Interestingly, all contributions to the topic deal with obligatory intracellular pathogens, be they viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Most papers explored viral pathogens and the diseases they cause, particularly avian influenza (AI), which reflects its importance and the magnitude of the risk it may represent for global public health. In addition, avian coronaviruses, West Nile virus (WNV), as well as several virus families affecting wild birds whose zoonotic potential cannot be discounted are investigated. The topic includes two case reports of chlamydiosis, in human subjects and in parrots, respectively. Finaly, transmission of a protozoan parasite by birds in urban and rural environments is analysed. Certainly, for all of these, but particularly for AI, a robust One Health approach is required to address the challenges of prevention and control (1). The global panzootic caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus affected more than 300 bird species (2). Since 2021, the virus has shifted from a seasonal threat to a year-round presence, spreading across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and has recently reached the subantarctic region, causing widespread infections with high mortality rates and raising conservation concerns in vulnerable species of wild birds. In Europe, a record-high mortality was observed during the autumn migration in 2025. Besides health (5,6). The highest molecular prevalence of T. gondii infection was in the city-dwelling 99 corvids, suggesting that these species may be good bioindicators for the parasite in cities, as well as 100 in diurnal raptors, pheasants, and domestic (particularly rural backyard) chickens. Interestingly, it 101 was shown that the environment birds lived in, rather than diet, had an influence on the infection 102 prevalence. In addition, the high occurrence of infection in domestic chickens and game birds also 103 indicates a potential public health risk in case of inadequate meat preparation hygienic practices or 104 insufficient cooking. 105Avian species have a significant role in various pathogen transmission chains, principally due to 106 opportunities provided by proximity between domestic, wild and migratory birds, as well as other 107 mammal species including humans, which facilitate pathogen spread. Birds traverse international and 108 geographic borders and thus contribute to pathogen introduction to naïve and/or remote territories. 109Since the emergence and re-emergence of diverse zoonotic diseases, often originating from wildlife, 110 along with their intensified geographical dissemination represents one of the greatest global health 111 challenges in the current century, it is imperative adequate surveillance systems are in place. Equally 112 important is the reliance on the One Health approach, to achieve control of these diseases, but 113 crucially, to prevent their transmission at both the local and global levels. 114The editors would like to thank all the authors who contributed their noteworthy research to this 124 Topic, all the reviewers whose valuable recommendations improved the submissions, as well as the 125 continually supportive Frontiers Editorial Team. 126
Dakić et al. (Wed,) studied this question.