Publications
2024
Multifactorial determinants of vector presence, distribution and ability of transmitting diseases, demand holistic approaches that consider eco-biosocial factors, such as One Health (OH), and engage institutions and communities to reduce vulnerability to vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Although the importance of multisectoral, multilevel and multigroup collaboration for prevention and preparedness to VBDs has been promoted by international guidance, evidence about practical experiences adopting a OH approach needs to be gathered and enabling factors for a successful governance highlighted.
Public Health expertise leaders implemented the One Health MediLabSecure Situation Analysis (OHMeSA) in Montenegro in collaboration with experts of the relevant National Institutions. The goal of the OHMeSA study was to strengthen the One Health system for prevention and preparedness to arboviruses and vector-borne diseases in Montenegro.
- 01/2024 - Assessing the Adoption of One Health Approaches in National Plans to Combat Health Threats: The Pilot of a One Health Conceptual Framework in Armenia
A situation analysis was conducted in Armenia to assess the level of One Health integration in addressing Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever/virus and anthrax. Identified as priorities by local stakeholders, actions were outlined using a One Health framework to strengthen the national system. The study underscored the need for enhanced multidisciplinary efforts in preventing vectorborne diseases and zoonoses, with priority actions identified for integrating the One Health approach.
2022
- 12/2022 - Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies before and after implementation of anti-COVID-19 vaccination among hospital staff in Bangui, Central African Republic
The pandemic highlighted the need to investigate immunization levels among healthcare workers for COVID-19 prevention.This study aims to evaluate any changes in anti-COVID-19 serological status before and after the vaccination campaign of health personnel in Central African Republic.
Accurate identification of insect species is an indispensable and challenging requirement for every entomologist, particularly if the species is involved in disease outbreaks. The European MediLabSecure project designed an identification (ID) exercise available to any willing participant with the aim of assessing and improving knowledge in mosquito taxonomy. The exercise was based on high-definition photomicrographs of mosquitoes (26 adult females and 12 larvae) collected from the western Palaearctic.
This is the first report of anti-CCHFV antibodies in sheep from B&H pro-viding the evidence of CCHFV circulation in the country’s sheep population. So far, these findings indicate the circulation of the virus in the westernmost region of the Balkans and point to the potential CCHFV spread further out of this endemic area.
Since its discovery in the African continent in 1937, West Nile virus expansion and invasion into new regions represent a serious concern today for an increasing number of countries worldwide. This study provides an updated overview on the current knowledge of WNV epidemiology in each African country, summarizing available data on incidence of the infection in humans and animals circulating lineages and clades.
2021
Emerging infectious diseases pose an increasing threat to all nations around the world, including to developed countries. By definition, because they are rare or unknown, public health systems are not well prepared against these emerging diseases. To be fully prepared, countries must have implemented surveillance systems to monitor rare or unusual sanitary events.
One Health represents a valid scientific strategy, but its adoption in plans and policies both at governmental and international level requires aspects of governance, research and training to be addressed, so that the current fragmentation and barriers can be overcome, as these hamper the interaction, collaboration and coordination between sectors and disciplines that are required. At present, stand-alone national One Health plans are often developed. However, in order to benefit from this approach, efforts should be made to appropriately integrate One Health strategies into relevant national and international plans.
The WNV surveillance program encompassed the entire territory of Serbia and was conducted by the veterinary service in collaboration with entomologists and ornithologists. The objective of the program was early detection of WNV circulation in the environment and timely reporting to the public health service and local authorities to increase clinical and mosquito control preparedness.
In Tunisia a first SARS-CoV-2 confirmed case was reported in March 03, 2020. Since then, an increase of cases number was observed from either imported or local cases. The aim of this preliminary study was to better understand the molecular epidemiology and genetic variability of SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating in Tunisia and worldwide.
Before this report, 7 autochthonous human cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever had been reported in Spain, all occurring since 2016. We describe the retrospective identification of an eighth case dating back to 2013. This study highlights that the earliest cases of an emerging disease are often difficult to recognize.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV, Nairoviridae family) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV, Phenuiviridae family) are zoonotic vector-borne pathogens with clinical relevance worldwide. Our study aimed to determine seroprevalences of these viruses and potential risk factors among livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) in Tunisia.
Mosquitoes (diptera, culicidae) are a family of insects of considerable importance in Public Health. A review of litterature has been made to note their presence/absence in eight african countries. All the results are reported in this new paper entitled "moustiques, distribution et richesse spécifique dans huit pays d’afrique : cap-vert, mauritanie, sénégal, gambie, mali, burkina faso, niger et tchad"
This new paper entitled "The Reported Few Cases and Deaths of Covid-19 Epidemic in Africa Are Still Data Too Questionable to Reassure About the Future of This Continent" opens a discussion on the reliability of COVID-9 datas and draw s
More than 10 months after the first case of COnoVID-19 in Africa was detected (in Egypt on February 14), prevalence and mortality are still relatively low and, although there are many hypotheses, the reasons remain unclear. Reduced virulence of SARS-CoV-2 in Africa, genetic or trained immunity, and young population are among the main reasons being evaluated
2020
This new paper entitled «Enhancing Preparedness for Arbovirus Infections with a One Health Approach: The Development and Implementation of Multisectoral Risk Assessment Exercises" synthetises the methodology of the three Multisectoral Risk Assessments exercises carried out with a One Health approach by the mediLabSecure public health working group during the first phase of the project.
Country representatives of the human and animal virology, medical entomology, and public health sectors involved in the surveillance of vector-borne diseases participated in the exercises, one on West Nile virus, one on Crimean–Congo haemorrhagicfever, and one on Rift Valley fever, assessing the added value of this approach to enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration and collective preparedness to emerging viral infections, as well as improving data collection and data-sharing from different sectors.
Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and zoonoses indicate the importance of the One Health approach for early warning. At present, even when surveillance data are available, they are infrequently timeously shared between the health sectors. In this context, the public health working group of the MediLabSecure project published an article entitled "Integrated early warning surveillance: Achilles’ heel of One Health?" This article is based on the investigation of the collection of a set of surveillance indicators able to provide data for the implementation of integrated early warning systems in the 22 MediLabSecure participating countries of the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Sahel regions. To do so, an online questionnaire was used (covering vector, human, and animal sectors), focusing on seven relevant arboviruses, that was submitted to 110 officially appointed experts. Results show that a certain grade of collection of surveillance data (indicators) is already in place in the MediLabSecure region. Their collection should be strengthened and the gaps on critical indicators addressed (i.e., vector infection rate and wildlife information). Deep studies in promising countries could help to address the problem and would represent the chance to pilot integrated early warning systems using data already being collected and to promote the collection of critical data not yet gathered.
Source:
MDPI and ACS Style Amato, L.; Dente, M.G.; Calistri, P.; Declich, S.; on behalf of the MediLabSecure Working Group. Integrated Early Warning Surveillance: Achilles′ Heel of One Health? Microorganisms 2020, 8, 84.