Identifying the research gap of zoonotic disease in displacement:a systematic review

Background:Outbreaks of zoonotic diseases that transmit between animals and humans,against a backdrop of increasing levels of forced migration,present a major challenge to global public health.This review provides an overview of the currently available evidence of how displacement may affect zoonotic disease and pathogen transmission,with the aim to better understand how to protect health and resilience of displaced and host populations.Methods:A systematic review was conducted aligned with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)reporting guidelines.Between December 2019-February 2020,PubMed,Web of Science,PLoS,ProQuest,Science Direct and JSTOR were searched for literature.Studies were included based on a focus on zoonotic disease risks in displacement and/or humanitarian emergencies,and relevance in terms of livestock dependency of the displaced populations.Evidence was synthesised in form of a table and thematic analysis.Results:Of all records,78 papers were selected for inclusion.Among the included studies,the majority were based on secondary data,including literature reviews(n=43)and case studies(n=5),while the majority of papers covered wide geographical areas such as the Global South(n=17)and Africa(n=20).The review shows significant gaps in the literature,which is specifically lacking primary data on zoonotic diseases in displacement.Risk factors for the transmission of zoonoses in displacement are based on generic infectious disease risks,which include the loss of health services,increased population density,changes in environment,reduced quality of living conditions and socio-economic factors.Regardless of the presence of these disease drivers during forced migration however,there is little evidence of large-scale zoonotic disease outbreaks linked directly to livestock in displacement.Conclusion:Due to the lack of primary research,the complex interlinkages of factors affecting zoonotic pathogen transmission in displacement remain unclear.While the presence of animals may increase the burden of zoonotic pathogens,maintaining access to livestock may improve livelihoods,nutrition and mental health,with the potential to reduce people’s vulnerability to disease.Further primary interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral research is urgently required to address the evidence gaps identified in this review to support policy and program development.

Modern technologies and solutions to enhance surveillance and response systems for emerging zoonotic diseases

Background Zoonotic diseases originating in animals pose a significant threat to global public health.Recent outbreaks,such as coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),have caused widespread illness,death,and socioeconomic disruptions worldwide.To cope with these diseases effectively,it is crucial to strengthen surveillance capabilities and establish rapid response systems.Aim The aim of this review is to examine the modern technologies and solutions that have the potential to enhance zoonotic disease surveillance and outbreak responses and provide valuable insights into how cutting-edge innovations could be leveraged to prevent,detect,and control emerging zoonotic disease outbreaks.Herein,we discuss advanced tools including big data analytics,artificial intelligence,the Internet of Things,geographic information systems,remote sensing,molecular diagnostics,point-of-care testing,telemedicine,digital contact tracing,and early warning systems.Results These technologies enable real-time monitoring,the prediction of outbreak risks,early anomaly detection,rapid diagnosis,and targeted interventions during outbreaks.When integrated through collaborative partnerships,these strategies can significantly improve the speed and effectiveness of zoonotic disease control.However,several challenges persist,particularly in resource-limited settings,such as infrastructure limitations,costs,data integration and training requirements,and ethical implementation.Conclusion With strategic planning and coordinated efforts,modern technologies and solutions offer immense potential to bolster surveillance and outbreak responses,and serve as a critical resource against emerging zoonotic disease threats worldwide.

Synergistic integration of climate change and zoonotic diseases by artificial intelligence:a holistic approach for sustainable solutions

Artificial intelligence(AI)is a rapidly evolving field that can impel research in communicable diseases with respect to climate projections,ecological indicators and environmental impact,at the same time revealing new,previously overlooked events.A number of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases already show signs of expanding their northern geographical ranges and appropriate risk assessment and decision support are urgently needed.The deployment of AI-enabled monitoring systems tracking animal populations and environmental changes is of immense potential in the study of transmission under different climate scenarios.In addition,AI's capability to identify new treatments should not only accelerate drug and vaccine discovery but also help predicting their effectiveness,while its contribution to genetic pathogen speciation would assist the evaluation of spillover risks with regard to viral infections from animals to human.Close collaboration between AI experts,epidemiologists and other stakeholders is not only crucial for responding to challenges interconnected with a variety of variables effectively,but also necessary to warrant responsible AI use.Despite its wider successful implementation in many fields,AI should be seen as a complement to,rather than a replacement of,traditional public health measures.

Pictorial review of hepatic echinococcosis:Ultrasound imaging and differential diagnosis

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease caused by parasites belonging to the genus Echinococcus that primarily affect the liver.The western plateau and pastoral areas of China are high-risk regions for hepatic cystic echinococcosis and hepatic alveolar echinococcosis(HAE).The high late mortality rate associated with HAE underscores the critical need for early diagnosis to improve cure rates and mitigate the disease burden in endemic areas.Currently,the World Health Orga-nization recommends ultrasonography as the preferred initial screening method for hepatic echinococcosis.However,distinguishing between specific types of lesions,such as those of hepatic cystic echinococcosis and HAE,and other focal liver lesions is challenging.To address this issue,contrast-enhanced ultrasound is recommended as a tool to differentiate solid and cysto-solid hepatic echino-coccosis from other focal liver lesions,significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy.In this comprehensive review,we discuss the progression of hepatic echinococcosis and detail the imaging features of various types of echinococcosis using conventional,contrast-enhanced,and intraoperative ultrasound techniques.Our objective is to provide robust imaging evidence and guidance for early diagnosis,clinical decision making,and postoperative follow-up in regions with high disease prevalence.

Socio-environmental factors associated with small mammal assemblage and Leptospira prevalence in Suburban Areas of Terengganu,Malaysia

Objective:To examine the socio-environmental factors associated with the assemblage of small mammals and the prevalence of Leptospira pathogen in poor suburban communities of Terengganu,Malaysia.Methods:We trapped small mammals from 119 trapping points scattered around three suburban communities of Terengganu using sausage-baited live traps.On the average,we set up five traps for three nights at each sampling point during the trapping period.Kidneys of captured animals were harvested and processed for Leptospira investigation.Additionally,environmental survey was conducted at each trapping point to obtain information about possible variables supporting small mammal assemblage.We used a generalized linear model to evaluate the effect of different socio-environmental variables on small mammals’assemblage.Results:A total of 89 small mammals,specifically,Rattus norvegicus(n=39),Rattus rattus(n=27),Rattus exulans(n=10),Suncus murinus(n=11),and Tupaia glis(n=2)were captured from 1385 trap nights.Fourteen individuals(15.7%)of the captured animals tested positive for Leptospira bacteria using PCR detection.Results of our generalized linear model showed only residences bordering vacant lots as the variable positively associated with small mammal occurrence in the three study sites.Conclusions:Small mammal community,especially the often neglected species,could harbour and potentially contribute towards pathogenic Leptospira maintenance in the study sites.To adequately control small mammals’population and subsequent human zoonoses transmission,it is critical to advocate and promote appropriate infrastructure and suburban services,together with good hygiene practices that can reduce the animals’access to food and harborage.

Spatial analysis of animal bites in Iran(2015-2020):A cross-sectional study

Objective:To investigate the distribution pattern of animal bites in Mirjaveh,Iran from 2015 to 2020.Methods:The data on animal bites were collected from the Department of Infectious Diseases,the provincial health center.Monthly climatic data on precipitation and temperature during the study period were also collected.The correlation between incidence and temperature,precipitation rate,land type,and altitude was also analyzed.Results:The results showed that men were more affected by animal bites than women(76.4%,P<0.001),and the highest incidence rate occurred in the age group of 5-19 years.The incidence rate of animal bites was found to be correlated with temperature and altitude.An increase in temperature was associated with a rise in the incidence rate of animal bites.The number of animal bites increased until 2019,possibly due to an increase in the number of dogs in the area.Conclusions:Targeted interventions should be implemented to reduce the incidence of animal bites,particularly among children,housewives,and students.Improving access to appropriate treatments,increasing public awareness of the hazards of animal bites,and increasing the number of vaccinated dogs in the area are essential strategies to be considered.

Home Point Study of Birds and Mammals Diversity Allied to Humans in Lockdown of COVID-19 at Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal

The birds and mammals are nature gifted gene banks which differ greatly with variation in altitudes, climates, landscapes, vegetation and availability of food and water. The altitudinal variation in Nepal is 60 m to 8,848 m which affects climatic conditions and habitat types within short distance that influence species diversity of wild animals. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to reveal species richness, behaviors and luring factors for birds and mammals to attract to an urban area of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, the South-central lowland of Nepal. The methods applied to record species diversity of birds and mammals were made from a home point (a point of study made at the North-west corner of verandah in first floor of my home) located in Bharatpur-9, Saradpur, Sitalpath, in the coordinates of 27˚39'55"N and 84˚26'08"E. The animal species were observed thrice daily (at 7 AM, 10 AM and 2 PM) for 2 months beginning from 24 March to 23 May 2020 during the period of lockdown of COVID-19 and were listed in “Observation Data Sheet”. The photographs and/or videos were taken except one of the species of bats (i.e. Myotis formosus) and six species of birds which were flying swiftly over the sky in 70 m in diameter (i.e. 7,436 square meters or 22 kattha in area) of the home point. The results obtained from my study were;83 species, 53 genera and 37 families of wild birds;and 6 species, 5 genera and 3 families of wild mammals. Among birds, Dicrurus and Ploceus were recorded the highest 7.54% (4/53);followed by Acridotheres, Megalaima, Merops, Oriolus, Psittacula and Streptopelia with 5.66% (3/53), and remaining twelve genera were found 3.77% (2/53), and thirty three genera were 1.88% (1/53). Similarly, 33.33% (2/6) of Herpestes;and 16.66% (1/6) of each Canis, Vulpes, Pipistrellus and Myotis were recorded among mammals. Conclusively, I found that the species of birds and mammals were lured to human settlement area due to availability of food (i.e. small in/vertebrates, kitchen garbage etc.);crops (i.e. maize, sesame etc.);vegetables (i.e. bean);fruits (litchi, mango, berries etc.);nesting places and healthy environment. However, there is great chance of transmission of viral (rabies, foot-mouth disease etc.), bacterial (tuberculosis) and parasitic zoonoses (echinococcosis, toxoplasmosis, helminthiasis etc.) to humans and domesticated animals through feces and saliva droppings in addition to the poultry raiding, biting to people and damage of fruits, vegetables and crops creating conflicts.

The Establishment of the Concept of Shu Yi and Its Significance in the History of Knowledge

Plague is one of the severe infectious diseases which has had a huge impact on human society throughout history.Although there is abundant research on the disease,few studies focus on the concept of plague itself.It is generally believed that Shu Yi was first coined by Chinese doctors in the late 19th century,and it was closely related to the introduction of new medicine.This statement is not accurate,because plague was prevalent in Yunnan and Guangdong provinces in the late Qing Dynasty.At that time,people had already recognized the relationship between the outbreak of plague and the death of rats,and gradually named the epidemic disease as Shu Yi.This name was used by literati and doctors by coincidence.As the epidemic became more and more serious,more related works were widely disseminated,and Shu Yi changed from a folk name to a formal name.Later,with the help of the government’s active introduction of modern health and epidemic prevention mechanisms and the implementation of rodent control measures,Shu Yi became more popular and gradually recognized by all walks of society.The emergence and prevalence of Shu Yi created the history of zoonosis in China,and thus formed a new paradigm of naming human epidemics after related animal names.

Occurrence of Multi-Drug Resistant <i>Listeria species</i>in Faecal Samples of Poultry Chickens in Rural Farms in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background: Listeriosis is a common zoonotic disease caused by a foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. Poultry meat and products have been established as vehicles of transmission of pathogenic Listeria strains to humans. This study evaluates the occurrence of Listeria species in faeces of poultry chicken in Lagos. Methods: One hundred and fourteen pooled fresh faecal samples from cage-reared broiler chickens were collected from 12 farms in three rural areas in Lagos State from May to August 2019. All samples were analysed for Listeria species detection according to ISO11290-1 standard and confirmed using PCR assay. Susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Results: Twenty-eight (24.6%) Listeria species were detected from 114 faecal samples. The isolated Listeria species were L. monocytogenes 8 (7.0%), L. ivanovii 9 (7.9%), L. grayi 7 (6.1%) and L. innocua 4 (3.5%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of occurrence of Listeria species across the different locations (X2 = 4.98, p = 0.08). The listeria species were susceptible to Augmentin (96.4%), vancomycin (85.7%) and co-trimoxazole (82.1%), but resistant to ceftazidime (100%), tetracycline (75.0%) and ciprofloxacin (71.4%). Conclusion: This study reveals high occurrence of multi-drug resistant Listeria species in faecal samples of poultry chickens in Lagos state which may be an important vector in the contamination of the environment and transmission of antibiotic resistant Listeria species to consumers.

Mediastinal and Pericardial Hydatidosis—A Case Report and Review of Literature

Hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus is endemic in Indian subcontinent and a common surgical problem. Although occurrence of hydatid cyst is common in liver and lungs, it can be encountered in almost every part of the body. Combined mediastinal and pericardial hydatid disease is a rare occurrence and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. Patients with hydatid cysts are usually asymptomatic. Our case report demonstrates a 57-year-old female patient who presented with chest pain and dyspnea on exertion for few months duration. Detailed imaging and laboratory investigation revealed a pericardial and mediastinal hydatid cyst. The patient underwent operation for curative excision. After surgery, the patient’s symptoms resolved and his clinical status improved.

The Knowledge about the Potential Health Risks of Illegal Bushmeat Activities among Local Communities Adjacent to Western Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

Establishing knowledge of local communities regarding the potential health risks of illegal bushmeat hunting and its related practices is among the essential means to developing effective conservation and public health programs. To reveal the understanding of the local people regarding the potential health risks of bushmeat consumption and handling of wildlife products, we used a semi-structured questionnaire to survey 261 households in eight villages located adjacent to the western part of Nyerere National Park. Also, we interviewed eight key informants, including conservation personnel and veterinary officers, in the study area. The proportion of local people who were unaware that handling of wildlife products and bushmeat consumption were risky behaviours towards acquiring zoonotic diseases was slightly higher (57%) than the proportion of respondents who were aware of the likely risks of zoonotic diseases from the practices. After all, the majority (83%) of local people admitted having come into contact with wildlife products, while over 70% reported having consumed bushmeat. We found that local communities living closer to the park boundaries (<15 km) have a higher likelihood of contacting wildlife products, and that community members who have lived in the area for more than ten years have experienced more contact with wildlife products than immigrants. Moreover, the age of inhabitants and length of stay were found to be the most significant factors in determining the likelihood of bushmeat consumption. Most people seemed to prefer bushmeat to domestic meat, arguing that bushmeat is far more flavorful, tender, not tainted with chemicals, and has less fat, making it safer. Our study demonstrated that local communities participate in risky practices without contemplating the health consequences that could emerge should a zoonotic disease outbreak occur. Among other strategies, we recommended conservation and public health institutions to increase awareness campaigns on the possible health risks of zoonotic diseases associated with wildlife.

A review on the Ebola virus,outbreak history and the current research tools to control the disease

The Ebola virus is a zoonotic pathogen causing hemorrhagic fever disease with a high mortality rate.The distribution of this pathogen has been limited to woodlands from Central and West Africa and the forest-savannah ecotone in East Africa.The likely reservoir species are frugivorous bats living in these areas.This pathogen is becoming an increasing threat to human populations since its distribution range is expanding faster than expected.The current Ebola outbreaks in Western Africa and in the Democratic Republic of Congo have rapidly spread infecting high numbers of individuals in five African countries.The disease has reached the United States and Spain.This expansion is due partly to increasing global connectivity.This situation represents a new challenge to control the spread of the disease.Experimental drugs have been used to treat a few infected people with promising results.This gives hope for an effective treatment against Ebola hemorrhagic fever in the near future,though thousands of people remain at risk of infection.The present review aims to give an update of the knowledge on the disease,including features of the Ebola virus,the history of disease outbreaks in Africa and the tools that are being developed in order to control this re-emergent disease.

The zoonotic and natural foci characteristics of SARS-CoV-2

The origin of SARS-CoV-2 is still an unresolved mystery.In this study,we systematically reviewed the main research progress of wild animals carrying virus highly homologous to SARS-CoV-2 and analyzed the natural foci characteristics of SARS-CoV-2.The complexity of SARS-CoV-2 origin in wild animals and the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 long-term existence in human populations are also discussed.The joint investigation of corona virus carried by wildlife,as well as the ecology and patho-ecology of bats and other wildlife,are key measures to further clarify the characteristics of natural foci of SARS-CoV-2 and actively defend against future outbreaks of emerging zoonotic diseases.

A global overview of the most important zoonotic bacteria pathogens transmitted from Rattus norvegicus to humans in urban environments

Zoonotic pathogens,comprising over 61%of all pathogenic microorganisms,can be transmitted from different animals to individuals in numerous ways either in the presence or the absence of a vector.Causing new emerging human infectious diseases,these pathogens could be categorized into 4 groups,bacteria,viruses,parasites,and fungi.Among the wide range of reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens,tremendous attention has been attracted to wild rats,due to their global distribution not only in urban environments but also in the sylvatic and agricultural surroundings.For the nonce,zoonotic bacteria transmitted via wild rats have turned into a global public health problem probably due to their ability to induce re-emerging diseases even after eradication and controlling man-agement.Despite the importance of wild rats in spreading pathogens,little data are available about the bacterial diversity present in urban wild rat populations.In this review,we present a complete list of zoonotic bacterial pathogens isolated from wild rats in urban environments.

Strengthening Africa's response to Mpox(monkeypox):insights from historical outbreaks and the present global spread

Mpox,formerly known as monkeypox,is a viral zoonotic disease endemic to Central and West Africa that has posed significant public health challenges since its identification in 1970.Despite decades of experience in managing outbreaks,the 2022-2024 Mpox outbreaks exposed substantial gaps in global preparedness and response,leading the World Health Organization(WHO)to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern(PHEIC)in 2022.The resurgence of cases in Europe in 2022 and the more recent emergence of the virulent cladeⅠb in the Democratic Republic of the Congo(DRC)in 2024 have highlighted a critical need for improved proactive and response strategies to curb the epidemic.This narrative review examines the historical and recent epidemiology of Mpox in Africa and explores the factors that have limited effective management.These include objective influences such as viral mutations,zoonotic transmission patterns,and environmental changes like deforestation,as well as subjective factors,including delayed responses,limited vaccine availability,cessation of smallpox vaccinations,and inequitable access to healthcare.In particular,the review emphasizes the ongoing disparities in global health equity,as wealthier nations have been able to secure vaccines and therapeutics quickly,while endemic regions in Africa continue to struggle with limited resources.The review also discusses how socio-economic and cultural factors,combined with weak public health infrastructure and inadequate surveillance systems,perpetuate cycles of outbreak in vulnerable populations.Furthermore,the emergence of cladeⅠb in 2024,with its higher virulence and mortality rates among children,particularly in rural areas,underscores the urgency of addressing the evolving epidemiological landscape of Mpox.In response to these challenges,this review recommends strengthening healthcare infrastructure,enhancing surveillance systems,ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments,and integrating environmental management into public health strategies.Global collaboration remains essential to provide African countries with the resources and support needed to manage and prevent future outbreaks effectively.Without these measures,the world risks a prolonged public health crisis with far-reaching consequences for both Africa and the global community.

Impact of improper municipal solid waste management on fostering One Health approach in Ethiopia—challenges and opportunities:a systematic review

Improper disposal of solid waste,predominantly illegal dumping,can lead to severe air and water pollution,land degradation,climate change,and health hazards due to the persistence of hazardous materials.As a result,it is threatening public and animal health,environmental sustainability,and economic development.The One Health approach,which acknowledges the interconnectedness of human,animal,and environmental health,offers a comprehensive solution.This systematic review examines the impact of improper municipal solid waste on fostering One Health approaches at the national level of Ethiopia by identifying key challenges and opportunities.Publications were retrieved from peer-reviewed,indexed journal publications,government documents(policies,proclamations,regulations,and guidelines),and credible non-governmental organization publications from selected electronic databases(Google scholar,PubMed,EMBASE,Global Health,Web of Science,etc.),and governmental offices.Despite efforts to advance the One Health approach in Ethiopia through the formation of the National One Health Steering Committee and technical working groups,implementation is hindered by challenges such as poor sectoral integration,insufficient advocacy,financial constraints,and limited research.These challenges contribute to worsening zoonotic and infectious diseases and environmental issues due to inadequate solid waste management.Nonetheless,opportunities exist through One Health integration via holistic programs,interdisciplinary collaboration,community engagement,policy enhancement,institutional capacity building,and public-private partnerships.Therefore,enhancing sectoral integration and increasing advocacy efforts and securing financial support is necessary to back waste management initiatives and related research.Further research is crucial to understand the impact of solid waste management and the potential benefits of the One Health approach in Ethiopia.

How far has the globe gone in achieving One Health?Current evidence and policy implications based on global One Health index

Background In the 21st century,as globalization accelerates and global public health crises occur,the One Health approach,guided by the holistic thinking of human-animal-environment and emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration to address global health issues,has been strongly advocated by the international community.An immediate requirement exists for the creation of an assessment tool to foster One Health initiatives on both global and national scales.Methods Built upon extensive expert consultations and dialogues,this follow-up study enhances the 2022 global One Health index(GOHI)indicator system.The GOHI framework is enriched by covering three indices,e.g.external drivers index(EDI),intrinsic drivers index(IDI),and core drivers index(CDI).The comprehensive indicator system incorporates 13 key indicators,50 indicators,and 170 sub I-indicators,utilizing a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process to ascertain the weight for each indicator.Weighted and summed,the EDI,IDI,and CDI scores contribute to the computation of the overall GOHI 2022 score.By comparing the ranking and the overall scores among the seven regions and across 160 countries/territories,we have not only derived an overall profile of the GOHI 2022 scores,but also assessed the GOHI framework.We also compared rankings of indicators and sub I-indicators to provide greater clarity on the strengths and weaknesses of each region within the One Health domains.Results The GOHI 2022 performance reveals significant disparities between countries/territories ranged from 39.03 to 70.61.The global average score of the GOHI 2022 is 54.82.The average score for EDI,IDI,and CDI are 46.57,58.01,and 57.25,respectively.In terms of global rankings,countries from North America,Europe and Central Asia,East Asia and Pacific present higher scores.In terms of One Health domains of CDI,the lowest scores are observed in antimicrobial resistance(median:43.09),followed by food security(median:53.78),governance(median:54.77),climate change(median:64.12)and zoonotic diseases(median:69.23).Globally,the scores of GOHI vary spatially,with the highest score in North America while lowest in sub-Saharan Africa.In addition,evidence shows associations between the socio-demographic profile of countries/territories and their GOHI performance in certain One Health scenarios.Conclusion The objective of GOHI is to guide impactful strategies for enhancing capacity building in One Health.With advanced technology and an annually updated database,intensifying efforts to refine GOHI's data-mining methodologies become imperative.The goal is to offer profound insights into disparities and progressions in practical One Health implementation,particularly in anticipation of future pandemics.

Towards a global One Health index: a potential assessment tool for One Health performance

Background:A One Health approach has been increasingly mainstreamed by the international community, as it provides for holistic thinking in recognizing the close links and inter-dependence of the health of humans, animals and the environment. However, the dearth of real-world evidence has hampered application of a One Health approach in shaping policies and practice. This study proposes the development of a potential evaluation tool for One Health performance, in order to contribute to the scientific measurement of One Health approach and the identification of gaps where One Health capacity building is most urgently needed.Methods:We describe five steps towards a global One Health index (GOHI), including (i) framework formulation;(ii) indicator selection;(iii) database building;(iv) weight determination;and (v) GOHI scores calculation. A cell-like framework for GOHI is proposed, which comprises an external drivers index (EDI), an intrinsic drivers index (IDI) and a core drivers index (CDI). We construct the indicator scheme for GOHI based on this framework after multiple rounds of panel discussions with our expert advisory committee. A fuzzy analytical hierarchy process is adopted to determine the weights for each of the indicators.Results:The weighted indicator scheme of GOHI comprises three first-level indicators, 13 second-level indicators, and 57 third-level indicators. According to the pilot analysis based on the data from more than 200 countries/territories the GOHI scores overall are far from ideal (the highest score of 65.0 out of a maximum score of 100), and we found considerable variations among different countries/territories (31.8–65.0). The results from the pilot analysis are consistent with the results from a literature review, which suggests that a GOHI as a potential tool for the assessment of One Health performance might be feasible.Conclusions:GOHI—subject to rigorous validation—would represent the world’s first evaluation tool that constructs the conceptual framework from a holistic perspective of One Health. Future application of GOHI might promote a common understanding of a strong One Health approach and provide reference for promoting effective measures to strengthen One Health capacity building. With further adaptations under various scenarios, GOHI, along with its technical protocols and databases, will be updated regularly to address current technical limitations, and capture new knowledge.

Factors explaining the abundance of rodents in the city of Luang Prabang,Lao PDR,as revealed by field and household surveys

A field and a household survey, the latter of which included inspections and interviews with the residents of a totalof 1370 properties, were conducted in 2004 in 30 villages of the city of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, in order to assessthe degree of rodent infestation and to identify potential factors influencing infestations. Roof rats, Rattus rattus,and the Polynesian rat, Rattus exulans, were the only rodents found in the city, and trapping results showed a cleardominance of roof rats (80–90% of all individuals). Measurements of rodent activity using tracking patchescorrelated positively with the trapping data, and revealed a significantly higher degree of rat infestation during therainy season (September) than during the dry season (November). If households in the vicinity of the samplinglocations were considered, villagers’ accounts of indoor rodent infestations recorded during the household surveycorrelated positively with measurements of rodent activity. At least every second household reported indoorinfestations. Using explorative statistical analyses (classification trees, factor analysis) we checked the predictiveor explanatory value of up to 28 variables assessed during household inspections for villagers’ observations onrodent infestation as the dependent variable. Trophic factors such as exposed food (indoors) and garbage (outdoors),and structural features such as open ceilings (indoors) and rat harborage in gardens (outdoors) ranked highest asexplanatory variables. Assessment of a small sample of roof rat droppings collected inside houses revealed thepresence of the potential disease agents Salmonella javiana, Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia duodenalis and theparasitic nematode Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica). These results underline the need for anappropriate rodent management strategy for the city, whereby simple sanitation and rodent-proofing measurescould be cheap means of reducing rat infestation rates.

Urban health and ecology： the promise of an avian biomonitoring tool

Urban-dwelling birds have the potential to serve as powerful biomonitors that reveal the impact of environmental change due to urbanization. Specifically, urban bird populations can be used to sur- vey cities for factors that may pose both public and wildlife health concerns. Here, we review evi- dence supporting the use of avian biomonitors to identify threats associated with urbanization, including bioaccumulation of toxicants and the dysregulation of behavior and physiology by related stressors. In addition, we consider the use of birds to examine how factors in the urban en- vironment can impact immunity against communicable pathogens. By studying the behavior, physiology, and ecology of urban bird populations, we can elucidate not only how avian popula- tions are responding to environmental change, but also how unintended consequences of urban- ization affect the well-being of human and non-human inhabitants.