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Coronaviruses have a major impact on human and animal health. The SARS-CoV-2, a beta coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is a clear example. It continues circulating and causes human deaths, and its high replication rate results in numerous variants. Coronaviruses adapt to birds and mammals and constitute a serious threat, and new viruses are likely to emerge. Urban pigeons (Columbiformes) are synanthropic birds of great interest from a 'One Health' perspective, due to their interaction with humans and other animals. Aware that they may act as viral reservoirs and contribute to their spread, we aimed to investigate the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses in Columbiformes in the city of Logroño, Spain. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were tested using real-time (N1 and E genes from SARS-CoV-2) and conventional PCR assays (RdRp gene from all coronaviruses). SARS-CoV-2 was not detected. A total of 13.3% of pigeons harbored coronaviruses closely related to Gamma coronavirus (Igacovirus) from Columbiformes in Finland, Poland and China. Monitoring the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 capable of infecting Columbiformes should continue. SARS-CoV-2 is still circulating, the viral RNA of this virus has been detected in avian species (Phasianidae and Anatidae), and other coronaviruses are associated with animals that are in close contact with humans. The presence of Gamma coronavirus in urban pigeons must be considered for the risk of surveillance of human infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Working equids represent a source of livelihood for vulnerable communities in low and middle-income countries. This has been widely demonstrated by research conducted in various contexts, which is available to policymakers. Nevertheless, the important social and economic role of working equids is overlooked and they are excluded by governments and international organisations from animal health policies and interventions, with detrimental effects on animal welfare, human wellbeing and livelihoods. By reviewing the literature available on the subject, this study aims to investigate the effects of diseases of working equids on the economic and social assets of their owners. Results show that working equid diseases severely damage livelihoods, human health and social assets. This study explores the relationship between working equid health, livelihoods and human health according to the 'One Health' approach that enables us to evaluate the implications of a particular problem on human, animal and environmental health. Through the 'One Health' approach, this study will serve as a resource to sensitise policymakers on the need to develop policies and interventions aimed at protecting the health and welfare of working equids and, consequently, the health and livelihoods of their owners. It is hoped that the 'One Health' approach applied within this study will provide an opportunity to also reach those policymakers who have not yet recognised the multiple implications of working equid health on human health, wellbeing and livelihoods. Working equids provide a crucial contribution to the livelihoods and food security of communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nevertheless, they are a neglected category within animal health policies and interventions of governmental and non-governmental institutions. This critical review aims to assess the socioeconomic impact of diseases of working equids in LMICs. By highlighting the implications of diseases on working equid welfare, human wellbeing and livelihoods, this review seeks to sensitise policymakers within governments and international organisations to develop policies and interventions aimed at protecting the health of working equids and, consequently, the health and livelihoods of their dependent communities. Twenty relevant publications were identified through the search of five databases (CAB Abstracts, Web of Science Core Collection, BIOSIS, EMBASE and Scopus), backward citation searching and screening of indexes of proceedings and Special Issues retrieved from the database search. The review findings show that diseases of working equids have detrimental socioeconomic effects. However, this subject is under-researched and restricted to few diseases and geographical settings. Considering the complexity of the issue, this review demonstrates that the 'One Health' approach represents an opportunity to clarify the link between equid health, human wellbeing and livelihoods, facilitating the translation of research into policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronaviruses have a major impact on human and animal health. The SARS-CoV-2, a beta coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is a clear example. It continues circulating and causes human deaths, and its high replication rate results in numerous variants. Coronaviruses adapt to birds and mammals and constitute a serious threat, and new viruses are likely to emerge. Urban pigeons (Columbiformes) are synanthropic birds of great interest from a ‘One Health’ perspective, due to their interaction with humans and other animals. Aware that they may act as viral reservoirs and contribute to their spread, we aimed to investigate the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses in Columbiformes in the city of Logroño, Spain. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were tested using real-time (N1 and E genes from SARS-CoV-2) and conventional PCR assays (RdRp gene from all coronaviruses). SARS-CoV-2 was not detected. A total of 13.3% of pigeons harbored coronaviruses closely related to Gamma coronavirus (Igacovirus) from Columbiformes in Finland, Poland and China. Monitoring the emergence of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 capable of infecting Columbiformes should continue. SARS-CoV-2 is still circulating, the viral RNA of this virus has been detected in avian species (Phasianidae and Anatidae), and other coronaviruses are associated with animals that are in close contact with humans. The presence of Gamma coronavirus in urban pigeons must be considered for the risk of surveillance of human infections.

Simple Summary: Wildlife is an important source of infectious diseases, including those caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). STEC are one of the most frequent bacterial agents associated with outbreaks of foodborne disease. This article analyses STEC in faecal samples from red deer and roe deer. The identified O146:H28, O146:HNM, O103:H7, O103:H21, and O45:HNM serotypes and eae/stx2b, stx1a, stx1NS/stx2b, stx2a, stx2b, and stx2g virulence profiles may be potentially pathogenic to humans. The STEC detected in faecal samples from wildlife poses risks to humans, animals, and agricultural production due to the possibility of direct contact with faeces. In conclusion, the pathogenic potential of STEC should be monitored in the context of the 'One Health' approach which links human health with animal and environmental health. Wildlife can harbour Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). In the present study, STEC in faecal samples from red deer (n = 106) and roe deer (n = 95) were characterised. All isolates were non-O157 strains. In red deer, STEC were detected in 17.9% (n = 19) of the isolates, and the eae/stx2b virulence profile was detected in two isolates (10.5%). One STEC strain harboured stx1a (5.3%) and eighteen STEC strains harboured stx2 (94.7%). The most prevalent stx2 subtypes were stx2b (n = 12; 66.7%), stx2a (n = 3; 16.7%), and stx2g (n = 2; 11.1%). One isolate could not be subtyped (NS) with the applied primers (5.6%). The most widely identified serotypes were O146:H28 (n = 4; 21%), O146:HNM (n = 2; 10.5%), O103:H7 (n = 1; 5.3%), O103:H21 (n = 1; 5.3%), and O45:HNM (n = 1; 5.3%). In roe deer, STEC were detected in 16.8% (n = 16) of the isolates, and the eae/stx2b virulence profile was detected in one isolate (6.3%). Two STEC strains harboured stx1a (12.5%), one strain harboured stx1NS/stx2b (6.3%), and thirteen strains harboured stx2 (81.3%). The most common subtypes were stx2b (n = 8; 61.5%), stx2g (n = 2; 15.4%), non-typeable subtypes (NS) (n = 2; 15.4%), and stx2a (n = 1; 7.7%). Serotype O146:H28 (n = 5; 31.3%) was identified. The study demonstrated that the zoonotic potential of STEC strains isolated from wildlife faeces should be monitored in the context of the 'One Health' approach which links human health with animal and environmental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working equids provide a crucial contribution to the livelihoods and food security of communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nevertheless, they are a neglected category within animal health policies and interventions of governmental and non-governmental institutions. This critical review aims to assess the socioeconomic impact of diseases of working equids in LMICs. By highlighting the implications of diseases on working equid welfare, human wellbeing and livelihoods, this review seeks to sensitise policymakers within governments and international organisations to develop policies and interventions aimed at protecting the health of working equids and, consequently, the health and livelihoods of their dependent communities. Twenty relevant publications were identified through the search of five databases (CAB Abstracts, Web of Science Core Collection, BIOSIS, EMBASE and Scopus), backward citation searching and screening of indexes of proceedings and Special Issues retrieved from the database search. The review findings show that diseases of working equids have detrimental socioeconomic effects. However, this subject is under-researched and restricted to few diseases and geographical settings. Considering the complexity of the issue, this review demonstrates that the ‘One Health’ approach represents an opportunity to clarify the link between equid health, human wellbeing and livelihoods, facilitating the translation of research into policy.

Abstract Background West Nile Disease (WND) is a zoonotic mosquito‐borne infection involving viral pathogens, human and animal hosts, vectors and environment. Cooperation among medical, veterinary and entomological fields has been promoted by the Italian Public Health Authorities, and an integrated West Nile Virus (WNV) Surveillance Plan has been in force in Italy since 2016 to prevent the transmission risk of WND to humans through an early detection of viral circulation by animal and entomological surveillance. This managing model is unique in Europe. Objectives This survey aimed at presenting the ‘One Health’ approach applied in 2016 to the first autochthonous human case of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) in Sicily (Southern Italy). Methods Serological (anti‐WNV IgM and IgG ELISA, anti‐WNV neutralizing antibodies) and molecular tests were conducted on blood, liquor and urine of a 38‐year‐old man with encephalitis and meningitis. Overall, 2704 adult culicides from 160 mosquito catches were morphologically identified. Female mosquitoes were analysed in pools for WNV RNA detection. Serological (anti‐WNV IgM and IgG ELISA) and molecular analyses for WNV were carried out in 11 horses, 271 chickens and two dogs sampled in farms around the man's residence. Results and conclusions WNND was confirmed by serological analysis on patient's liquor and serum. Collected mosquito species included Culex pipiens (93.56%, CI95% 92.64%–94.49%), Aedes albopictus (5.25%, CI95% 4.41%–6.09%), Culex hortensis (0.59%, CI95% 0.30%–0.88%), Culiseta longiareolata (0.55%, CI95% 0.27%–0.83%) and Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (0.04%, CI95% –0.04% to 0.11%). Mosquito pools were negative for WNV RNA. Two dogs (100%) and two horses (18.18%, CI95% –4.61 to 40.97%) resulted positive for anti‐WNV specific antibodies. The ‘One Health’ approach allowed to report the first human neuroinvasive WND in Sicily and to confirm the local circulation of WNV in animals of the same area where the clinical case occurred, defining the autochthonous origin of the infection.

Wildlife can harbour Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). In the present study, STEC in faecal samples from red deer (n = 106) and roe deer (n = 95) were characterised. All isolates were non-O157 strains. In red deer, STEC were detected in 17.9% (n = 19) of the isolates, and the eae/stx2b virulence profile was detected in two isolates (10.5%). One STEC strain harboured stx1a (5.3%) and eighteen STEC strains harboured stx2 (94.7%). The most prevalent stx2 subtypes were stx2b (n = 12; 66.7%), stx2a (n = 3; 16.7%), and stx2g (n = 2; 11.1%). One isolate could not be subtyped (NS) with the applied primers (5.6%). The most widely identified serotypes were O146:H28 (n = 4; 21%), O146:HNM (n = 2; 10.5%), O103:H7 (n = 1; 5.3%), O103:H21 (n = 1; 5.3%), and O45:HNM (n = 1; 5.3%). In roe deer, STEC were detected in 16.8% (n = 16) of the isolates, and the eae/stx2b virulence profile was detected in one isolate (6.3%). Two STEC strains harboured stx1a (12.5%), one strain harboured stx1NS/stx2b (6.3%), and thirteen strains harboured stx2 (81.3%). The most common subtypes were stx2b (n = 8; 61.5%), stx2g (n = 2; 15.4%), non-typeable subtypes (NS) (n = 2; 15.4%), and stx2a (n = 1; 7.7%). Serotype O146:H28 (n = 5; 31.3%) was identified. The study demonstrated that the zoonotic potential of STEC strains isolated from wildlife faeces should be monitored in the context of the ‘One Health’ approach which links human health with animal and environmental health.

Background: West Nile Disease (WND) is a zoonotic mosquito‐borne infection involving viral pathogens, human and animal hosts, vectors and environment. Cooperation among medical, veterinary and entomological fields has been promoted by the Italian Public Health Authorities, and an integrated West Nile Virus (WNV) Surveillance Plan has been in force in Italy since 2016 to prevent the transmission risk of WND to humans through an early detection of viral circulation by animal and entomological surveillance. This managing model is unique in Europe. Objectives: This survey aimed at presenting the 'One Health' approach applied in 2016 to the first autochthonous human case of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND) in Sicily (Southern Italy). Methods: Serological (anti‐WNV IgM and IgG ELISA, anti‐WNV neutralizing antibodies) and molecular tests were conducted on blood, liquor and urine of a 38‐year‐old man with encephalitis and meningitis. Overall, 2704 adult culicides from 160 mosquito catches were morphologically identified. Female mosquitoes were analysed in pools for WNV RNA detection. Serological (anti‐WNV IgM and IgG ELISA) and molecular analyses for WNV were carried out in 11 horses, 271 chickens and two dogs sampled in farms around the man's residence. Results and conclusions: WNND was confirmed by serological analysis on patient's liquor and serum. Collected mosquito species included Culex pipiens (93.56%, CI95% 92.64%–94.49%), Aedes albopictus (5.25%, CI95% 4.41%–6.09%), Culex hortensis (0.59%, CI95% 0.30%–0.88%), Culiseta longiareolata (0.55%, CI95% 0.27%–0.83%) and Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (0.04%, CI95% –0.04% to 0.11%). Mosquito pools were negative for WNV RNA. Two dogs (100%) and two horses (18.18%, CI95% –4.61 to 40.97%) resulted positive for anti‐WNV specific antibodies. The 'One Health' approach allowed to report the first human neuroinvasive WND in Sicily and to confirm the local circulation of WNV in animals of the same area where the clinical case occurred, defining the autochthonous origin of the infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]