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Humans pass more viruses to animals, study finds
Researchers analysed nearly 12 million viral genomes.
Twice as many infections involved human-animal transmission than animal-human.

A study has revealed that more viral infections are anthroponotic, meaning that they are transferred from humans to domestic and wild animals, than are zoonotic.

An analysis of viral genome sequences demonstrated that roughly twice as many infections involved human-animal transmission than animal-human.

With many epidemic and pandemics, such as Ebola and Covid-19, resulting from zoonotic transmission, these diseases have often taken precedence as a threat to public health. This has led to humans being considered a sink for viruses, rather than a source.

To compare the amount of zoonotic and anthroponotic diseases, researchers from University College London (UCL) developed methodological tools that would enable them to analyse nearly 12 million viral genomes that were deposited on public databases.

This meant that they could reconstruct evolutionary histories and past host jumps of viruses across 32 viral families, considering which genomes developed mutations during host jumps. This would allow them to quantify where viruses occurred from animal-human, human-animal or animal-animal transmission.

The results highlighted a prevalence of human-animal transmissions, consistent across most viral families. It also discovered even more animal-animal transmissions, not involving humans.

Findings showed that viral host jumps were often related to an increase in genetic changes, or mutations, in the viruses, relative to their continued evolution alongside a host animal.

Viruses with broader host ranges showed weaker signs of adaptation, which suggested that they were inherently more capable of infecting a range of hosts. Other viruses may require more extensive adaptation to infect a new host species.

Prof Francois Balloux, a co-author of the study from the UCL Genetics Institute, said: "We should consider humans just as one node in a vast network of hosts endlessly exchanging pathogens, rather than a sink for zoonotic bugs.

"By surveying and monitoring transmission of viruses between animals and humans, in either direction, we can better understand viral evolution and hopefully be more prepared for future outbreaks and epidemics of novel illnesses, while also aiding conservation efforts.”

The full study can be found in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Further cases of H5N1 confirmed in Norfolk

APHA has officially confirmed that two more cases of H5N1 have been found on premises in Norfolk.

Testing confirmed that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 was present at premises near Attleborough, as well as premises near Hingham in South Norfolk. The case near Hingham follows a slaughter on suspicion which was declared on 23 December.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been implemented at each premises, and all the poultry on each premises will be humanely culled.

A third case has also been identified near Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire.

APHA is reminding bird keepers to remain vigilant and follow biosecurity measures to prevent more outbreaks. Details on the current disease control zones and biosecurity guidance can be found on the APHA website.