Thermal tolerance is a key determinant of mosquito survival and vectorial capacity under rising global temperatures. Understanding how physiological and environmental factors influence heat tolerance is therefore essential for predicting the impacts of climate change on malaria transmission. Anopheles arabiensis is a major malaria vector in Southern Africa. This species is difficult to control due to its plastic behaviour. This species is typically found in hot, arid areas, and its thermal tolerance may play a role in its capacity to invade new regions, particularly in the context of climate change. This study investigated the effects of humidity, blood-feeding status, age, sex, and strain on the thermal tolerance of Anopheles arabiensis. Temperature knockdown assays were conducted in which adult male and female mosquitoes of different strains and ages were exposed to a sublethal heat stress at 41 °C for 5 hours under controlled-humidity conditions. This is a proxy for resilience under stressful conditions. Females from all strains were more heat-tolerant than males in the 5-hour heat shock assays. In adult females, heat tolerance decreases with age, but this can be rescued by the provision of multiple blood meals. Crucially, insecticide resistant An. arabiensis had a distinct advantage under these conditions. These findings suggest that An. arabiensis is remarkably adaptable to heat stressed conditions with insecticide resistant females being particularly suited for conditions of current climatic conditions. This could have important implications for mosquito population dynamics and malaria risk in a warming climate.

Background

Snakebite envenomation remains a health problem in tropical regions and is a recognized cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Despite numerous regional studies, the global burden and predictors of snakebite-induced AKI have not been systematically quantified. This review aimed to estimate the pooled incidence of AKI following snake envenomation, identify key clinical and laboratory features, and determine the mortality rate and proportion of patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was conducted for studies published between 2015 and 2025 that reported AKI in snakebite patients. Eligible studies included observational and interventional designs with ≥10 participants. Data were extracted on study characteristics, incidence of AKI, need for RRT, mortality rate and associated clinical and laboratory features.

Results

Thirty (30) studies comprising 8,612 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled incidence of AKI following snake envenomation was 23% (95% CI: 17–33%; I² = 97.2%), and among these, 28% (95% CI: 17–43%; I² = 86.9%) required RRTand the pooled mortality rate was 10% (95% CI 4–21%), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 85%). A high incidence was observed among Russell’s viper victims, 37% (95% CI: 21–57%), and 23% (95% CI: 15–34%) in non-Russell’s viper victims. Common clinical predictors of AKI included older age, male sex, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus), local swelling, cellulitis, bleeding, hypotension, oliguria/anuria, and delayed presentation. Laboratory features included incoagulable 20-min whole blood clotting test (WBCT), prolonged prothrombin time/ international normalized ratio (PT/INR), elevated serum creatinine and blood urea and nitrogen (BUN), thrombocytopenia, and proteinuria. Biomarkers such as urinary neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL), cystatin C, and β-2 microglobulin were associated with early renal injury.

Conclusion

Approximately one-third of snakebite victims develop AKI, and nearly one in three affected patients requires dialysis. Clinical manifestations such as coagulopathy and local tissue injury are commonly observed. Early recognition, prompt antivenom therapy, and supportive renal management are critical to improving outcomes.

Anopheles arabiensis is a major malaria vector in Southern Africa. This vector displays plastic behaviour in terms of feeding and resting behaviour. It is also one of the members of the An. gambiae complex adapting to breeding in polluted waters. Heavy metal pollution is a common effect of anthropogenic activities. This is prevalent in both rural and urban areas. While heavy metals are toxic in high concentrations, some serve as critical micronutrients. These include iron, copper, nickel, zinc and cobalt. Zinc is essential for enzyme activity and cobalt is involved in vitamin synthesis. These metals contribute to insect development, reproduction, and immunity, often interacting with the insect’s microbiota in a complex manner. There can be a variety of concentrations of these pollutants in both urban and rural bodies. This study aimed to determine whether zinc and cobalt could have positive effects at lower concentration on the major malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis. Sublethal concentrations were assessed for zinc and cobalt for the insecticide susceptible An. arabiensis strain SENN and the insecticide resistant strain SENN-DDT. Although these strains did not differ significantly in their tolerance at first instar, these low doses did become cumulatively toxic. Low doses of zinc and cobalt had differential effects on the two strains. Zinc had a positive effect on the development of SENN, while cobalt has a positive effect on the larval development of SENN-DDT. Similarly, these low doses increased longevity in both strains. These larval exposures also had variable effects on the oxidative stress response and gut microbial composition and diversity of both strains. KEGG analysis also indicated a variability between strains in response to the metal exposure. These findings highlight that heavy metal exposure is not necessarily negative, but dependent on concentration. This has implications for the potential expansion of An. arabiensis into urban areas.

Introduction: Malaria remains a significant public health concern in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, despite sustained vector control interventions. Anopheles arabiensis is the primary malaria vector in the province. Understanding the relationship between malaria case trends and mosquito vector ecology is essential to guide elimination strategies. This study compared malaria incidence and vector patterns over two consecutive seasons, from April 2024 to March 2026.

Methods: An analysis of confirmed malaria cases reported to the District Health Information System (DHIS2) was conducted for April 2024–March 2025 and April 2025–March 2026. Entomological surveillance included routine mosquito collections at randomly selected sites using larval habitat sampling, clay pots, pit traps, house searches, direct catches, and baited nets. Vector species composition and density were analysed in relation to malaria case data using Microsoft Excel and DHIS2.

Results: In 2024/25, 1,068 total malaria cases were reported, including 66 local cases and three deaths. In 2025/26, total cases increased to 1,174, with 95 local cases and six deaths reported by the end of February 2026, reflecting a 10% increase in incidence. More than 90% of cases occurred in Ehlanzeni District, while Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts reported only imported cases. Imported infections accounted for most overall cases.

A total of 1,442 mosquitoes were collected in 2024/25, including 199 Anopheles gambiae complex larvae and 76 adults (84 An. arabiensis, 69 An. merus and 66 An. quadriannulatus). In 2025/26, 1,415 mosquitoes were collected, with 255 An. gambiae complex larvae and 21 adults (83 An. arabiensis, 165 An. merus and 24 An. quadriannulatus). Anopheles arabiensis remained the dominant vector, comprising 6% of collections in 2024/25 and 6% in 2025/26. Anopheles merus increased proportionally from 5% to 12% respectively.

Conclusion: Malaria incidence increased over the two-year period, coinciding with reduced An. arabiensis density and a relative rise in An. merus. The suspected shifts toward outdoor biting and the increasing proportion of An. merus suggest persistent residual transmission risk. Strengthened integrated vector management targeting outdoor transmission may reduce local cases and support elimination efforts.

Introduction:
Climate change functions as a pervasive ecological driver reshaping the dynamics of infectious disease emergence. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events increasingly affect vector ecology, wildlife migration, and human land use, intensifying interactions at the human–animal–environment interface. These processes collectively elevate the likelihood of zoonotic spillover events. Recognising climate change as a cross-sectoral threat highlights the urgency of strengthening One Health governance frameworks to integrate environmental, veterinary, and public health perspectives within a unified risk management system.

Methods:
A structured narrative review was conducted to examine evidence linking climate-driven environmental change to zoonotic spillover risk. The literature published between 2015 and 2026 was systematically identified through PubMed and Web of Science databases. Eligible studies addressed associations between climatic or ecological changes—such as temperature rise, extreme weather, land-use modification, or biodiversity loss—and zoonotic disease emergence or transmission dynamics. Data were synthesised thematically to elucidate recurrent ecological mechanisms and governance implications; no formal risk-of-bias scoring was applied due to the review’s integrative scope.

Results:
The synthesis identified three primary environmental drivers of spillover: temperature-driven vector expansion (notably Aedes albopictus related to dengue and West Nile virus), extreme weather events triggering vector proliferation or waterborne outbreaks (as in Rift Valley fever following heavy rainfall), and anthropogenic land-use alterations contributing to biodiversity disruption and viral spillover (e.g., Ebola virus disease). Mechanistic patterns included altered vector suitability, wildlife host redistribution, and intensified human–animal contact. Governance analysis revealed fragmented surveillance systems, inadequate integration of climate and health data, and reliance on reactive rather than anticipatory response frameworks.

Conclusions:
Climate change amplifies zoonotic spillover risk by restructuring ecological and epidemiological interactions. Effective prevention necessitates integrated, climate-informed One Health governance that unites environmental, veterinary, and human health sectors. Strengthened transdisciplinary surveillance and predictive modelling are critical for anticipatory risk management in an era of accelerating climate variability.

Introduction

Dengue is one of the largest prevailing mosquito-borne viral infections, with an increasing load in India due to fast development and low regulation of vectors. Dengue virus circulates as four distinct serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4) with significant genetic variability influencing disease epidemiology. Identification of circulating serotypes and their genotypes is essential to understand viral evolution and transmission patterns.

Objectives

This study had the following objectives:

1. To detect Dengue serotypes DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 among positive RT-PCR samples.
2. To sequence genotypes among the serotypes detected.

Methods

ELISA-positive dengue samples (n = 380) collected from clinically suspected patients between 2021 and 2023 were subjected to real-time RT-PCR for detection of viral RNA. Positive samples were further analyzed for serotype identification and selected samples among different serotypes for gene sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to determine genotypic distribution.

Results

Out of 380 samples, 275 (75.9%) were RT-PCR positive. Serotyping revealed DENV-2 as the predominant serotype (56.7%), followed by DENV-1 (36.7%) and DENV-3 (6.5%), while DENV-4 was not detected. Phylogenetic analysis showed that DENV-1 belonged to Genotype III and DENV-2 to the Cosmopolitan Genotype IV, indicating circulation of multiple genetic lineages

Conclusion

The study demonstrates the predominance of DENV-2 along with co-circulation of other serotypes in Bengaluru Rural. The presence of distinct genotypes highlights ongoing viral evolution. Continuous molecular surveillance is crucial for tracking dengue dynamics and supporting effective control strategies.

This study provides the first evidence of human infection with bat-borne hantaviruses and reveals widespread exposure to both bat- and shrew-borne hantaviruses in human and animal populations across Asia and Africa. Traditionally, hantaviruses were known as rodent-borne pathogens causing severe disease in humans. However, numerous novel viruses have been discovered in shrews, moles, and bats, yet their potential to infect humans remained unclear due to a lack of comprehensive serological tools.

Using a newly developed mixed-antigen screening system based on recombinant nucleocapsid proteins, researchers conducted retrospective serological studies on human samples from Thailand and Sri Lanka, as well as bat samples from Zambia. The method proved highly efficient, reducing the number of test wells required by 80%.

In Thailand, among 143 patients initially suspected of leptospirosis, 4.9% showed confirmed seroconversion to bat-borne hantaviruses (Robina virus, Dakrong virus, and Xuan Son virus). Notably, this rate was significantly higher than the prevalence of classical rodent-borne hantavirus infections (<1.4%) in the same cohort.

In Sri Lanka, screening of 336 human sera (half healthy, half febrile) revealed that 23.2% of febrile patients had antibodies to either bat-borne or shrew-borne hantaviruses, compared to only 1.2% of healthy controls. Reactivity was detected against a wide range of viruses, including Quezon virus, Robina virus, Asama virus, and Thottapalayam virus.

Among 1,764 bats from 11 species in Zambia, overall seroprevalence reached 28.8%, with reactivity to both bat-borne and shrew-borne antigens. Frugivorous bat species showed higher seropositivity than insectivorous ones.

The findings demonstrate that bat-borne and shrew-borne hantaviruses are capable of infecting humans and may represent emerging zoonotic pathogens with a broader geographic distribution than previously recognized. The study underscores the urgent need for expanded surveillance, virus isolation, reservoir identification, and clinical assessment of these novel viruses to inform public health preparedness.

Introduction

Foodborne transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi is an increasingly recognized cause of acute Chagas disease outbreaks in Latin America. Unlike classical vector-borne transmission, these events involve high parasite inocula, severe clinical presentations, and rapid clustering of cases. In Colombia, outbreaks associated with contaminated beverages and artisanal food production reveal vulnerabilities that extend beyond clinical detection into surveillance, food safety, and intersectoral coordination. This study aimed to evaluate public health preparedness for foodborne T. cruzi transmission in Colombia using a One Health and systems-thinking framework.

Methods

A qualitative institutional case study was conducted using a One Health and systems-thinking framework. Sixty-two official documents issued between 2000 and 2024—including surveillance guidelines, outbreak reports, regulatory instruments, and response protocols—were reviewed. Structured consultations were performed with stakeholders from health, food safety, agricultural, and territorial authorities. Data were analyzed using hybrid deductive–inductive thematic analysis focusing on surveillance integration, regulatory clarity, territorial response capacity, and intersectoral coordination.

Results

Preparedness for foodborne Chagas disease was limited by fragmented institutional responsibilities and delayed cross-sector activation. Surveillance systems operated in parallel, often linking food safety investigations only after clinical confirmation of acute cases. Upstream prevention was constrained by unclear mandates for identifying contamination pathways. Territorial capacity varied widely, and coordination mechanisms functioned mainly during outbreaks rather than prevention phases. These factors produced response delays and hindered early containment.

Conclusions

Foodborne Chagas disease represents a distinct epidemiological scenario requiring integrated surveillance beyond vector control frameworks. Strengthening preparedness requires interoperable surveillance systems, defined cross-sector responsibilities, and institutionalized One Health coordination. Addressing governance gaps is essential to prevent recurrent outbreaks and to adapt Chagas disease control strategies to emerging transmission pathways.

Background Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis (STHs) remains a major public health burden in developing countries, with contaminated soil acting as reservoirs of transmission. Here, we assessed the prevalence and intensity of STHs in soil samples collected from selected dumpsites across four areas in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Method: A total of 312 soil samples were collected across 12 dumpsites (26 per site) across four local government areas. Parasite eggs or larva recovered using sedimentation and modified Baermann techniques. Identification was done using standard microscopy. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Prevalence and intensity of STHs was computed across study sites, with chi-square test, ANOVA used logistic regression used to assess association respectively. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Result: Overall STH prevalence was 43.9%, with Strongyloides spp. been the most common (28.2%), followed by hookworms (13.8%) and Ascaris spp. (1.9%). Mean infection intensity was highest for Strongyloides (0.59 ± 0.95), followed by hookworms (0.22 ± 0.56) and Ascaris (0.03 ± 0.19). Prevalence was slightly higher in peri-urban (43.9%) than urban areas (40.4%) without statistical significance (p = 0.10). However, urbanity (AOR: 6.11, 95% CI: 2.24–18.00, p < 0.001) and in Ido LGA (AOR: 8.72, 95% CI: 4.29–18.60, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with contamination.

Conclusion: Our findings show that dumpsites in urban and peri-urban areas could serve as important reservoirs for STH parasites. This calls for urgent need for environmental and health educational interventions targeted at improving waste management, dissuading open defecation and scavenging practices on dumpsites.

Climate change has emerged as a major determinant of vector-borne disease dynamics worldwide. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events have significantly influenced the geographic distribution and seasonal activity of Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of dengue fever. This systematic review synthesizes global evidence on the relationship between climate variability and the spatial expansion of A. aegypti, and its impact on dengue epidemiology. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between 2010 and 2026, including epidemiological analyses, climate-model projections, entomological surveys, and outbreak reports examining associations between climatic factors and vector distribution or disease incidence. Findings demonstrate a poleward and altitudinal expansion of A. aegypti, with the vector now reported at altitudes of 1000–1500 m and in over 50 countries previously considered non-endemic. Increased mean temperatures and extended warm seasons were associated with higher vector survival, shorter viral incubation periods, and prolonged transmission seasons. Globally, dengue infections affect approximately 390 million people annually, of which ~96 million are symptomatic, and recent data show a 30–50% increase in reported cases in Asia and Latin America over the past decade. Climate variability has contributed to dengue emergence in temperate zones and intensification of outbreaks in endemic regions. Predictive models suggest that by 2050, the population at risk could increase by ~1.2 billion worldwide. These results highlight that climate-driven expansion of Aedes aegypti is reshaping dengue epidemiology, increasing both geographic spread and transmission intensity. Strengthened climate-informed surveillance, integrated vector management, and adaptive public health strategies are urgently needed to mitigate the growing global burden of dengue.