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Avian influenza virus continues to pose zoonotic, epizootic, and pandemic threats worldwide, as exemplified by the 2020–23 epizootics of re-emerging H5 genotype avian influenza viruses among birds and mammals and the fatal jump to humans of emerging A(H3N8) in early 2023. Future influenza pandemic threats are driven by extensive mutations and reassortments of avian influenza viruses rooted in frequent interspecies transmission and genetic mixing and underscore the urgent need for more effective actions. We examine the changing global epidemiology of human infections caused by avian influenza viruses over the past decade, including dramatic increases in both the number of reported infections in humans and the spectrum of avian influenza virus subtypes that have jumped to humans. We also discuss the use of advanced surveillance, diagnostic technologies, and state-of-the-art analysis methods for tracking emerging avian influenza viruses. We outline an avian influenza virus-specific application of the One Health approach, integrating enhanced surveillance, tightened biosecurity, targeted vaccination, timely precautions, and timely clinical management, and fostering global collaboration to control the threats of avian influenza viruses.

The emergence of Rocahepevirus ratti genotype 1 (rat hepatitis E virus; rat HEV) in humans presents an unprecedented threat; however, the risk of rat HEV transmission to humans is not well understood. Here, we report the “Distinguishing Antibody Response Elicitation (DARE)” method, which distinguishes exposure to rat HEV. We use four study sets from China for large-scale population analysis: set 1 (hospital visit) and set 3 (ALT abnormality) from Yunnan province, a biodiversity hotspot, and set 2 (received physical examination) and set 4 (ALT abnormality) from Jiangsu province, a non-hotspot control region. rat HEV exposure risk is significantly higher in Yunnan, with 21.97% (190 of 865) in set 1 and 13.97% (70 of 501) in set 3, compared to 0.75% (9 of 1196) in Jiangsu’s set 2. Six spillover infections for rat HEV are identified in set 1, with one case of abnormal ALT. The rat-1d strains carried by rats are closely related to those human infections. Our study reveals the substantial spillover burden posed by rat HEV in biodiversity hotspots and highlights the utility of DARE method for proactive surveillance of public health emergencies. Rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) can infect humans, but the extent of spillover isn’t well studied. Here the authors develop a serological test that distinguishes exposure to rat HEV from other HEV infection and show substantial spillover in a biodiversity hotspot in China. The method can support surveillance of rat HEV.

Human Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreaks caused by persistent EBOV infection raises questions on the role of zoonotic spillover in filovirus epidemiology. To characterise filovirus zoonotic exposure, we collected cross-sectional serum samples from bushmeat hunters ( n  = 498) in Macenta Prefecture Guinea, adjacent to the index site of the 2013 EBOV-Makona spillover event. We identified distinct immune signatures (20/498, 4.0%) to multiple EBOV antigens (GP, NP, VP40) using stepwise ELISA and Western blot analysis and, live EBOV neutralisation (5/20; 25%). Using comparative serological data from PCR-confirmed survivors of the 2013-2016 EBOV outbreak, we demonstrated that most signatures (15/20) were not plausibly explained by prior EBOV-Makona exposure. Subsequent data-driven modelling of EBOV immunological outcomes to remote-sensing environmental data also revealed consistent associations with intact closed canopy forest. Together our findings suggest exposure to other closely related filoviruses prior to the 2013-2016 West Africa epidemic and highlight future surveillance priorities. In a serological analysis, Bore et al. utilise serum samples, collected from a cohort of individuals associated with bushmeat hunting and butchering, in the forested region of Guinea, a region close to the epicentre of the 2013–2016 West Africa Ebola virus disease epidemic.

The use of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for disease prioritization at the sub-national level in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) is rare. In this research, we contextualized MCDA for parallel prioritization of endemic zoonoses and animal diseases in The Adamawa and North regions of Cameroon. MCDA was associated to categorical principal component analysis (CATPCA), and two-step cluster analysis. Six and seven domains made of 17 and 19 criteria (out of 70) respectively were selected by CATPCA for the prioritization of zoonoses and animal diseases, respectively. The most influencing domains were “public health” for zoonoses and “control and prevention” for animal diseases. Twenty-seven zoonoses and 40 animal diseases were ranked and grouped in three clusters. Sensitivity analysis resulted in high correlation between complete models and reduced models showing the robustness of the simplification processes. The tool used in this study can be applied to prioritize endemic zoonoses and transboundary animal diseases in SSA at the sub-national level and upscaled at the national and regional levels. The relevance of MCDA is high because of its contextualization process and participatory nature enabling better operationalization of disease prioritization outcomes in the context of African countries or other low and middle-income countries.

Zoonotic infections (swine-human) caused by influenza A viruses (IAVs) have been reported and linked to close contact between these species. Here, we describe eight human IAV variant infections (6 mild and 2 severe cases, including 1 death) detected in Paraná, Brazil, during 2020–2023. Genomes recovered were closely related to Brazilian swIAVs of three major lineages (1 A.3.3.2/pdm09, 1B/human-like, and H3.1990.5), including three H1N1v, two H1N2v, two H3N2v and one H1v. Five H1v were closely related to pdm09 lineage, one H1v (H1N2v) grouped within 1B.2.3 clade, and the two H3v grouped within a clade composed exclusively of Brazilian H3 swIAV (clade H3.1990.5.1). Internal gene segments were closely related to H1N1pdm09 isolated from pigs. IAV variant rarely result in sustained transmission between people, however the potential to develop such ability is of concern and must not be underestimated. This study brings into focus the need for continuous influenza surveillance and timely risk assessment.

Background Blastocystis sp. is a common protozoan parasite frequently identified in the digestive tract of humans and a large variety of animal hosts worldwide, including birds. It exhibits a large genetic diversity with the identification of 17 subtypes (STs), most of them with low host specificity. ST6 and ST7 were identified in birds and suggested to represent avian STs only in the context of scarce small-scale epidemiological surveys. Moreover, these two STs also account for a significant proportion of human infections whose zoonotic origin has never been clearly confirmed. Therefore, molecular screening of Blastocystis sp. was conducted by quantitative real-time PCR for fecal samples from poultry farms and their in-contact humans from slaughterhouses in Lebanon. In parallel, a control group consisting of patients hospitalized in the same geographical area and reporting no contact with poultry was also screened for the presence of the parasite. Results The overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. was shown to reach around 32% in chicken samples and 65% in the farms screened. All the avian isolates were subtyped and belonged to either ST6 or ST7, with a large predominance of ST6. Fifty-four percent of slaughterhouse staff members were positive for Blastocystis sp. compared with a similar prevalence of 56% in hospitalized patients. ST3 was predominant in both human cohorts followed by either ST1 then ST2 among slaughterhouse staff or by ST2 then ST1 among hospitalized patients. ST6 was also identified in two slaughterhouse workers and not in the group of hospitalized patients. Gene sequence identity was observed between chicken and human ST6 isolates from the same slaughterhouse. Conclusions Our data revealed a high prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in chicken samples and confirmed that ST6 and ST7 represented avian-adapted STs. Among both human cohorts, Blastocystis sp. infection was shown to exceed 50% with a predominance of ST3. The identification of ST6 in slaughterhouse staff members confirmed the zoonotic transmission of this ST through repeated and direct contact between chickens and their handlers.

Streptococcus suis, a zoonotic bacterial pathogen circulated through swine, can cause severe infections in humans. Because human S. suis infections are not notifiable in most countries, incidence is underestimated. We aimed to increase insight into the molecular epidemiology of human S. suis infections in Europe. To procure data, we surveyed 7 reference laboratories and performed a systematic review of the scientific literature. We identified 236 cases of human S. suis infection from those sources and an additional 87 by scanning gray literature. We performed whole-genome sequencing to type 46 zoonotic S. suis isolates and combined them with 28 publicly available genomes in a core-genome phylogeny. Clonal complex (CC) 1 isolates accounted for 87% of typed human infections; CC20, CC25, CC87, and CC94 also caused infections. Emergence of diverse zoonotic clades and notable severity of illness in humans support classifying S. suis infection as a notifiable condition.

Research conducted over seven decades in the Brazilian Amazon has documented the emergence and re-emergence of arboviruses and zoonotic viruses associated with changes in natural ecosystems. Disturbances such as highway construction, deforestation for cattle ranching and soybean cultivation, dam construction for hydroelectric power, intensive mineral extraction, and other human activities can result in outbreaks of viruses maintained in zoonotic or enzootic cycles within forests. These disturbances facilitate the contact between humans and zoonotic hosts or vectors. The potential for a pandemic caused by Amazonian viruses is substantial. The most effective preventative measure is the preservation of the Amazon biome to reduce human encroachment on forested areas, thereby minimizing contact with zoonotic viruses that could initiate a human-vector transmission cycle. Methods: Search strategy and selection criteria References for this Review were identified through searches of PubMed with the search terms “Brazilian Amazonia”, “Amazonian Ecosystems”, “Arboviruses” “Emergence and Reemergence of arboviruses”, “Anthropized ecosystem alterations”, “Highway”, “Mining”,”Hydroelectric power plant dams” and “deforestation” from 1974 until April, 2025. Articles were also identified through searches of the authors’ own files. Only papers published in English and Portuguese were reviewed. The final reference list was generated on the basis of originality and relevance to the broad scope of this Review

Zoonotic viruses have significant pandemic potential, as evidenced by the coronavirus pandemic, which underscores that zoonotic infections have historically caused numerous outbreaks and millions of deaths over centuries. Zoonotic viruses induce numerous types of illnesses in their natural hosts. These viruses are transmitted to humans via biological vectors, direct contact with infected animals or their bites, and aerosols. Zoonotic viruses continuously evolve and adapt to human hosts, resulting in devastating consequences. It is very important to understand pathogenesis pathways associated with zoonotic viral infections across various hosts and develop countermeasure strategies accordingly. In this review, we briefly discuss advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics for zoonotic viral infections. It provides insight into recent outbreaks, viral dynamics, licensed vaccines, as well as vaccine candidates progressing to clinical investigations. Despite advancements, challenges persist in combating zoonotic viruses due to immune evasion, unpredicted outbreaks, and the complexity of the immune responses. Most of these viruses lack effective treatments and vaccines, relying entirely on supportive care and preventive measures. Exposure to animal reservoirs, limited vaccine access, and insufficient coverage further pose challenges to preventive efforts. This review highlights the critical need for ongoing interdisciplinary research and collaboration to strengthen preparedness and response strategies against emerging infectious threats.

Pigs serve as critical reservoirs and amplifiers for numerous zoonotic viral diseases, presenting substantial public health challenges in India. This study highlights the epidemiology and emerging trends of key zoonotic viruses associated with pigs, emphasizing their role in endemic and emerging disease dynamics. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) persists as a major concern, with pigs acting as amplifying host, while hepatitis E virus (HEV) remains a prominent cause of viral hepatitis, transmitted via contaminated water and pork products. Emerging high-fatality viral zoonoses caused by Nipah virus (NiV) and recurrent threats from swine influenza virus (SIV) demonstrate that the zoonotic landscape is evolving. Furthermore, zoonotic viruses like rotavirus, pseudorabies (ADV or SuHV-1), porcine astrovirus (PAstV), and Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) reflect the expanding diversity of pig-associated pathogens in India. Emerging evidence also implicates viruses such as Chandipura virus (CHPV) in localized outbreaks, indicating broader zoonotic potential. Novel risks such as swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2 emphasize the role of pigs as potential intermediaries for pandemic-prone viruses. This comprehensive study evaluates the prevalence, outbreak dynamics, and public health implications of zoonotic viral diseases of pigs in India, providing valuable direction for developing effective control measures.