A serological survey of brucellosis in wildlife in four major National Parks of Uganda

Gender and exposure pathways to zoonotic infections in communities at the interface of wildlife conservation areas of Uganda: A qualitative study

The changing climate and increasingly frequent environmental shocks are creating new pressures on land use and intensifying inter-species contact that might foster zoonotic disease transmission. In areas where there are complex interactions between wild/domestic animals and humans, preventing and managing zoonotic infections requires an integrated One Health approach based on interdisciplinary and multisectoral collaboration. We used a One Health approach to investigate how potential zoonotic disease exposures might be gendered based on sociocultural norms. In six conservation areas in Uganda, we focused on three zoonoses: Rift Valley Fever, Brucellosis and Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 379 purposively selected participants. Interviews/discussions were audio recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed thematically. In all areas, women and girls were responsible for household-related work while men and boys cared for larger livestock outside of the home, with some regional variations in roles. Location-specific cultural norms differentially impacted women's and men's exposures, including male initiation rituals involving consuming raw meat and animal blood reported in one study area. The different activities performed by women and men lead to differential risks of infection, suggesting that gender-sensitive interventions are required to address the risks faced by people living in these settings.

Healing from the wild: an ethnozoological exploration of animal-based medicine in Jhargram, West Bengal, India

BACKGROUND

India possesses immense faunal, floral, and cultural diversity that supports numerous ethnic communities relying on traditional medicine for primary healthcare. The Jhargram district, an underprivileged area in West Bengal, India, and part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, is rich in biodiversity. This area is home to various ethnic communities that practice their own ethnobiological medicine. Despite this, there is a lack of documented use of animal-based traditional medicine in this region. This study aims to explore and document the use of animal parts/products for medicinal purposes among indigenous communities in Jhargram. A summary of the study is presented in the Graphical Abstract.

METHOD

The study was conducted in Jhargram district, West Bengal, India, from March 2023 to January 2024. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct face-to-face interviews with 55 selected individuals (29 males and 26 females) to document the medicinal uses of animals in the traditional healthcare system. The questionnaire included queries about the local names of animals, modes of preparation, applications, and other ethnozoological details. The photographs were also recorded using a camera. The collected data were analyzed using a Microsoft Excel 2019; quantitative ethnobiological indices such as the informant consensus factor (ICF) and the degree of fidelity (FL) were calculated to assess the reliability and significance of the information provided by the respondents. Additionally, use value (UV), Jaccard index (JI), and frequency of citation (FC) were also calculated.

RESULT

This study recorded 57 species from 57 distinct genera across 47 families, used by ethnic communities in Jhargram addressing a wide range of ailments categorized into 14 groups. Birds accounted for the highest proportion (33%) of utilized species. Apis cerana exhibited the highest use value (UV = 5.69). Apis cerana and Homo sapiens sapiens recorded the highest fidelity levels (FL = 94.54%), indicating their critical roles in treating respiratory ailments and wound healing, respectively. Conversely, Dinopium benghalense had the lowest FL (FL = 3.63%), reported for kidney stone treatment. Four species, including Hydrophilus sp., demonstrated the lowest use value (UV = 1.00), suggesting their specialized or rare application in the community's ethnomedicinal practices. In terms of informant consensus, infectious diseases recorded the highest informant consensus factor (ICF = 1.00), followed closely by eye ailments (ICF = 0.99). Common preparation methods included cooking, boiling, roasting, and frying, with oral administration being the most frequently used method, followed by topical, inhalation and anal applications.

CONCLUSION

This study documents 57 species, including several novel species and their therapeutic uses, within the indigenous communities of Jhargram. It emphasizes the continued relevance of animal-based traditional medicine in addressing a broad spectrum of health issues. The observed variability in fidelity level and use value across species highlights the dynamic role of these resources in local healthcare systems. The discovery of novel species and previously undocumented uses significantly contributes to the expansion of ethnobiological knowledge. As traditional medicine remains a primary healthcare resource in areas with limited access to modern medical facilities, it is crucial to prioritize the documentation, conservation, and sustainable use of these species. This study provides a valuable framework for integrating traditional knowledge into contemporary healthcare and biodiversity conservation strategies. Preserving and safeguarding this knowledge is essential not only for maintaining cultural heritage but also for exploring potential biomedical applications that could benefit modern healthcare systems.

Pastoralism and Resulting Challenges for National Parks in Afar, Ethiopia

Pastoralists and national parks are key stakeholders in the management and conservation of natural and protected habitats. In Ethiopia, Afar pastoralists migrate seasonally with their livestock in search for grazing and water areas. Livestock are also a source of infectious diseases that can spread into wildlife populations when pastoralists encroach into unfenced national parks. The interactions between pastoralists and national parks, as well as the subsequent impacts, remain insufficiently understood in Afar. Two structured questionnaire surveys were conducted in 2021, including 300 pastoralist households in seven woredas of Afar, and 58 staff from three national parks (Awash, Alidegi and Yangudi Rassa). They captured pastoralist movements and livestock diseases as well as the perception of national park staff regarding challenges resulting from pastoral encroachment into parks. Among the pastoralists, 74.7% migrated with their livestock for a mean 3.5 months per year, during which time, 90% of respondents reported contact with other livestock herds, and over 80% with wildlife. A third (34.2%) reported disease outbreaks in their village prior to migration. Pastoralists traveled long distances, crossing woreda, regional or national boundaries. All 58-park respondents reported pastoralists with livestock inside their park and their close contact with wildlife. Additionally, 69% reported the presence of domestic dogs. Wildlife displacement, habitat loss and dog attacks on wildlife were perceived as the main threat caused by the presence of pastoralists, whereas diseases were only mentioned by 15.5%. Overall, park staff showed poor disease knowledge. They reported poor disease surveillance and no disease response. Within pastoral contexts, improved collaboration between wildlife and livestock authorities regarding land use, disease awareness and surveillance is needed to balance the needs of both wildlife and pastoralist's livestock development and mitigate threats to wildlife habitats.

Possible vertebral brucellosis infection in a Neanderthal

The La Chapelle-aux-Saints 1 skeleton of an old (>60-year-old) male Neanderthal is renowned for the advanced osteoarthritis of its spinal column and hip joint, and their implications for posture and lifestyle in these Mid- to Late Pleistocene humans. Reassessment of the pathologic lesions reveals erosions at multiple non-contiguous vertebrae and reactive bone formation extending far beyond the left hip joint, which suggests the additional diagnosis of brucellosis. This implies the earliest secure evidence of this zoonotic disease in hominin evolution. Brucellosis might have been transmitted via butchering or eating raw meat and is well compatible with the range of prey animals documented for Neanderthals. The associated infertility could have represented an important aspect of health in these late archaic humans.