African swine fever (ASF) has emerged as a major threat to Nepal’s pig farming sector since its first outbreak in March 2022. The disease has caused significant declines in both the pig population and pork production, severely affecting rural communities reliant on pig farming for their livelihoods. ASF’s spread is facilitated by key risk factors, including swill feeding, informal cross-border trade, and poor on-farm biosecurity measures. Additionally, seasonal trends, particularly during the monsoon, exacerbate the spread of the disease, especially in areas with high pig density. Control efforts face numerous challenges, including limited veterinary infrastructure, inadequate surveillance systems, gaps in legislation, and a lack of awareness among farmers about biosecurity practices. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of ASF’s epidemiology in Nepal, exploring the disease’s socio-economic impact and identifying key control challenges. The paper provides targeted recommendations to improve veterinary services, strengthen surveillance systems, enforce biosecurity measures, and enhance cross-border cooperation. It also emphasizes the importance of fostering community engagement and developing effective policy frameworks to ensure long-term ASF prevention and control, ensuring a more resilient pig farming sector in Nepal.
{"title":"African swine fever in Nepal: risk factors, impacts, and strategies for control","authors":"Sameer Thakur , Kshitiz Shrestha , Ram Chandra Acharya , Parikshya Gurung , Surendra Karki","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>African swine fever (ASF) has emerged as a major threat to Nepal’s pig farming sector since its first outbreak in March 2022. The disease has caused significant declines in both the pig population and pork production, severely affecting rural communities reliant on pig farming for their livelihoods. ASF’s spread is facilitated by key risk factors, including swill feeding, informal cross-border trade, and poor on-farm biosecurity measures. Additionally, seasonal trends, particularly during the monsoon, exacerbate the spread of the disease, especially in areas with high pig density. Control efforts face numerous challenges, including limited veterinary infrastructure, inadequate surveillance systems, gaps in legislation, and a lack of awareness among farmers about biosecurity practices. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of ASF’s epidemiology in Nepal, exploring the disease’s socio-economic impact and identifying key control challenges. The paper provides targeted recommendations to improve veterinary services, strengthen surveillance systems, enforce biosecurity measures, and enhance cross-border cooperation. It also emphasizes the importance of fostering community engagement and developing effective policy frameworks to ensure long-term ASF prevention and control, ensuring a more resilient pig farming sector in Nepal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100150"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147398414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.soh.2026.100147
Aung Zaw Moe , Carsten Heydel , Henrik Wagner , Lisa Ulrich , Torsten Semmler , Kerstin Stingl , Priyanshu Singh Raikwar , Samuel K. Sheppard , Christa Ewers
Background
South American camelids (SACs) are increasingly kept as companion animals, but their role in zoonotic transmission is poorly understood. Thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. are a leading cause of bacterial zoonoses globally. This study investigated the occurrence and zoonotic potential of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in SACs on German farms.
Methods
Fecal swabs from up to 20 animals on 10 farms were collected across four seasons. Campylobacter spp. were isolated, and genomes were typed to assess multilocus sequence types (STs), virulence, and antimicrobial resistance.
Results
Campylobacter spp. were detected in 23/717 samples (3.2 %), including 16 Campylobacter jejuni from seven farms and seven Campylobacter coli from two farms. Detection was higher in alpacas (4.9 %, 21/427) than in llamas (0.7 %, 2/288), with higher rates in summer. Molecular typing revealed high genetic heterogeneity, though some STs recurred across timepoints, animals, and farms, suggesting potential endemic colonization. Nine distinct C. jejuni STs and two C. coli STs were identified, many belonging to clonal complexes (CCs) common in livestock and humans. All isolates carried virulence-associated genes for motility, adhesion, invasion, and toxin production, while several from CC21 harbored genes linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed wild-type phenotypes for erythromycin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol. Ciprofloxacin resistance, with T86I mutation in gyrA, was found in three isolates; one C. jejuni isolate carried tet(O) conferring tetracycline resistance.
Conclusion
SACs harbor Campylobacter strains related to human and livestock lineages, with virulence and resistance traits relevant for zoonotic transmission. Their presence on German farms highlights the need targeted surveillance and biosecurity within a One Health framework.
{"title":"Seasonal dynamics, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic lineages of thermotolerant Campylobacter isolates from South American camelids","authors":"Aung Zaw Moe , Carsten Heydel , Henrik Wagner , Lisa Ulrich , Torsten Semmler , Kerstin Stingl , Priyanshu Singh Raikwar , Samuel K. Sheppard , Christa Ewers","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100147","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100147","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>South American camelids (SACs) are increasingly kept as companion animals, but their role in zoonotic transmission is poorly understood. Thermotolerant <em>Campylobacter</em> spp. are a leading cause of bacterial zoonoses globally. This study investigated the occurrence and zoonotic potential of thermotolerant <em>Campylobacter</em> spp. in SACs on German farms.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Fecal swabs from up to 20 animals on 10 farms were collected across four seasons. <em>Campylobacter</em> spp. were isolated, and genomes were typed to assess multilocus sequence types (STs), virulence, and antimicrobial resistance.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><em>Campylobacter</em> spp. were detected in 23/717 samples (3.2 %), including 16 <em>Campylobacter jejuni</em> from seven farms and seven <em>Campylobacter coli</em> from two farms. Detection was higher in alpacas (4.9 %, 21/427) than in llamas (0.7 %, 2/288), with higher rates in summer. Molecular typing revealed high genetic heterogeneity, though some STs recurred across timepoints, animals, and farms, suggesting potential endemic colonization. Nine distinct <em>C. jejuni</em> STs and two <em>C. coli</em> STs were identified, many belonging to clonal complexes (CCs) common in livestock and humans. All isolates carried virulence-associated genes for motility, adhesion, invasion, and toxin production, while several from CC21 harbored genes linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed wild-type phenotypes for erythromycin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol. Ciprofloxacin resistance, with T86I mutation in <em>gyrA</em>, was found in three isolates; one <em>C. jejuni</em> isolate carried <em>tet</em>(O) conferring tetracycline resistance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>SACs harbor <em>Campylobacter</em> strains related to human and livestock lineages, with virulence and resistance traits relevant for zoonotic transmission. Their presence on German farms highlights the need targeted surveillance and biosecurity within a One Health framework.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100147"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-02-17DOI: 10.1016/j.soh.2026.100153
Hongying Li , Siyeun Kim , Catherine Machalaba
Zoonotic diseases continue to present health, social, and economic challenges in China. While the country has demonstrated strong outbreak response capabilities, current efforts remain reactive and top-down. Shifting toward primary prevention at the human–animal–environment interface with enhanced risk communication offers a more sustainable approach to reducing zoonotic disease risks. This review synthesized peer-reviewed and gray literature in English and Chinese to characterize human–animal contact behaviors associated with 93 zoonotic diseases monitored by China’s public health, agricultural, and forestry sectors. It examined contact pathways across key animal groups known to carry zoonotic pathogens, identified human populations at risk, and analyzed the demographic, socio-cultural, and ecological factors shaping these contacts. Focusing on four major human–animal interfaces, the review further identified lessons and best practices for effective risk communications. Findings reveal that human–animal contact in China is diverse and embedded in daily routines, cultural practices, and economic activities, with distinct risk profiles presented across animal groups and socio-ecological settings. Populations such as smallholder farmers, herders, rural residents, market vendors, and workers in informal sectors face higher exposure risk, influenced by socio-economic conditions and ecological changes. Gaps remain in surveillance of informal practices, emerging pathogens, and behavioral data. Evidence from global and local experiences highlights the value of behavior-centered, community-engaged communication grounded in One Health principles, emphasizing participatory design, culturally relevant education, local leadership, and integration with public service systems. Overall, this review provides an integrated understanding of zoonotic disease risks and prevention opportunities from social-behavioral and communication perspectives. It identified priority populations, settings, and best practices for targeted and effective strategies, underscoring the need for coordinated One Health efforts to address complex human–animal–environment interactions and promote proactive zoonotic disease prevention in China and beyond.
{"title":"Human–animal interfaces and zoonotic disease risks in China: a review of contact behaviors and risk communication","authors":"Hongying Li , Siyeun Kim , Catherine Machalaba","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100153","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100153","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Zoonotic diseases continue to present health, social, and economic challenges in China. While the country has demonstrated strong outbreak response capabilities, current efforts remain reactive and top-down. Shifting toward primary prevention at the human–animal–environment interface with enhanced risk communication offers a more sustainable approach to reducing zoonotic disease risks. This review synthesized peer-reviewed and gray literature in English and Chinese to characterize human–animal contact behaviors associated with 93 zoonotic diseases monitored by China’s public health, agricultural, and forestry sectors. It examined contact pathways across key animal groups known to carry zoonotic pathogens, identified human populations at risk, and analyzed the demographic, socio-cultural, and ecological factors shaping these contacts. Focusing on four major human–animal interfaces, the review further identified lessons and best practices for effective risk communications. Findings reveal that human–animal contact in China is diverse and embedded in daily routines, cultural practices, and economic activities, with distinct risk profiles presented across animal groups and socio-ecological settings. Populations such as smallholder farmers, herders, rural residents, market vendors, and workers in informal sectors face higher exposure risk, influenced by socio-economic conditions and ecological changes. Gaps remain in surveillance of informal practices, emerging pathogens, and behavioral data. Evidence from global and local experiences highlights the value of behavior-centered, community-engaged communication grounded in One Health principles, emphasizing participatory design, culturally relevant education, local leadership, and integration with public service systems. Overall, this review provides an integrated understanding of zoonotic disease risks and prevention opportunities from social-behavioral and communication perspectives. It identified priority populations, settings, and best practices for targeted and effective strategies, underscoring the need for coordinated One Health efforts to address complex human–animal–environment interactions and promote proactive zoonotic disease prevention in China and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100153"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147398368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL E. coli) from broiler chicken production pose potential public health risks via multiple environmental and foodborne pathways. We developed a modular quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model linking four components, namely farm, soil, river, and lettuce consumption, to predict human environmental exposure to ESBL E. coli originating from broiler flocks.
Methods
A stochastic farm module simulated broiler colonization over a 36-day cycle and generated end-cycle litter loads. Field modules represented first-order decay, partitioning, and runoff to rivers; irrigation transfer yielded lettuce contamination for a 100 g serving. We estimated exposure, mapped gastrointestinal colonization to urinary tract infection (UTI) via conditional probabilities, and expressed the burden as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per serving. Global sensitivity analyses identified main exposure drivers. Environmental time was indexed as days since litter application and the planting interval denoted days from litter application to planting.
Results
The farm model produced mean end-cycle litter of 1.6 × 104 CFU/g and near-complete flock colonization within one week. Soil surface loads declined from 3.2 × 107 CFU/m2 to 8.6 × 105 CFU/m2 by day 100. Runoff yielded river concentrations of 6.0 × 10−2 CFU/mL after 10 days. Exposure from lettuce consumption ranged from 1.7 CFU/100 g to 7.6 × 10−3 CFU/100 g; simple household washing cut exposure by ∼90 %. Global sensitivity analysis identified soil-water partitioning and decay rates as the most important parameters of exposure variability. For health endpoints, UTI risk per serving ranged from 4.6 × 10−12 to 9.0 × 10−9, and DALY per serving ranged between 10−10 and 10−8.
Conclusions
Predicted health burdens decreased markedly with consumer washing and longer intervals between litter application and lettuce planting. Residual contamination persists, indicating value in evaluating the effectiveness of manure treatments and irrigation-water quality interventions on reducing environmental loads and human risk.
{"title":"Quantitative microbial risk assessment of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli transfer from broiler litter to fresh lettuce consumption","authors":"Nunzio Sarnino , Subhasish Basak , Lucie Collineau , Roswitha Merle","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing <em>Escherichia coli</em> (ESBL <em>E. coli</em>) from broiler chicken production pose potential public health risks via multiple environmental and foodborne pathways. We developed a modular quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model linking four components, namely farm, soil, river, and lettuce consumption, to predict human environmental exposure to ESBL <em>E. coli</em> originating from broiler flocks.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A stochastic farm module simulated broiler colonization over a 36-day cycle and generated end-cycle litter loads. Field modules represented first-order decay, partitioning, and runoff to rivers; irrigation transfer yielded lettuce contamination for a 100 g serving. We estimated exposure, mapped gastrointestinal colonization to urinary tract infection (UTI) via conditional probabilities, and expressed the burden as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per serving. Global sensitivity analyses identified main exposure drivers. Environmental time was indexed as days since litter application and the planting interval denoted days from litter application to planting.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The farm model produced mean end-cycle litter of 1.6 × 10<sup>4</sup> CFU/g and near-complete flock colonization within one week. Soil surface loads declined from 3.2 × 10<sup>7</sup> CFU/m<sup>2</sup> to 8.6 × 10<sup>5</sup> CFU/m<sup>2</sup> by day 100. Runoff yielded river concentrations of 6.0 × 10<sup>−2</sup> CFU/mL after 10 days. Exposure from lettuce consumption ranged from 1.7 CFU/100 g to 7.6 × 10<sup>−3</sup> CFU/100 g; simple household washing cut exposure by ∼90 %. Global sensitivity analysis identified soil-water partitioning and decay rates as the most important parameters of exposure variability. For health endpoints, UTI risk per serving ranged from 4.6 × 10<sup>−12</sup> to 9.0 × 10<sup>−9</sup>, and DALY per serving ranged between 10<sup>−10</sup> and 10<sup>−8</sup>.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Predicted health burdens decreased markedly with consumer washing and longer intervals between litter application and lettuce planting. Residual contamination persists, indicating value in evaluating the effectiveness of manure treatments and irrigation-water quality interventions on reducing environmental loads and human risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100152"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147398415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.soh.2026.100146
Carys J. Redman-White , Gwen Knight , Cristina Lanzas , Rodolphe Mader , Bram van Bunnik , Fernando O. Mardones , Adrian Muwonge , Guillaume Lhermie , Andrew R. Peters , Dominic Moran
Modern human and veterinary medical interventions to combat infectious diseases depend on the continued efficacy of antimicrobial drugs. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the quintessential One Health challenge threatening human and animal health and welfare and has environmental effects on ecological communities in soil and water. Policy guidance on AMR needs to anticipate the likely outcomes of different interventions and courses of action. For that, transdisciplinary collaboration to understand the development, spread, and impacts of AMR is crucial. We report the outcomes of an international workshop that explored the challenges and opportunities for modelling AMR across One Health settings. They include the disparity of data quality and availability, the broader knowledge gaps in key areas such as the relationship between antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR, and the difficulty of defining AMR as a single outcome given its heterogeneity. Differences between microbial species, resistance genes, environments (i.e., terrestrial vs. aquatic) and practical settings (e.g., human clinical vs. veterinary, or individual vs. population) complicate the generalizability of model applications. However, synoptic AMR metrics are necessary to cut through the complexity for policymaking. We discuss the status of AMR modelling with respect to a hierarchy of modelling evidence for decision-making. Finally, we consider learnings from modelling other wicked environmental challenges to develop a pragmatic approach to inform policy.
{"title":"One Health antimicrobial resistance modelling: from science to policy","authors":"Carys J. Redman-White , Gwen Knight , Cristina Lanzas , Rodolphe Mader , Bram van Bunnik , Fernando O. Mardones , Adrian Muwonge , Guillaume Lhermie , Andrew R. Peters , Dominic Moran","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100146","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100146","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Modern human and veterinary medical interventions to combat infectious diseases depend on the continued efficacy of antimicrobial drugs. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the quintessential One Health challenge threatening human and animal health and welfare and has environmental effects on ecological communities in soil and water. Policy guidance on AMR needs to anticipate the likely outcomes of different interventions and courses of action. For that, transdisciplinary collaboration to understand the development, spread, and impacts of AMR is crucial. We report the outcomes of an international workshop that explored the challenges and opportunities for modelling AMR across One Health settings. They include the disparity of data quality and availability, the broader knowledge gaps in key areas such as the relationship between antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR, and the difficulty of defining AMR as a single outcome given its heterogeneity. Differences between microbial species, resistance genes, environments (i.e., terrestrial vs. aquatic) and practical settings (e.g., human clinical vs. veterinary, or individual vs. population) complicate the generalizability of model applications. However, synoptic AMR metrics are necessary to cut through the complexity for policymaking. We discuss the status of AMR modelling with respect to a hierarchy of modelling evidence for decision-making. Finally, we consider learnings from modelling other wicked environmental challenges to develop a pragmatic approach to inform policy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100146"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146168831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.soh.2025.100144
John M. Kerr , Maryann G. Delea , Minwoong Chung , Jinhua Zhao , Jesse Crawford , Maria Knight Lapinski
With the global expansion of financial incentives to promote behavior change, they are being considered in One Health contexts characterized by the interdependence of human, animal, and ecosystem health. Little specific evidence exists about how to maximize the effectiveness of financial incentives and minimize negative outcomes in these complex settings. We review over two decades of research on financial incentives for behavior change to examine their potential effects on improved practices related to water, sanitation and hygiene, food safety, and animal and ecosystem health. We apply lessons from the literature to the case of Guinea worm disease, a neglected tropical disease for which financial incentives have been utilized or considered to motivate the uptake of various preventive behaviors. Guinea worm disease prevention is a useful example for considering the advantages, disadvantages, and unknowns of incorporating financial incentives into behavior change interventions because such an approach calls for changes in multiple behaviors with diverse attributes, and the use of incentives may have implications for other disease control, elimination, and eradication programs. Further, Guinea worm disease represents a classic One Health challenge with interventions necessary in human, animal, and ecological systems to reduce disease incidence. We present evidence-based recommendations for the design and use of incentives that may further facilitate effective behavior change. We also discuss potential negative outcomes from incentives, and critical unknowns such as how to design incentives for collective behavior and what happens when incentives end. We stress that financial incentives are not always appropriate; they must be considered carefully and coupled with proper communication efforts that are driven by a deep understanding of community social norms, motivations, and practices.
{"title":"Navigating the challenges in implementing financial incentives for behavior change at the intersection of human, animal, and ecosystem health: a case study","authors":"John M. Kerr , Maryann G. Delea , Minwoong Chung , Jinhua Zhao , Jesse Crawford , Maria Knight Lapinski","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2025.100144","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2025.100144","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the global expansion of financial incentives to promote behavior change, they are being considered in One Health contexts characterized by the interdependence of human, animal, and ecosystem health. Little specific evidence exists about how to maximize the effectiveness of financial incentives and minimize negative outcomes in these complex settings. We review over two decades of research on financial incentives for behavior change to examine their potential effects on improved practices related to water, sanitation and hygiene, food safety, and animal and ecosystem health. We apply lessons from the literature to the case of Guinea worm disease, a neglected tropical disease for which financial incentives have been utilized or considered to motivate the uptake of various preventive behaviors. Guinea worm disease prevention is a useful example for considering the advantages, disadvantages, and unknowns of incorporating financial incentives into behavior change interventions because such an approach calls for changes in multiple behaviors with diverse attributes, and the use of incentives may have implications for other disease control, elimination, and eradication programs. Further, Guinea worm disease represents a classic One Health challenge with interventions necessary in human, animal, and ecological systems to reduce disease incidence. We present evidence-based recommendations for the design and use of incentives that may further facilitate effective behavior change. We also discuss potential negative outcomes from incentives, and critical unknowns such as how to design incentives for collective behavior and what happens when incentives end. We stress that financial incentives are not always appropriate; they must be considered carefully and coupled with proper communication efforts that are driven by a deep understanding of community social norms, motivations, and practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100144"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces considerable challenges from ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs), exacerbated by climate change and its impact on human and animal health, as well as overall productivity. To address these interconnected issues, the United Arab Emirates University, located in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE), hosted a multinational, transdisciplinary One Health symposium on climate change, ticks, and tick-borne diseases. The event brought together experts from across the region and beyond, featuring seven invited speakers who explored a wide range of topics, including climate change, TBDs of humans and animals, tick research in the UAE, and the One Health approach. The symposium highlighted major knowledge and research gaps, particularly in underexplored areas such as acaricide resistance, tick vaccine development, tick–pathogen interactions, wildlife–livestock interfaces, and the circulation and movement of tick-borne pathogens across the region. Discussions underscored the heavy burden of ticks and TBDs in the MENA region and their complex economic and public health implications. Participants emphasized the need for regional collaboration, enhanced tick surveillance, pathogen detection, and integrated management strategies. The symposium also encouraged the establishment of future alliances and partnerships among universities, government departments, and research institutions to foster joint research projects, resource sharing, and knowledge exchange. Within the One Health paradigm, participants concluded that regional priorities should focus on identifying and understanding tick-related problems, strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation, utilizing regional expertise and infrastructure, and engaging all stakeholders including the public in sustainable tick and TBD management. This collaborative approach is essential to mitigate the multifaceted challenges posed by ticks, tick-borne pathogens, and a changing climate in the MENA region.
{"title":"Tick threats in the context of climate change: One Health response strategies in the Middle East and North Africa region","authors":"Nighat Perveen , Olivier Sparagano , Mohamed Gharbi , Gulfaraz Khan , Moneeb Qablan , Daniil Iliashevich , Uday Kishore , Arve Lee Willingham","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces considerable challenges from ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs), exacerbated by climate change and its impact on human and animal health, as well as overall productivity. To address these interconnected issues, the United Arab Emirates University, located in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE), hosted a multinational, transdisciplinary One Health symposium on climate change, ticks, and tick-borne diseases. The event brought together experts from across the region and beyond, featuring seven invited speakers who explored a wide range of topics, including climate change, TBDs of humans and animals, tick research in the UAE, and the One Health approach. The symposium highlighted major knowledge and research gaps, particularly in underexplored areas such as acaricide resistance, tick vaccine development, tick–pathogen interactions, wildlife–livestock interfaces, and the circulation and movement of tick-borne pathogens across the region. Discussions underscored the heavy burden of ticks and TBDs in the MENA region and their complex economic and public health implications. Participants emphasized the need for regional collaboration, enhanced tick surveillance, pathogen detection, and integrated management strategies. The symposium also encouraged the establishment of future alliances and partnerships among universities, government departments, and research institutions to foster joint research projects, resource sharing, and knowledge exchange. Within the One Health paradigm, participants concluded that regional priorities should focus on identifying and understanding tick-related problems, strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation, utilizing regional expertise and infrastructure, and engaging all stakeholders including the public in sustainable tick and TBD management. This collaborative approach is essential to mitigate the multifaceted challenges posed by ticks, tick-borne pathogens, and a changing climate in the MENA region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.soh.2026.100149
Tingting Wang , Sen Li
Background
Ticks are key vectors of zoonotic diseases in the Northern Hemisphere, including China, yet surveillance and public awareness remain limited. While global studies address risk perception, similar research in China, especially with spatial or longitudinal detail, is scarce. This study assesses tick-borne disease risk perception, influencing factors, and spatial variation in Northeast China and Nei Mongol Zizhiqu (also known as Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) to inform targeted interventions.
Methods
In 2019, a cross-sectional questionnaire surveyed 4000 adults in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and Nei Mongol Zizhiqu using multi-stage sampling. Knowledge was assessed in four domains: tick biology/ecology, bite treatment, tick-borne diseases, and bite prevention, alongside socio-demographic and behavioral data. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression identified knowledge levels and associated factors.
Results
Knowledge of tick biology was relatively high (1830/4000, 45.8% with high knowledge), but awareness of bite treatment, diseases, and especially prevention was low (31.5% with high tick-borne disease knowledge; 21.6% with high prevention knowledge), even among high-risk groups. Urban residents had higher knowledge than those in rural or remote areas. Frequent woodland visits and prior tick bites increased knowledge of tick biology (regression coefficients: 0.311 and 0.387, both P < 0.001) but not prevention. Education and outdoor activity showed mixed associations with knowledge domains.
Conclusion
Major gaps exist in public knowledge of tick-borne diseases, particularly regarding prevention, with notable disparities across regions and risk groups. Targeted, region-specific interventions are urgently needed to improve awareness and protection, especially in high-risk and low-awareness areas.
{"title":"Assessing risk perception and knowledge gaps of tick-borne diseases in Nei Mongol Zizhiqu and Northeast China","authors":"Tingting Wang , Sen Li","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2026.100149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ticks are key vectors of zoonotic diseases in the Northern Hemisphere, including China, yet surveillance and public awareness remain limited. While global studies address risk perception, similar research in China, especially with spatial or longitudinal detail, is scarce. This study assesses tick-borne disease risk perception, influencing factors, and spatial variation in Northeast China and Nei Mongol Zizhiqu (also known as Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region) to inform targeted interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In 2019, a cross-sectional questionnaire surveyed 4000 adults in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and Nei Mongol Zizhiqu using multi-stage sampling. Knowledge was assessed in four domains: tick biology/ecology, bite treatment, tick-borne diseases, and bite prevention, alongside socio-demographic and behavioral data. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression identified knowledge levels and associated factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Knowledge of tick biology was relatively high (1830/4000, 45.8% with high knowledge), but awareness of bite treatment, diseases, and especially prevention was low (31.5% with high tick-borne disease knowledge; 21.6% with high prevention knowledge), even among high-risk groups. Urban residents had higher knowledge than those in rural or remote areas. Frequent woodland visits and prior tick bites increased knowledge of tick biology (regression coefficients: 0.311 and 0.387, both <em>P</em> < 0.001) but not prevention. Education and outdoor activity showed mixed associations with knowledge domains.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Major gaps exist in public knowledge of tick-borne diseases, particularly regarding prevention, with notable disparities across regions and risk groups. Targeted, region-specific interventions are urgently needed to improve awareness and protection, especially in high-risk and low-awareness areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100149"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.soh.2025.100143
Maria Teresa Bispo, Isabel Larguinho Maurício, Pedro Manuel Ferreira, Silvana Belo, Manuela Calado
Background
Emerging parasites pose increasing challenges at the interface of human, animal, and ecosystem health. Among these, Trichobilharzia spp., schistosomatid of migratory and resident waterfowl, can cause cercarial dermatitis (CD) when its larval stage (cercaria) accidentally penetrate human skin. While this parasite has been documented in several European countries, its presence in Portugal has remained unreported, leaving a critical gap in understanding potential zoonotic risks in local freshwater ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of Trichobilharzia spp. in freshwater snails from Lake Alqueva, providing the first insights into its potential ecological and public health implications in Portugal.
Methods
Fieldwork was carried out on Lake Alqueva, considered the largest artificial reservoir in Western Europe, with ecological and public health relevance. Freshwater snails from shore locations in Lake Alqueva were examined for cercarial shedding, and molecular identification was performed by PCR amplification of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions.
Results
Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed Trichobilharzia franki from Radix auricularia, showing high homology with European and Asian lineages. Moreover, human infections compatible with CD were also reported in the region.
Conclusions
These findings highlight the need for continued malacological surveillance, particularly in recreational freshwater bodies, to assess risk areas and implement mitigation strategies. Furthermore, this study expands the known geographical distribution of T. franki in Europe and underscores the importance of integrating ecological and public health approaches to monitor emerging zoonotic parasites.
{"title":"Emerging zoonotic risk: molecular detection of Trichobilharzia franki in Western Europe's largest artificial lake, Alqueva, Portugal","authors":"Maria Teresa Bispo, Isabel Larguinho Maurício, Pedro Manuel Ferreira, Silvana Belo, Manuela Calado","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2025.100143","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2025.100143","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Emerging parasites pose increasing challenges at the interface of human, animal, and ecosystem health. Among these, <em>Trichobilharzia</em> spp., schistosomatid of migratory and resident waterfowl, can cause cercarial dermatitis (CD) when its larval stage (cercaria) accidentally penetrate human skin. While this parasite has been documented in several European countries, its presence in Portugal has remained unreported, leaving a critical gap in understanding potential zoonotic risks in local freshwater ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of <em>Trichobilharzia</em> spp. in freshwater snails from Lake Alqueva, providing the first insights into its potential ecological and public health implications in Portugal.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Fieldwork was carried out on Lake Alqueva, considered the largest artificial reservoir in Western Europe, with ecological and public health relevance. Freshwater snails from shore locations in Lake Alqueva were examined for cercarial shedding, and molecular identification was performed by PCR amplification of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (<em>COX</em>1) gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed <em>Trichobilharzia franki</em> from <em>Radix auricularia</em>, showing high homology with European and Asian lineages. Moreover, human infections compatible with CD were also reported in the region.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings highlight the need for continued malacological surveillance, particularly in recreational freshwater bodies, to assess risk areas and implement mitigation strategies. Furthermore, this study expands the known geographical distribution of <em>T. franki</em> in Europe and underscores the importance of integrating ecological and public health approaches to monitor emerging zoonotic parasites.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100143"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146184046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.soh.2025.100145
Subhankar Mukhopadhyay , Ye Peng , Hein Min Tun
The 2024 WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (WHO BPPL) is a critical tool for refining global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy, prioritizing 24 bacteria with a focus on Gram-negatives and community threats like Salmonella Typhi. This perspective examines its One Health implications. While the 2024 WHO BPPL effectively guides research and development (R&D), policy, and infection control through vaccines and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs, its human-centric approach underrepresents critical agricultural and environmental AMR drivers. Surveillance biases towards high-income countries and the inherent challenges of cross-sectoral monitoring—given the distinct niches of pathogens like Enterococcus faecium and Shigella—further limit its scope. We call for integrating zoonotic and environmental metrics, strengthening global surveillance (e.g., Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System [GLASS]), and accelerating development of novel therapies to advance a more equitable and holistic AMR response.
{"title":"The 2024 WHO bacterial priority pathogens list: a critical evolution from a global One Health perspective","authors":"Subhankar Mukhopadhyay , Ye Peng , Hein Min Tun","doi":"10.1016/j.soh.2025.100145","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.soh.2025.100145","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The 2024 WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (WHO BPPL) is a critical tool for refining global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy, prioritizing 24 bacteria with a focus on Gram-negatives and community threats like <em>Salmonella</em> Typhi. This perspective examines its One Health implications. While the 2024 WHO BPPL effectively guides research and development (R&D), policy, and infection control through vaccines and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs, its human-centric approach underrepresents critical agricultural and environmental AMR drivers. Surveillance biases towards high-income countries and the inherent challenges of cross-sectoral monitoring—given the distinct niches of pathogens like <em>Enterococcus faecium</em> and <em>Shigella</em>—further limit its scope. We call for integrating zoonotic and environmental metrics, strengthening global surveillance (e.g., Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System [GLASS]), and accelerating development of novel therapies to advance a more equitable and holistic AMR response.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101146,"journal":{"name":"Science in One Health","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100145"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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