The role of invasive alien species in the emergence and spread of zoonoses

Abstract

The role of invasive alien species in the transmission dynamics of zoonotic pathogens is often overlooked, despite the rapid escalation in biological invasions globally. Here we synthesise available information on the influence of invasive alien species on zoonotic pathogen dynamics in invaded ranges, focussing on Europe, and identify key associated knowledge gaps. We identified 272 documented interactions between alien species and zoonotic pathogens within invaded ranges. The majority of these involved invasive alien mammals followed by birds with only a few occurrences of other taxa documented. A wide range of potential interactions between invasive alien species and zoonotic pathogens were identified but few studies considered transmission to humans and so there was limited evidence of actual impacts on human health. However, there is an urgent need to raise awareness of the potential risks posed to human health by the transmission of zoonotic diseases by invasive alien species; the role of invasive alien species in zoonotic disease transmission may exceed that of native wildlife and occur in a relatively short period following the arrival of an invasive alien species within a new region. Ecological and social mechanisms govern the dynamics of zoonotic disease transmission but wildlife diseases are not consistently included within animal, plant and human policies. Rapid advances in the development of systems frameworks that integrate the ecological, economic and social processes promoting spillover in rapidly changing environments will increase understanding to inform decision-making.

Avoiding novel, unwanted interactions among species to decrease risk of zoonoses

“…The introduction of non‐native species threatens and adversely affects biodiversity and ecosystems and can affect human health. Threats from mosquitoes, rats, and mice, with their endo‐ and ectoparasites, are well known, but there is an urgent need to raise awareness of the potential risks posed to human health by the transmission of zoonotic diseases by non‐native species (Chinchio et al., 2020; Crowl et al., 2008; Hulme, 2014; Roy et al., 2023; Zhu et al., 2019).…”

The Devil Firefish Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828): Life History Traits of a Potential Fishing Resource in Rhodes (Eastern Mediterranean)

“…On the other hand, rather few predators of the devil firefish have been recorded within the Mediterranean Sea. These include the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus, the white grouper Epinephelus aeneus, the common octopus Octopus vulgaris and the silver-checked toad fish Lagocephalus sceleratus [37,63,64] with the first three under fishing or preying pressure [65][66][67]. For the time being, the water temperature seems to be the only effective constraint in the ongoing dispersal of P. miles within the basin [38,68,69].…”

Infectious agents present in monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) and rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) invasive species in the parks of Madrid and Seville, Spain

“…Regarding the Aves Class, up to 971 introduced bird species have been reported in 230 countries ( 7 ). However, only a few studies confirmed the introduction of diseases by alien bird species, mostly restricted to sporadic cases ( 8 ). The most relevant was the historical exportation of feral pigeons ( Columba livia ) from the Mediterranean countries.…”

“…This synanthropic species has been proven to carry more than 110 zoonotic pathogens ( 9 ); some of them in high proportions, such as Campylobacter jejuni and Chlamydia psittaci ( 10 ). Other alien species carrying zoonotic pathogens described in the scientific literature are the house sparrow ( Passer domesticus ), the common starling ( Sturnus vulgaris ), and the song thrush ( Turdus philomelos ) ( 8 ). Therefore, health status variables should be included when conducting foreign species risk assessments to evaluate the introduction of new agents and the changes in the epidemiology of existing ones ( 11 ).…”