Olushayo Oluseun Olu, Robert Lubajo, Misaki Wayengera, Wilber Sabiiti, Esther Namukose Muwanguzi, Sylvester Maleghemi, Henry Kyobe Bosa
{"title":"Beyond counting the numbers - focused outbreaks response strategies are needed to control the mpox outbreak in Africa.","authors":"Olushayo Oluseun Olu, Robert Lubajo, Misaki Wayengera, Wilber Sabiiti, Esther Namukose Muwanguzi, Sylvester Maleghemi, Henry Kyobe Bosa","doi":"10.1186/s42522-026-00195-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-026-00195-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite ongoing prevention and control efforts, the mpox outbreak in Africa has persisted. Between 1 January 2024 and 7 December 2025, a total of 60,997 confirmed cases and 244 deaths have been reported across 34 African countries. Notably, 70% of these cases (n = 43,052) occurred in the 2025, indicating a marked escalation in outbreak intensity. The epicentre of transmission has shifted from Central Africa, where clade I (a and b) of the mpox virus predominates to West Africa, where clade II (a and b) is now more prevalent highlighting a widening and more diffuse spread of the outbreak. In this article, we examine the key drivers sustaining transmission using a narrative synthesis approach and propose practical, evidence-based recommendations to halt further spread.</p><p><strong>Main text: </strong>While several structural and systemic factors are responsible for the persistent transmission of mpox, we argue that the immediate challenge lies in the suboptimal strategic implementation of existing outbreak response interventions. Our analysis identifies seven key drivers of the ongoing spread namely inadequate surveillance and laboratory investigation strategies, weak data management systems and underreporting and insufficient follow-up of contacts. Other drivers are the widespread use of home-based care for confirmed cases, often in settings with poor infection prevention and control, limited community engagement, participation and ownership of outbreak response efforts and poorly targeted vaccination interventions, largely due to weak or incomplete data and the chronic conflicts in some of the affected countries. To address these issues, we recommend a shift toward more evidence-informed and context-specific implementation of traditional prevention and control measures. Specifically, we call for alignment of surveillance strategies with local mpox epidemiology and transmission dynamics, strengthening laboratory capacity, including genomic sequencing and revision of case definitions based on current clinical and epidemiological data. Additionally, we recommend enhancement of outbreak data management systems with digital and innovative technologies, adoption of evidence-based and context-specific risk communication and community engagement and case management models and deployment of data-driven vaccination strategies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Considering the foregoing, there is an urgent need to rethink and refocus current mpox outbreak response strategies in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":"8 1","pages":"6"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12857144/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146088709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jabulani Nyengere, Willard Mbewe, Lucius Malalu, Harineck Tholo, Allena Laura Njala, Takondwa Sembo, Sylvester William Kumpolota, Richard Lizwe Mvula, Chikondi Chisenga, Charity Kanyika-Mbewe, Alfred Maluwa, Fasil Ejigu Eregno
{"title":"Geospatial modelling for zoonotic disease hotspot identification within a One Health framework: a systematic review.","authors":"Jabulani Nyengere, Willard Mbewe, Lucius Malalu, Harineck Tholo, Allena Laura Njala, Takondwa Sembo, Sylvester William Kumpolota, Richard Lizwe Mvula, Chikondi Chisenga, Charity Kanyika-Mbewe, Alfred Maluwa, Fasil Ejigu Eregno","doi":"10.1186/s42522-026-00194-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-026-00194-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zoonotic diseases continue to pose significant public health threats worldwide, driven by complex interactions at the human-animal-environment interface. Geospatial modelling has emerged as a critical tool for identifying disease hotspots and supporting One Health-oriented surveillance and intervention strategies. However, a systematic synthesis of how geospatial approaches operationalize One Health principles remains limited. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2021 guidelines to synthesise peer reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 that applied geospatial modelling to identify zoonotic disease hotspots. Multiple bibliographic databases were searched, and studies were screened using predefined inclusion criteria. Data were extracted on modelling approaches, predictor variables, geographic focus, and levels of One Health integration, followed by qualitative and quantitative descriptive synthesis. A total of 46 studies met the inclusion criteria. Publication output increased markedly after 2020, with studies concentrated in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Bayesian spatial models, satellite imagery-based analyses, machine learning methods, and ecological niche modelling were most frequently employed. Climatic variables dominated predictor selection, while socio ecological and animal health variables were less consistently integrated. Full integration of human, animal, and environmental domains was observed in only 15.2% of studies, with most exhibiting partial or implicit alignment with One Health principles. Data availability, quality, and spatial and temporal resolution were the most reported limitations. Geospatial modelling plays an increasingly important role in zoonotic disease hotspot identification, yet its capacity to operationalise One Health remains constrained by data fragmentation and uneven domain integration. Strengthening integrated surveillance systems, expanding socio ecological predictor inclusion, and promoting harmonised methodological standards are essential for enhancing the policy relevance and operational impact of geospatial approaches in zoonotic disease prevention and control.</p>","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":" ","pages":"7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12857150/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146069431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hongying Li, Beate Henrichfreise, Johannes Keil, Michael Nagel, Craig Stephen, Jamie K Reaser
{"title":"From commitment to action: lessons from 18 transdisciplinary projects addressing health risks in wildlife trade.","authors":"Hongying Li, Beate Henrichfreise, Johannes Keil, Michael Nagel, Craig Stephen, Jamie K Reaser","doi":"10.1186/s42522-025-00190-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-025-00190-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":" ","pages":"11"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12879439/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146044449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alexina K Morang'a, Dishon M Muloi, Hannah Aanonsen, Arshnee Moodley
{"title":"Assessing the antimicrobial resistance testing capacity of public and private veterinary laboratories in Kenya.","authors":"Alexina K Morang'a, Dishon M Muloi, Hannah Aanonsen, Arshnee Moodley","doi":"10.1186/s42522-025-00192-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-025-00192-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":" ","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12879395/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146044455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Human-wildlife conflict and its impacts on livelihoods, health, and the environment in Chebera Churchura National Park, Southwest Ethiopia: a phenomenological study using a One Health approach with an urgent call for action.","authors":"Tadesse Guadu, Anteneh Berhane, Tarekegn Solomon, Ararso Tafese, Kissanet Tesfay, Akeza Awealom Asgedom, Berhanu Abera, Belete Debebe, Melaku Getachew, Agumas Shibabaw, Alfoalem Araba Abiye, Mukarim Abdurahman, Waktole Yadeta, Yordanos Tadesse, Hailu Lemma, Knight-Jones Theodore, Siobhan M Mor, Seid Tiku Mereta, Mirgissa Kaba","doi":"10.1186/s42522-025-00188-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-025-00188-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":" ","pages":"8"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12857082/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145994554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Precious Innocent Mastala, Patrick Ken Kalonde, Enerst Chikhola, Jordana Burdon Bailey, Joseph Nkhoma, Frederic Lohr, Tamanda Hiwa, Bessie Phiri, Catherine Wood, Thoko Flav Kapalamula, Fanuel Bickton, Blessings Chiepa, Hannah Joan Jørgensen, Stella Mazeri, Janelisa Musaya
{"title":"Challenges and potential opportunities for improving One Health surveillance in low-resource settings: Insights from rabies surveillance in Malawi.","authors":"Precious Innocent Mastala, Patrick Ken Kalonde, Enerst Chikhola, Jordana Burdon Bailey, Joseph Nkhoma, Frederic Lohr, Tamanda Hiwa, Bessie Phiri, Catherine Wood, Thoko Flav Kapalamula, Fanuel Bickton, Blessings Chiepa, Hannah Joan Jørgensen, Stella Mazeri, Janelisa Musaya","doi":"10.1186/s42522-025-00193-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-025-00193-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":" ","pages":"5"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12829156/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145919540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jan Kamiš, Veronika Grymová, Petr Suvorov, Luc Tardy, Petr Vrána, Jan Kirner, Soňa Peková, Vladimír Piaček, Miša Škorič, Jan Pokorný, Natalie Rudenko, Martin Palus, Václav Hönig
{"title":"First report of Usutu virus fatal infections in Chilean tinamous (Nothoprocta perdicaria), brahminy starlings (Sturnia pagodarum), and multiple other bird species in zoological gardens and wildlife in the Czech Republic.","authors":"Jan Kamiš, Veronika Grymová, Petr Suvorov, Luc Tardy, Petr Vrána, Jan Kirner, Soňa Peková, Vladimír Piaček, Miša Škorič, Jan Pokorný, Natalie Rudenko, Martin Palus, Václav Hönig","doi":"10.1186/s42522-025-00191-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-025-00191-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":" ","pages":"4"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12828963/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145897181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Osman Ahmed Dar, Melika Akhbari, Ali Akhbari, Hassaan Zahid, Max Claron, Neil Spicer, Hadjer Nacer, Mishal Khan
{"title":"One health-sustainability intersections: an umbrella systematic review with a new integrated definition of sustainability and a meta-conceptual framework.","authors":"Osman Ahmed Dar, Melika Akhbari, Ali Akhbari, Hassaan Zahid, Max Claron, Neil Spicer, Hadjer Nacer, Mishal Khan","doi":"10.1186/s42522-025-00187-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-025-00187-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":" ","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12784618/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145846905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kaia Vedlog Kveen, Kyra Lilier, Marte Karoline Råberg Kjøllesdal, Mijail Naranjo-Zolotov, Patcharin Lapanun, Inês Veiga, Sara Dias, Hans Jørgen Overgaard, Kate Bärnighausen
{"title":"Public health messaging and community engagement during COVID-19: a rapid-review from the Greater Mekong Subregion.","authors":"Kaia Vedlog Kveen, Kyra Lilier, Marte Karoline Råberg Kjøllesdal, Mijail Naranjo-Zolotov, Patcharin Lapanun, Inês Veiga, Sara Dias, Hans Jørgen Overgaard, Kate Bärnighausen","doi":"10.1186/s42522-025-00183-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-025-00183-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of public health messaging and community engagement in reducing disease transmission. This rapid review analyzes these approaches in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases, to help inform future pandemic preparedness and response strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This rapid review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Checklist. We used Web of Science and PubMed databases. Articles were included if they addressed COVID-19-related public health messaging and/or community engagement initiatives, focused on countries within the GMS, were published in English between 2020 and 2024, and provided full-text access. Articles focusing on unrelated topics, such as vaccine development or adverse effects of the pandemic were excluded. Data extraction was performed using a calibrated data extraction sheet, with two researchers extracting and verifying the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After the screening process, 26 articles were included, and 24 were excluded. Three articles use qualitative methods, five articles use quantitative approaches, eleven articles are identified as descriptive and seven are literature reviews. In most countries the government employed a centralized strategy for streamlined and coherent communication using traditional media, social media and mobile applications. Vietnam demonstrated an innovative and inclusive approach to risk communication, leveraging creative approaches such as songs and slogans to disseminate messages. Thailand effectively utilized its pre-existing network of village health volunteers to inform community members, though marginalized groups remained hard to reach.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The GMS employed diverse public health messaging and community engagement strategies during COVID-19. Our findings emphasize the importance of adaptable and inclusive strategies to ensure equitable public health outcomes in future pandemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":" ","pages":"61"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12690867/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145710618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sherihane Aryeetey, Philip El-Duah, Jonathan Mawutor Gmanyami, George Agyei, Augustina Angelina Sylverken, Rexford Mawunyo Dumevi, William Tasiame, Yaw Adu-Sarkodie, Richard Odame Phillips, Christian Drosten, Michael Owusu
{"title":"Viral zoonotic disease outbreaks and response strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.","authors":"Sherihane Aryeetey, Philip El-Duah, Jonathan Mawutor Gmanyami, George Agyei, Augustina Angelina Sylverken, Rexford Mawunyo Dumevi, William Tasiame, Yaw Adu-Sarkodie, Richard Odame Phillips, Christian Drosten, Michael Owusu","doi":"10.1186/s42522-025-00186-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s42522-025-00186-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94348,"journal":{"name":"One health outlook","volume":" ","pages":"3"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12801751/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145703528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}