Widespread resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides in Mus musculus domesticus in the city of Barcelona.

Control of rodent populations is a big challenge because of the rapid evolution of resistance to commonly used rodenticides and the collateral negative impacts that these products may have on biodiversity. Second-generation anticoagulants are very efficient but different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Vkorc1 gene may confer resistance in rodents. We sequenced exons 1, 2 and 3 of the Vkorc1 gene from 111 mice (Mus musculus domesticus) captured across the city of Barcelona and found SNPs associated with resistance to first- and second-generation anticoagulants in all of them.

Molecular detection of Leishmania infantum in rats and sand flies in the urban sewers of Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Classically, dogs have been considered to be the only reservoir of leishmaniasis in urban areas. However, in a previous study, we found a 33.3% prevalence of Leishmania infantum in the spleens of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) sampled in the underground sewer system of the city of Barcelona (Spain).

Effectiveness of the Modification of Sewers to Reduce the Reproduction of and in Barcelona, Spain.

Mosquitoes breeding in urban sewage infrastructure are both a source of nuisance to the local population and a public health risk, given that biting mosquitoes can transmit pathogenic organisms to humans. The increasing presence of the invasive mosquito species in European cities has further exacerbated the problems already caused by native . We tested the effectiveness of modifications to sewage structures as an alternative to the use of biocides to prevent mosquito breeding.

One Health Approach to Zoonotic Parasites: Molecular Detection of Intestinal Protozoans in an Urban Population of Norway Rats, , in Barcelona, Spain.

, the brown or Norway rat, is the most abundant mammal after humans in urban areas, where they live in close proximity to people. Among rodent-borne diseases, the reservoir role of Norway rats of zoonotic parasites in cities has practically been ignored. Considering the parasitic diseases in the One Health approach, we intended to identify and quantify the zoonotic intestinal protozoans (ZIP) in an urban population of in the city of Barcelona, Spain.

Leishmaniasis in Norway Rats in Sewers, Barcelona, Spain.

We detected Leishmania infantum in 98 Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) trapped in parks and sewers of Barcelona, Spain. The 84 rats from the sewers showed a prevalence of 33.3% and up to 2,272 estimated parasites.

First survey on zoonotic helminthosis in urban brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Spain and associated public health considerations.

The brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, with a worldwide distribution, is the most commensal species among synanthropic rodents, since its main habitat, in urban as well as in rural areas, is always linked to humans. Therefore, people living in close proximity to rodent populations can be exposed to infection. Whereas bacteria and viruses are the best known rat-associated zoonoses in urban environments, the role of brown rats as reservoirs for helminth parasites and the associated risk for humans are less well known.

Imported Zika Virus in a European City: How to Prevent Local Transmission?

On February 1st 2016 the WHO declared the Zika Virus (ZIKV) infection a worldwide public health emergency because of its rapid expansion and severe complications, such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome or microcephaly in newborn. The huge amount of people traveling to endemic areas and the presence of in Barcelona increase the risk of autochtonous transmission. The objective of this study was to describe the first ZIKV cases diagnosed in our city and to analyze the surveillance, prevention, and control measures implemented to avoid autochthonous transmission.

[Confirmed Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika Cases during the Period 2014 to 2016 in Barcelona, Spain].

Objective: Arbovirus infections are a group of diseases whose incidence is increasing and that entail an important problem for public health. The aim of this study was to describe detected cases of arbovirosis in Barcelona, and surveillance and control actions performed in order to reduce the risk of transmission.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of confirmed dengue, chikungunya and Zika cases in Barcelona during 2014-2016 (1st trimester).

Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase- and/or Carbapenemase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Yellow-Legged Gulls from Barcelona, Spain.

Seventy-two (54.5%) out of 132 fecal samples from a group of yellow-legged gulls in Barcelona, Spain, were positive for Escherichia coli producing either extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) (51.5%), carbapenemase (1.

Reducing the availability of food to control feral pigeons: changes in population size and composition.

Background: As feeding by humans is one of the main food resources to pigeons (Columba livia), there is general agreement that public education that aims to reduce the food base may be the most feasible way to reduce pigeon abundance. However, except for the classic example of Basel, the method has rarely been tested or implemented. We provide results from a 1 year study in the city of Barcelona where we tested the effect of public education on pigeon population abundance and composition.

Decline in hospitalisations due to dog bite injuries in Catalonia, 1997-2008. An effect of government regulation?

Objective: To analyse population-based data on hospitalisation caused by dog bite injuries after changes in legal regulations on dog ownership, including breed-specific regulations.

Design: Descriptive study.

Setting: Hospitals in Catalonia (Spain), 1997-2008.

[Quality evaluation in public health: the case of an animal shelter].

Objective: There is growing interest in integrating quality approaches to the management of public services. The aim of the present study was to develop a comprehensive evaluation of service quality in the animal shelter managed by the public health services of the city of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain).

Methods: An evaluation study with three components was performed.

[Advances in the management of an animal shelter].

Changes in the Barcelona animal shelter from 2002 to 2005 are presented. In 2003, routine euthanasia of unclaimed stray animals was discontinued, due to a political decision of the city council. Changes were also made in the management of the shelter: from January 2003 to July 2004 the shelter was operated by an animal protection organization, and then directly again by the city public health agency.