Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Infections Among Urban Homeless and Marginalized People in the United States and Europe, 1990–2014

Abstract

B. quintana was the most frequently reported vector-borne infection identified in our article. Delousing efforts and active surveillance among HIV-positive individuals, who are at elevated risk of complication from B. quintana infection, are advised to reduce morbidity. Given documented exposure to rodent-borne zoonoses among urban homeless and marginalized people, reducing human contact with rodents remains an important public health priority.

Human noroviruses in the faeces of wild birds and rodents—new potential transmission routes

“…The mice were also trapped outside the NoV epidemic season. As far as we know, no one, us included, has been able to detect HuNoVs in mouse samples (Leibler et al., ; Lõhmus, Janse, van de Goot, & van Rotterdam, ).…”

“…Wildlife is known to serve as a source of many zoonotic pathogens such as salmonella and rabies (Kruse, Kirkemo, & Handeland, ). Rats and other small rodents are commonly found to spread various human diseases, such as salmonella and plague, but can also carry hepatitis E and hantaviruses (Kosoy, Khlyap, Cosson, & Morand, ; Leibler, Zakhour, Gadhoke, & Gaeta, ; Vaheri, Henttonen, Voutilainen, Mustonen, & Vapalahti, ). Furthermore, wild birds reportedly transmit at least salmonella, mycobacteria, West Nile virus and influenza viruses to humans (Tsiodras, Kelesidis, Kelesidis, Bauchinger, & Falagas, ).…”

Spatial variation in the parasite communities and genomic structure of urban rats in New York City

“…In addition to the effects of rats on infrastructure and food supply (Doherty, Glen, Nimmo, Ritchie, & Dickman, ), rat infestations also pose health risks to humans (Himsworth, Parsons, Jardine, & Patrick, ; Himsworth, Bidulka et al., ; Ko, Reis, Dourado, Johnson, & Riley, ; Meerburg, Singleton, & Kijlstra, ). Brown rats are known hosts of several human pathogens that cause important zoonotic diseases, including Seoul hantavirus, leptospirosis and bubonic plague (Costa et al., ; Himsworth et al., ; Leibler, Zakhour, Gadhoke, & Gaeta, ). High rat densities increase the likelihood of human–rat contact, posing an acute risk to public health because zoonotic pathogens or ectoparasite vectors can be transmitted during rodent encounters (Frye et al., ; Himsworth, Parsons et al., ; Rogalski, Gowler, Shaw, Hufbauer, & Duffy, ).…”

“…For example, a recent review of published epidemiologic studies of zoonotic and vector‐borne infections among urban homeless reported Bartonella spp. as the most frequently identified vector‐borne infection (Leibler et al., ). Other zoonotic pathogens that were commonly detected among the people sampled included Seoul hantavirus, Leptospira interrogans and Rickettsia typhi (Leibler et al., ).…”

“…as the most frequently identified vector‐borne infection (Leibler et al., ). Other zoonotic pathogens that were commonly detected among the people sampled included Seoul hantavirus, Leptospira interrogans and Rickettsia typhi (Leibler et al., ). As the percentage of people residing in urban areas continues to rise, the incidence of zoonotic diseases is also expected to increase (Himsworth et al., ; Patz et al., ).…”