Lessons on tackling the growing risk of emerging infectious diseases in Africa

As part of a special COVID-19 series by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Bernard Bett and Delia Randolph of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and John McDermott of IFPRI write on the growing risk in Africa of pathogens that spread from animals to people and how we can learn from past epidemics to improve preparedness and response.

In their article, the scientists discuss the evolving patterns of emergence and spread of zoonotic pathogens, factors that might influence the spread of emerging zoonotic pathogens and the opportunities for controlling emerging infectious diseases in Africa. 

They write: “The record thus far on COVID-19 and on past disease outbreaks shows that early, effective and sustained response is essential to winning the battle over these diseases. Innovative use of information and communication tools and platforms and engagement of local communities are crucial to improved disease surveillance and effective response. Building these systems requires demand from the public and commitment from policymakers and investors.” 

Read the full article, Africa’s growing risk of diseases that spread from animals to people, originally posted on the IFPRI website.

Bernard Bett is a senior scientist with ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program, Delia Randolph is the co-leader of ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program and John McDermott is the director of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health. The analysis and opinions expressed in the article are of the authors alone.

Photo credit: Cows walk along an irrigation canal in Niolo, Mali (ILRI/Mann)

 

New study explores the benefits of a One Health approach to investigating antimicrobial resistance in Vietnam

The One Health concept promotes the enhancement of human, animal and ecosystem health through multi-sectoral governance support and policies to combat health security threats.

In Vietnam, antimicrobial resistance in animal and human health settings poses a significant threat, but one that could be minimised by adopting a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance surveillance.

Vietnam is a potential hotspot for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to the high burden of infectious diseases that are directly transmissible and that are foodborne, coupled with limited enforcement of regulations to penalise non-compliance, and the relatively unregulated access to antimicrobials for humans and high antimicrobial usage for livestock.

To advance understanding of the willingness and abilities of the human and animal health sectors to investigate antimicrobial resistance through a One Health approach, a recent study published in BMC Public Health (February 2020) explored the perceptions and experiences of those tasked with investigating antimicrobial resistance in Vietnam, and the benefits a multi-sectoral approach offers.

The study used qualitative methods to provide key informants’ perspectives from the animal and human health sectors. Two scenarios of foodborne antimicrobial resistance bacteria found within the pork value chain were used as case studies to investigate challenges and opportunities for improving collaboration across different stakeholders and to understand benefits offered by a One Health approach surveillance system.

Fifteen semi-structured interviews with 11 participants from the animal and six from the human health sectors at the central level in Hanoi and the provincial level in Thai Nguyen were conducted.

Eight themes emerged from the transcripts of the interviews. From the participants’ perspectives on the benefits of a One Health approach: (1) communication and multi-sectoral collaboration, (2) building comprehensive knowledge and (3) improving likelihood of success. Five themes emerged from participants’ views of the challenges to investigate antimicrobial resistance: (4) diagnostic capacity, (5) availability and access to antibiotics, (6) tracing ability within the Vietnamese food chain, (7) personal benefits and (8) Managing the system.

The findings of the study suggest that there is potential to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration between the animal and human health sectors in Vietnam by building on existing informal networks.

Based on these results, the authors of the study recommend an inclusive approach to multi-sectoral communication supported by government network activities to facilitate partnerships and create cross-disciplinary awareness and participation.

The themes relating to diagnostic capacity show that both the animal and human health sectors face challenges in carrying out investigations on antimicrobial resistance although based on the results, there is a greater need to strengthen the animal health sector.

Citation
Mitchell, M.E.V., Alders, R., Unger, F., Hung Nguyen-Viet, Trang Thi Huyen Le and Toribio, J.-A. 2020. The challenges of investigating antimicrobial resistance in Vietnam – what benefits does a One Health approach offer the animal and human health sectors? BMC Public Health 20: 213.

Photo credit: A local cattle owner walks his cattle on a rainy day in Hung Yen province, Vietnam (ILRI/Nguyen Ngoc Huyen)

 

Call for abstracts: ecohealth 2020

Ecohealth approaches are designed to promote the health of people, animals and ecosystems with attention to social and ecological justice, sustainability and the relationships required to achieve a healthy future. Ecohealth approaches rely on systems thinking and the complementary efforts of transdisciplinary teams.

For the last 15 years, the global ecohealth community has been bringing together individuals and organizations to discuss ecohealth approaches. This year, the eighth biennial ecohealth conference will be held in Durban, South Africa on 22–26 June 2020. 

Participants at ecohealth 2020 are expected to include researchers, policymakers, community leaders, postgraduate students, government departments and non-governmental organizations working on ecohealth approaches towards sustainable management of the health of people, animals and ecosystems.

The organizers of the conference have extended the deadline for the submission of abstracts to 25 March 2020. 

To register and submit an abstract, please visit https://ecohealth2020.co.za.

Photo credit: Women waiting to fetch water as cattle drink from a water pan in Taita Taveta, Kenya (ILRI/ Juliet Kariuki)

 

Celebrating World Antibiotic Resistance Week 2019 with highlights of ILRI research on antimicrobial resistance

Each November, the World Antibiotic Awareness Week is commemorated to raise global awareness of antibiotic resistance and to encourage rational use of antibiotics to avoid further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

In collaboration with national, regional and international partners, scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) carry out research on antimicrobial resistance at the human–livestock interface. In recognition of World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019, we highlight some of our recent research outputs on antimicrobial resistance.

• Ahlberg, S., Korhonen, H., Lindfors, E. and Kang’ethe, E. 2016. Analysis of antibiotic residues in milk from smallholder farms in Kenya. African Journal of Dairy Farming and Milk Production 3(4): 152–158.
• Dulo, F., Feleke, A., Szonyi, B., Fries, R., Baumann, M.P.O. and Grace, D. 2015. Isolation of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli O157 from goats in the Somali region of Ethiopia: A cross-sectional, abattoir-based study. PLOS ONE 10(11): e0142905.
• Grace, D. 2015. Review of evidence on antimicrobial resistance and animal agriculture in developing countries. UK: Evidence on Demand.
• Hassell, J.M., Ward, M.J., Muloi, D., Bettridge, J.M., Robinson, T.P., Kariuki, S., Ogendo, A., Kiiru, J., Imboma, T., Kang’ethe, E.K., Öghren, E.M., Williams, N.J., Begon, M., Woolhouse, M.E.J. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. Clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance at the wildlife–livestock–human interface in Nairobi: An epidemiological study. Lancet Planetary Health 3(6): e259–e269.
• Hunduma, D., Alonso, S., Agga, G., Dego, O.K., Wieland, B., Desta, H., Grace, D. and Amenu, K. 2019. Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Salmonella in the milk and feces of lactating dairy cows and camels in Borana pastoral community, Ethiopia. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for Food Protection, Louisville, Kentucky, 21–24 July 2019. 
• ILRI. 2019. Health and antibiotics in Vietnamese pig production. ILRI Project Profile. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
• Kakkar, M., Chatterjee, P., Chauhan, A.S., Grace, D., Lindahl, J., Beeche, A., Jing, F. and Chotinan, S. 2018. Antimicrobial resistance in South East Asia: Time to ask the right questions. Global Health Action 11(1): 1483637.
• Muloi, D., Fèvre, E.M., Bettridge, J., Rono, R., Ong’are, D., Hassell, J.M., Karani, M.K., Muinde, P., Bunnik, B. van, Street, A., Chase-Topping, M., Pedersen, A.B., Ward, M.J. and Woolhouse, M.E.J. 2019. A cross-sectional survey of practices and knowledge among antibiotic retailers in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Global Health 9(2): 020412.
• Muloi, D., Kiiru, J., Ward, M.J., Hassell, J.M., Bettridge, J.M., Robinson, T.P., Bunnik, B.A.D. van, Chase-Topping, M., Robertson, G., Pedersen, A.B., Fèvre, E.M., Woolhouse, M.E.J., Kang’ethe, E.K. and Kariuki, S. 2019. Epidemiology of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli carriage in sympatric humans and livestock in a rapidly urbanising city. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 54(5): 531–537. 
• Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases Research Team. 2019. Resistance to antibiotic drugs. Video. Nairobi, Kenya: Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases Research Team.

For more information, contact Arshnee Moodley (a.moodley@cgiar.org), antimicrobial resistance team leader at ILRI, or visit the website of the ILRI-hosted CGIAR Antimicrobial Resistance Hub.

Photo credit: World Health Organization

 

New study identifies factors affecting spread of brucellosis in humans and livestock in northeastern Kenya

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease that affects wildlife and livestock. People may get exposed to the disease through direct contact with an infected animal or consumption of raw or undercooked animal products. In humans, the disease is characterized by prolonged fever, body aches, joint pains and weakness, while in livestock, it mainly causes abortions and infertility. 

A study carried out in Garissa and Tana River counties of Kenya set out to identify the factors that affect the spread of brucellosis in people and livestock. Livestock and people from randomly selected households were recruited and serum samples were obtained and screened for Brucella antibodies to determine the level of exposure to Brucella spp. 

The study found that the chances of exposure to brucellosis in humans were at least three times higher in households that had at least one Brucella-seropositive animal compared to those that had none. 

This finding can be used to design risk-based surveillance systems for brucellosis, based on the locations of the primary cases of the disease, where each case of Brucella infection identified in livestock could signal potential locations of additional brucellosis cases in humans, and vice versa.

Citation

Kairu-Wanyoike, S., Nyamwaya, D., Wainaina, M., Lindahl, J., Ontiri, E., Bukachi, S., Njeru, I., Karanja, J., Sang, R., Grace, D. and Bett, B. 2019. Positive association between Brucella spp. seroprevalences in livestock and humans from a cross-sectional study in Garissa and Tana River Counties, Kenya. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 13(10): e0007506.

Photo credit: Boran women with sheep and goats at a traditional deep well water source, Garba Tulla, Isiolo, Kenya (ILRI/Fiona Flintan)

 

Celebrating One Health Day 2019 with a focus on ILRI’s One Health research

One Health Day is a global campaign marked annually on 3 November to bring attention to the need for a One Health approach to address the shared health threats at the human–animal–environment interface.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) carries out One Health research through its Animal and Human Health program which seeks to effectively manage or eliminate livestock, zoonotic and food-borne diseases through the generation and use of knowledge, technologies and products. 

We commemorate this year’s One Health Day by featuring a selection of the program’s recent research outputs on this important topic.

• Falzon, L.C., Alumasa, L., Amanya, F., Kang’ethe, E., Kariuki, S., Momanyi, K., Muinde, P., Murungi, M.K., Njoroge, S.M., Ogendo, A., Ogola, J., Rushton, J., Woolhouse, M.E.J. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. One Health in action: Operational aspects of an integrated surveillance system for zoonoses in western Kenya. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 6: 252. 
• Grace, D., Bett, B., Atherstone, C., Unger, F., Hung Nguyen-Viet and Sinh Dang-Xuan. 2019. International perspectives on One Health. Presentation at the Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference, Perth, Australia, 5–10 May 2019.
• Hu Suk Lee. 2019. Strengthening capacities for improving human and animal health in Southeast Asia using a One Health approach. Presentation at the third Global Official Development Assistance Forum for Sustainable Agricultural Development, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 13–15 May 2019.
• Hung Nguyen-Viet. 2019. Food safety and antimicrobial resistance research: A One Health perspective. Presentation at the Emerging Pathogen Institute seminar series, Gainesville, Florida, 26 July 2019.
• Lindahl, J.F., Vrentas, C.E., Deka, R.P., Hazarika, R.A., Rahman, H., Bambal, R.G., Bedi, J.S., Bhattacharya, C., Chaudhuri, P., Fairoze, N.M., Gandhi, R.S., Gill, J.P.S., Gupta, N.K., Kumar, M., Londhe, S., Rahi, M., Sharma, P.K., Shome, R., Singh, R., Srinivas, K. and Swain, B.B. 2019. Brucellosis in India: results of a collaborative workshop to define One Health priorities. Tropical Animal Health and Production.

For more information, contact Delia Randolph (d.randolph@cgiar.org) or Vish Nene (v.nene@cgiar.org), co-leaders of ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program.

Photo credit: Women waiting to fetch water as cattle drink from a water pan in Taita Taveta, Kenya (ILRI/Juliet Kariuki)

 

Celebrating Open Access Week 2019 with a focus on ILRI’s open access research on animal and human health

Open Access Week is celebrated globally every year during the last complete week of October. To mark Open Access Week 2019, we highlight some recent open access research articles authored and co-authored by scientists from the Animal and Human Health program of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). 

The program seeks to effectively manage or eliminate livestock, zoonotic and foodborne diseases that matter to the poor through the generation and use of knowledge, technologies and products, leading to higher farmer incomes and better health and nutrition for consumers and livestock.

Read about our research on antimicrobial resistance, food safety, One Health and zoonotic diseases from this selection of peer-reviewed, open access journal articles published this year:

• Ahmed, S., Dávila, J.D., Allen, A., Haklay, M., Tacoli, C. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. Does urbanization make emergence of zoonosis more likely? Evidence, myths and gaps. Environment and Urbanization 31(2): 443–460. 
• Amenu, K., Wieland, B., Szonyi, B. and Grace, D. 2019. Milk handling practices and consumption behavior among Borana pastoralists in southern Ethiopia. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition 38: 6. 
• Chauhan, A.S., George, M.S., Lindahl, J., Grace, D. and Kakkar, M. 2019. Community, system and policy level drivers of bovine tuberculosis in smallholder periurban dairy farms in India: A qualitative enquiry. BMC Public Health 19: 301. 
• Falzon, L.C., Alumasa, L., Amanya, F., Kang’ethe, E., Kariuki, S., Momanyi, K., Muinde, P., Murungi, M.K., Njoroge, S.M., Ogendo, A., Ogola, J., Rushton, J., Woolhouse, M.E.J. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. One Health in action: Operational aspects of an integrated surveillance system for zoonoses in western Kenya. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 6: 252. 
• Grace, D., Dipeolu, M. and Alonso, S. 2019. Improving food safety in the informal sector: nine years later. Infection Ecology & Epidemiology 9(1): 1579613. 
• Hassell, J.M., Ward, M.J., Muloi, D., Bettridge, J.M., Robinson, T.P., Kariuki, S., Ogendo, A., Kiiru, J., Imboma, T., Kang’ethe, E.K., Öghren, E.M., Williams, N.J., Begon, M., Woolhouse, M.E.J. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. Clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance at the wildlife–livestock–human interface in Nairobi: An epidemiological study. Lancet Planetary Health 3(6): e259–e269. 
• Hung Nguyen-Viet, Sinh Dang-Xuan, Phuc Pham-Duc, Roesel, K., Nguyen Mai Huong, Toan Luu-Quoc, Pham Van Hung, Nguyen Thi Duong Nga, Lapar, L., Unger, F., Häsler, B. and Grace, D. 2019. Rapid integrated assessment of food safety and nutrition related to pork consumption of regular consumers and mothers with young children in Vietnam. Global Food Security 20: 37–44. 
• Kuboka, M.M., Imungi, J.K., Njue, L., Mutua, F., Grace, D. and Lindahl, J.F. 2019. Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk traded in peri-urban Nairobi, and the effect of boiling and fermentation. Infection Ecology & Epidemiology 9(1): 1625703.
• Muloi, D., Fèvre, E.M., Bettridge, J., Rono, R., Ong’are, D., Hassell, J.M., Karani, M.K., Muinde, P., Bunnik, B. van, Street, A., Chase-Topping, M., Pedersen, A.B., Ward, M.J. and Woolhouse, M.E.J. 2019. A cross-sectional survey of practices and knowledge among antibiotic retailers in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Global Health 9(2): 020412.
• Roesel, K., Ejobi, F., Dione, M., Pezo, D., Ouma, E., Kungu, J., Clausen, P.-H. and Grace, D. 2019. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of pork consumers in Uganda. Global Food Security 20: 26–36. 

For more information, contact Delia Randolph (d.randolph@cgiar.org) or Vish Nene (v.nene@cgiar.org), co-leaders of ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program.

Photo credit: International Open Access Week

 

ILRI researchers propose traceability system for Kenya’s smallholder pig value chain

A traceability system in the smallholder pig value chain in Kenya could help address challenges related to production, diseases, markets, pork safety and public health, according to a new study published by scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Currently, Kenya does not have an operational livestock traceability system. Although a few systems have been piloted, these have only focused on the beef value chain and mostly in pastoralist areas. The smallholder pig value chain is suitable for the implementation of a traceability system as farmers usually keep a few pigs at a time and rely on a short marketing chain that is less complex.

The study, published in Tropical Animal Health and Production (16 Sep 2019), was based on a review of literature on pork traceability as well as on pig production in Kenya, with a focus on smallholder pig systems in western Kenya. Combined with the authors’ research experience in the region, the findings were used to inform the design of a traceability system for the smallholder pig value chain. 

Unique identification of animals is important for traceability. However, the review found that locally raised pigs were rarely identified. Farmers need to be made aware of the importance of identifying animals and recording their movements and how this can improve access to markets.

The study explains how a traceability system could support the surveillance of two important pig diseases in the region: African swine fever and porcine cysticercosis.

An effective traceability system could also enable the withdrawal of unsafe pork from the market, thereby helping to ensure the quality and safety of pork sold in local markets.

“Since meat inspection in the country has now been taken up by the county governments, we see traceability as an option that counties, in partnership with the private sector, could use to market themselves as producers of ‘safe and traceable’ pork”, the authors say. 

Starting with organized systems like commercial producer and trader groups, the concept can be piloted in the field to assess its practical application, paving the way for a national traceability system in line with the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health. 

The authors of the study note, however, that implementing traceability as a tool towards improved animal health and food safety would require the participation of all stakeholders in the value chain. Therefore, appropriate incentives would need to be explored to ensure widespread adoption of the intervention.

Citation

Mutua, F., Lindahl, J. and Randolph, D. 2019. Possibilities of establishing a smallholder pig identification and traceability system in Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02077-9 

Photo credit: A plate served with fried pork and raw relishes (ILRI/Martin Heilmann)

 

Researchers call for a gendered approach in strategies for community uptake of livestock vaccines

The design of strategies for uptake of livestock vaccines by communities in East Africa should take into account that male and female farmers face different barriers in the uptake of the vaccines, a new research study says.

These barriers include the cost of the vaccines, distances to vaccination points, access to information on vaccination campaigns and decision-making processes at household level. Some constraints affect both men and women while others affect one gender group only, based on prevailing gender norms and division of labour.

The study, published in the journal Vaccines (8 Aug 2019), was undertaken by a team of scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute, Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the United States Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance.

The work was carried out in purposively selected sites, namely, Kwale and Murang’a counties in Kenya and Arua and Ibanda districts in Uganda. The sites in Kenya were selected because livestock there had recently been vaccinated against Rift Valley fever while the sites in Uganda were chosen because they had experienced recent outbreaks of the disease but no vaccination was carried out. Data were collected through 58 focus group discussions (30 in Kenya and 28 in Uganda), with 8–12 discussants per group.

The researchers found that women in Kwale experienced more difficulties than their male counterparts in accessing information on vaccination campaigns while women in Ibanda had limited decision-making capacity over the management and control of livestock diseases because of culturally defined livestock ownership patterns. 

The cost of vaccines was a greater barrier for men than for women because the role of managing and controlling livestock diseases in these communities was culturally ascribed to men.

To be effective, therefore, livestock vaccination campaigns need to consider the socio-cultural gender dynamics that exist at household and community level. It is not enough to merely provide vaccines to the community during mass campaigns.

“Availability of vaccines does not guarantee uptake at community level due to social, spatial, economic and vaccine safety and efficacy barriers faced by men and women farmers,” the researchers note.

They add, “Vaccine uptake is a complex process which requires buy-in from men and women farmers, veterinary departments, county/district governments, national governments and vaccine producers”.

Citation

Mutua, E., Haan, N. de, Tumusiime, D., Jost, C. and Bett, B. 2019. A qualitative study on gendered barriers to livestock vaccine uptake in Kenya and Uganda and their implications on Rift Valley fever control. Vaccines 7(3): 86.

Photo credit: A herder with his livestock in Isiolo County, Kenya (ILRI/Dorine Odongo)

 

Celebrating World Zoonoses Day with a focus on ILRI’s research on zoonotic diseases

Taking sheep for disease testing in Bako, Ethiopia (photo credit: ILRI/Barbara Wieland).

World Zoonoses Day is marked annually on 6 July to commemorate the day in 1885 when Louis Pasteur successfully administered the first vaccine against a zoonotic disease when he treated a young boy who had been mauled by a rabid dog. The day is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the risk of zoonoses, infectious diseases that are spread between animals and people. 

Scientists estimate that 60% of known infectious diseases in people and 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases in people are transmitted from animals. Neglected zoonoses associated with livestock, such as brucellosis and cysticercosis, impose a huge health burden on poor people and reduce the value of their livestock assets.

Through its Animal and Human Health program, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) carries out research with national and international partners towards improving the control of zoonotic diseases through a range of tools and approaches such as risk mapping and risk targeting, modelling of zoonotic pandemics, decision-support tools and advice on vaccination strategies. The program also generates evidence for policymakers on the cost and impact of zoonoses and the benefits of their prevention.

Some of our collaborative research on zoonoses includes work on developing optimal vaccination strategies for Rift Valley fever in East Africa, studying the epidemiology, ecology and socio-economics of disease emergence in Nairobi and developing an effective surveillance program for zoonoses in livestock in Kenya.

For an in-depth look, listed below are some of our research publications on zoonoses:

• Grace, D., Mutua, F., Ochungo, P., Kruska, R., Jones, K., Brierley, L., Lapar, L., Said, M., Herrero, M., Phuc, P.M., Thao, N.B., Akuku, I. and Ogutu, F. 2012. Mapping of poverty and likely zoonoses hotspots. Zoonoses Project 4. Report to the UK Department for International Development. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
• Mbotha, D. and Bett, B. 2015. Utilization of the Rift Valley fever decision support tool in Kenya: Successes and challenges. ILRI Discussion Paper 28. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
• Munyua, P.M., Murithi, R.M., Ithondeka, P., Hightower, A., Thumbi, S.M., Anyangu, S.A., Kiplimo, J., Bett, B., Vrieling, A., Breiman, R.F. and Njenga, M.K. 2016. Predictive factors and risk mapping for Rift Valley fever epidemics in Kenya. PLoS ONE 11(1): e0144570.
• ILRI. 2017. Developing optimal vaccination strategies for Rift Valley fever in East Africa. ILRI Project Profile. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
• Carron, M., Yu-Mei Chang, Momanyi, K., Akoko, J., Kiiru, J., Bettridge, J., Chaloner, G., Rushton, J., O’Brien, S., Williams, N., Fèvre, E.M. and Häsler, B. 2018. Campylobacter, a zoonotic pathogen of global importance: Prevalence and risk factors in the fast-evolving chicken meat system of Nairobi, Kenya. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 12(8): e0006658.
• Akoko, J.M., MacLeod, E., Thomas, L.F., Alarcon, P., Kang’ethe, E., Kivali, V., Muloi, D., Muinde, P., Murungi, M.K., Gachoya, J.M. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. Detection of circulating antigens for Taenia spp. in pigs slaughtered for consumption in Nairobi and surroundings, Kenya. Parasite Epidemiology and Control 4: e00093.
• Hassell, J.M., Ward, M.J., Muloi, D., Bettridge, J.M., Phan, H., Robinson, T.P., Ogendo, A., Imboma, T., Kiiru, J., Kariuki, S., Begon, M., Kang’ethe, E.K., Woolhouse, M.E.J. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. Deterministic processes structure bacterial genetic communities across an urban landscape. Nature Communications 10: 2643.
• Thomas, L.F., Cook, E.A.J., Fèvre, E.M. and Rushton, J. 2019. Control of Taenia solium: A case for public and private sector investment. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 6: 176

For more information on ILRI’s research on zoonoses, contact Bernard Bett, senior scientist at ILRI (b.bett@cgiar.org) or Eric Fèvre, professor of veterinary infectious diseases, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool on joint appointment at ILRI (eric.fevre@liverpool.ac.uk).