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Current knowledge of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in Zambia: A clarion call to scaling-up One Health research in the wake of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases

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Title: Current knowledge of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in Zambia: A clarion call to scaling-up One Health research in the wake of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases
Authors: Mubemba, Benjamin Browse this author
Mburu, Monicah Browse this author
Changula, Katendi G. Browse this author
Muleya, Walter E. Browse this author
Moonga, Lavel E. Browse this author
Chambaro, Herman Browse this author
Kajihara, Masahiro Browse this author
Qiu, Yongjin Browse this author
Orba, Yasuko Browse this author →KAKEN DB
Hayashida, Kyoko Browse this author
Sutcliffe, Catherine Browse this author
Norris, Douglas Browse this author
Thuma, Philip Browse this author
Ndubani, Phillimon Browse this author
Chitanga, Simbarashe Browse this author
Sawa, Hirofumi Browse this author →KAKEN DB
Takada, Ayato Browse this author →KAKEN DB
Simulundu, Edgar Browse this author
Issue Date: 4-Feb-2022
Publisher: PLOS
Journal Title: PLoS neglected tropical diseases
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Start Page: e0010193
Publisher DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010193
Abstract: Author summaryDespite vector-borne zoonoses being a major public health threat globally, they are often overlooked, particularly among resource-constrained countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Zambia. Therefore, we reviewed the current knowledge and identified research gaps of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in Zambia. We focussed on mosquito-, tick-, flea- and tsetse fly-borne zoonotic pathogens reported in the country. Although we found evidence of circulation of several vector-borne zoonotic pathogens among vectors, animals and humans, clinical cases in humans were rarely reported. This suggests sparse capacity for diagnosis of vector-borne pathogens in healthcare facilities in the country and possibly limited awareness and knowledge of the local epidemiology of these infectious agents. Establishment of facility-based surveillance of vector-borne zoonoses in health facilities could provide valuable insights on morbidity, disease severity, and mortalities associated with infections as well as immune responses. In addition, there is also need for increased genomic surveillance of vector-borne pathogens in vectors and animals and humans for a better understanding of the molecular epidemiology of these diseases in Zambia. Furthermore, vector ecology studies aimed at understanding the drivers of vector abundance, pathogen host range (i.e., including the range of vectors and reservoirs), parasite-host interactions and factors influencing frequency of human-vector contacts should be prioritized. The study revealed the need for Zambia to scale-up One Health research in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases to enable the country to be better prepared for future epidemics, including pandemics. BackgroundAlthough vector-borne zoonotic diseases are a major public health threat globally, they are usually neglected, especially among resource-constrained countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa. This scoping review examined the current knowledge and identified research gaps of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in Zambia. Methods and findingsMajor scientific databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, CABI, Scientific Information Database (SID)) were searched for articles describing vector-borne (mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and tsetse flies) zoonotic pathogens in Zambia. Several mosquito-borne arboviruses have been reported including Yellow fever, Ntaya, Mayaro, Dengue, Zika, West Nile, Chikungunya, Sindbis, and Rift Valley fever viruses. Flea-borne zoonotic pathogens reported include Yersinia pestis and Rickettsia felis. Trypanosoma sp. was the only tsetse fly-borne pathogen identified. Further, tick-borne zoonotic pathogens reported included Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever virus, Rickettsia sp., Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia sp., Borrelia sp., and Coxiella burnetii. ConclusionsThis study revealed the presence of many vector-borne zoonotic pathogens circulating in vectors and animals in Zambia. Though reports of human clinical cases were limited, several serological studies provided considerable evidence of zoonotic transmission of vector-borne pathogens in humans. However, the disease burden in humans attributable to vector-borne zoonotic infections could not be ascertained from the available reports and this precludes the formulation of national policies that could help in the control and mitigation of the impact of these diseases in Zambia. Therefore, there is an urgent need to scale-up "One Health" research in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases to enable the country to prepare for future epidemics, including pandemics.
Type: article
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2115/84333
Appears in Collections:人獣共通感染症国際共同研究所 (International Institute for Zoonosis Control) > 雑誌発表論文等 (Peer-reviewed Journal Articles, etc)

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