Objective: To collate and summarize reports of viral zoonoses occurring at the human-animal interface in Southern Africa, along with their associated risk factors.
Methods: A comprehensive search was implemented in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and ProQuest databases for English language publications. The search used a combination of keywords for viral zoonoses, human-animal interface*, risk factor*, and countries in Southern Africa. The search covered the period from 1 January 2000 to 18 April 2024.
Results: A total of 893 records were retrieved from the database, with 17 articles included after screening. An additional 6 articles were identified through reference list tracking, yielding a total of 23 included articles. Domestic dog bites were identified as the primary source of rabies transmission across southern Africa, with only few cases linked to jackals, mongooses, and cats. Reported exposures for Rift Valley fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, influenza, hantavirus and Wesselsbron virus were all associated with occupational activities.
Conclusions: Preventive and mitigative strategies, such as dog rabies vaccination, post-exposure prophylaxis, and the use of personal protective equipment among animal workers - should be intensified across the region.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a major global health threat, heightened by extensive and often indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock production. In Nigeria, pig farming constitutes a significant yet underexamined pathway for the emergence and spread of AMR. This review aimed to examine the role of pig farming in the development and spread of AMR, evaluate the associated public health and economic risks, and propose evidence-based strategies to curb its spread. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online (AJOL) for studies published between January 2000 to May 2025 and in English language. Relevant publications were screened, and data were extracted on antimicrobial use patterns, resistance prevalence, and associated risk factors. Studies were synthesized narratively and comparatively to identify key trends and policy gaps. The routine administration of antibiotics for therapeutic, prophylactic, and growth-promoting purposes, coupled with insufficient veterinary oversight, inadequate biosecurity measures, and limited regulatory enforcement, has facilitated the proliferation of multidrug-resistant bacteria including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), and Enterococcus spp. The persistence of antibiotic residues in pork products further increases public health risks by increasing the incidence of treatment failures and prolonging infections in humans. Beyond the health implications, AMR in pig farming has profound economic consequences, including reduced livestock productivity, increased production costs, and potential trade restrictions. Addressing this multifaceted challenge requires stringent antibiotic regulations, enhanced veterinary regulation, improved farm hygiene, and targeted farmer education on antimicrobial stewardship. A comprehensive One Health approach integrating veterinary, environment, and public health professionals is imperative to reduce the impact of AMR locally and globally.

This review aims to highlight the importance of sustainable healthy diets that improve population health while minimizing adverse environmental impacts. A narrative review of literature from PubMed, Google Scholar, policy documents, and government reports published between 2010-2025 was conducted. Key studies on sustainable agriculture, dietary patterns, nutrition, and public health were summarized to identify trends, policy initiatives, and actionable strategies. Sustainable healthy diets should be accessible, economically feasible, safe, equitable, and culturally acceptable. Collaborative actions among stakeholders, including policy makers, researchers, and the community, are essential to ensure equitable access to nutritious foods. Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and eco-friendly diets can improve health outcomes, reduce environmental burdens, and conserve resources for future generations. Community-wide adoption of sustainable meals can improve human health and reduce environmental impacts, protecting resources for future generations. We can secure resources for future generations by adopting sustainable agriculture techniques, which strike a balance between environmental stewardship and productivity.

Objective: To understand the application and research hotspots of One Health in the development of global public health, summarize and refine experiences from successful practice cases of One Health, reflect on the existing problems and shortcomings in China's current practice, and put forward corresponding suggestions and countermeasures, providing insights for improving the practice strategy of One Health in China and the development of public health.
Methods: A two-dimensional analytical framework was established based on the dimensions of One Health classification and research hotspots. Content analysis was used to analyze 49 case texts and 214 pieces of content related to the development and practice of One Health.
Results: In the One Health content classification in the X dimension, animal health was the most studied, followed by human health, while environmental health was the least studied, accounting for 42.52%, 35.51% and 21.96%, respectively. In the research hotspots of the Y dimension, emerging infectious diseases accounted for the highest proportion (37.38%), followed by zoonotic diseases (36.45%), antibiotic abuse (14.49%), and food safety problems accounted for relatively lower proportion (11.68%). In the two-dimensional coupled analysis, practices related to animal health were imbalanced, with exploration related to zoonosis being the most common (22.90%), and those related to antibiotic resistance being the least (1.87%). Practices related to emerging infectious diseases accounted for the greatest proportion (18.22%) in population health studies, while food safety problems accounted for the smallest proportion (3.74%). The practices and exploration of environmental health were more balanced.
Conclusions: In future One Health practices, multi-departmental, cross-field and multi-disciplinary participation should be established with leadership and organization. A rapid, rich and accurate information sharing platform should be enhanced to address the imbalance in the overall structure of One Health research and improve the two-dimensional coupling degree of specific research in the One Health field.

Objective: To examine the incidence of foodborne and waterborne diseases as well as the relationship between the sources of outbreaks and the method of drinking water supply with the initial symptoms of the disease in Fars province of Iran from 2020 to 2023.
Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 630 confirmed outbreaks reported to health centers within the jurisdiction of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from March 2020 to March 2023. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 22.
Results: Totally 630 outbreaks were reported, affecting 2 363 primary cases with 190 hospitalizations from 2020 to 2023. The highest incidence of the outbreaks by year and month was reported in 2022 (n=266, 42.2%) and in April (n=77, 12.2%). The main source of infection in the outbreak was food with 426 (67.6%) cases, with food poisoning syndrome being the most common symptom observed (n=435, 69.0%). Besides, the causative agent of 461 (73.1%) outbreaks was unknown and 56 (8.9%) was salmonellosis. Additionally, relationship between source of outbreak and the method of drinking water supply with primary symptoms of the disease was statistically significant (P<0.001).
Conclusions: This study found that the cause of most outbreaks is unknown, with transmission occurring through food, which leads to the hospitalization of many individuals. The findings can help officials and the public increase awareness, implement stricter monitoring of water and food safety, and ultimately reduce the burden of disease.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of colistin resistance mediated by mcr-1 in Pseudomonas ( P.) aeruginosa isolates from clinical samples.
Methods: P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from various clinical specimens and tested for colistin resistance using the broth microdilution method. Isolates exhibiting resistance underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for mcr-1. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for multiple antibiotics.
Results: Sixty five clinical isolates were obtained; 10 (15.4%) were phenotypically resistant to colistin, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values ranging from 4-16 µg/mL. The mcr-1 gene was detected in 4 (40.0%) colistin-resistant isolates, constituting 6.2% of all P. aeruginosa isolates. The highest resistance was observed for ceftazidime (70%), amikacin (60%), and ciprofloxacin (60%). Piperacillin-tazobactam was the most effective antibiotic, with 80% susceptibility.
Conclusions: The presence of mcr-1 in P. aeruginosa isolates highlights the growing risk of colistin resistance beyond Enterobacteriaceae. Routine surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and molecular detection strategies are essential to curb further resistance spread.

Bacteria may harbor evolutionary remnants of pre-bacterial defense mechanisms, such as ribozymes or self-catalyzing molecules. These ancient systems, predating modern bacterial life, could contribute to their ability to resist antibiotics or environmental stressors through unconventional pathways. This correspondence is proposing a novel hypothesis that delves into the evolutionary origins of bacterial defense mechanisms, suggesting that certain bacteria may possess ancient, pre-bacterial defense systems. These systems, potentially inherited from early evolutionary stages, could involve catalytic RNA molecules (ribozymes) or self-activating molecules with unconventional but highly effective defensive functions. This research seeks to explore the evolutionary heritage embedded within bacterial genomes and its role in resistance to treatments by pursuing several objectives. One aspect involves performing comparative genomic studies to identify conserved sequences that resemble ancient catalytic RNA or protein domains. Bioinformatics tools will be employed to trace the evolutionary origins of these elements and their potential functionality. Additionally, functional characterization of these ancient mechanisms will be conducted using in vitro and in vivo assays to determine the role of identified ribozymes or self-activating molecules in bacterial defense. Investigating their biochemical properties and interactions with modern antibiotics or stressors will provide deeper insights into their functions. Furthermore, structural and biophysical studies using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and X-ray crystallography will be performed to elucidate the structures of these ancient molecules, providing insights into their unique functions. Experimental evolution studies will examine whether the activation or suppression of these ancient mechanisms influences bacterial survival and adaptation under various environmental conditions, including antibiotic exposure. In parallel, synthetic biology applications will be explored by engineering these ancient elements into model organisms to evaluate their potential as novel biotechnological tools or targets for antimicrobial development. To enhance this research, several innovative approaches are proposed. One involves creating libraries of synthetic ribozymes and self-catalyzing molecules based on sequences identified in bacterial genomes, enabling detailed functional studies. Another approach focuses on investigating how these ancient mechanisms influence bacterial interactions with host immune systems, potentially revealing new therapeutic targets. Computational models will also be developed to simulate the evolutionary trajectory of these ancient systems and their integration into modern bacterial genomes. Additionally, expanding the study to include archaea and extremophiles, which may retain similar ancient defense elements, will provide a broader evolutionary context. This hypothesis is expected to lead to the discovery of novel, evolutionarily conserved defense mechanisms in bacteria, as well as insights into the origins of bacterial resistance strategies and their unconventional pathways. Moreover, identifying new molecular targets for antimicrobial therapy inspired by ancient mechanisms could offer transformative solutions in combating antibiotic resistance. This hypothesis offers a transformative perspective on bacterial resistance, linking it to ancient evolutionary systems that have yet to be fully understood. By uncovering these unconventional defense pathways, we can open new avenues for combating antibiotic resistance and designing innovative therapeutic strategies.