#OneHealth Longitudinal Study #Protocol on #Zoonotic and Vector-Borne #Diseases in Battambang province, #Cambodia: An Inter-Sectoral Approach

 

Abstract

Background 

Tropical low – and middle –income countries are highly vulnerable to zoonoses and vector-borne diseases, with risks amplified by climatic events, environmental change, and limited surveillance capacity. Cambodia is particularly exposed due to its ecological diversity, seasonal flooding, and rapidly changing land use. Globally, however, field based One Health approaches remain under –implemented, limiting practical evidence on how to address these complex threats. 

Methods 

This protocol describes a longitudinal One Health study conducted in three villages of Battambang province, Cambodia, designed to investigate the prevalence and transmission dynamics of zoonotic and potentially zoonotic pathogens at the human –animal –environment interface. The study examines how vector density, diversity, and pathogen circulation are influenced by hydrological variation and seasonality, and assesses the sociodemographic, behavioral, and environmental factors shaping transmission. Integrated data will be collected through serological and molecular analyses in humans and animals, environmental sampling, and entomological surveillance, enabling cross-compartmental and spatiotemporal analyses. 

Expected Results 

The study will generate integrated, cross –sectoral data to characterize pathogen exposure patterns, identify high –risk populations and practices, and inform targeted public health, veterinary, and environmental interventions. Conclusions By sharing this protocol, the work addresses a global methodological gap in operationalizing One Health in the field and supports the development of integrated surveillance strategies in climate-sensitive, resource-limited settings.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

The study received funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) through the PREACT-AFRICAM Program and from the Fondation Simone et Cino del Duca of Institut de France.

Source: 

Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.14.26347916v1

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Deep untargeted #wastewater #metagenomic #sequencing from #sewersheds across the #USA

 

Abstract

Wastewater monitoring enables non-invasive, population-scale tracking of community infections independent of healthcare-seeking behavior and clinical diagnosis. Metagenomic sequencing extends this capability by enabling broad, pathogen-agnostic detection, genomic characterization, and identification of novel or unexpected threats. Here, we present data from CASPER (the Coalition for Agnostic Sequencing of Pathogens from Environmental Reservoirs), a U.S.-based wastewater metagenomic sequencing network designed for deep, untargeted pathogen monitoring at national scale. This release includes 1,206 samples collected between December 2023 and December 2025 from 27 sites across nine states, covering 13 million people. Deep sequencing (~1 billion read pairs per sample) generated 1.2 trillion read pairs (347 terabases), enabling detection of even rare taxa, with CASPER representing 66% of all untargeted wastewater sequencing data currently available on the NCBI Sequence Read Archive. Virus abundance trends correlate with nationwide wastewater PCR and clinical data for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and respiratory syncytial virus, while the pathogen-agnostic approach captures emerging threats, including avian influenza H5N1 during initial dairy cattle outbreaks, West Nile virus, and measles, among hundreds of viral taxa. As the largest publicly available untargeted wastewater sequencing dataset to date, CASPER provides a shared and growing resource for pathogen surveillance and microbial ecology.

Competing Interest Statement

D.H.O. received support for this project from Inkfish and Heart of Racing. D.H.O. is a managing partner of Pathogenuity LLC, a consultancy that advises on topics including environmental monitoring for pathogens. P.C.S. hold several patents related to diagnostic and surveillance technologies and is a co-founder and equity holder in Delve Biosciences and Lyra Labs, a board member and equity holder in Polaris Genomics, and an equity holder of NextGenJane. P.C.S was formerly a co-founder of Sherlock Biosciences and board member of Danaher Corporation, until December 2024. All potential conflicts are managed in accordance with institutional policy.

Funding Statement

L.J.J. was supported by the Draper Scholar program at The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory. J.K., O.S.H., R.F-O., S.L.G., W.J.B., H.B., D.P.R., K.S., J.D.F., and M.R.M. received support for this work from Coefficient Giving via a gift to SecureBio. C.R., A.T-M., E.E.C., M.C.J., and D.H.O. were supported by Inkfish and Heart of Racing. L.J.J., J.P., and P.C.S. were supported by the CDC Pathogen Genomics Centers of Excellence (contract INTF5104H78W22195346) and a CDC Broad Agency Announcement (contract 75D30123C17983). J.E.L. and G.A. were supported by a subcontract under CDC Broad Agency Announcement contract 75D30123C17983. H.M.S-G. and A.A. were supported in part by the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U01DA053941, and by the University of Miami Initiative on Virology and Infectious Disease and SecureBio. R.P. was supported by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Chicago Department of Public Health. This work used Expanse at the San Diego Supercomputer Center through allocation BIO240238 to J.A.R. from the Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Coordination Ecosystem: Services & Support (ACCESS) program, which is supported by U.S. National Science Foundation grants #2138259, #2138286, #2138307, #2137603, and #2138296.

Source: 

Link: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03.05.26345726v1

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From #pandemic #influenza to novel #coronaviruses: emerging infectious diseases of the 21st century

 

Highlights

• Global mobility, climate pressures, and ecological change drive emerging infections.

• Highly pathogenic influenza strains, including H5N1, pose ongoing spillover risks and pandemic potential.

• SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 illustrate the pandemic potential of novel coronaviruses.

• Nipah, Ebola, Pteropine orthoreovirus and Zika remain high-impact threats for global health security.

• Mass gatherings can amplify transmission risks of emerging high-consequence viruses.

• Strengthened surveillance, diagnostics, and One Health strategies are essential for pandemic preparedness.

Abstract

Emerging infectious diseases have risen significantly in the twenty-first century as ecological disruption, climate change, expanding human–animal interfaces, and global mobility intensify opportunities for pathogen transmission. This review synthesizes historical and contemporary evidence across viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic threats to characterize how diverse pathogens emerge and spread. Foundational events such as the 1918 influenza pandemic, mid-century influenza pandemics, the emergence of HIV/AIDS, and the eradication of smallpox provide context for understanding modern disease dynamics. In recent decades, coronaviruses including SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2, pandemic H1N1, avian influenza subtypes, and major arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile virus, and yellow fever have demonstrated the rapidity with which zoonotic pathogens can disseminate globally. Viral hemorrhagic fevers including Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever remain critical threats, especially in regions with limited health-care capacity. Concurrently, antimicrobial resistance, the emergence of Candida auris, and the climate-driven expansion of endemic mycoses involving Histoplasma, Coccidioides, and Blastomyces highlight the increasing importance of fungal pathogens. Parasitic diseases such as artemisinin-resistant malaria, zoonotic trypanosomiasis, and expanding Leishmania transmission reflect shifting ecological conditions. These patterns are shaped by intersecting drivers including deforestation, wildlife trade, agricultural intensification, urban crowding, conflict, and rapid microbial evolution that enable spillover and sustained transmission. Although advances in genomic surveillance, metagenomic diagnostics, mRNA vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and broad-spectrum antivirals have strengthened global response capacity, substantial gaps persist in equity, surveillance, and access to countermeasures. Strengthening One Health systems and resilient public health infrastructures is essential to anticipate and mitigate emerging infectious threats.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0732889326000271?via%3Dihub

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Emergence of Clade Ib #Monkeypox Virus—Current State of #Evidence

Abstract

Mpox was first identified against the backdrop of the smallpox eradication campaign. Monkeypox virus (MPXV), the causative agent of mpox, has been maintained in animal reservoirs in the forested regions of West and Central Africa as 2 distinct clades; clade I has historically caused more severe infection in Central Africa than clade II, historically found in West Africa. However, rapid reemergence and spread of both MPXV clades through novel routes of transmission have challenged the known characteristics of mpox. We summarize mpox demographic distribution, clinical severity, and case-fatality rates attributed to genetically distinct MPXV subclades and focus on MPXV clade Ib, the more recently identified subclade. Broad worldwide assistance will be necessary to halt the spread of both MPXV clades within mpox endemic and nonendemic regions to prevent future outbreaks.

Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/8/24-1551_article

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National #ONEHEALTH #Framework to Address #Zoonotic #Diseases and Advance Public Health #Preparedness in the #USA

Executive Summary 

The first ever National One Health Framework to Address Zoonotic Diseases and Advance Public Health Preparedness in the United States (NOHF-Zoonoses), 2025-2029, establishes a structure to facilitate multisectoral and transdisciplinary coordination, collaboration, and communication across the federal government. 

Using the One Health approach, the framework addresses zoonotic diseases and other priority One Health issues in the United States (U.S.). 

The One Health approach recognizes the interdependence of the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems). 

This approach mobilizes multiple diverse sectors, disciplines, and communities to work together to promote well-being and address health and ecosystem threats. 

Previous multisectoral work in the U.S. identified the critical need to formalize federal One Health coordination to address zoonotic diseases and other One Health related issues across the U.S. Government. 

Therefore, in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act and the 2021 House Appropriations Committee Report, Congress directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in coordination with other federal agencies, to develop a framework based on the One Health approach to address zoonotic diseases and advance public health preparedness. 

The Act also directed CDC to coordinate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to develop a mechanism to support coordination at the federal level related to prevention, detection, control, and response for zoonotic diseases and related One Health activities. 

The One Health approach applies to zoonotic diseases as well as many other health threats at the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and the environment.  

While the primary focus of the NOHF-Zoonoses is addressing zoonotic diseases and advancing public health preparedness, the U.S. OHCU has also incorporated other components of One Health into this framework. 

To meet these directives CDC partnered with DOI, USDA and other federal agencies beginning in November 2021, to plan the establishment of the United States One Health Coordination Unit (U.S. OHCU) and to draft the NOHFZoonoses. 

The U.S. OHCU was launched in January 2024, with joint leadership from CDC (Chair 2024-2026), DOI, and USDA.  

The U.S. OHCU is coordinated by a Chair that will rotate between CDC, USDA, and DOI on a biennial calendar year basis. 

U.S. OHCU membership includes 24 agencies related to health, agriculture, interior, wildlife, environment, development, state, commerce, defense, security, and other fields. 

The draft NOHF-Zoonoses was published in September 2023 via the Federal Register Notice process, to engage and obtain input from state, Tribe, local, and territorial (STLT), non-governmental partners, and the public.  

The NOHF-Zoonoses presents goals and objectives for application of the One Health approach to protect people, animals, and our shared environment in the U.S. from zoonotic diseases and advance public health preparedness to optimize health, food safety and security, and sustainability while also promoting biodiversity and conservation outcomes. 

The NOHF-Zoonoses was designed to align with and complement existing U.S. initiatives that incorporate the One Health approach. 

The seven goals outlined in the NOHF-Zoonoses include the following areas: 

-- (1) Coordination, Collaboration and Communication; 

-- (2) Prevention; 

-- (3) Preparedness; 

-- (4) Coordinated Outbreak Investigation, Response, and Recovery; 

-- (5) Surveillance; 

-- (6) Laboratory; and 

-- (7) Workforce. 

While this framework focuses on One Health coordination at the federal level, its success depends on robust partnerships with STLT, non-governmental organizations, academia, and private sector partners as well as collaboration with relevant international partners. 

Knowledge and best practices from the implementation of the NOHF-Zoonoses will inform future One Health priorities and strengthen the nation’s ability to address One Health threats and promote health, safety, security, and resilience at the human-animal-plant-environment interface. 

Advancing One Health collaboration in the U.S. through the U.S. OHCU and the NOHF-Zoonoses will enhance our ability to jointly prevent, detect, and respond to zoonotic disease threats and related One Health issues. This initiative will improve efficiency across the U.S. government by enhancing collaboration across all relevant sectors with governmental and non-governmental partners while optimizing resource use in order to protect the health, safety, and security of people, animals, plants, and our shared environment.

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Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/one-health/media/pdfs/2025/01/354391-A-NOHF-ZOONOSES-508_FINAL.pdf

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#Risk #assessment of #zoonotic #viruses in #urban-adapted #wildlife

Abstract

The repeated emergence of pandemic viruses underscores the linkages between land-use change and wildlife disease, and urban-adapted wildlife are of special interest due to their close proximity to humans. However, viral diversity within urban-adapted species and their zoonotic potential remain largely unexplored. We compiled a large dataset on seven priority urban-adapted mammal species and their viruses covering over 115 countries from 1574 to 2023. These urban-adapted species host 286 virus species spanning 24 orders and 38 families, 14 of which are potentially high risk for human infection. Raccoons carried the most high-risk viruses, while raccoon dogs had increased viral positivity in urban habitats compared to raccoons, wild boars, and red foxes. Many viruses in urban-adapted species were phylogenetically related to those found in humans, and we also observed evidence of possible viral spillback. These results highlight zoonotic risks associated with urban-adapted species and suggest enhanced surveillance to mitigate future outbreaks.

Source: BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.18.629064v1

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