Viral zoonoses at the human-animal interface in southern Africa: A systematic review

Objective: To collate and summarize reports of viral zoonoses occurring at the human-animal interface in Southern Africa, along with their associated risk factors. Methods: A comprehensive search was implemented in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and ProQuest databases for English language publications. The search used a combination of keywords for viral zoonoses, human-animal interface * , risk factor * , and countries in Southern Africa. The search covered the period from 1 January 2000 to 18 April 2024. Results: A total of 893 records were retrieved from the database, with 17 articles included after screening. An additional 6 articles were identified through reference list tracking, yielding a total of 23 included articles. Domestic dog bites were identified as the primary source of rabies transmission across southern Africa, with only few cases linked to jackals, mongooses, and cats. Reported exposures for Rift Valley fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, influenza, hantavirus and Wesselsbron virus were all associated with occupational activities. Conclusions: Preventive and mitigative strategies, such as dog rabies vaccination, post-exposure prophylaxis, and the use of personal protective equipment among animal workers - should be intensified across the region.