Lyme disease is a well-known occupational risk across North America caused by exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi via blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). As the geographic range of B. burgdorferi advances with the increasing distribution of blacklegged ticks, more outdoor workers are at risk of contracting Lyme disease. In this study, we examined the demography and personal perceptions of outdoor workers within one framework to better determine the overall risk for those working outdoors.
Methods and Results
We analysed outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and of behaviours that can prevent tick bites and Lyme disease. We then compared these risk perceptions of individuals across age, sex, education, and industry, as well as time spent outdoors. We tested the hypothesis that the risk perception of an individual and their knowledge of Lyme disease transmission was dependent on their demographics, experience in their job, and the region in which they spend time outdoors. We estimated a knowledge-based risk score based on individuals' answers to a questionnaire on risk perception given to voluntary participants who work outdoors. Those who had higher risk scores were more at risk. We found that knowledge-based risk scores were correlated with geographic risk levels and with the number of hours per day spent outdoors. Those who work longer hours and who work in areas with mid-level risk had higher risk scores. Those who spend more time outdoors recreationally had lower risk scores.
Conclusions
Further examination and acknowledgment of the reasoning behind why these factors are affecting workers' risks must be considered to recognize that it is not necessarily demographics or geographically high-risk areas that affect an individual's risk. Workers' knowledge of these risks is affected by several variables that should be taken into consideration when implementing safety measures and awareness programs.
{"title":"Outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and Lyme disease in Québec","authors":"Erica Fellin, Mathieu Varin, Virginie Millien","doi":"10.1111/zph.13167","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13167","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Lyme disease is a well-known occupational risk across North America caused by exposure to <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> via blacklegged ticks (<i>Ixodes scapularis</i>). As the geographic range of <i>B. burgdorferi</i> advances with the increasing distribution of blacklegged ticks, more outdoor workers are at risk of contracting Lyme disease. In this study, we examined the demography and personal perceptions of outdoor workers within one framework to better determine the overall risk for those working outdoors.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We analysed outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and of behaviours that can prevent tick bites and Lyme disease. We then compared these risk perceptions of individuals across age, sex, education, and industry, as well as time spent outdoors. We tested the hypothesis that the risk perception of an individual and their knowledge of Lyme disease transmission was dependent on their demographics, experience in their job, and the region in which they spend time outdoors. We estimated a knowledge-based risk score based on individuals' answers to a questionnaire on risk perception given to voluntary participants who work outdoors. Those who had higher risk scores were more at risk. We found that knowledge-based risk scores were correlated with geographic risk levels and with the number of hours per day spent outdoors. Those who work longer hours and who work in areas with mid-level risk had higher risk scores. Those who spend more time outdoors recreationally had lower risk scores.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Further examination and acknowledgment of the reasoning behind why these factors are affecting workers' risks must be considered to recognize that it is not necessarily demographics or geographically high-risk areas that affect an individual's risk. Workers' knowledge of these risks is affected by several variables that should be taken into consideration when implementing safety measures and awareness programs.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 7","pages":"855-867"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/zph.13167","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141535538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Diego Hancke, Noelia Guzman, Mariel Tripodi, Emiliano Muschetto, Olga Virginia Suárez
Background
Angiostrongylus cantonensis, commonly known as the rat lungworm, is a metastrongyloid nematode found primarily not only in tropical and subtropical regions but also in temperate areas and considered the leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Synanthropic rodents such as Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus are the most frequent definitive hosts of this parasite.
Methods and Results
The presence of this parasite was detected in the pulmonary arteries of three specimens of R. norvegicus in the city of Buenos Aires representing the species' southernmost known record in natural hosts. Species confirmation was achieved through partial sequences of 18S and COI genes. By comparing the COI gene sequences with those available in GenBank through the construction of a haplotype network, we obtained that the analysed specimen presents high similarity with those reported in Japan and Southeast Asia.
Conclusions
All infected rats were captured in an area surrounding a port with significant import and export activity, suggesting that A. cantonensis may have been introduced through commercial ships. Specifically, the parasite was detected in a neighbourhood with vulnerable socio-economic conditions and in a nature reserve, which exhibit biotic and abiotic characteristics conducive to sustaining high-density rat populations, scattered waste, areas of spontaneous vegetation, debris accumulation and flooded areas or lagoons offering suitable habitats for intermediate hosts such as snails. Thus, the close proximity of the port to these sites creates a favourable ecological context for the establishment of A. cantonensis. This study shows the need to conduct research to detect A. cantonensis in non-endemic areas but with the characteristics that promote its arrival and development of its life cycle in order to implement control measures to prevent expansion of this parasite and its transmission to humans and other animals.
背景:广东鼠肺线虫(Angiostrongylus cantonensis)通常被称为鼠肺线虫,是一种中生代线虫,不仅主要存在于热带和亚热带地区,也存在于温带地区,被认为是导致人类嗜酸性脑膜炎的主要原因。啮齿类动物(如诺维格犬和鼠类)是这种寄生虫最常见的宿主:方法和结果:在布宜诺斯艾利斯市的三只无尾鼠标本的肺动脉中检测到了这种寄生虫,这是该物种在已知自然宿主中最南端的记录。物种确认是通过 18S 和 COI 基因的部分序列实现的。通过构建单倍型网络将 COI 基因序列与 GenBank 中的序列进行比较,我们发现所分析的标本与日本和东南亚报告的标本具有高度相似性:结论:所有受感染的老鼠都是在进出口活动频繁的港口周边地区捕获的,这表明坎顿金氏疟原虫可能是通过商船传入的。具体而言,在一个社会经济条件脆弱的社区和一个自然保护区内发现了这种寄生虫,这两个地区具有有利于维持高密度鼠群的生物和非生物特征,如散落的垃圾、自发植被区、碎屑堆积区以及为蜗牛等中间宿主提供合适栖息地的淹没区或泻湖。因此,港口与这些地点的近距离为 A. cantonensis 的建立创造了有利的生态环境。这项研究表明,有必要开展研究,在非地方病流行但具有促进坎顿金氏蜗牛到达和发展其生命周期的特征的地区检测坎顿金氏蜗牛,以便实施控制措施,防止这种寄生虫的扩展及其传播给人类和其他动物。
{"title":"Reaching new lands: Updating the distribution of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in South America with the first record in Argentina","authors":"Diego Hancke, Noelia Guzman, Mariel Tripodi, Emiliano Muschetto, Olga Virginia Suárez","doi":"10.1111/zph.13163","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13163","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p><i>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</i>, commonly known as the rat lungworm, is a metastrongyloid nematode found primarily not only in tropical and subtropical regions but also in temperate areas and considered the leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Synanthropic rodents such as <i>Rattus norvegicus</i> and <i>Rattus rattus</i> are the most frequent definitive hosts of this parasite.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The presence of this parasite was detected in the pulmonary arteries of three specimens of <i>R. norvegicus</i> in the city of Buenos Aires representing the species' southernmost known record in natural hosts. Species confirmation was achieved through partial sequences of 18S and COI genes. By comparing the COI gene sequences with those available in GenBank through the construction of a haplotype network, we obtained that the analysed specimen presents high similarity with those reported in Japan and Southeast Asia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>All infected rats were captured in an area surrounding a port with significant import and export activity, suggesting that <i>A. cantonensis</i> may have been introduced through commercial ships. Specifically, the parasite was detected in a neighbourhood with vulnerable socio-economic conditions and in a nature reserve, which exhibit biotic and abiotic characteristics conducive to sustaining high-density rat populations, scattered waste, areas of spontaneous vegetation, debris accumulation and flooded areas or lagoons offering suitable habitats for intermediate hosts such as snails. Thus, the close proximity of the port to these sites creates a favourable ecological context for the establishment of <i>A. cantonensis</i>. This study shows the need to conduct research to detect <i>A. cantonensis</i> in non-endemic areas but with the characteristics that promote its arrival and development of its life cycle in order to implement control measures to prevent expansion of this parasite and its transmission to humans and other animals.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 6","pages":"748-754"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141471137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haytham Ali, Ahmed Ali, Julanda Al Mawly, Hossam G. Tohamy, Mahmoud S. El-Neweshy
Aims
Rabies virus (RV) is endemic in some Arabian countries. However, it is difficult to control RV without understanding the epidemiological evolution of endemic RV isolates. The current study aimed to characterize RV from domestic and wild animal clinical cases in Oman.
Methods and Results
Twelve brain samples from domestic (Five camels, three goats and one cattle) and wild animals (Two foxes and one honey badger) were investigated from different locations in Oman between 2017 and 2020. All samples were confirmed by RV nucleoprotein (N) gene-specific primers. Seven out of the 12 amplified samples were successfully sequenced and subjected to sequence and phylogenetic analysis. The detected RVs shared an in-between 96.8%–98.7% and 96.9%–99% nucleotide and amino acid identities, respectively. However, the wild animal RVs shared only 92.6%–93.9% and 95.9% nucleotide and amino acid identities with the domestic animal RVs, respectively. Negri bodies were detected histologically in six brain samples from camels (n = 3), goats (n = 1) and foxes (n = 2). The RVs from domestic animals shared 97%–98.7% and 98%–100% nucleotide and amino acid identities with the previously published fox RVs from Oman and Gulf countries. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that all RV sequences belong to a distinct clade confined to the previously reported clade V within the Middle Eastern Cluster.
Conclusions
As indicated by the analysis of RVs from different locations between 2017 and 2020, a genetic variant isolated to the Gulf region may exist within the Middle East clade. Moreover, it appears that new RV lineages are emerging rapidly within this region. Therefore, a comprehensive genomic and phylogenetic analysis of the circulating RV is important for the development of future prevention and control strategies.
{"title":"Molecular characterization of rabies virus from wild and domestic animals in the Sultanate of Oman","authors":"Haytham Ali, Ahmed Ali, Julanda Al Mawly, Hossam G. Tohamy, Mahmoud S. El-Neweshy","doi":"10.1111/zph.13164","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13164","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Rabies virus (RV) is endemic in some Arabian countries. However, it is difficult to control RV without understanding the epidemiological evolution of endemic RV isolates. The current study aimed to characterize RV from domestic and wild animal clinical cases in Oman.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Twelve brain samples from domestic (Five camels, three goats and one cattle) and wild animals (Two foxes and one honey badger) were investigated from different locations in Oman between 2017 and 2020. All samples were confirmed by RV nucleoprotein (N) gene-specific primers. Seven out of the 12 amplified samples were successfully sequenced and subjected to sequence and phylogenetic analysis. The detected RVs shared an in-between 96.8%–98.7% and 96.9%–99% nucleotide and amino acid identities, respectively. However, the wild animal RVs shared only 92.6%–93.9% and 95.9% nucleotide and amino acid identities with the domestic animal RVs, respectively. Negri bodies were detected histologically in six brain samples from camels (<i>n</i> = 3), goats (<i>n</i> = 1) and foxes (<i>n</i> = 2). The RVs from domestic animals shared 97%–98.7% and 98%–100% nucleotide and amino acid identities with the previously published fox RVs from Oman and Gulf countries. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that all RV sequences belong to a distinct clade confined to the previously reported clade V within the Middle Eastern Cluster.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>As indicated by the analysis of RVs from different locations between 2017 and 2020, a genetic variant isolated to the Gulf region may exist within the Middle East clade. Moreover, it appears that new RV lineages are emerging rapidly within this region. Therefore, a comprehensive genomic and phylogenetic analysis of the circulating RV is important for the development of future prevention and control strategies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 7","pages":"836-843"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141506078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christine M. Thomas, Allison Foster, Sarah Boop, David Kirschke, Hopelyn Mooney, Isabella Reid, Andrew S. May, Heather Mullins, Katie N. Garman, Mugdha Golwalkar, Jack H. Marr, Kelly Orejuela, Danny Ripley, Robin Rasnic, Erica Terrell, Lisa M. Durso, William Schaffner, Timothy F. Jones, Mary-Margaret A. Fill, John R. Dunn
Aims
In October 2023, the Tennessee Department of Health identified an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 infections among elementary school students who attended school field trips to the same farm animal exhibit. Our aim was to determine STEC source and prevent additional illnesses by initiating epidemiologic, laboratory and environmental investigations.
Methods and Results
We identified cases using laboratory-based surveillance and by surveying caregivers of children who attended the exhibit. Probable cases were defined as illness with abdominal cramps or diarrhoea after attendance; confirmed cases were laboratory-confirmed STEC infection in an attendee or household contact. A site visit was conducted, and event organizers were interviewed. Human stool, animal faeces and environmental samples were tested for STEC O157:H7 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), culture and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Approximately 2300 elementary school students attended the animal exhibit during 2 days. Field trip activities included contact with different farm animal species, drinking pasteurized milk outside animal enclosures and eating lunch in a separate building onsite. We received survey responses from 399 caregivers for 443 (19%) animal exhibit attendees. We identified 9 confirmed and 55 probable cases with illness onset dates during 26 September to 12 October. Seven children aged 1–7 years were hospitalized. Four children aged 1–6 years experienced haemolytic uraemic syndrome; none died. Laboratory testing identified STEC O157:H7 by culture from eight human stool samples with 0–1 allele difference by WGS. Three environmental samples had Shiga toxin (stx 2) genes detected by PCR, but no STEC isolates were recovered by culture.
Conclusions
This is the largest reported STEC O157:H7 outbreak associated with an animal exhibit in Tennessee. We identified opportunities for educating school staff, event organizers and families about zoonotic disease risks associated with animal contact and published prevention measures.
{"title":"Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with school field trips at a farm animal exhibit—Tennessee, September–October 2023","authors":"Christine M. Thomas, Allison Foster, Sarah Boop, David Kirschke, Hopelyn Mooney, Isabella Reid, Andrew S. May, Heather Mullins, Katie N. Garman, Mugdha Golwalkar, Jack H. Marr, Kelly Orejuela, Danny Ripley, Robin Rasnic, Erica Terrell, Lisa M. Durso, William Schaffner, Timothy F. Jones, Mary-Margaret A. Fill, John R. Dunn","doi":"10.1111/zph.13161","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13161","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In October 2023, the Tennessee Department of Health identified an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC) O157:H7 infections among elementary school students who attended school field trips to the same farm animal exhibit. Our aim was to determine STEC source and prevent additional illnesses by initiating epidemiologic, laboratory and environmental investigations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We identified cases using laboratory-based surveillance and by surveying caregivers of children who attended the exhibit. Probable cases were defined as illness with abdominal cramps or diarrhoea after attendance; confirmed cases were laboratory-confirmed STEC infection in an attendee or household contact. A site visit was conducted, and event organizers were interviewed. Human stool, animal faeces and environmental samples were tested for STEC O157:H7 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), culture and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Approximately 2300 elementary school students attended the animal exhibit during 2 days. Field trip activities included contact with different farm animal species, drinking pasteurized milk outside animal enclosures and eating lunch in a separate building onsite. We received survey responses from 399 caregivers for 443 (19%) animal exhibit attendees. We identified 9 confirmed and 55 probable cases with illness onset dates during 26 September to 12 October. Seven children aged 1–7 years were hospitalized. Four children aged 1–6 years experienced haemolytic uraemic syndrome; none died. Laboratory testing identified STEC O157:H7 by culture from eight human stool samples with 0–1 allele difference by WGS. Three environmental samples had Shiga toxin (stx 2) genes detected by PCR, but no STEC isolates were recovered by culture.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This is the largest reported STEC O157:H7 outbreak associated with an animal exhibit in Tennessee. We identified opportunities for educating school staff, event organizers and families about zoonotic disease risks associated with animal contact and published prevention measures.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 7","pages":"829-835"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141301765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David Castañeda, Edmund J. Isaac, Benjamin P. Schnieders, Todd Kautz, Mark C. Romanski, Seth A. Moore, Matthew T. Aliota
Aims
We investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in free-ranging wildlife populations in Northeastern Minnesota on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and Isle Royale National Park.
Methods and Results
One hundred twenty nasal samples were collected from white-tailed deer, moose, grey wolves and black bears monitored for conservation efforts during 2022–2023. Samples were tested for viral RNA by RT-qPCR using the CDC N1/N2 primer set. Our data indicate that no wildlife samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
Conclusions
Continued surveillance is therefore crucial to better understand the changing landscape of zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 in the Upper Midwest.
{"title":"Absence of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife of northeastern Minnesota and Isle Royale National Park","authors":"David Castañeda, Edmund J. Isaac, Benjamin P. Schnieders, Todd Kautz, Mark C. Romanski, Seth A. Moore, Matthew T. Aliota","doi":"10.1111/zph.13162","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13162","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in free-ranging wildlife populations in Northeastern Minnesota on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and Isle Royale National Park.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>One hundred twenty nasal samples were collected from white-tailed deer, moose, grey wolves and black bears monitored for conservation efforts during 2022–2023. Samples were tested for viral RNA by RT-qPCR using the CDC N1/N2 primer set. Our data indicate that no wildlife samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Continued surveillance is therefore crucial to better understand the changing landscape of zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 in the Upper Midwest.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 6","pages":"744-747"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/zph.13162","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141296813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elderson Mariano de Souza Valois, Nathan Guilherme de Oliveira, Patrick Ricardo de Lázari, David José Ferreira da Silva, Raissa Campos Rotelli, Lavínia Cássia Ferreira Batista, Marcos Henrique Sobral, Bruna Eduarda Bortolomai, Amanda Juliane Finardi, Taal Levi, Carlos Augusto Peres, Roberta Vieira de Morais Bronzoni, Ida Maria Foschiani Dias Baptista
Background
The high levels of recent transmission of leprosy worldwide demonstrate the necessity of epidemiologic surveillance to understand and control its dissemination. Brazil remains the second in number of cases around the world, indicating active transmission of Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) in the population. At this moment, there is a consensus that the bacillus is transmitted by inter-human contact, however, different serologic, molecular, and histopathological approaches indicate the existence of non-human transmission sources.
Methods and Results
The qPCR assay was used to amplify the molecular targets 16S RNAr and RLEP, in samples of liver, spleen, and ear of wild animals belonging to Didelphimorphia and Rodentia orders, in highly endemic areas of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The RLEP repetitive sequence was positive in 202 (89.0%) samples, with 96 (42.3%) of these also being positive for the 16S gene. Regarding the collection sites, it was observed that the animals were found in areas profoundly deforested, close to urban areas.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that wild animals can play an important role in the maintenance of M. leprae in endemic regions with major anthropic action in Brazil. Therefore, integrating human, animal, and environmental health care with the One Health initiative is highly efficient for the development of effective strategies to contain and control leprosy in Brazil.
{"title":"Molecular and spatial evaluation of small rodents and Didelphimorphis infected with Mycobacterium leprae in the southern Amazon, Brazil","authors":"Elderson Mariano de Souza Valois, Nathan Guilherme de Oliveira, Patrick Ricardo de Lázari, David José Ferreira da Silva, Raissa Campos Rotelli, Lavínia Cássia Ferreira Batista, Marcos Henrique Sobral, Bruna Eduarda Bortolomai, Amanda Juliane Finardi, Taal Levi, Carlos Augusto Peres, Roberta Vieira de Morais Bronzoni, Ida Maria Foschiani Dias Baptista","doi":"10.1111/zph.13160","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13160","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The high levels of recent transmission of leprosy worldwide demonstrate the necessity of epidemiologic surveillance to understand and control its dissemination. Brazil remains the second in number of cases around the world, indicating active transmission of <i>Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae)</i> in the population. At this moment, there is a consensus that the bacillus is transmitted by inter-human contact, however, different serologic, molecular, and histopathological approaches indicate the existence of non-human transmission sources.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The qPCR assay was used to amplify the molecular targets 16S RNAr and RLEP, in samples of liver, spleen, and ear of wild animals belonging to Didelphimorphia and Rodentia orders, in highly endemic areas of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The RLEP repetitive sequence was positive in 202 (89.0%) samples, with 96 (42.3%) of these also being positive for the 16S gene. Regarding the collection sites, it was observed that the animals were found in areas profoundly deforested, close to urban areas.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our results suggest that wild animals can play an important role in the maintenance of <i>M. leprae</i> in endemic regions with major anthropic action in Brazil. Therefore, integrating human, animal, and environmental health care with the One Health initiative is highly efficient for the development of effective strategies to contain and control leprosy in Brazil.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 6","pages":"736-743"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141288707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Heather Oltjen, Erika Crook, William A. Lanier, Hannah Rettler, Kelly F. Oakeson, Erin L. Young, Mia Torchetti, Arnaud J. Van Wettere
Aims
We conducted a One Health investigation to assess the source and transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in African lions (Panthera leo) at Utah's Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City from October 2021 to February 2022.
Methods and Results
Following observation of respiratory illness in the lions, zoo staff collected pooled faecal samples and individual nasal swabs from four lions. All specimens tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The resulting investigation included: lion observation; RT-PCR testing of lion faeces every 1–7 days; RT-PCR testing of lion respiratory specimens every 2–3 weeks; staff interviews and RT-PCR testing; whole-genome sequencing of viruses from lions and staff; and comparison with existing SARS-CoV-2 human community surveillance sequences. In addition to all five lions, three staff displayed respiratory symptoms. All lions recovered and no hospitalizations or deaths were reported among staff. Three staff reported close contact with the lions in the 10 days before lion illness onset, one of whom developed symptoms and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on days 3 and 4, respectively, after lion illness onset. The other two did not report symptoms or test positive. Two staff who did not have close contact with the lions were symptomatic and tested positive on days 5 and 8, respectively, after lion illness onset. We detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in lion faeces for 33 days and in lion respiratory specimens for 14 weeks after illness onset. The viruses from lions were genetically highly related to those from staff and two contemporaneous surveillance specimens from Salt Lake County; all were delta variants (AY.44).
Conclusions
We did not determine the sources of these infections, although human-to-lion transmission likely occurred. The observed period of respiratory shedding was longer than in previously documented SARS-CoV-2 infections in large felids, indicating the need to further assess duration and potential implications of shedding.
{"title":"SARS-CoV-2 delta variant in African lions (Panthera leo) and humans at Utah's Hogle Zoo, USA, 2021–22","authors":"Heather Oltjen, Erika Crook, William A. Lanier, Hannah Rettler, Kelly F. Oakeson, Erin L. Young, Mia Torchetti, Arnaud J. Van Wettere","doi":"10.1111/zph.13156","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13156","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We conducted a One Health investigation to assess the source and transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in African lions (<i>Panthera leo</i>) at Utah's Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City from October 2021 to February 2022.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods and Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Following observation of respiratory illness in the lions, zoo staff collected pooled faecal samples and individual nasal swabs from four lions. All specimens tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The resulting investigation included: lion observation; RT-PCR testing of lion faeces every 1–7 days; RT-PCR testing of lion respiratory specimens every 2–3 weeks; staff interviews and RT-PCR testing; whole-genome sequencing of viruses from lions and staff; and comparison with existing SARS-CoV-2 human community surveillance sequences. In addition to all five lions, three staff displayed respiratory symptoms. All lions recovered and no hospitalizations or deaths were reported among staff. Three staff reported close contact with the lions in the 10 days before lion illness onset, one of whom developed symptoms and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on days 3 and 4, respectively, after lion illness onset. The other two did not report symptoms or test positive. Two staff who did not have close contact with the lions were symptomatic and tested positive on days 5 and 8, respectively, after lion illness onset. We detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in lion faeces for 33 days and in lion respiratory specimens for 14 weeks after illness onset. The viruses from lions were genetically highly related to those from staff and two contemporaneous surveillance specimens from Salt Lake County; all were delta variants (AY.44).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We did not determine the sources of these infections, although human-to-lion transmission likely occurred. The observed period of respiratory shedding was longer than in previously documented SARS-CoV-2 infections in large felids, indicating the need to further assess duration and potential implications of shedding.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 7","pages":"807-816"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141200883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aamir M. Osman, Ahmed A. Hassan-Kadle, Clara Morato Dias, Abdalla M. Ibrahim, Flávia C. M. Collere, Mohamed A. Shair, Fabiano Montiani-Ferreira, Marcos R. André, Abdulkarim A. Yusuf, Thállitha S. W. J. Vieira, Rosangela Z. Machado, Rafael F. C. Vieira
Background
Bartonellosis, caused by bacteria of the genus Bartonella, is a zoonotic disease with several mammalian reservoir hosts. In Somalia, a country heavily reliant on livestock, zoonotic diseases pose significant public health and economic challenges. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been performed aiming to verify the occurrence of Bartonella spp. in Somalia. This study investigated the occurrence and molecular characterization of Bartonella in dromedary (Camelus dromedarius, Linnaeus, 1758), cattle, sheep, and goats from Somalia.
Materials and Methods
530 blood samples were collected from various animals (155 dromedary, 199 goat, 131 cattle, and 45 sheep) in Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions. DNA was extracted for molecular analysis, and a qPCR assay targeting the NADH dehydrogenase gamma subunit (nuoG) gene was used for Bartonella screening. Positive samples were also subjected to PCR assays targeting seven molecular markers including: nuoG, citrate synthase gene (gltA), RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB), riboflavin synthase gene (ribC), 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene (groEL), cell division protein gene (ftsZ), and pap31 and qPCR targeting the 16-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) followed by Sanger sequencing, BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis.
Results
Out of 530 tested animals, 5.1% were positive for Bartonella spp. by the nuoG qPCR assay. Goats showed the highest Bartonella occurrence (17/199, 8.5%), followed by sheep (6/44, 6.8%), cattle (4/131, 3.1%), and dromedary (1/155, 1.9%). Goats, sheep, and cattle had higher odds of infection compared to dromedary. Among nuoG qPCR-positive samples, 11.1%, 14.8%, 11.1%, and 25.9% were positive in PCR assays based on nuoG, gltA, and pap31 genes, and in the qPCR based on the ITS region, respectively. On the other hand, nuoG qPCR-positive samples were negative in the PCR assays targeting the ribC, rpoB, ftsZ, and groEL genes. While Bartonella bovis sequences were detected in cattle (nuoG and ITS) and goats (gltA), Bartonella henselae ITS sequences were detected in dromedary, goat, and sheep. Phylogenetic analysis placed gltA Bartonella sequence from a goat in the same clade of B. bovis.
{"title":"Bartonella species in dromedaries and ruminants from Lower Shabelle and Benadir regions, Somalia","authors":"Aamir M. Osman, Ahmed A. Hassan-Kadle, Clara Morato Dias, Abdalla M. Ibrahim, Flávia C. M. Collere, Mohamed A. Shair, Fabiano Montiani-Ferreira, Marcos R. André, Abdulkarim A. Yusuf, Thállitha S. W. J. Vieira, Rosangela Z. Machado, Rafael F. C. Vieira","doi":"10.1111/zph.13158","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13158","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Bartonellosis, caused by bacteria of the genus <i>Bartonella</i>, is a zoonotic disease with several mammalian reservoir hosts. In Somalia, a country heavily reliant on livestock, zoonotic diseases pose significant public health and economic challenges. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been performed aiming to verify the occurrence of <i>Bartonella</i> spp. in Somalia. This study investigated the occurrence and molecular characterization of <i>Bartonella</i> in dromedary (<i>Camelus dromedarius</i>, Linnaeus, 1758), cattle, sheep, and goats from Somalia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>530 blood samples were collected from various animals (155 dromedary, 199 goat, 131 cattle, and 45 sheep) in Benadir and Lower Shabelle regions. DNA was extracted for molecular analysis, and a qPCR assay targeting the NADH dehydrogenase gamma subunit (<i>nuoG</i>) gene was used for <i>Bartonella</i> screening. Positive samples were also subjected to PCR assays targeting seven molecular markers including: <i>nuoG</i>, citrate synthase gene (<i>gltA</i>), RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (<i>rpoB</i>), riboflavin synthase gene (ribC), 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene (<i>groEL</i>), cell division protein gene (<i>ftsZ</i>), and <i>pap31</i> and qPCR targeting the 16-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) followed by Sanger sequencing, BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Out of 530 tested animals, 5.1% were positive for <i>Bartonella</i> spp. by the <i>nuoG</i> qPCR assay. Goats showed the highest <i>Bartonella</i> occurrence (17/199, 8.5%), followed by sheep (6/44, 6.8%), cattle (4/131, 3.1%), and dromedary (1/155, 1.9%). Goats, sheep, and cattle had higher odds of infection compared to dromedary. Among <i>nuoG</i> qPCR-positive samples, 11.1%, 14.8%, 11.1%, and 25.9% were positive in PCR assays based on <i>nuoG</i>, <i>gltA</i>, and <i>pap31</i> genes, and in the qPCR based on the ITS region, respectively. On the other hand, <i>nuoG</i> qPCR-positive samples were negative in the PCR assays targeting the <i>ribC</i>, <i>rpoB</i>, <i>ftsZ</i>, and <i>groEL</i> genes. While <i>Bartonella bovis</i> sequences were detected in cattle (<i>nuoG</i> and ITS) and goats (<i>gltA</i>), <i>Bartonella henselae</i> ITS sequences were detected in dromedary, goat, and sheep. Phylogenetic analysis placed <i>gltA Bartonella</i> sequence from a goat in the same clade of <i>B. bovis</i>.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The present study showed, for t","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 5","pages":"568-577"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/zph.13158","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141180957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The expanding geographical range of blacklegged ticks (BLTs), Ixodes scapularis, and its ability to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi poses an emerging public health risk. Our study determined the geographic distribution and the minimum infection rate (MIR) of B. burgdorferi-, A. phagocytophilum-, Ba. microti-, and B. miyamotoi-infected BLTs in Manitoba submitted to the Public Health Agency of Canada's passive tick surveillance programme from 1995 to 2017.
Methods
Regression models were used to test the association of the MIR by year for each pathogen. Ticks were tested using PCR for B. burgdorferi since 1995, A. phagocytophilum since 2006, and Ba. microti and B. miyamotoi since 2013. The global positioning system coordinates of infected and uninfected ticks submitted during the surveillance period were plotted on a map of Manitoba using ArcGIS Pro version 3.1.2 to detect changes in the geographic distribution of ticks over time.
Results
The overall MIR for B. burgdorferi was 139.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 129.0–150.5) per 1000 BLTs; however, it varied over time. After remaining stable from 1995 to 2005, the MIR increased by 12.1 per 1000 BLTs per year from 2005 to 2017 (95% CI: 7.0%–17.2%, p-value <0.01). The geographic distribution of B. burgdorferi-infected BLTs was centred around Winnipeg, Manitoba, and spread outward from this locality. The MIRs of A. phagocytophilum, Ba. microti, and B. miyamotoi were 44.8 per 1000 BLTs (95% CI: 38.1–51.6), 10.8 (95% CI: 6.6–15.0), and 5.2 (95% CI: 2.3–8.1) per 1000 BLTs, respectively, and showed no significant change over time.
Conclusion
Passive surveillance revealed the presence of A. phagocytophilum-, Ba. microti-, and B. miyamotoi-infected BLTs in southern Manitoba and revealed an increased risk of exposure to B. burgdorferi-infected BLTs due to the increasing geographic range and MIR.
{"title":"Geographic range and minimum infection rate of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi in Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks in Manitoba, Canada from 1995 to 2017","authors":"Cheryl Pei Zhen Foo, Catherine Gayle Sutcliffe, Antonia Dibernardo, Leslie Robbin Lindsay","doi":"10.1111/zph.13159","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13159","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The expanding geographical range of blacklegged ticks (BLTs), <i>Ixodes scapularis</i>, and its ability to transmit <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>, <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>, <i>Babesia microti</i>, and <i>Borrelia miyamotoi</i> poses an emerging public health risk. Our study determined the geographic distribution and the minimum infection rate (MIR) of <i>B</i>. <i>burgdorferi-</i>, <i>A</i>. <i>phagocytophilum-</i>, <i>Ba</i>. <i>microti</i>-, and <i>B</i>. <i>miyamotoi-</i>infected BLTs in Manitoba submitted to the Public Health Agency of Canada's passive tick surveillance programme from 1995 to 2017.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Regression models were used to test the association of the MIR by year for each pathogen. Ticks were tested using PCR for <i>B. burgdorferi</i> since 1995, <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> since 2006, and <i>Ba. microti</i> and <i>B. miyamotoi</i> since 2013. The global positioning system coordinates of infected and uninfected ticks submitted during the surveillance period were plotted on a map of Manitoba using ArcGIS Pro version 3.1.2 to detect changes in the geographic distribution of ticks over time.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The overall MIR for <i>B</i>. <i>burgdorferi</i> was 139.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 129.0–150.5) per 1000 BLTs; however, it varied over time. After remaining stable from 1995 to 2005, the MIR increased by 12.1 per 1000 BLTs per year from 2005 to 2017 (95% CI: 7.0%–17.2%, <i>p</i>-value <0.01). The geographic distribution of <i>B</i>. <i>burgdorferi</i>-infected BLTs was centred around Winnipeg, Manitoba, and spread outward from this locality. The MIRs of <i>A</i>. <i>phagocytophilum</i>, <i>Ba. microti</i>, and <i>B. miyamotoi</i> were 44.8 per 1000 BLTs (95% CI: 38.1–51.6), 10.8 (95% CI: 6.6–15.0), and 5.2 (95% CI: 2.3–8.1) per 1000 BLTs, respectively, and showed no significant change over time.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Passive surveillance revealed the presence of <i>A. phagocytophilum-</i>, <i>Ba. microti-</i>, and <i>B. miyamotoi-</i>infected BLTs in southern Manitoba and revealed an increased risk of exposure to <i>B. burgdorferi</i>-infected BLTs due to the increasing geographic range and MIR.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 7","pages":"817-828"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141162466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Austin R. Earley, Elizabeth K. Schiffman, Karen K. Wong, Alison F. Hinckley, Kiersten J. Kugeler
Aims and Methods
In the United States, blacklegged Ixodes spp. ticks are the primary vector of Lyme disease. Minnesota is among the states with the highest reported incidence of Lyme disease, having an average of 1857 cases reported annually during 2011–2019. In contrast to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic United States where exposure to ticks predominately occurs around the home, the circumstances regarding risk for exposure to blacklegged ticks in Minnesota are not well understood, and risk is thought to be highest in rural areas where people often participate in recreational activities (e.g. hiking, visiting cabins). We analysed enhanced surveillance data collected by the Minnesota Department of Health during 2011–2019 to describe epidemiologic and tick exposure characteristics among people with reported Lyme disease.
Results
We found that younger age, male gender, residence in a county with lower Lyme disease risk, residence in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, and an illness onset date later in the year were independently associated with higher odds of reporting tick exposures away from the home. We also describe the range of activities associated with tick exposure away from the home, including both recreational and occupational activities.
Conclusions
These findings refine our understanding of Lyme disease risk in Minnesota and highlight the need for heterogeneous public health prevention messaging, including an increased focus on peridomestic prevention measures among older individuals living in high-risk rural areas and recreational and occupational prevention measures among younger individuals living in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
{"title":"Epidemiologic and tick exposure characteristics among people with reported Lyme disease – Minnesota, 2011–2019","authors":"Austin R. Earley, Elizabeth K. Schiffman, Karen K. Wong, Alison F. Hinckley, Kiersten J. Kugeler","doi":"10.1111/zph.13143","DOIUrl":"10.1111/zph.13143","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In the United States, blacklegged <i>Ixodes</i> spp. ticks are the primary vector of Lyme disease. Minnesota is among the states with the highest reported incidence of Lyme disease, having an average of 1857 cases reported annually during 2011–2019. In contrast to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic United States where exposure to ticks predominately occurs around the home, the circumstances regarding risk for exposure to blacklegged ticks in Minnesota are not well understood, and risk is thought to be highest in rural areas where people often participate in recreational activities (e.g. hiking, visiting cabins). We analysed enhanced surveillance data collected by the Minnesota Department of Health during 2011–2019 to describe epidemiologic and tick exposure characteristics among people with reported Lyme disease.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We found that younger age, male gender, residence in a county with lower Lyme disease risk, residence in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, and an illness onset date later in the year were independently associated with higher odds of reporting tick exposures away from the home. We also describe the range of activities associated with tick exposure away from the home, including both recreational and occupational activities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These findings refine our understanding of Lyme disease risk in Minnesota and highlight the need for heterogeneous public health prevention messaging, including an increased focus on peridomestic prevention measures among older individuals living in high-risk rural areas and recreational and occupational prevention measures among younger individuals living in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":24025,"journal":{"name":"Zoonoses and Public Health","volume":"71 7","pages":"779-789"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141162371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}