Emerging Zoonotic Infections in Odisha: A Systematic Review of Scrub Typhus and Anthrax

Background: Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infections continue to pose major public health challenges in Odisha, India. Scrub typhus and anthrax are increasingly recognized as important zoonotic diseases affecting rural and tribal populations. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA-guided principles. Studies published between 2010 and 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Forty eligible studies were included for qualitative synthesis. Results: The review identified scrub typhus as an increasingly important cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness, particularly during monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Anthrax remained endemic in livestock-dependent tribal regions. Major determinants of transmission included occupational exposure, environmental vulnerability, delayed healthcare-seeking behavior, inadequate diagnostic infrastructure, and fragmented surveillance systems. Conclusion: Scrub typhus and anthrax remain significant zoonotic threats in Odisha. Strengthening integrated surveillance systems, decentralized diagnostics, livestock vaccination programs, and One Health-based interventions is essential for improving disease prevention and outbreak preparedness.