Mycobacterium paratuberculosis zoonosis is a One Health emergency

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes Johne's disease in ruminants, leading to significant economic losses in agriculture.
• MAP is shed by infected animals in milk and feces, often before clinical signs appear, complicating disease management and leading to widespread herd infection.
• MAP survives pasteurization, posing a risk to human health through contaminated food products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the global impact of MAP on animal health and agriculture.
• To underscore the link between MAP and human diseases, particularly Crohn's disease.
• To advocate for the recognition of MAP as a zoonotic agent and the implementation of public health mitigation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on MAP, Johne's disease, and associated human illnesses.
• Analysis of the epidemiological impact of MAP spread through international animal trade.
• Examination of the public health implications of MAP in the food supply.

Main Results:

• MAP infection is prevalent in dairy herds globally, with over 90% of US dairy herds affected.
• The introduction of MAP through animal trade has been correlated with the emergence of Crohn's disease in previously unaffected populations.
• MAP is implicated in a growing list of human diseases, yet remains undesignated as a zoonotic agent.

Conclusions:

• MAP poses a significant, widespread threat to both animal and human health.
• Current 'don't test, don't tell' practices exacerbate MAP prevalence.
• Urgent global recognition of MAP as a zoonotic pathogen and implementation of One Health strategies are critical for public health protection.