Viable mpox virus in the environment of a patient room.

We conducted a prospective environmental surveillance study to investigate the air, surface, dust, and water contamination of a room occupied by a patient infected with mpox virus (MPXV) at various stages of the illness. The patient tested positive for MPXV from a throat swab and skin lesions. Environmental sampling was conducted in a negative pressure room with 12 unidirectional high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) air changes per hour and daily cleaning of the surfaces.

Field trial assessing the antimicrobial decontamination efficacy of gaseous ozone in a public bus setting.

The widespread COVID-19 pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) necessitated measures aimed at preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. To mitigate the risk of fomite-mediated transmission, environmental cleaning and disinfection regimes have been widely implemented. However, conventional cleaning approaches such as surface wipe downs can be laborious and more efficient and effective disinfecting technologies are needed.

VKORC1 mutations in rodent populations of a tropical city-state as an indicator of anticoagulant rodenticide resistance.

Anticoagulant rodenticides are commonly used in rodent control because they are economical and have great deployment versatility. However, rodents with Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) mutations within the Vkorc1 gene are resistant to the effects of anticoagulant rodenticide use and this influences the effectiveness of control strategies that rely on such rodenticides. This study examined the prevalence of rat SNP mutations in Singapore to inform the effectiveness of anticoagulant rodenticide use.

Host specificity of infection in short-nosed fruit bats () in Singapore.

Haemosporidians infect a wide diversity of bat genera and species, yet little is known about their transmission cycles or epidemiology. Though several recent studies have focused on the genus , an Old World parasite primarily infecting bats, monkeys, and squirrels, this group is still understudied with little known about its transmission and molecular ecology. These parasites lack an asexual erythrocytic stage, making them unique from the vertebrate life cycle.

Genetic diversity and expanded host range of astroviruses detected in small mammals in Singapore.

Astroviruses are a genetically diverse group of viruses that infect a wide range of hosts, including small mammals. Small mammals were trapped at 19 sites across Singapore from November 2011 to May 2014. Pooled oropharyngeal and rectal swabs ( = 518) and large intestine tissue ( = 107) were screened using a PCR to detect the presence of Astrovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase () gene.

Habitat impacts the abundance and network structure within tick (Acari: Ixodidae) communities on tropical small mammals.

Ticks of small mammals pose a significant risk to public health but these hazards are poorly understood in the tropics due to the paucity of information on the disease ecology of ticks in these regions. Mapping and quantifying the diversity of small mammal/tick networks and the effects of habitat on these medically important systems is key to disease prevention. Singapore represents a microcosm of much of tropical Asia as it has a diverse, though poorly studied, community of ticks and small mammals.

Ecology of bat flies in Singapore: A study on the diversity, infestation bias and host specificity (Diptera: Nycteribiidae).

Bat flies are highly-specialized, hematophagous arthropods that are globally ubiquitous. There is little published research on bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) in Singapore and understanding the diversity of nycteribiids, host association and infestation rates can provide insight into this host-ectoparasite relationship. Nycteribiids were collected from bats trapped in Singapore (2011-2016) and identified using morphological keys.

Serologic Evidence of Fruit Bat Exposure to Filoviruses, Singapore, 2011-2016.

To determine whether fruit bats in Singapore have been exposed to filoviruses, we screened 409 serum samples from bats of 3 species by using a multiplex assay that detects antibodies against filoviruses. Positive samples reacted with glycoproteins from Bundibugyo, Ebola, and Sudan viruses, indicating filovirus circulation among bats in Southeast Asia.

Influence of age and body condition on astrovirus infection of bats in Singapore: An evolutionary and epidemiological analysis.

Bats are unique mammals that are reservoirs of high levels of virus diversity. Although several of these viruses are zoonotic, the majority are not. Astroviruses, transmitted fecal-orally, are commonly detected in a wide diversity of bat species, are prevalent at high rates and are not thought to directly infect humans.

Evidence of canine parvovirus transmission to a civet cat () in Singapore.

Cross-species transmission can often lead to deleterious effects in incidental hosts. Parvoviruses have a wide host range and primarily infect members of the order Carnivora. Here we describe juvenile common palm civet cats () that were brought to the Singapore zoo and fell ill while quarantined.

Detection of a novel astrovirus from a black-naped monarch (Hypothymis azurea) in Cambodia.

Background: Astroviruses are comprised of two genera with Avastrovirus infecting birds and Mamastrovirus infecting mammals. Avastroviruses have primarily been associated with infections of poultry, especially chicken, turkey, duck, and guineafowl production systems, but also infect wading birds and doves. Outcomes result in a spectrum of disease, ranging from asymptomatic shedding to gastroenteritis with diarrhea, stunting, failure to thrive and death.