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Introduction Globally, traditional medicine is widely used to treat a variety of injuries and illnesses, including dog bites, and exposures that are risky for rabies. However, efficacy of most traditional remedies used for rabies prevention or treatment has not been demonstrated in controlled trials or proven in community-based surveys. Methods Six databases were searched including the terms rabies, traditional treatment, traditional remedy, traditional therapy, traditional medicine, and medicinal treatment to review traditional remedies used in the prevention and treatment of rabies. In addition, published literature of rabies transmission dynamics was used to estimate statistical likelihood of dog bite victims developing rabies to provide clarity as to why traditional healers have a high apparent success rate when preventing death from rabies in victims bitten by suspected rabid dogs. Results Literature review yielded 50 articles, including three controlled experiments, that described use of traditional remedies for rabies prevention and treatment. Traditional remedies for rabies ranged from plant- or animal-based products to spiritual rituals; however, only a few controlled mice trials were conducted, and none of these trials demonstrated efficacy in preventing or treating rabies. Risk of dying from rabies after a bite from a dog with unknown rabies status is low, 1.90% (0.05%-29.60%). Therefore, traditional healers had a 98.10% (70.40%-99.95%) apparent success rate in preventing death from suspected rabid dog bites despite inefficaciousness of herbal remedies. Conclusion There was no universal plant species or route of administration that was consistently used for rabies prevention or treatment across countries. No traditional remedy was efficacious in the prevention or treatment of rabies in randomized controlled experiments. Understanding the cultural context under which traditional remedies are used may facilitate collaboration of traditional healers with the modern medical system to ensure timely and appropriate use of proven therapies for prevention and clinical management of rabies.

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a vector-borne, parasitic disease. CanL is endemic in the Mediterranean basin and South America but also found in Northern Africa, Asia, and the U.S. Regions with both competent sand fly vectors and L. infantum parasites are also endemic for additional infectious diseases that could cause co-infections in dogs. Growing evidence indicates that co-infections can impact immunologic responses and thus the clinical course of both CanL and the comorbid disease(s). The aim for this review is to summarize epidemiologic, clinical, and immunologic factors contributing to eight primary co-infections reported with CanL: Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis, Paracoccidioides braziliensis. Co-infection causes mechanistic differences in immunity which can alter diagnostics, therapeutic management, and prognosis of dogs with CanL. More research is needed to further explore immunomodulation during CanL co-infection(s) and their clinical impact.

Veterinary and animal care workers (VACW) perform critical functions in biosecurity and public health, yet little has been done to understand the unique needs and barriers these workers face when responding during a pandemic crisis. This study evaluated VACWs' perceived risks and roles during COVID-19, and explored barriers and facilitators in their readiness, ability, and willingness to respond during a pandemic. We deployed a survey targeting U.S. veterinary medical personnel, animal shelter and control workers, zoo and wildlife workers, plus other animal care workers. Data were collected on participants' self-reported job and demographic factors, perceptions of risk and job efficacy, and readiness, ability, and willingness to respond during the pandemic. We found that leadership roles and older age had the strongest association with decreased perceived risk and improved job efficacy and confidence, and that increased reported contact level with others (both co-workers and the public) was associated with increased perceived risk. We determined that older age and serving in leadership positions were associated with improved readiness, willingness, and ability to respond. VACWs' dedication to public health response, reflected in our findings, will be imperative if more zoonotic vectors of SARS-CoV-2 arise. Response preparedness in VACW can be improved by targeting younger workers not in leadership roles in support programs that center on improving job efficacy and confidence in safety protocols. These findings can be used to target intervention and training efforts to support the most vulnerable within this critical, yet often overlooked, workforce.

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Purpose of Review Leishmaniasis is a leading cause of parasitic death, with incidence rising from decreased resources to administer insecticide and anti-leishmanial treatments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leishmaniasis is nonendemic in the United States (U.S.), but enzootic canine populations and potentially competent vectors warrant monitoring of autochthonous disease as a fluctuating climate facilitates vector expansion. Recent studies concerning sand fly distribution and vector capacity were assessed for implications of autochthonous transmission within the U.S. Recent Findings Climate change and insecticide resistance provide challenges in sand fly control. While most Leishmania -infected dogs in the U.S. were infected via vertical transmission or were imported, autochthonous vector-borne cases were reported. Autochthonous vector-borne human cases have been reported in four states. Further vaccine research could contribute to infection control. Summary Both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis cases in the U.S. are increasingly reported. Prevention measures including vector control and responsible animal breeding are critical to halt this zoonotic disease.