Review calls for better One Health models of liver fluke spread

A new systematic review in Science in One Health maps how researchers have modeled transmission of the liver flukes Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis species, and argues that the field now needs more realistic, One Health-oriented models. The review, published online March 24, 2026, examined mechanistic transmission studies identified across six databases through May 14, 2025. The authors found that existing models have helped evaluate interventions such as preventive chemotherapy, health education, and environmental improvements, but they often simplify key parts of transmission, especially spatial variation and the role of animal reservoirs such as dogs and other fish-eating mammals. (sciencedirect.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the review is a reminder that liver fluke control isn’t only a human public health issue. WHO describes clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis as zoonotic, with dogs, cats, and other fish-eating mammals acting as reservoir hosts in endemic areas, which means animal health surveillance and pet parent education can affect transmission dynamics. Better models could help programs move beyond one-size-fits-all deworming strategies and account for local animal reservoirs, fish production systems, sanitation, and food habits when designing control efforts. (who.int)

What to watch: Watch for follow-on work that builds spatial or agent-based models and more explicitly incorporates companion animals and other reservoir hosts into control planning. (sciencedirect.com)