Prevention and Control of Fungal Zoonoses and Sapronoses

Prevention of fungal zoonoses is a multifaceted approach that involves promoting awareness, better diagnostic modalities, surveillance of trade, escalating preparedness and mitigation strategies, and ensuring extensive immunotherapy and immunisation research in coordination with the One Health approach. Ecological fitting is the mechanism by which the agent establishes itself in a new host by means of survival advantages adopted in the previous/novel host. The major roadblock in the management and prevention of zoonotic fungal infections is the availability of diagnostics. Even though non-culture-based diagnostics, including antigen testing, polymerase chain reaction, biomarkers, proteomic-based diagnosis, and whole-genome sequencing, have been developed, their availability and application in resource-limited areas remain a matter of concern. On account of the close association of zoonotic fungal agents with the environment, wildlife, and human health, better coordination among regional, national, and international bodies is most important to prevent the emergence of fungal zoonoses.