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Journal articleFaria N, 2026,
Detection of dengue virus serotype 2 in local Aedes aegypti populations, Madeira Island, Portugal, 2025
, Parasites and Vectors, ISSN: 1756-3305 -
Journal articleHemmings S, Varaden D, Barnes J, et al., 2026,
Diversity analysis of indoor and outdoor fungal bioaerosols in UK households: a longitudinal study
, The Lancet Microbe, ISSN: 2666-5247BackgroundProlonged exposure to indoor fungal bioaerosols is a recognised risk factor for respiratory illness, particularly in damp and poorly ventilated housing. However, the diversity and seasonal variability of these communities are poorly understood. This study as part of WellHome, aimed to characterise the composition, diversity, and temporal dynamics of indoor fungal bioaerosols in urban UK homes compared with outdoor air, to inform future exposure baselines and policy development.MethodsIn this prospective, community-based observational study, 118 households were recruited across West London, UK, via community networks and partner organisations, prioritising families with children aged 5–17 years with asthma or allergies from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Sampling occurred between 3rd October 2022 and 14th June 2024. Participant data was collected via questionnaires completed by household members, capturing demographics, building characteristics, and respiratory health. Passive air samplers were deployed in living rooms for 28 days during two seasonal campaigns, with concurrent outdoor sampling at four fixed community sites. Fungal bioaerosols were identified by ITS2 amplicon sequencing and quantified using broad-range qPCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Diversity indices and temporal dynamics were analysed using ecological statistics and generalised additive models.Findings118 households were enrolled, comprising 504 residents (263 female, 237 male, 4 not reported). Of these, 104 households completed both seasonal campaigns and 14 completed one, yielding 262 air samples (222 indoor, 40 outdoor). DNA was successfully recovered from all samples, identifying 2,027 fungal genera. Indoor environments showed significantly higher richness (mean 646 vs 495 ASVs; p<0.0001) and Shannon diversity (4.21 vs 3.53; p<0.0001) than outdoors. Community composition differed markedly (PERMANOVA p<0.0001), with Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Wallemia enriched in
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Journal articleMorel G, Pham A, Morgenstern C, et al., 2026,
An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 could impact the dairy cattle sector and the broader economy in the United States
, Communications Earth & Environment, ISSN: 2662-4435The outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in U.S. dairy cattle poses substantial risks to public health, economic sustainability of farming, and global food systems. Using a Computable General Equilibrium model, we simulate its short- to medium-term impacts on Gross Domestic Product and other macro-economic outcomes for the US and its main trading partners. We simulate impacts under the current situation and realistic and reasonable worst-case scenarios. We estimate domestic economic losses ranging between 0.06% and 0.9% of US GDP, with losses to the dairy sector ranging between 3.4% and 20.6%. Trading partners increase dairy production to compensate for the loss. Current government subsidies are about 1.2% (95% HDI: 1% to 1.4%) of output losses, and likely insufficient to incentivise farmers to step up surveillance and biosecurity for mitigating the possible emergence of H5N1 strains with pandemic potential into human populations.
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Journal articleTapsoba M, Guelbeogo WM, Sanou A, et al., 2026,
Differential effects of dual and synergist-based insecticide-treated bed nets on pyrethroid resistance and L995F/S knockdown resistance mutation dynamics in Anopheles gambiae s.l. populations in south-western Burkina Faso
, Parasites and Vectors, Vol: 19, ISSN: 1756-3305BackgroundThe introduction of next-generation insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in Burkina Faso aims to mitigate pyrethroid resistance in malaria vectors. This study evaluated the impact of different ITN types on phenotypic resistance and kdr mutation frequencies in Anopheles gambiae sensus lacto (s.l.) populations across three health districts over 3 years.MethodsAnnual mosquito collections were conducted in Banfora (where pyrethroid–chlorfenapyr nets had been distributed), Gaoua (pyrethroid-only ITNs) and Orodara (pyrethroid–piperonyl butoxide [PBO] ITNs). Two populations were analysed: adult females collected directly from the field and those reared from field-collected larvae. World Health Organization (WHO) susceptibility bioassays measured 24-h mortality after exposure to 1×, 5× and 10× concentrations of deltamethrin and alphacypermethrin, with and without pre-exposure to piperonyl butoxide. Frequencies of kdr mutations L995F and L995S were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsHigh-intensity resistance was observed in each study district, with mortality consistently below 45% and not reaching WHO thresholds even at 10× doses. PBO increased mortality, indicating metabolic resistance, but failed to restore full susceptibility. L995F predominated across all districts, years and mosquito populations. L995S remained low and variable. Pyr-only nets were associated with rising L995F frequencies and lower mortality in resistance assays. Pyrethroid (Pyr)–chlorfenapyr (CFR) nets improved mortality in resistance assays without increasing kdr prevalence. Pyr–PBO nets showed partial and inconsistent efficacy, with mosquitoes having mixed patterns in resistance assays. Similar patterns between field and laboratory-reared populations were observed.ConclusionsITN type strongly influenced resistance dynamics. Dual-active ingredient (AI) nets, particularly Pyr–CFR, appear more effective in managin
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Journal articleRhodes J, Fisher M, 2026,
Emerging terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton indotineae between 2018 and 2023: a multinational genomic epidemiology study
, The Lancet Microbe, ISSN: 2666-5247 -
Journal articleTapsoba M, Guelbeogo WM, Sanou A, et al., 2026,
Three-year trends in malaria transmission parameters under deployment of Interceptor®G1, Interceptor®G2 and PermaNet®3.0 insecticide-treated bed nets in South-Western Burkina Faso
, Malaria Journal, Vol: 25, ISSN: 1475-2875BackgroundIn South-Western Burkina Faso, where malaria remains highly endemic, the widespread resistance of Anopheles mosquitoes to pyrethroid is reducing the effectiveness of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). This study assessed 3-year trends in key entomological indicators following the deployment of standard pyrethroid-only (Interceptor®G1), dual-AI pyrethroid-chlorfenapyr (Interceptor®G2) and pyrethroid-PBO (PermaNet®3.0).MethodsA longitudinal entomological study was conducted from August 2019 to February 2022 in three malaria-endemic health districts, each receiving a different ITN type. Weekly mosquito sampling was conduct in three villages per district using Human Landing Catches at two households and CDC light traps at six households. Mosquitoes were morphologically and molecularly identified, and Plasmodium falciparum infection was detected by PCR. Key indicators included mosquito density, biting behaviour, sporozoite infection rate (SIR), and entomological inoculation rate (EIR).ResultsA total of 73,101 female Anopheles mosquitoes were collected. The dominant vector species was An. gambiae s.l. (> 59%), with An. coluzzii prevalent in Banfora (65.5%) and An. gambiae s.s. in Gaoua (91%) and Orodara (83.3%). In Banfora, where Pyr-CFR Interceptor G2 nets were deployed, Anopheles density declined by 88.7% over the 3 years. In Gaoua (Pyr-only ITNs), mosquito density declined initially but rebounded in year 3. In Orodara (Pyr-PBO ITNs), densities remained relatively stable. Trends in SIR and EIR mirrored those in vector density, with decline in year 2 followed by resurgences in Banfora and Gaoua during year 3.ConclusionDual-AI nets, particularly Pyr-CFR Interceptor®G2, were associated with sustained reductions in mosquito density and transmission indicators over 2 years. However, resurgence of entomological indices by the third year highlights the need for improved ITN durability and complementary vector control strategies. Continuous ent
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Journal articleBasanez M-G, Amaral LJTDMD, Walker M, et al., 2026,
Reaching elimination of onchocerciasis transmission with long-term vector control and ivermectin treatment in togo
, Nature Communications, Vol: 17, ISSN: 2041-1723The Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa implemented vector control (VC) and ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) to eliminate blindness, intensifying efforts in Special Intervention Zones (SIZ). Togo aims to eliminate onchocerciasis transmission (EOT) by 2030. We use the EPIONCHO-IBM model to project microfilarial prevalence trends across Togo’s five regions by SIZ status, MDA coverage (65%-80%) and VC efficacy (60%-100%). We compare projections with prevalence surveys (400 villages, 1970-2017) stratified by hypoendemic, mesoendemic, hyperendemic, and holoendemic baseline endemicity, and calculate EOT probabilities for 2024, 2027, and 2030. Combined VC and MDA reduced prevalence nationwide. After cessation of VC, prevalence continued to decline in hypo-to mesoendemic areas under annual MDA, while hyperendemic areas required biannual MDA. In holoendemic areas, prevalence rebounded even with biannual MDA, indicating that alternative strategies are needed. EPIONCHO-IBM reproduces Togo’s onchocerciasis trends throughout five decades of intervention and provides a transferable framework to guide policy towards 2030 goals.
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Journal articleBellekom B, Troman C, Fitz S, et al., 2026,
Comparison of the sensitivity of targeted and untargeted (metagenomic) methods for the detection of viral pathogens in wastewater.
, Sci Total Environ, Vol: 1013Timely and accurate pathogen detection is critical for the successful implementation of wastewater surveillance and has broad implications for public health. A wide range of surveillance tools are currently available, offering both quantitative and qualitative insights into the wastewater virome. Careful consideration of molecular methodology is required to successfully implement an effective wastewater surveillance scheme. Using SARS-CoV-2 as a model organism, we compared detection success across multiple approaches, including targeted (RT-PCR, qPCR, random priming RT-PCR) and target-agnostic (Rapid SMART-9N metagenomics) methods. We also estimated the copy number required for reliable detection, examined how the ratio of target to off-target genomes in wastewater affects detection and genome coverage using metagenomics, and assessed the efficacy of hybrid capture enrichment of target genomes in improving metagenomic detection. Our results show significant differences between methods, targeted RT-PCR and qPCR were more likely (68 % and 65 % respectively) to detect SARS-CoV-2 than target agnostic approaches. The inclusion of carrier RNA during extraction significantly increased the likelihood of target detection. Our target-agnostic metagenomic approach was consistently unable to detect our target, and, even in the presence of high concentrations that are atypical for wastewater, detection was limited. Target enrichment increased SARS-CoV-2 detection and maximum coverage by metagenomics (SMART-9N), though was outperformed by targeted amplicon sequencing. Overall, our findings support the use of targeted approaches for the routine surveillance of viral pathogens in wastewater. Whilst metagenomics provides broad insights into the virome, enrichment strategies are essential when using it to detect specific viruses, particularly in complex wastewater matrices.
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Journal articleWhitaker M, Elliott J, Gerard-Ursin I, et al., 2026,
Profiling vaccine attitudes and subsequent uptake in 1·1 million people in England: a nationwide cohort study
, The Lancet, ISSN: 0140-6736BackgroundDespite highly effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy persisted in some populations in England during the pandemic, with rates and motivations for hesitancy varying by demographic group. Addressing the drivers of vaccine hesitancy through targeted interventions in hesitant groups is a public health priority for better and more rapid control of disease spread. We aimed to characterise the determinants and subtypes of vaccine hesitancy and identify more persistent forms of hesitancy via analysis of vaccine uptake in a large cross-sectional cohort with linked National Health Service (NHS) data.MethodsWe conducted an initial cross-sectional analysis of vaccine hesitancy at baseline, followed by a longitudinal analysis of vaccine uptake in the hesitant cohort. We analysed survey data from the Real-time Assessment of Community Transmission (REACT) studies, which monitored the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in England during the COVID-19 pandemic at regular intervals from May 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022, in random samples of the population. Participants self-reported detailed sociodemographic information, vaccination status, and attitudes towards vaccination. Participants were classified as hesitant if they reported that they had refused, planned to refuse, or had not yet decided whether to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants who said they were unvaccinated when NHS records showed that they had been vaccinated were excluded from further analysis. The primary outcome of the cross-sectional analysis was vaccine hesitancy. Longitudinal analysis of vaccine uptake was done in participants in the hesitant cohort who consented to the use of linked NHS vaccination records to track their vaccination history after the survey, with post-survey vaccination as the outcome. Consensus clustering was used to categorise reasons for vaccine hesitancy, and cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses used logistic regression models to identify demographic pr
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Journal articleAli Z, Abubakar I, Amegah AK, et al., 2026,
Lancet Countdown on health and climate change in Africa: an international collaboration for locally led research and action.
, Lancet, Vol: 407, Pages: 185-194Climate change inflicts substantial economic damage on developing African nations, threatening progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There are synergies between actions needed to tackle climate change and other ongoing development priorities for Africa, including infectious disease control, facilitating clean energy access, reducing air pollution, tackling malnutrition and food insecurity, and providing universal health coverage. Action to protect human health against climate change needs to be integrated into all systems that are responsible for delivering essential services and implementing policies across all sectors that underpin the attainment of key development priorities for Africa. These systems include the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's 2063 Agenda for building The Africa We Want, and the ongoing negotiations and work programmes in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Adequate stocktaking of and access to robust data and scientific evidence is needed to support this effort and guide priorities for policies that protect and promote health and for monitoring progress over time. In response to this need, the Lancet Countdown is launching a new initiative to bring together a transdisciplinary research collaboration to help build regional capacity, strengthen existing networks, generate evidence, and mobilise data across numerous domains at the climate change and health nexus in Africa.
This data is extracted from the Web of Science and reproduced under a licence from Thomson Reuters. You may not copy or re-distribute this data in whole or in part without the written consent of the Science business of Thomson Reuters.
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