All articles tagged with #zoonotic diseases
Researchers at University College Dublin identified ancient sheeppox virus DNA in the York Gospels and other medieval manuscripts, revealing that the pathogen has infected livestock for over 3,700 years. Published in Science Advances, the study shows that parchment made from infected animal skins preserved viral genetic material, offering insights into the virus's evolution and its ongoing threat to global agriculture.
Viruses often disappear from human populations after an outbreak but persist in animal hosts, only to re-emerge later. Identifying these hidden animal reservoirs is critical for preventing future spillovers, yet scientists often lack the data to pinpoint where these viruses lurk. This gap in knowledge hampers efforts to stop the cycle of emergence and re-emergence.
The World Health Organization has officially validated Chile as the first country in South America to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies as a public health threat. This recognition follows more than 50 years of sustained prevention efforts, with the last human case recorded in 1972. The achievement highlights the effectiveness of long-term vaccination campaigns, surveillance systems, and community education, offering a model for other nations struggling with the disease.
Experts warn that Congo's Ebola outbreak may be linked to contact with wild animals through hunting and consumption of bushmeat, underscoring the need for stronger surveillance, vaccination efforts, and community education to curb spillovers and spread.
Argentina’s hantavirus experiences, especially the 2018 Epuyén outbreak, informed the quarantine and transmission insights now being applied to the Hondius cruise-ship cases, underscoring that the virus spreads mainly through close contact, has long incubation periods, and that climate-driven rodent dynamics and shifting funding can elevate zoonotic risk and demand sustained public-health investment.
A new global model using machine learning and satellite data maps epidemic-prone diseases across nearly every country, finding about 6.3% of land in the high-risk category and 3% in very high risk (9.3% total), with roughly 20% of people in medium risk. Hotspots cluster in Latin America and Oceania, and population density emerges as the strongest driver of outbreak risk. The study also assesses readiness, showing some regions face high risk but limited health infrastructure, while many high-income countries have stronger capacity. The map is intended to guide surveillance, preparedness, and rapid response for threats including Disease X, and the research was published in Science Advances.
A Science study quantifies the pathogen spillover risk from the global wildlife trade: among 2,079 traded mammal species, about 41% share one or more pathogens with humans, compared with 6.4% of non-traded mammals. Live-trade increases transmission risk, illegal trade plays only a modest role, and species in trade tend to accumulate more pathogens over time (about one extra pathogen per decade of presence). The authors hope the findings inform trade regulations to help curb future pandemics.
A visualization ranks ten viruses by case fatality rate, led by rabies (nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear) and including Lujo (80%), Nipah (40–75%), Hendra (57%), Ebola and Marburg (~50%), H5N1 (50%), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (10–40%), and MERS-CoV (36%). The list highlights that most deadly viruses originate in animals, with some causing highly lethal outbreaks even if infections are relatively rare.
Five Bangladeshi patients with Nipah-like symptoms were found to be infected with Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV), linked to consumption of raw date palm sap frequented by fruit bats; the finding shifts attention to PRV’s potential for severe disease beyond mild colds and underscores the need for broad surveillance of bat-borne viruses.
A new global risk map using machine learning and satellite data reveals that about 6.3% of land is highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks, especially in Latin America and Oceania, driven by climate change, land use, and population density, with varying levels of preparedness across countries. The map highlights the importance of early detection, response capacity, and international cooperation to prevent and manage outbreaks, particularly zoonotic diseases that jump from animals to humans.
Recent research in Yunnan, China, has identified 22 new viruses in bats, including two similar to deadly henipaviruses, raising concerns about potential transmission to humans and livestock through bodily fluids, highlighting the need for increased surveillance and broader microbial research in bat populations.
Bobcats have made a significant recovery across North America, playing a crucial role in controlling zoonotic diseases by preying on rodents that are efficient disease vectors. Despite facing threats from habitat loss, road traffic, and rodent poisons, bobcats help reduce the spread of diseases like Lyme by being poor disease hosts themselves. While hunting is legal in most U.S. states, California's potential reinstatement of bobcat hunting in 2025 raises concerns about the ecological impact and the importance of these wildcats in maintaining ecosystem health.
A study led by the University of Exeter warns that intensive farming may increase the risk of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) due to social, economic, and political factors. While traditionally thought to reduce zoonotic disease risks through better control and biosecurity, the study highlights that real-world conditions, such as damaged infrastructure and wildlife intrusion, can undermine these measures. The research calls for a broader consideration of socio-cultural impacts on planetary health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.
Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna have developed a "zoonotic web" to map the complex interactions of zoonotic diseases in Austria, highlighting the importance of a holistic One Health approach. The study, published in Nature Communications, identifies key transmission routes and influential actors in zoonotic disease dynamics, emphasizing the need for public awareness and effective surveillance programs.
Minnesota health officials have issued a warning about a surge in tularemia infections, particularly advising cat owners to be cautious as the disease can be transmitted from pets to humans through bites or scratches. The state has already reported seven cases in 2024, and symptoms in animals include high fever, swelling, and skin sores. The Health Department recommends avoiding contact with wild animals, using tick repellent, and keeping pets indoors to prevent infection.