Community health and human-animal contacts on the edges of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

A study on the edges of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, reveals that local communities experience frequent illness symptoms and are exposed to multiple factors that increase pathogen transmission. Researchers found that direct contact with livestock and peri-domestic animals was common, while wildlife sightings were more prevalent than physical interactions. Notably, one reported gorilla encounter coincided with concerning health symptoms in a participant. The study used surveys and self-reported diaries to map contact networks among humans, domestic, and wild animals, highlighting the potential for cross-species pathogen spread. These findings underscore the need for One Health interventions to address disease risks in this region.

Muylaert, R. L., Davidson, B., Ngabirano, A., Kalema-Zikusoka, G., MacGregor, H., Lloyd-Smith, J. O., Fayaz, A., Knox, M. A., & Hayman, D. T. S. (2021). Community health and human-animal contacts on the edges of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Plos One, 16(11), e0254467. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254467