Emerging and Neglected Viral Zoonoses in Europe

Abstract

Zoonotic diseases are an important public health problem worldwide. Two large groups of zoonotic viruses include arboviruses and rodent-borne viruses. Avian influenza, SARS-CoV-2, hepatitis E, and recently re-emerged monkeypox are also medically important viral zoonoses. Tick-borne encephalitis is the most important tick-borne disease in Europe with a growing incidence. West Nile infections are continuously reported as small or large outbreaks. Although the number of Usutu virus infections showed an increasing trend, this arbovirus is still neglected as well as Toscana, Tahyna, and Bhanja viruses. The number of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases is increasing in the recent years. Hantaviruses are the most important rodent-borne viruses. Orthohantavirus Puumala is responsible for more than 90% of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome cases in Europe; however, Dobrava orthohantavirus is also recorded. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is a neglected viral zoonosis with unknown prevalence. Avian influenza outbreaks in poultry are on the rise over the past two decades, with a consequent increase in human infections. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted the importance of coronaviruses in human diseases. Hepatitis E virus is an emerging virus with zoonotic genotype 3 the most frequently detected in Europe. The epidemiology of monkeypox has changed with considerable human-to-human transmission, predominantly among men who have sex with men.