent ISV circulation in Egyptian mosquitoes. Phylogenetic analyses of these ISVs revealed their closest evolutionary affinities to viral genome sequences originating from the Middle East, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. Specifically, Egyptian CxFV strains exhibited a closer genetic relationship with the tropical lineage within the Latin American/Caribbean/Africa genotype. Furthermore, our study uncovered 10 putative novel viruses, which are distributed across seven viral families: Amagaviridae, Chrysoviridae, Mitoviridae, Totiviridae, Virgaviridae, Narnaviridae, and Orthomyxoviridae. Collectively, our findings emphasize the necessity for more in-depth investigations into arthropod viromes-encompassing both mosquitoes and ticks-in Egypt, as well as in neighboring African and Middle Eastern countries. Such research is critical for enhancing our understanding of viral diversity and evolutionary biology, elucidating their roles in mosquito-pathogen-host interactions, and exploring their potential as biocontrol agents against vector-borne diseases of public health importance. IMPORTANCE:Mosquito-borne viruses are estimated to cause over 100 million human infections annually, making surveillance of these pathogens increasingly crucial amid growing international travel and trade. Egypt, situated in northeastern Africa, serves as a geopolitical and geographical hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa-a unique location that complicates the surveillance of mosquito-borne viruses. Arboviruses persist in nature through cyclical transmission between arthropod vectors (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks, and midges) and susceptible vertebrate hosts. Despite this, systematic investigations into mosquito viromes remain relatively scarce in Egypt. The present study aimed to explore the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of mosquito-associated viruses in Egypt using metaviromic sequencing. Our findings significantly expand the current knowledge of both known and previously uncharacterized mosquito-associated viruses in the region, while also providing complete genome sequences of several viruses that may infect arthropods or vertebrates, and potentially interfere with the replication of pathogenic arboviruses.

Objective:Despite effective historical control, Mountain-Type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (MT-ZVL) resurged in China in the early 2000s, risking geographical expansion and increased incidence. This study assessed progress in applying the One Health approach for MT-ZVL control in endemic provinces and identified optimization for current control framework. Methods:Seven endemic provinces (2022 data) were assessed with a pre-developed evaluation tool by a weighted scoring method. Results were analyzed to identify progress and challenges and formulate recommendations. Results:The average total score was 47.77/100 (range: 38.59-61.72). Category scores ranked: Disease Control (58.28) > External Environment (50.22) > Internal Support (36.86). Within the External Environment, Social Conditions scored highest (90.43), while Natural Environment scored lowest (31.96). Within the Internal Support, Resource Allocation scored highest (75.71), and Financial Investment scored lowest (27.90). Within the Disease Control, Epidemic Surveillance and Reporting scored highest (72.00), while Control Effectiveness scored lowest (42.78). Conclusion:This study evaluated the current status of One Health implementation for MT-ZVL control in seven endemic provinces. The results indicate slow overall progress, with the lowest scores observed for operational capacity and the highest for disease control activities. To advance MT-ZVL control, endemic provinces in China should prioritize integrating the One Health concept into control policies, strengthening the establishment and implementation of multisectoral coordination mechanisms, promoting scientific and technological innovation, and optimizing key interventions such as canine management.

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Tanzania, with socioeconomic factors playing crucial roles in disease outcomes. While previous studies have explored the relationship between socioeconomic status and malaria infection, quantitative assessment of equity condition in malaria outcomes remains understudied. This study innovatively applies Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII) to quantify the equity conditions between socioeconomics and malaria burden in three Districts located in the Southeastern coast of Tanzania. Data from the baseline survey of the China-Tanzania Demonstration Project on Malaria Control conducted in 2019 were analyzed. Key variables included: (1) socioeconomic status quantified through Principal Component Analysis incorporating household infrastructure, asset ownership, and social potential; (2) malaria infection outcomes, including blood test results, treatment costs, and days absent from work/education (days off). Logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to assess socioeconomic impacts, while SII and RII were calculated to measure health equity conditions across socioeconomic strata in three districts of Rufiji, Kilwa, and Kibiti. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with a lower risk of malaria infection (OR = 0.9975, 95

Abstract Background In China’s post-transmission-interruption stage of schistosomiasis control, infection signals are often sparse, and conventional surveillance indicators focused on infection detection may not adequately capture residual risk across heterogeneous ecological settings. This study aimed to develop an operational indicator framework for assessing schistosomiasis transmission risk and supporting routine risk assessment and management in this stage. Methods A county-level indicator framework for schistosomiasis transmission risk assessment was developed through a two-round Delphi consultation and weighted using a combined Delphi-entropy weight method. Using longitudinal data from six pilot counties during 2020–2024, an annual composite risk index (R) was calculated by weighted linear aggregation and classified into risk levels with trapezoidal fuzzy membership functions. Robustness was evaluated by perturbing the subjective preference coefficient (α) and examining the consistency of county-year rankings across scenarios using Spearman’s rank correlation. Results The final framework comprised three first-level, twelve second-level, and thirty-nine third-level indicators spanning biological, environmental, and social domains. Across the six pilot counties, R ranged from 0.18 to 0.44 and the overall risk level was predominantly low. Nonetheless, distinct county-level risk profiles were observed between lake/marshland and mountainous settings. Risk rankings remained highly consistent under α perturbations (ρ = 0.909–0.998), indicating good robustness of the assessment results. Conclusions This framework translates multidimensional determinants relevant to the re-establishment of schistosomiasis transmission into interpretable county-level risk profiles. It provides an operational tool to support targeted surveillance and more efficient allocation of control resources in low-endemicity contexts.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis with a complex host–vector ecology involving wildlife, domestic animals, and ticks, yet the comparative burden of SFTS virus (SFTSV) across these ecological compartments remains incompletely defined. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify SFTSV infection in animal hosts and tick vectors. We searched major international and Chinese databases and included observational studies reporting serological and/or molecular evidence of SFTSV infection in wild animals, domestic animals, or ticks. Random-effects meta-analyses of proportions were performed separately for antibody and RNA outcomes. Findings: Of 881 extracted records, 789 records representing 126 unique studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. The pooled seroprevalence of SFTSV was 7.99% (95% CI 4.81–13.00) in wild animals and 24.22% (95% CI 20.83–27.97) in domestic animals, while pooled RNA positivity was 1.14% (95% CI 0.66–1.95) in wild animals and 5.90% (95% CI 3.72–9.25) in domestic animals. The pooled RNA detection rate in ticks was 3.70% (95% CI 2.72–5.02). Species-specific analyses showed particularly high seroprevalence in goats, sheep, and cattle, and comparatively high RNA positivity in goats, cats, cattle, and dogs. Among ticks, Haemaphysalis longicornis contributed the largest evidence base, whereas higher pooled estimates were observed in some less-studied tick taxa. Although between-study heterogeneity was substantial, sensitivity analyses showed that the main patterns were robust. Interpretation: These findings indicate that SFTSV circulation is distributed across a connected host–vector system but is not evenly shared across ecological compartments. Domestic animals appear to carry the strongest combined signals of exposure and active infection, supporting their value as practical sentinels at the animal–human interface, while wildlife and tick surveillance remain essential for clarifying reservoir complexity and vector-borne maintenance.

ObjectivePhlebotomus chinensis (P. chinensis) serves as the primary vector of visceral leishmaniasis, a persistent public health threat, and its suitable distribution range and expansion trends remain unclear.MethodsThis study integrated two sets of baseline data, with 24,281 specimens collected from 45 counties across six provinces through field surveys and extra records from 475 distribution sites collated via literature retrieval. Climate data with 19 bioclimatic variables and geographic data including elevation, slope, aspect and vegetation coverage were obtained from open-access online databases (data retrieval cutoff: 2023). The Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model was applied to simulate habitat suitability. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate model performance, and the Jackknife test was conducted to determine the relative importance of each environmental factor.ResultsThe MaxEnt model produced an outstanding AUC value of 0.917 ± 0.007, demonstrating robust predictive performance. Vegetation coverage emerged as the primary environmental driver, followed by the minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio_6), mean temperature of the driest quarter (bio_9), and annual precipitation (bio_12). The contemporary suitable habitat for P. chinensis on the Chinese mainland spans 2,295,360 km², constituting 23.91% of the total land area. Core suitable habitats concentrate in central Shanxi, northern and western Henan, southern Shaanxi and Gansu, southwestern Hebei, and northern Sichuan. Under the RCP4.5 scenario, the suitable distribution range will expand to 2,834,001 km² (29.52%) by 2050 and 2,934,104 km² (30.56%) by 2070. The centroid of current suitable habitats is situated in Dagui Town, Pingli County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province (109.137665°E, 32.438831°N), with a northwestward shift of 112.37 km by 2050 and 100.15 km by 2070.ConclusionsThis study potentially delineates the suitable ecological niche of P. chinensis across the Chinese mainland, identifies key environmental drivers, and provides scientific references for regional risk assessment and targeted prevention measures.

Taenia is a zoonotic intestinal parasite that can cause taeniasis and cysticercosis in humans and other animals. This study aimed to identify the infection characteristics of Taenia and its phylogenetic relationships, providing scientific evidence for the prevention and control of taeniasis. A combination of questionnaire surveys, an improved Kato thick smear method for fecal examination, and betel nut-pumpkin seed diagnostic treatment were used to screen individuals. PCR and Sanger sequencing were performed to identify the species of expelled tapeworms, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the mitochondrial cytochrome coxidase 1 (COX1) gene. A total of 3,240 individuals were surveyed, 47 cases of taeniasis were identified, with 82.98% of which being T. asiatica (39 cases) and 12.77% being T. saginata (six cases). Notably, two cases of mixed infection with T. asiatica and T. saginata were identified (4.26%) in the natural population. Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between the number of infections and ethnic minority regions (T = 2.49, P = 0.0167), types of worms (F = 43.6, P < 0.0001), history of proglottid discharge in the past year (T = 2.43, P = 0.0197), and the consumption of raw meat, raw pig liver, or undercooked meat in the previous 6 months (T = -2.92, P = 0.0055). Notably, most infected individuals in Sichuan Province denied a history of raw meat consumption, but exhibited higher Taenia loads, indicating the potential existence of another transmission route. Phylogenetic analyses based on the COX1 gene indicated that T. asiatica had more evolutionary branches and significantly greater genetic diversity compared to T. saginata. Samples from Yunnan and Sichuan were widely distributed across various evolutionary branches, with no significant regional differentiation, possibly due to cross-border interactions and trade in raw meat and meat products between the two provinces. Additionally, no phylogenetic clustering was observed among multiple worms from the same infected individual, supporting the hypothesis that multiple low-dose intakes of infectious cysticerci lead to infection, whereas multiple Taenia from the same infected individual belonging to T. saginata exhibited clear clustering patterns. Together, this study confirmed that T. asiatica and T. saginata coexisted in the human body under natural conditions, providing an epidemiological basis for hybrid formation and gene exchange. Furthermore, the phenomenon of a high average worm load in Sichuan Province, despite low raw food exposure, warrants in-depth identification of potential infection sources of Taenia and transmission mechanisms. Evolutionarily, T. asiatica exhibited higher activity and greater genetic diversity compared to T. saginata. The presence of multiple Taenia in a single infected individual was likely attributable to the repeated low-dose ingestion of infective cysticercus, reflecting ongoing exposure to infectious sources and sustained transmission in the living1 environment of individuals with high worm burdens. The single individual infected by multiple Taenia can be treated as an indicative indicator (a special case) to investigate the source and transmission routes of taeniasis. In addition, T. saginata showed relatively conservative evolutionary characteristics.