Rattus norvegicus, the brown or Norway rat, is the most abundant mammal after humans in urban areas, where they live in close proximity to people. Among rodent-borne diseases, the reservoir role of Norway rats of zoonotic parasites in cities has practically been ignored. Considering the parasitic diseases in the One Health approach, we intended to identify and quantify the zoonotic intestinal protozoans (ZIP) in an urban population of R. norvegicus in the city of Barcelona, Spain. We studied the presence of ZIP in 100 rats trapped in parks (n = 15) as well as in the city’s sewage system (n = 85) in the winter of 2016/17. The protozoans were molecularly identified by means of a multiplex PCR (Allplex^TM Gastrointestinal Panel-Parasite Assay). We also investigated the presence of co-infections among the species found. Four ZIP were identified, presenting significant prevalences in sewers, specifically Blastocystis (83.5%), Giardia duodenalis (37.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (34.1%), and Dientamoeba fragilis (14.1%). Several co-infections among the detected ZIP were also detected. The reservoir role of ZIP that Norway rats play in cities as well as the role rats may play as sentinels of zoonotic parasites affecting humans in urban areas are strongly backed up by our findings. The increasing worldwide urbanization, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic are factors that are producing an increase in human–rat interactions. Our results should be considered a warning to the authorities to intensify rat control and surveillance in public health interventions.

Zoological gardens are home to a large number of vertebrate species and as such are suitable sites for both mosquito breeding and maintenance. They are excellent places for entomological studies of mosquito phenology, diversity, and blood-feeding patterns, as well as for xenomonitoring. During 2016, we sampled mosquitoes in Barcelona Zoo and used molecular methods to determine their blood-feeding patterns and the prevalence and diversity of avian malaria parasites. We also estimated the flight distance of engorged mosquitoes in the area. Overall, 1,384 adult Culex pipiens s.l., Culiseta longiareolata, and Aedes albopictus were captured. Birds dominated the diet of Cx. pipiens s.l. (n = 87) and Cs. longiareolata (n = 6), while humans were the only blood-meal source of Ae. albopictus (n = 3). Mosquitoes had a mean flight distance of 95.67 m after feeding on blood (range 38.71–168.51 m). Blood parasites were detected in the abdomen of 13 engorged Cx. pipiens s.l., eight of which had fed on magpies. Four Plasmodium lineages and a single lineage of the malaria-like parasite Haemoproteus were identified. These results suggest that Cx. pipiens s.l. is involved in the local transmission of avian Plasmodium, which potentially affects the circulation of parasites between and within wildlife and enclosed animals. Vigilance regarding possible mosquito breeding sites in this zoo is thus recommended.

Zoonoses are currently considered as one of the most important threats for Public Health worldwide. Zoonoses can be defined as any disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate or invertebrate animals to humans and vice-versa. Approximately, 75% of recently emerging infectious diseases affecting humans are diseases of animal origin; approximately, 60% of all human pathogens are zoonotic. All types of potential pathogenic agents, including viruses, parasites, bacteria, and fungi, can cause these zoonotic infections. From the wide range of potential vectors of zoonoses, arthropods are probably those of major significance due to their abundance, high plasticity, adaptability, and coevolution to different kinds of pathogens, high degrees of synanthropism in several groups, and difficulties to apply effective programs of population control. Although ticks, flies, sandflies, cockroaches, bugs, and fleas are excellent vectors capable of transmitting viruses, parasites, and bacteria, undoubtedly mosquitoes are the most important human disease vectors, while ticks are the most important vectors of pathogens in domestic production animals. Mosquito borne diseases like malaria, equine encephalitis, or West Nile are zoonoses with increasing incidence in the last years in tropical and temperate countries. All these zoonoses are thoroughly discussed in the Research Topic (1–5). Moreover, several researches focused on new tools to fight against Dengue vectors (6), studies about mosquito biodiversity (7), or novel modeling techniques based on climatic factors to predict vector’s incidence (8) can also be found in our compilation of research works related with zoonoses. Although it is well known that mosquitoes are the major vectors worldwide, probably ticks and tick-borne diseases are those that have aroused higher interest in epidemiologists and medical entomologists in recent years (9–12). The problems related with zoonoses have different significance in developed and undeveloped countries. One example of a vector-borne disease relatively easy to combat with current pharmacological, preventive, and vector control tools but with a dramatic incidence in Central and South America is Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis (13–19). In Africa and Asia, other neglected diseases like leishmaniasis or African trypanosomiasis have serious impact on human populations locally (20–22). Not all zoonoses are vector borne, vertebrates can also transmit serious zoonoses, highlighting the role of some carnivorous animals in rabies dissemination, the spread of rodent borne diseases in several rural and urban areas, or some transmissible bacteria in cattle and other livestock (23). According to WHO, FAO, and OIE guidelines, an emerging zoonotic disease can be defined as a zoonosis that is newly recognized or newly evolved, or that has occurred previously but shows an increase of incidence or expansion in geographical, host, or vector range. There are many factors that can provoke or accelerate the emergence of zoonoses, such as environmental changes, habitat modifications, variations of human and animal demography, pathogens and vectors anomalous mobilization related with human practices and globalization, such as the introduction of exotic mosquito species of which Aedes albopictus is the paradigm, deterioration of the strategies of vector control, or changes in pathogen genetics (24–26). To reduce Public Health risks from zoonoses, it is absolutely necessary to acquire an integrative perspective that includes the study of the complexity of interactions among humans, animals, and environment in order to be able to fight against these issues of primary interest for human health, hence the new “One Health” approach. In any case, although zoonoses represent significant public health threats, many of them still remain as neglected diseases and consequently are not prioritized by some national or international health organisms. The aim of this Research Topic is to cover all related fields with zoonoses, including basic and applied researches, approaches to control measures, explanations of new theories or observations, opinion articles, reviews, etc. To deeply discuss these issues, a holistic and integrative point of view is obviously needed and guided by the “One Health” strategy. Editors are very proud to say that this ambitious goal for the Research Topic has been accomplished, thanks to the collaboration of researchers specialized in different fields as medical and veterinary entomologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, virologists, zoologists, microbiologists, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and medicals specialized in epidemiology, public health, and animal health. 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Braks M, Medlock JM, Hubalek Z, Hjertqvist M, Perrin Y, Lancelot R, et al. Vector-borne disease intelligence: strategies to deal with disease burden and threats. Front Public Health (2014) 2:280. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2014.00280 PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Keywords: zoonoses, infectious diseases, infectious diseases epidemiology, editorial, one health Citation: Bueno-Marí R, Almeida APG and Navarro JC (2015) Editorial: Emerging zoonoses: eco-epidemiology, involved mechanisms, and public health implications. Front. Public Health 3:157. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00157 Received: 26 May 2015; Accepted: 26 May 2015; Published: 08 June 2015 Edited and reviewed by: Jimmy Thomas Efird, Brody School of Medicine, USA Copyright: © 2015 Bueno-Marí, Almeida and Navarro. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. *Correspondence: Rubén Bueno-Marí, ruben.bueno@uv.es; rbueno.entomol@gmail.com

Background: The mosquito Aedes koreicus (Edwards, 1917) is a recent invader on the European continent that was introduced to several new places since its first detection in 2008. Compared to other exotic Aedes mosquitoes with public health significance that invaded Europe during the last decades, this species’ biology, behavior, and dispersal patterns were poorly investigated to date. Methodology/Principal findings: To understand the species’ population relationships and dispersal patterns within Europe, a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI or COX1) gene was sequenced from 130 mosquitoes, collected from five countries where the species has been introduced and/or established. Oxford Nanopore and Illumina sequencing techniques were combined to generate the first complete nuclear and mitochondrial genomic sequences of Ae. koreicus from the European region. The complete genome of Ae. koreicus is 879 Mb. COI haplotype analyses identified five major groups (altogether 31 different haplotypes) and revealed a large-scale dispersal pattern between European Ae. koreicus populations. Continuous admixture of populations from Belgium, Italy, and Hungary was highlighted, additionally, haplotype diversity and clustering indicate a separation of German sequences from other populations, pointing to an independent introduction of Ae. koreicus to Europe. Finally, a genetic expansion signal was identified, suggesting the species might be present in more locations than currently detected. Conclusions/Significance: Our results highlight the importance of genetic research of invasive mosquitoes to understand general dispersal patterns, reveal main dispersal routes and form the baseline of future mitigation actions. The first complete genomic sequence also provides a significant leap in the general understanding of this species, opening the possibility for future genome-related studies, such as the detection of ‘Single Nucleotide Polymorphism’ markers. Considering its public health importance, it is crucial to further investigate the species’ population genetic dynamic, including a larger sampling and additional genomic markers.

The rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is an emerging parasite that can cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Over the past 60 years, the worm has greatly expanded its original Asian distribution to most tropical and subtropical areas of the world, mostly by traveling on ships with its definitive hosts, rats. Angiostrongylus cantonensis was recently found for the first time in Continental Europe, specifically in 3 (2 Rattus norvegicus and 1 Rattus rattus) out of 27 rats trapped in the sewer system of the city of Valencia, Spain. Updating the investigation, the parasite has subsequently been found in 8 (5 R. norvegicus and 3 R. rattus) out of 94 rats analyzed. The highest prevalence of infection (20%) was obtained in rats trapped in the orchards that surround the city, where both snails and slugs (intermediate hosts) abound, and where vegetables consumed in Valencia, other parts of Spain, and abroad, are produced. The presence of the parasite in rats does not necessarily mean that the disease it causes becomes a relevant public health concern since it strongly depends on the food habits of the population at risk. If proper precautions are taken, the risk of acquiring neuroangiostrongylosis should be minimal.

Alien mosquito and vertebrate host species may create novel epidemiological scenarios for the transmission of pathogens naturally circulating in the invaded area. The exotic Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) has established populations in Europe and is currently considered an invasive pest. Due to their high abundance in urban areas, Monk parakeets could be involved in the transmission of pathogens, potentially affecting wildlife and livestock. To test this hypothesis, we determined the prevalence and diversity of three vector-borne parasites, namely Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, in Monk parakeets from Barcelona. Many areas of southern Europe shelter high densities of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, which in addition to native mosquito species could affect the transmission of mosquito-borne parasites, such as avian Plasmodium. Thus, we also sampled mosquitoes in the area to trace their blood-feeding hosts and determine the presence of Plasmodium parasites. Monk parakeets were neither infected by Plasmodium nor by Haemoproteus parasites, and only five individuals (3.13%; n = 160) were infected by Leucocytozoon. Monk parakeets were bitten by Culiseta longiareolata and represented 9.5% of Culex pipiens blood meals. The invasive Ae. albopictus showed a clear anthropophilic feeding pattern, with humans dominating its diet. Three Plasmodium lineages were detected in pools of Cx pipiens. These results suggest that Plasmodium circulating in the area cannot develop in the invasive Monk parakeet, in spite of the relatively high fraction of native mosquito vectors feeding on this species in its invaded distribution range.