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Special Article
Limiting the spillover of zoonotic pathogens from traditional food markets in developing countries and a new market design for risk-proofing
Sandeep Ghatak, Kandhan Srinivas, Arockiasamy Arun Prince Milton, Govindarajan Bhuvana Priya, Samir Das, Johanna F. Lindahl
Epidemiol Health. 2023;45:e2023097.   Published online October 30, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2023097
  • 1,593 View
  • 94 Download
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDF
Abstract
Traditional food markets are age-old systems that primarily serve the food supply needs of society’s less affluent sectors, often operating with minimal infrastructure. These markets are prevalent in low and middle-income countries. However, their hygienic conditions are frequently suboptimal, potentially fostering the emergence and spread of presumptive zoonotic diseases. The recent emergence of zoonotic or potentially zoonotic diseases and their possible links to traditional food markets underscore the need for focused attention on this overlooked issue. The socioeconomic characteristics of traditional food markets reveal that despite the risk of zoonotic pathogen spread, these markets play a crucial role for large segments of the population. These individuals rely on such markets for their livelihood, food, and nutrition. Therefore, a comprehensive set of measures addressing various aspects of traditional food markets is necessary to manage and mitigate the risks of potential zoonotic disease emergence. In this article, we explore various facets of traditional food markets, paying special attention to the risks of zoonotic diseases that urgently require stakeholder attention. We also propose a new market design to prevent the risk of zoonotic spillover and advocate for the development of a Market Hygiene Index for these markets.
Summary
Key Message
Embracing Tradition, Ensuring Safety! Traditional food markets are vital for many communities, supplying food and livelihoods. Yet, their suboptimal hygiene poses potential risks for zoonotic diseases. Our article sheds light on the importance of addressing this issue and offers a new market design for risk-proofing in developing countries. Join the conversation on safeguarding these markets and support the vulnerable for a safer, healthier future!
Epidemiologic Investigation
Investigation of a human brucellosis outbreak in Douz, Tunisia, 2018
Nejib Charaa, Rabaa Ghrab, Aicha Ben Othman, Mohamed Makhlouf, Hejer Ltaief, Nissaf Ben Alaya, Mohamed Chahed
Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022048.   Published online May 18, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022048
  • 6,220 View
  • 318 Download
  • 2 Web of Science
  • 2 Crossref
AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDF
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
In 2017, the incidence of human brucellosis in Tunisia was 9.8 per 100,000 population. In the Douz district, 2 cases were reported in March 2018. Prior to that date, the last indigenous cases to be reported in Douz had been in 2015. This study aimed to identify the source of this new contamination and recommend control interventions.
METHODS
This case-control study included residents of Douz who presented with clinical symptoms of brucellosis and had a subsequent Wright test antibody titer ≥ 1/160. The controls were neighbors of the infected cases who had a negative Rose Bengal test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratios of risk factors. Goats belonging to the cases and controls were actively screened.
RESULTS
Twenty-five infected cases and 52 uninfected controls were enrolled. All infected cases had consumed goat milk and 92% had purchased it from the same breeder. Consumption of goat milk from this breeder (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 30.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.47 to 235.91) and overall consumption of raw goat milk (aOR, 14.84; 95% CI, 2.04 to 310.44) were independent risk factors for brucellosis. The breeder had 18 goats, 5 of which were smuggled from a neighboring country. Three of those goats were diagnosed with brucellosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Consumption of raw milk from smuggled sick goats was the main risk factor in this outbreak. The sick goats were slaughtered and an education campaign was conducted. Vaccination, control of cross-border animal movements, and control of goat milk sales must be strengthened to prevent the spread of brucellosis in southwestern Tunisia.
Summary
Key Message
Human brucellosis, despite being a major economic and health problem and the availability of proven control methods, is still endemic in North African countries. The scarcity of epidemiological data, under-reporting, certain weaknesses in surveillance systems and the lack of well-conducted outbreak investigations, contribute to this endemic state. This field epidemiological investigation of a human brucellosis outbreak highlighted the importance of serological surveillance, the slaughter of infected animals, vaccination, control of animal movements across borders and pasteurization of milk in the fight against this disease.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Native circulating Brucella melitensis lineages causing a brucellosis epidemic in Qinghai, China
    Hongmei Xue, Zhijun Zhao, Jianling Wang, Li Ma, Jiquan Li, Xuxin Yang, Lingling Ren, Liqing Xu, Zhiguo Liu, Zhenjun Li
    Frontiers in Microbiology.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • Long ignored but making a comeback: a worldwide epidemiological evolution of human brucellosis
    Zhiguo Liu, Liping Gao, Miao Wang, Min Yuan, Zhenjun Li
    Emerging Microbes & Infections.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
Systematic Review
Distribution pattern and prevalence of West Nile virus infection in Nigeria from 1950 to 2020: a systematic review
Idris Nasir Abdullahi, Anthony Uchenna Emeribe, Peter Elisha Ghamba, Pius Omoruyi Omosigho, Zakariyya Muhammad Bello, Bamidele Soji Oderinde, Samuel Ayobami Fasogbon, Lawal Olayemi, Isa Muhammad Daneji, Muhammad Hamis Musa, Justin Onyebuchi Nwofe, Nkechi Blessing Onukegbe, Chukwudi Crescent Okume, Sanusi Musa, Abubakar Muhammad Gwarzo, Odunayo Oyetola Rahmat Ajagbe
Epidemiol Health. 2020;42:e2020071.   Published online November 26, 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2020071
  • 11,154 View
  • 230 Download
  • 6 Web of Science
  • 4 Crossref
AbstractAbstract PDF
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
West Nile virus (WNV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne viral infection. This study investigated the pooled prevalence pattern and risk factors of WNV infection among humans and animals in Nigeria.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted of eligible studies published in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from January 1, 1950 to August 30, 2020. Peer-reviewed cross-sectional studies describing WNV infections in humans and animals were systematically reviewed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q statistic.
RESULTS
Eighteen out of 432 available search output were eligible and included for this study. Of which 13 and 5 were WNV studies on humans and animals, respectively. Although 61.5% of the human studies had a low risk of bias, they all had high heterogeneity. The South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria had the highest pooled prevalence of anti-WNV immunoglobulin M (IgM; 7.8% in humans). The pooled seroprevalence of anti-WNV IgM and immunoglobulin G (IgG) was 7.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9 to 8.3) and 76.5% (95% CI, 74.0 to 78.8), respectively. The WNV RNA prevalence was 1.9% (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.9), while 14.3% (95% CI, 12.9 to 15.8) had WNV-neutralizing antibodies. In animals, the pooled seroprevalence of anti-WNV IgM and IgG was 90.3% (95% CI, 84.3 to 94.6) and 3.5% (95% CI, 1.9 to 5.8), respectively, while 20.0% (95% CI, 12.9 to 21.4) had WNV-neutralizing antibodies. Age (odds ratio [OR], 3.73; 95% CI, 1.87 to 7.45; p<0.001) and level of education (no formal education: OR, 4.31; 95% CI, 1.08 to 17.2; p<0.05; primary: OR, 7.29; 95% CI, 1.80 to 29.6; p<0.01) were significant risk factors for WNV IgM seropositivity in humans.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study highlight the endemicity of WNV in animals and humans in Nigeria and underscore the need for the One Health prevention and control approach.
Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Comparison of West Nile Virus Disease in Humans and Horses: Exploiting Similarities for Enhancing Syndromic Surveillance
    Erika R. Schwarz, Maureen T. Long
    Viruses.2023; 15(6): 1230.     CrossRef
  • Seroprevalence of IgG Antibodies Directed against Dengue, Chikungunya and West Nile Viruses and Associated Risk Factors in Madagascar, 2011 to 2013
    Anaïs Broban, Marie-Marie Olive, Michael Luciano Tantely, Anne-Claire Dorsemans, Fanjasoa Rakotomanana, Jean-Pierre Ravalohery, Christophe Rogier, Jean-Michel Heraud, Soa Fy Andriamandimby
    Viruses.2023; 15(8): 1707.     CrossRef
  • Non-traumatic coma in young children in Benin: are viral and bacterial infections gaining ground on cerebral malaria?
    Josselin Brisset, Karl Angendu Baki, Laurence Watier, Elisée Kinkpé, Justine Bailly, Linda Ayédadjou, Maroufou Jules Alao, Ida Dossou-Dagba, Gwladys I. Bertin, Michel Cot, Farid Boumédiène, Daniel Ajzenberg, Agnès Aubouy, Sandrine Houzé, Jean-François Fau
    Infectious Diseases of Poverty.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • A Scoping Review of West Nile Virus Seroprevalence Studies among African Equids
    Olaolu T. Olufemi, Marta Barba, Janet M. Daly
    Pathogens.2021; 10(7): 899.     CrossRef

Epidemiol Health : Epidemiology and Health