Domestic Dogs and Wild Foxes Interactions in a Wildlife-Domestic Interface of North-Central Chile: Implications for Multi-Host Pathogen Transmission

Cross-correlation and time series analysis of rabies in different animal species in Nepal from 2005 to 2018

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease, resulting in human and livestock deaths. In Nepal, animal rabies has posed a significant challenge to public health. Because animals are the primary source of rabies in humans, a better understanding of rabies epidemiology in animals is necessary. The objectives of this study were to determine the correlation between rabies occurrences in dogs and livestock animals and to detect the trends and change points of the disease using longitudinal data. The nationwide rabies dataset from 2005 to 2018 was analyzed using cross-correlation, multiple change points, and time series methods. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Neural Network Autoregression (NNAR) were applied to the time series data. The results show a positive correlation between canine rabies and livestock rabies occurrences. Three significant change points were detected in the time series data, demonstrating that the occurrences were high in the initial years but stabilized before peaking to an upward trend in the final years of the study period. Nonetheless, there was no seasonality pattern in rabies occurrences. The most suitable models were ARIMA (2,1,2) and NNAR (5,1,4) (12). Based on the study findings, both locals and tourists in Nepal need to have enhanced awareness of the potential dangers posed by rabies in canines and livestock. This study offers much-needed insight into the patterns and epidemiology of animal rabies which will be helpful for policymakers in drafting rabies control plans for Nepal.

Abundance and associated factors of Amblyomma tigrinum (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting wild foxes in north-central Chile

The tick Amblyomma tigrinum inhabits areas with diverse climatic conditions, with adult stages parasitizing wild canids, such as chilla (Lycalopex griseus) and culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus) foxes. We described the infestation loads in wild foxes captured at three sites (periurban, rural and wild) through an anthropization gradient in north-central Chile. We tested whether local-scale environmental and/or individual host factors can predict tick abundance by using negative binomial models. During 2018-2020 (spring and summer), we captured 116 foxes (44 chillas and 72 culpeos), and 102 of them were infested with ticks (87.9%, CI=80.6-93.2%). We collected 996 A. tigrinum adult ticks, estimating a total mean abundance of 8.6±0.8 ticks/host. Periurban and rural foxes harbored greater tick loads than foxes from the wild site (2.34 and 1.71 greater, respectively) while tick abundance in summer decreased by up to 57% compared to spring. Tempered, more humid climate conditions of the periurban site could favor the development and survival of adults A. tigrinum; and ticks may have adopted a quiescent stage or similar survival mechanisms to cope with summer temperature increases related to the ongoing megadrought. Further studies are warranted to understand the underlying factors determining the life cycle of A. tigrinum at larger spatiotemporal scales.

A One-Year Retrospective Analysis of Viral and Parasitological Agents in Wildlife Animals Admitted to a First Aid Hospital

This study aimed to provide information on the presence and frequency of viral and parasitic agents in wildlife presented to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2020-2021. Serum and faecal samples were collected from 50 rescued animals (roe deer, fallow deer, foxes, badgers, pine martens, and porcupines) and examined by serological, molecular, and parasitological techniques. Transtracheal wash (TTW) was also collected post-mortem from roe deer. Overall, the results of the different techniques showed infections with the following viral and parasitic agents: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Small Ruminant Lentiviruses, Kobuvirus, Astrovirus, Canine Adenovirus 1, Bopivirus, gastrointestinal strongyles, Capillaria, Ancylostomatidae, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Hymenolepis, Strongyloides, Eimeria, Isospora, Dictyocaulus, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma, Dirofilaria immitis, Neospora caninum, Giardia duodenalis, and Cryptosporidium. Sequencing (Tpi locus) identified G. duodenalis sub-assemblages AI and BIV in one roe deer and one porcupine, respectively. Adult lungworms collected from the TTW were identified as Dictyocaulus capreolus (COX1 gene). This is the first molecular identification of G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AI and D. capreolus in roe deer in Italy. These results show a wide presence of pathogens in wild populations and provide an overview of environmental health surveillance.

A cross-sectional study of free-roaming dogs in a Patagonian city: Their distribution and intestinal helminths in relation to socioeconomic aspects of neighborhoods

Human and dog health are inextricably linked, and although our relationship with dogs brings numerous benefits for our well-being, it is known that they can transmit disease. Bariloche is a Patagonian tourist city with heterogeneous social composition. This cross-sectional study evaluates the population of free-roaming dogs and their intestinal parasites in relation to the socioeconomic level of the city's human population. Census areas were used as survey units, stratified in three levels according to socioeconomic status. The free-roaming dog population was estimated by walking around each census area. Eight fresh feces per census count area were collected and analyzed using coproparasitological flotation tests, and CoproELISA was used to detect Echinococcus sp. A total of 858 free-roaming dogs were registered along 40.9 km, with significant differences between socioeconomic strata: the highest numbers were found in the lowest income strata. Of the feces collected, 39.2% tested positive for parasites, those associated with a lower socioeconomic level having higher percentages of positive feces and a greater number of species. Eight species of helminths were found, some of which were zoonotic, such as Echinococcus sp., Toxocara canis, and Dibothriocephalus latus. The presence of parasites can be explained by the number of free-roaming dogs per census count area. The free-roaming dogs generally have owners, and their parasitic infection is strongly associated with the socioeconomic level of the population. The main problem is irresponsible pet care, which generates healthy conditions for both dogs and humans. Thus, both dogs and humans deserve effective ethical public policies.

Examining the paradox of urban disease ecology by linking the perspectives of Urban One Health and Ecology with Cities

The ecology of zoonotic, including vector-borne, diseases in urban social-ecological systems is influenced by complex interactions among human and environmental factors. Several characteristics contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases in urban places, such as high human population densities, favorable habitat for vectors, and humans' close proximity to animals and their pathogens. On the other hand, urban living can contribute to the improvement of public health through better access to health services and creation of ecological and technological infrastructure that reduces disease burdens. Therefore, urbanization creates a disease ecology paradox through the interplay of urban health penalties and advantages for individual and community outcomes. To address this contradiction, we advocate a holistic Urban One Health perspective for managing urban systems, especially their green spaces and animal populations, in ways that more effectively control the spread of zoonotic diseases. This view should be coupled with an Ecology with Cities approach which emphasizes actionable science needed for urban planning, management and policymaking; developing disease and vector surveillance programs using citizen and community science methods; and improving education and communication actions that help diverse stakeholders understand the complexities of urban disease ecology. Such measures will enable scholars from many disciplines to collaborate with professionals, government officials, and others to tackle challenges of the urban disease paradox and create more sustainable, health-promoting environments.

Rabies Elimination: Is It Feasible without Considering Wildlife?

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable fatal viral disease that is zoonotic in nature. In this article, we provide a justification why the agreement of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) on The Global Strategic Plan to End Human Deaths from Dog-mediated Rabies by 2030 should also include a more holistic approach and ecologic views.