RESUMEN
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hospitals and households have used personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gloves. Some of these potentially infectious materials were discarded with other household wastes in garbage dumping sites. Thus, this study aimed to detect the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in contaminated wastes, environments, and mammals scavenging around these sites. From September to October 2022, we visited three garbage dumping sites located in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Nonthaburi provinces of Thailand. Oral, nasal, rectal swabs, and blood samples were collected from small mammals, stray dogs, and cats. Masks, gloves, soil, and water samples from the sites were additionally collected. Of the 582 samples collected from 238 animals, none tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the virus isolation, real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and neutralizing antibody detection. However, one sample (1.18 %; 1/85) from a rat (Rattus spp.) captured in Nonthaburi was serologically positive in the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The surveillance of coronaviruses in rats is strongly encouraged because rats may harbor different zoonotic pathogens, including unknown potentially zoonotic coronaviruses. Moreover, two face mask samples (4.65 %; 2/43) collected from the dumping site in Nakhon Pathom tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR. To reduce environmental contamination, detecting the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome in contaminated face masks highlights the critical need for proper waste management in households and communities in Thailand. Thus, to minimize exposure and prevent onward transmission, waste management personnel, including garbage dump staff and waste pickers, should be equipped with appropriate PPE and receive regular training on safe handling and disposal.
RESUMEN
There is an increasing need for robust wildlife health programs that provide surveillance and management for diseases in wildlife and wild aquatic populations to manage associated risks. This paper illustrates the value of a systematic method to enhancing wildlife health programs. The U.S. Geological Survey and Mahidol University, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Thailand National Wildlife Health Center formally twinned under the auspices of the World Organisation for Animal Health to enhance wildlife health capacity in Thailand and the Southeast Asia Region. We used a system-wide approach to holistically and interdependently enhance capacity. The project commenced with a wildlife health program needs assessment, and capacity enhancement focused on strengthening the general wildlife health surveillance network and improving wildlife health information management. Activities included partner surveys, interactive and didactic workshops, and individual personnel training. Topics included development of wildlife health information management systems, analysis of the current surveillance network, development of a Theory of Change for a strengthened surveillance network, planning workshops to create a wildlife health network, training on wildlife disease outbreak investigation and field sample collection, leading networks, and individual training on bioinformatics and laboratory techniques. Engagement of stakeholders at all levels, continuous communication throughout the project, use of both strategic planning tools and pedagogical methods, and using iterative and adaptive approaches, were key factors to the success of this project.
RESUMEN
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Given the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, continuous surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in animals is important. To monitor SARS-CoV-2 infection in wildlife in Thailand, we collected 62 blood samples and nine nasal- and rectal-swab samples from captive tigers (Panthera tigris) in Ratchaburi province in Thailand during 2020-2021. A plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) was employed to detect SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. A real-time RT-PCR assay was performed to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Our findings demonstrated that four captive tigers (6.5%, 4/62) had SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies against Wuhan Hu-1 and the Delta variant, while no SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome could be detected in all swab samples. Moreover, a low-level titer of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron BA.2 subvariant could be found in only one seropositive tiger. The source of SARS-CoV-2 infection in these tigers most likely came from close contact with the infected animals' caretakers who engaged in activities such as tiger petting and feeding. In summary, we described the first case of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in captive tigers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand and provided seroepidemiological-based evidence of human-to-animal transmission. Our findings highlight the need for continuous surveillance of COVID-19 among the captive tiger population and emphasize the need to adopt a One Health approach for preventing and controlling outbreaks of COVID-19 zoonotic disease.