Wild animal and zoonotic disease risk management and regulation in China: Examining gaps and One Health opportunities in scope, mandates, and monitoring systems

Resolution of Clinical Signs of Sarcoptic Mange in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus), in Ivermectin-Treated and Nontreated Individuals

The parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei causes mange in nearly 150 species of mammals by burrowing under the skin, triggering hypersensitivity responses that can alter animals' behavior and result in extreme weight loss, secondary infections, and even death. Since the 1990s, sarcoptic mange has increased in incidence and geographic distribution in Pennsylvania black bear (Ursus americanus) populations, including expansion into other states. Recovery from mange in free-ranging wildlife has rarely been evaluated. Following the Pennsylvania Game Commission's standard operating procedures at the time of the study, treatment consisted of one subcutaneous injection of ivermectin. To evaluate black bear survival and recovery from mange, from 2018 to 2020 we fitted 61 bears, including 43 with mange, with GPS collars to track their movements and recovery. Bears were collared in triplicates according to sex and habitat, consisting of one bear without mange (healthy control), one scabietic bear treated with ivermectin when collared, and one untreated scabietic bear. Bears were reevaluated for signs of mange during annual den visits, if recaptured during the study period, and after mortality events. Disease status and recovery from mange was determined based on outward gross appearance and presence of S. scabiei mites from skin scrapes. Of the 36 scabietic bears with known recovery status, 81% fully recovered regardless of treatment, with 88% recovered with treatment and 74% recovered without treatment. All bears with no, low, or moderate mite burdens (<16 mites on skin scrapes) fully recovered from mange (n=20), and nearly half of bears with severe mite burden (≥16 mites) fully recovered (n=5, 42%). However, nonrecovered status did not indicate mortality, and mange-related mortality was infrequent. Most bears were able to recover from mange irrespective of treatment, potentially indicating a need for reevaluation of the mange wildlife management paradigm.

From molecules to ecosystems: Insights into a network of interactions for a Chagas disease outbreak using Triatoma brasiliensis as natural samplers

Exploring the dynamics of disease transmission involves an understanding of complex interactions within the eco-epidemiologic framework. In the context of Chagas disease (CD), elements are mainly represented by the interactions among the pathogen, insect vector, host, humans and the environment. We performed quantitative and qualitative analyses on a dataset derived from 98 Triatoma brasiliensis infected by trypanosomatids, which were linked to a CD outbreak in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. We extracted invertebrate-derived DNA (iDNA) from these insects, comprising 18 populations around the outbreak area, each indicative of various strata of anthropogenic influence. Food source (FS) diversity, representing potential parasite reservoirs, was determined through mitochondrial gene (cyt b) sequencing of vertebrates, and parasite genotyping was accessed using fluorescent amplified fragment barcodes (FFLB) of trypanosomatids. We also assessed the residents' awareness of breeding sites for CD vectors in the inspected houses. The quantification of Trypanosoma cruzi was estimated via real-time PCR and is denominated here as the average parasite load (PL) per insect (T. cruzi/intestinal unit). We aimed to address vector-parasite-host-environment interactions that were discussed based on their significance among the components. Notably, among the significant interactions, we observed that the PL in the insects was significantly influenced by FS. Infected insects that fed on the classic reservoir, Didelphis albiventris, and Galea spixii exhibited higher PLs, compared to those that fed on Kerodon rupestris (p < 0.04)-a primary host. While D. albiventris is already recognized as a synanthropic species, we propose that G. spixii may also be undergoing a synanthropic process. Conversely, domestic cats are frequently identified as FS in infected insects from the sylvatic environment, suggesting a possible change in their behavior towards a wild state. Therefore, we propose that neglected anthropogenic actions have facilitated the reciprocal (sylvatic-peridomestic) circulation of T. cruzi-especially noted for TcI because it was predominant in insects found in peridomestic environments. Residents are often unaware of the existence of insect breeding grounds near their homes, particularly when it involves the storage of materials without planning for use, such as piles of tiles, bricks and wood. Although indirect inferences about the interaction among vector-parasite-host-environment are still incipient, we highlight the potential use of vectors as natural samplers of biological and ecological components in transmitting the disease.

Parasites and microorganisms associated with the snakes collected for the "festa Dei serpari" in Cocullo, Italy

While in much of the Western world snakes are feared, in the small, rural, mountainous town of Cocullo, in the middle of central Italy, snakes are annually collected and celebrated in a sacro-profane ritual. Every 1st of May, Serpari (snake catchers) capture and showcase dozens of non-venomous snakes to celebrate the ritual of San Domenico. In order to detect potential zoonotic pathogens within this unique epidemiological context, parasites and microorganisms of snakes harvested for the "festa dei serpari" ritual were investigated. Snakes (n = 112) were examined and ectoparasites collected, as well as blood and feces sampled. Ectoparasites were identified morpho-molecularly, and coprological examination conducted through direct smear and flotation. Molecular screenings were performed to identify parasites and microorganisms in collected samples (i.e., Mesostigmata mites, Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii, Babesia/Theileria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Leishmania spp. and helminths). Overall, 28.5% (32/112) of snakes were molecularly positive for at least one parasite and/or microorganism. Endosymbiont Wolbachia bacteria were identified from Macronyssidae mites and zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (e.g., Rickettsia, Leishmania), as well as orally transmitted pathogens (i.e., Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas), were detected from blood and feces. Thus, given the central role of the snakes in the tradition of Cocullo, surveys of their parasitic fauna and associated zoonotic pathogens may aid to generate conservation policies to benefit the human-snake interactions, whilst preserving the cultural patrimony of this event.

Circulation of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli in Wild and Domestic Waterfowl in Ukraine

Background: Antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasingly urgent problem for human and animal health due to the widespread use of antibiotics in medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture. At the same time, the natural reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant pathogens remain unclear. Wild birds may play a role in this due to their biology. Escherichia coli is a representative indicator pathogen for antibiotic resistance studies. Materials and Methods: In 2020-2021, sampling of feces and cloacal swabs from six species of wild waterfowl (Eurasian wigeon Anas penelope, Eurasian teal Anas crecca, white-fronted goose Anser albifrons, red-breasted goose Rufibrenta ruficollis, graylag goose Anser anser, shelduck Tadorna tadorna) and from two species of domestic waterfowl (ducks and geese) was conducted in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy regions of Ukraine. Biological material was collected, stored, and transported in cryotubes with transport medium (brain heart infusion broth [BHIB] with the addition of 15% glycerol) in liquid nitrogen. Bacteriological studies were carried out according to standard methods for the isolation and identification of microorganisms. Drug resistance of E. coli was carried out by a standard disk diffusion method. Results: Bacteria representing six families (Enterobacteriaceae, Yersiniaceae, Morganellaceae, Bacillaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae) were isolated from clinically healthy wild birds (wigeon, Eurasian teal, white-fronted goose, red-breasted goose, mallard, graylag goose, shelduck) in the southern regions of Ukraine with isolation rates ranging from 26.7% to 100%. A total of 19 E. coli isolates were cultured from 111 samples from wild birds, and 30 isolates of E. coli were cultured from 32 poultry samples. E. coli was isolated from birds of all species. The prevalence of E. coli ranged from 5.0% to 33.3% in wild waterfowl and from 90.9% to 100% in domestic waterfowl. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli ranged from 10.0% to 31.8% in wild and domestic waterfowl: 3 of 15 (20%) specimens from wild mallard were MDR in the Kherson region, as well as 7 of 22 domestic ducks (31.8%) and 1 of 10 geese (10%) in the Kharkiv and Cherkasy regions. Isolates from wild birds were the most resistant to ampicillin (AMP), amoxiclav (AMC), amoxicillin (AMX), doxycycline (DO), and chloramphenicol (C). Isolates from poultry were resistant to ampicillin, amoxiclav, doxycycline, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, and enrofloxacin (EX). Most of the other E. coli isolates from wild waterfowl were classified as non-multidrug-resistant (non-MDR) forms. Analysis of antibiotic sensitivity phenotypes showed that only four antibiotic-resistant phenotypes were detected among non-MDR bacteria, whereas among the MDR bacteria, two antibiotic-resistant phenotypes were detected in mallards and six in domestic waterfowl. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that wild waterfowl in Ukraine, which live in natural conditions and do not receive any antimicrobial drugs, are carriers of E. coli that are resistant to a number of antibiotics that are actively used in industrial poultry.

China's application of the One Health approach in addressing public health threats at the human-animal-environment interface: Advances and challenges

Background

Due to emerging issues such as global climate change and zoonotic disease pandemics, the One Health approach has gained more attention since the turn of the 21st century. Although One Health thinking has deep roots and early applications in Chinese history, significant gaps exist in China's real-world implementation at the complex interface of the human-animal-environment.

Methods

We abstracted the data from the global One Health index study and analysed China's performance in selected fields based on Structure-Process-Outcome model. By comparing China to the Belt & Road and G20 countries, the advances and gaps in China's One Health performance were determined and analysed.

Findings

For the selected scientific fields, China generally performs better in ensuring food security and controlling antimicrobial resistance and worse in addressing climate change. Based on the SPO model, the "structure" indicators have the highest proportion (80.00%) of high ranking and the "outcome" indicators have the highest proportion (20.00%) of low ranking. When compared with Belt and Road countries, China scores above the median in almost all indicators (16 out of 18) under the selected scientific fields. When compared with G20 countries, China ranks highest in food security (scores 72.56 and ranks 6th), and lowest in climate change (48.74, 11th).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that while China has made significant efforts to enhance the application of the One Health approach in national policies, it still faces challenges in translating policies into practical measures. It is recommended that a holistic One Health action framework be established for China in accordance with diverse social and cultural contexts, with a particular emphasis on overcoming data barriers and mobilizing stakeholders both domestically and globally. Implementation mechanisms, with clarified stakeholder responsibilities and incentives, should be improved along with top-level design.

Plasma metagenomics reveals regional variations of emerging and re-emerging pathogens in Chinese blood donors with an emphasis on human parvovirus B19

At present, many infectious pathogens, especially emerging/re-emerging pathogens, exist in the blood of voluntary blood donors and may be transmitted through blood transfusions. However, most of Chinese blood centers only routinely screen for HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis. We employed metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) to investigate the microbiome in healthy voluntary blood donors to help assess blood safety in China by identifying infectious pathogens presented in donations that could lead to transfusion-acquired infections. We collected 10,720 plasma samples from voluntary blood donors from seven blood centers in different cities during 2012-2018 in China. A total of 562 GB of clean data was obtained. By analyzing the sequencing data, it was found that the most commonly identified bacteria found in the healthy blood were Serratia spp. (5.0176%), Pseudomonas spp. (0.6637%), and Burkholderia spp. (0.5544%). The principal eukaryote were Leishmania spp (1.3723%), Toxoplasma gondii (0.6352%), and Candida dubliniensis (0.1848%). Among viruses, Human Parvovirus B19 (B19V) accounts for the highest proportion (0.1490%), followed by Torque teno midi virus (0.0032%) and Torque teno virus (0.0015%). Since that B19V is a non-negligible threat to blood safety, we evaluated the positive samples for B19V tested by mNGS using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis to achieve a better understanding of B19V in Chinese blood donors. Subsequently, 9 (0.07%) donations were positive for B19V DNA. The quantitative DNA levels ranged from 5.58 × 10² to 7.24 × 10⁴ IU/ml. The phylogenic analyses showed that prevalent genotypes belonged to the B19-1A subtype, which disclosed previously unknown regional variability in the B19V positivity rate. The investigation revealed that many microbes dwell in the blood of healthy donors, including some pathogens that may be dormant in the blood and only cause disease under specific conditions. Thus, investigating the range and nature of potential pathogens in the qualified donations provided a framework for targeted interventions to help prevent emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Metagenomics of gut microbiome for migratory seagulls in Kunming city revealed the potential public risk to human health

BACKGROUND

Seagull as a migratory wild bird has become most popular species in southwest China since 1980s. Previously, we analyzed the gut microbiota and intestinal pathogenic bacteria configuration for this species by using 16S rRNA sequencing and culture methods. To continue in-depth research on the gut microbiome of migratory seagulls, the metagenomics, DNA virome and RNA virome were both investigated for their gut microbial communities of abundance and diversity in this study.

RESULTS

The metagenomics results showed 99.72% of total species was bacteria, followed by viruses, fungi, archaea and eukaryota. In particular, Shigella sonnei, Escherichia albertii, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella enterica and Shigella flexneri were the top distributed taxa at species level. PCoA, NMDS, and statistics indicated some drug resistant genes, such as adeL, evgS, tetA, PmrF, and evgA accumulated as time went by from November to January of the next year, and most of these genes were antibiotic efflux. DNA virome composition demonstrated that Caudovirales was the most abundance virus, followed by Cirlivirales, Geplafuvirales, Petitvirales and Piccovirales. Most of these phages corresponded to Enterobacteriaceae and Campylobacteriaceae bacterial hosts respectively. Caliciviridae, Coronaviridae and Picornaviridae were the top distributed RNA virome at family level of this migratory animal. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the sequences of contigs of Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus had highly similarity with some coronavirus references.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the characteristics of gut microbiome of migratory seagulls were closely related to human activities, and multiomics still revealed the potential public risk to human health.

Prevalence Estimation, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Serotyping of Salmonella enterica Recovered from New World Non-Human Primates (Platyrrhini), Feed, and Environmental Surfaces from Wildlife Centers in Costa Rica

Concern about zoonoses and wildlife has increased. Few studies described the role of wild mammals and environments in the epidemiology of Salmonella. Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem associated with Salmonella that threatens global health, food security, the economy, and development in the 21st century. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and identify antibiotic susceptibility profiles and serotypes of non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica recovered from non-human primate feces, feed offered, and surfaces in wildlife centers in Costa Rica. A total of 180 fecal samples, 133 environmental, and 43 feed samples from 10 wildlife centers were evaluated. We recovered Salmonella from 13.9% of feces samples, 11.3% of environmental, and 2.3% of feed samples. Non-susceptibility profiles included six isolates from feces (14.6%): four non-susceptible isolates (9.8%) to ciprofloxacin, one (2.4%) to nitrofurantoin, and one to both ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin (2.4%). Regarding the environmental samples, one profile was non-susceptible to ciprofloxacin (2.4%) and two to nitrofurantoin (4.8%). The serotypes identified included Typhimurium/I4,[5],12:i:-, S. Braenderup/Ohio, S. Newport, S. Anatum/Saintpaul, and S. Westhampton. The epidemiological surveillance of Salmonella and antimicrobial resistance can serve in the creation of strategies for the prevention of the disease and its dissemination throughout the One Health approach.

WildHealthNet: Supporting the development of sustainable wildlife health surveillance networks in Southeast Asia

Wildlife and wildlife interfaces with people and livestock are essential surveillance targets to monitor emergent or endemic pathogens or new threats affecting wildlife, livestock, and human health. However, limitations of previous investments in scope and duration have resulted in a neglect of wildlife health surveillance (WHS) systems at national and global scales, particularly in lower and middle income countries (LMICs). Building on decades of wildlife health activities in LMICs, we demonstrate the implementation of a locally-driven multi-pronged One Health approach to establishing WHS in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam under the WildHealthNet initiative. WildHealthNet utilizes existing local capacity in the animal, public health, and environmental sectors for event based or targeted surveillance and disease detection. To scale up surveillance systems to the national level, WildHealthNet relies on iterative field implementation and policy development, capacity bridging, improving data collection and management systems, and implementing context specific responses to wildlife health intelligence. National WHS systems piloted in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam engaged protected area rangers, wildlife rescue centers, community members, and livestock and human health sector staff and laboratories. Surveillance activities detected outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds, African swine fever in wild boar (Sus scrofa), Lumpy skin disease in banteng (Bos javanicus), and other endemic zoonotic pathogens identified as surveillance priorities by local stakeholders. In Cambodia and Lao PDR, national plans for wildlife disease surveillance are being signed into legislation. Cross-sectoral and trans-disciplinary approaches are needed to implement effective WHS systems. Long-term commitment, and paralleled implementation and policy development are key to sustainable WHS networks. WildHealthNet offers a roadmap to aid in the development of locally-relevant and locally-led WHS systems that support the global objectives of the World Organization for Animal Health's Wildlife Health Framework and other international agendas.

Rapid response screening for emerging zoonotic pathogens, barriers and opportunities: A study for enhanced preparedness of the Netherlands

Background

Outbreaks of zoonotic emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) require rapid identification of potential reservoir hosts and mapping disease spread in these hosts to inform risk assessment and adequate control measures. Animals are often understudied when a novel EID is detected in humans and acquisition of animal samples is hampered by practical, ethical, and legal barriers, of which there is currently no clear overview. Therefore, the three aims of this study are (1) to map potentially available collections of animal samples, (2) to assess possibilities and barriers for reuse of these samples and (3) to assess possibilities and barriers for active animal and environmental sampling in the Netherlands.

Methods

A literature search was performed to identify ongoing sampling activities and opportunities for reuse or active sampling. Semi-structured interviews with stakeholder organizations were conducted to gain further insight into the three research questions.

Results

Various sample collections of surveillance, diagnostic and research activities exist in the Netherlands. Sample size, coverage, storage methods and type of samples collected differs per animal species which influences reuse suitability. Organizations are more likely to share samples, for reuse in outbreak investigations, when they have a pre-existing relationship with the requesting institute. Identified barriers for sharing were, among others, unfamiliarity with legislation and unsuitable data management systems. Active sampling of animals or the environment is possible through several routes. Related barriers are acquiring approval from animal- or property owners, conflicts with anonymization, and time needed to acquire ethical approval.

Conclusion

The animal sample collections identified would be very valuable for use in outbreak investigations. Barriers for sharing may be overcome by increasing familiarity with legislation, building (international) sharing networks and agreements before crises occur and developing systems for sample registration and biobanking. Proactive setting up of ethical approvals will allow for rapid animal sample collection to identify EID hosts and potential spillovers.

Establishment of an indicator framework for global One Health Intrinsic Drivers index based on the grounded theory and fuzzy analytical hierarchy-entropy weight method

BACKGROUND

One Health has become a global consensus to deal with complex health problems. However, the progress of One Health implementation in many countries is still relatively slow, and there is a lack of systematic evaluation index. The purpose of this study was to establish an indicator framework for global One Health Intrinsic Drivers index (GOH-IDI) to evaluate human, animal and environmental health development process globally.

METHOD

First, 82 studies were deeply analyzed by a grounded theory (GT) method, including open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, to establish a three-level indicator framework, which was composed of three selective codes, 19 axial codes, and 79 open codes. Then, through semi-structured interviews with 28 health-related experts, the indicators were further integrated and simplified according to the inclusion criteria of the indicators. Finally, the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process combined with the entropy weight method was used to assign weights to the indicators, thus, forming the evaluation indicator framework of human, animal and environmental health development process.

RESULTS

An indicator framework for GOH-IDI was formed consisting of three selective codes, 15 axial codes and 61 open codes. There were six axial codes for "Human Health", of which "Infectious Diseases" had the highest weight (19.76%) and "Injuries and Violence" had the lowest weight (11.72%). There were four axial codes for "Animal Health", of which "Animal Epidemic Disease" had the highest weight (39.28%) and "Animal Nutritional Status" had the lowest weight (11.59%). Five axial codes were set under "Environmental Health", among which, "Air Quality and Climate Change" had the highest weight (22.63%) and "Hazardous Chemicals" had the lowest weight (17.82%).

CONCLUSIONS

An indicator framework for GOH-IDI was established in this study. The framework were universal, balanced, and scientific, which hopefully to be a tool for evaluation of the joint development of human, animal and environmental health in different regions globally.

Tick Control in a Connected World: Challenges, Solutions, and Public Policy from a United States Border Perspective

Ticks are able to transmit the highest number of pathogen species of any blood-feeding arthropod and represent a growing threat to public health and agricultural systems worldwide. While there are numerous and varied causes and effects of changes to tick-borne disease (re)emergence, three primary challenges to tick control were identified in this review from a U.S. borders perspective. (1) Climate change is implicated in current and future alterations to geographic ranges and population densities of tick species, pathogens they can transmit, and their host and reservoir species, as highlighted by Ixodes scapularis and its expansion across southern Canada. (2) Modern technological advances have created an increasingly interconnected world, contributing to an increase in invasive tick species introductions through the increased speed and frequency of trade and travel. The introduction of the invasive Haemaphysalis longicornis in the eastern U.S. exemplifies the challenges with control in a highly interconnected world. (3) Lastly, while not a new challenge, differences in disease surveillance, control, and management strategies in bordering countries remains a critical challenge in managing ticks and tick-borne diseases. International inter-agency collaborations along the U.S.-Mexico border have been critical in control and mitigation of cattle fever ticks (Rhipicephalus spp.) and highlight the need for continued collaboration and research into integrated tick management strategies. These case studies were used to identify challenges and opportunities for tick control and mitigation efforts through a One Health framework.

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Related Coronaviruses Circulating in Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) Confiscated From the Illegal Wildlife Trade in Viet Nam

Despite the discovery of several closely related viruses in bats, the direct evolutionary progenitor of SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been identified. In this study, we investigated potential animal sources of SARS-related coronaviruses using archived specimens from Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) and Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, and from common palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) raised on wildlife farms in Viet Nam. A total of 696 pangolin and civet specimens were screened for the presence of viral RNA from five zoonotic viral families and from Sarbecoviruses using primers specifically designed for pangolin coronaviruses. We also performed a curated data collection of media reports of wildlife confiscation events involving pangolins in Viet Nam between January 2016 and December 2020, to illustrate the global pangolin supply chain in the context of Viet Nam where the trade confiscated pangolins were sampled for this study. All specimens from pangolins and civets sampled along the wildlife supply chains between February 2017 and July 2018, in Viet Nam and tested with conventional PCR assays designed to detect flavivirus, paramyxovirus, filovirus, coronavirus, and orthomyxovirus RNA were negative. Civet samples were also negative for Sarbecoviruses, but 12 specimens from seven live pangolins confiscated in Hung Yen province, northern Viet Nam, in 2018 were positive for Sarbecoviruses. Our phylogenetic trees based on two fragments of the RdRp gene revealed that the Sarbecoviruses identified in these pangolins were closely related to pangolin coronaviruses detected in pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, China. Our curated data collection of media reports of wildlife confiscation events involving pangolins in Viet Nam between January 2016 and December 2020, reflected what is known about pangolin trafficking globally. Pangolins confiscated in Viet Nam were largely in transit, moving toward downstream consumers in China. Confiscations included pangolin scales sourced originally from Africa (and African species of pangolins), or pangolin carcasses and live pangolins native to Southeast Asia (predominately the Sunda pangolin) sourced from neighboring range countries and moving through Viet Nam toward provinces bordering China.