Conclusions
We identified an array of pathogens of both veterinary and public health
importance in vectors collected from domestic animals at LMs and SHs.
Significantly, the host animals were either being traded to destinations
that were different from their origin or taken to slaughter, carrying
infected vectors. These findings show how the animal trade can be the
driver for new foci of infection in new areas, with risks to both
domestic animal and human populations. Furthermore, their presence at
SHs exposes abattoir workers, meat inspectors, butchers, and consumers
to diseases like CCHF and ATBF. The zoonotic pathogens detected here
cause febrile illness that can be clinically difficult to differentiate
from malaria or other non-specific fevers (Crump et al., 2013). Indeed,
a large majority of non-malarial febrile cases are never properly
diagnosed. Therefore, evidence of their possible circulation and risk
for human infection warrants their inclusion, if not routinely due to
limitations in clinical differential diagnostics, at least in routine
prospective surveys in health centres receiving febrile patients.