When science remembers what is neglected: Addressing the risks of rodent-borne diseases in urban Latin America

Latin American cities face deep socio-economic inequalities that impact
health, education, and the environment. These disparities influence
zoonotic disease dynamics through complex host-pathogen-environment-human
interactions. This study explores zoonotic risks associated with rodent
communities across diverse social and environmental settings in the
Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin, one of the most polluted urban areas in
Buenos Aires, Argentina. Between 2022 and 2023, rodent community
composition and health status were assessed at 22 sites, ranging from
low-income neighborhoods to green areas along an urbanization gradient. A
total of 366 rodents—comprising three synanthropic and four native
species—were captured and tested for leptospirosis, Orthohantavirus,
SARS-CoV-2, and zoonotic helminths. Rodent community structure reflected
local environmental conditions: wild species dominated low-disturbance
areas, while synanthropic species, especially Rattus norvegicus, prevailed
in densely populated sites lacking basic urban services and hosted the
highest pathogen richness. Pathogen presence was spatially heterogeneous
and strongly linked to infrastructural deficiencies, underscoring the role
of poor urban planning in the emergence of rodent-borne diseases. Findings
informed the development of educational and training programs to prevent
zoonoses. Grounded in the One Health framework, this study emphasizes the
interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health and the need
for transdisciplinary strategies in neglected urban areas.