To uphold scientific excellence, quality control, and peer review, CIDRZ regularly hosts research meetings at its Lusaka headquarters.

At a recent session, Health Research and Professional Education Zambia (HERPEZ) presented findings from a pilot study on human exposure to zoonotic pathogens in Zambia, highlighting potential health risks at the human-animal interface.

Dr John Tembo, Scientific Coordinator at HERPEZ, explained that the study examined the presence and diversity of zoonotic pathogens in 47 suspected COVID-19 patients. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected between November 2020 and February 2021 at two major COVID-19 referral hospitals in Lusaka.

Dr Tembo explained that metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) identified 24 zoonotic pathogens in human samples, providing the first comprehensive insight into circulating zoonotic pathogens in Zambia. The findings indicate a high prevalence of these pathogens, underscoring under-recognised public health risks and the need for stronger surveillance systems.

Key findings include the first detection of Coxiella burnetii in humans in Zambia, a bacterium that causes Q fever and severe respiratory illness. Other first-time detections were Sporothrix schenckii, Bartonella species, Banna virus, Leptospira borgpetersenii, Leishmania braziliensis, and Arcobacter butzleri. Bacillus anthracis was also identified during a period of sporadic anthrax outbreaks in Zambia.

The study also identified pathogens linked to food and environmental exposure, such as Vibrio species and Listeria monocytogenes, indicating possible risks from contaminated food, imported seafood, and water sources. Dr Tembo noted that the detection of rickettsial pathogens supports evidence that these infections are emerging contributors to febrile illness in Africa.

Despite the small sample size, lack of blood samples, and the possibility that some participants self-medicated with antibiotics before hospital visits, the findings offer important baseline data on zoonotic pathogen exposure in humans in Zambia. They also demonstrate the need for larger, more comprehensive studies.

The study underscores the need to strengthen zoonotic disease surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and public health preparedness in Zambia. Dr Tembo also emphasised the importance of integrated One Health approaches that acknowledge the close interaction among humans, animals, and the environment in the spread of infectious diseases.