One Health Insider – March 2025

Dear One Health Bangladesh Members,

Welcome to the first issue of One Health Insider — the official newsletter of One Health Bangladesh.

Starting this month, we’ll send you curated insights, global perspectives, local action stories, and essential updates from across the human-animal-environment interface directly to your inbox.

In this issue, you’ll find global One Health news, research spotlights, upcoming opportunities, and regional highlights designed to keep you informed, engaged, and inspired.

One Health News Recap – March 2025

A roundup of One Health news and stories from March 2025

Experts Call for Urgent Action on H5N1 as Cross-Species Spread Accelerates

A Science letter warns of H5N1’s growing cross-species spread — now in cattle and humans. Experts urge faster vaccine development and stronger global preparedness.

Full story

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Returns to Hungary After 50 Years

Hungary has reported its first FMD case in decades, prompting the UK and Czech Republic to issue trade bans and biosecurity restrictions. The outbreak has sparked concerns of regional spread across Central Europe.

Full Story

Mysterious Outbreak in DRC: 1,318 Cases, 53 Deaths

A mystery illness in Equateur Province, DRC, has caused over 1,300 suspected cases and 53 deaths. Ebola and Marburg have been ruled out. Investigators are exploring possible causes of malaria, meningitis, or chemical exposure.

Full Story

U.S. Measles Cases Rise to 378 with 2 Deaths

Measles continues to surge in the U.S., with 378 confirmed cases and two reported deaths. Children under 19 comprise 75% of cases, and 95% were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Hospitalization rate: 17%, with the highest impact on children under 5

Source: CDC

Sudan Virus in Uganda: 14 Cases, 4 Deaths

Since January 30, Uganda has confirmed 14 Sudan virus cases and four deaths. The outbreak spans six districts, including Kampala, and 192 contacts are under monitoring. No licensed vaccine or treatment exists.

Source: WHO

Research Spotlights

Possible Mammal-to-Mammal Transmission of H5N1

A new study in Nature Communications has found genetic clues that H5N1 may be spreading between mammals. Viral samples from Chile’s 2022–2023 outbreak revealed shared mutations in human and marine mammal cases, suggesting possible mammalian transmission. Researchers call for urgent surveillance to monitor viral evolution and spillover risk.

Full article in Nature Communications

Possible Mammal-to-Mammal Transmission of H5N1

A bioRxiv preprint shows that bovine-derived H5N1 can infect pigs but doesn’t spread between them. While viral replication and some mammalian-adaptive mutations were detected, no transmission occurred among co-housed piglets. Researchers warn that pigs remain critical “mixing vessels” for flu evolution

Full article in bioRxiv

Oral Antiviral Shows Promise Against Ebola

In a recent study, Obeldesivir (ODV), an oral antiviral, protected up to 100% of nonhuman primates from lethal Ebola infection. The drug delayed viral replication and boosted immune response, showing promise as a practical post-exposure treatment

Full article in Science

Alarming Drug-Resistant Typhoid Levels in Pakistan

A meta-analysis reveals that Salmonella Typhi in Pakistan shows 92% resistance to nalidixic acid, 80% to ampicillin, and 64% to ciprofloxacin. Nearly 1 in 3 cases were MDR, and 1 in 4 were XDR. Experts urge immediate action through vaccination, sanitation, and antibiotic stewardship

Full article in Open Forum Infectious Diseases

One Health Opportunities

Grants, Fellowships & PhD openings from around the globe focused on One Health, zoonoses, epidemiology, AMR, and more

PhD – One Health & Zoonoses (University of Western Australia)

A fully funded PhD position is available to study toxoplasmosis using a One Health framework. The project welcomes applicants with backgrounds in animal or human health and experience in field or laboratory research. The application deadline is March 31, 2025, and the program is open to domestic and international students.

Apply here

PhD – Veterinary Microbiology & AMR (University of Calgary)

This PhD position focuses on antimicrobial resistance in dairy systems, explicitly targeting the resistome through veterinary microbiology and surveillance research. Applicants should have a background in microbiology, veterinary science, or bioinformatics. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for a September 2025 start.

Apply here

PhD – Machine Learning in Vet Pathology (University of Guelph)

The University of Guelph is offering a PhD position that applies machine learning tools in veterinary pathology and epidemiology. The position is ideal for candidates with experience in coding (Python or R) and health data analysis. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

Apply here

Asian Elephant Rapid Response Grants – WTI & CSS

Community-based projects to reduce human-elephant conflict can apply for rapid response grants of up to $5,000. Eligible countries include India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and others. Proposals must be endorsed by a relevant government authority.

Full call link