All articles tagged with #zoonotic diseases
A visualization ranks ten viruses by case fatality rate, led by rabies (nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear) and including Lujo (80%), Nipah (40–75%), Hendra (57%), Ebola and Marburg (~50%), H5N1 (50%), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (10–40%), and MERS-CoV (36%). The list highlights that most deadly viruses originate in animals, with some causing highly lethal outbreaks even if infections are relatively rare.
Five Bangladeshi patients with Nipah-like symptoms were found to be infected with Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV), linked to consumption of raw date palm sap frequented by fruit bats; the finding shifts attention to PRV’s potential for severe disease beyond mild colds and underscores the need for broad surveillance of bat-borne viruses.
A new global risk map using machine learning and satellite data reveals that about 6.3% of land is highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks, especially in Latin America and Oceania, driven by climate change, land use, and population density, with varying levels of preparedness across countries. The map highlights the importance of early detection, response capacity, and international cooperation to prevent and manage outbreaks, particularly zoonotic diseases that jump from animals to humans.
Recent research in Yunnan, China, has identified 22 new viruses in bats, including two similar to deadly henipaviruses, raising concerns about potential transmission to humans and livestock through bodily fluids, highlighting the need for increased surveillance and broader microbial research in bat populations.
Bobcats have made a significant recovery across North America, playing a crucial role in controlling zoonotic diseases by preying on rodents that are efficient disease vectors. Despite facing threats from habitat loss, road traffic, and rodent poisons, bobcats help reduce the spread of diseases like Lyme by being poor disease hosts themselves. While hunting is legal in most U.S. states, California's potential reinstatement of bobcat hunting in 2025 raises concerns about the ecological impact and the importance of these wildcats in maintaining ecosystem health.
A study led by the University of Exeter warns that intensive farming may increase the risk of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) due to social, economic, and political factors. While traditionally thought to reduce zoonotic disease risks through better control and biosecurity, the study highlights that real-world conditions, such as damaged infrastructure and wildlife intrusion, can undermine these measures. The research calls for a broader consideration of socio-cultural impacts on planetary health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.
Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna have developed a "zoonotic web" to map the complex interactions of zoonotic diseases in Austria, highlighting the importance of a holistic One Health approach. The study, published in Nature Communications, identifies key transmission routes and influential actors in zoonotic disease dynamics, emphasizing the need for public awareness and effective surveillance programs.
Minnesota health officials have issued a warning about a surge in tularemia infections, particularly advising cat owners to be cautious as the disease can be transmitted from pets to humans through bites or scratches. The state has already reported seven cases in 2024, and symptoms in animals include high fever, swelling, and skin sores. The Health Department recommends avoiding contact with wild animals, using tick repellent, and keeping pets indoors to prevent infection.
The USDA has confirmed the first cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in alpacas on a farm in Idaho, where poultry had previously tested positive. The virus found in alpacas is closely related to the H5N1 strain circulating in dairy cattle. This development raises concerns about the virus's potential to infect a broader range of mammals and possibly humans, although no person-to-person transmission has been reported in the current US outbreak.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO has warned that Europe faces a high risk of a future flu pandemic, emphasizing that pandemics will continue to be a part of our lives. She highlighted the potential for influenza to jump from animals to humans and the need for robust preparedness systems. Experts, including Sir John Bell and Sir Jeremy Farrar, echoed these concerns, stressing the inevitability of future pandemics and the necessity for better global readiness.
Kitum cave in Kenya, carved by elephants for salt, hosts some of the deadliest pathogens known to man, including the Marburg virus. The cave has been an incubator for zoonotic diseases, with bats carrying the deadly virus. Marburg virus, which can jump into humans from fruit bats, has been described as an epidemic-prone threat by the World Health Organization. There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the virus, and it can cause symptoms similar to Ebola and malaria, leading to bleeding from multiple orifices.
The highly virulent strain of avian flu, H5N1, has infected more than 20 dairy herds across eight states in the US, raising concerns about potential impacts on the food supply and human health. The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) has controversially suggested renaming the disease in cows as Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV) to maintain consumer confidence in beef and dairy products. The infectious disease trap model explains how animal agriculture contributes to zoonotic disease risk, and the rapid spread of bird flu in cows is attributed to long-distance transportation of animals, a hallmark of intensive animal agriculture systems. Efforts to contain the spread of the disease are underway, but experts argue that broader societal rethinking of the factory farm system is necessary to escape the infectious disease trap.
An investigation by Humane Society International found high risk of zoonotic diseases developing in Chinese fur farms due to intensive conditions and close proximity to poultry, raising concerns about potential transmission to humans. The high stocking density of animals facilitates rapid virus spread, with footage showing animals in distress and unsanitary conditions. Despite a decline in fur production, there is still robust demand for fur in China, as social media platforms continue to portray fur as desirable and practical for warmth.
A new study has found the avian flu virus, H5N1, present in at least some small fraction of New York City birds, highlighting the potential for zoonotic diseases to affect urban areas. The discovery serves as a reminder that urban spaces are not exempt from such threats, as there is an extensive interface between wild animals and humans in cities. While there is no reason to panic, it's important for New Yorkers to be aware of the presence of the virus and to keep a safe distance from sick or dead birds and animals.
A new analysis of viral genomes reveals that humans pass on almost twice as many viruses to domestic and wild animals as we receive from them, posing a significant threat to other species. This is due to our large population size, global distribution, and behavior, which stress out the environment and make neighboring creatures more susceptible to viruses. The study also identifies features that could warn of a virus's ability to become zoonotic, emphasizing the importance of surveying and monitoring human-to-animal transmission of viruses for both human and animal health.