Geraerts, M.,  Cuypers, L.,  Gombeer, S.,  Nebesse, C.,  Kratz, F.,  Akaibe, D.,  Baelo, P.,  Burelli, P.,  Chaber, A-L.,  Fourchault, L.,  Gaubert, P.,  Gembu, G-C.,  Joffin, L.,  Laudisoit, A.,  Laurent, N.,  Leirs, H.,  Mande, C.,  Marien, J.,  Ngoy, S.,  Segers, B.,  Smitz, N.,  Terryn, S.,  Tesikova, J.,  Vanden Abeele, S.,  Vanderheyden, A.,  van Vredendaal, R.,  Verheyen, E. & Gryseels, S. 2026. ‘A wide diversity of viruses detected in African mammals involved in the wild meat supply chain’. 9th World One Health Congress. Book of abstracts. Lisbon.

Conference abstract

Background: Wild meat acquisition, trade, and consumption are increasingly recognised as hotspots for zoonotic spillover. While several viral outbreaks have been traced back to this supply chain, our understanding of the mammalian virome circulating in the wild meat trade remains fragmentary and biased toward a limited number of mammalian taxa and pathogens. In parallel, the international movement of animal-derived products highlights the need for integrated surveillance strategies to monitor potential biological risks associated with both legal and illegal wildlife trade activities. Methods: We performed molecular species identification and metagenomic viral screening on (1) an archived tissue and swab collection of African wild animals traded for meat, sampled in multiple regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (N=149) and in Brussels, Belgium (N=16), and (2) recently collected samples of wild and domestic animal meat confiscated from passenger luggage at Brussels Airport, Belgium (N=179). Passenger controls, conducted by customs and local food safety authorities, primarily targeted flights arriving from Central Africa and East Asia. Results: In samples from the archived tissue and swab collection, we identified 40 wild African species, including several protected and endangered species such as the okapi, pangolin, and chimpanzee. Metagenomic analyses revealed a high diversity of vertebrate viruses, with sixteen strains belonging to the families Arteriviridae, Hepadnaviridae, Orthoherpesviridae, Picobirnaviridae, Picornaviridae, Retroviridae, Sedoreoviridae, and Spinareoviridae. Of particular interest were strains with likely zoonotic potential, including human picobirnavirus, simian foamy virus, and rotavirus A. Analyses of more recently confiscated meat products, carried by airline passengers, are still ongoing. However, several viruses of human and veterinary health concern have already been identified in meat derived from both wild and domestic animals, including a novel orthohepdnavirid strain, peste-des-petits-ruminants virus, and avian influenza H9N2. Approximately one quarter of the confiscated meat products originated from wild animals, of which roughly one third was derived from protected species, including duikers, pangolins, and primates. Conclusions: Our findings reveal a substantial diversity of viruses associated with the wild meat trade and highlight the importance of coordinated molecular surveillance efforts to better understand and mitigate the risk of zoonotic transmission linked to human–wildlife interactions and the international movement of animal products. Social media Metagenomic screening of African wild meat species and imported meat products revealed diverse mammalian viruses, highlighting the importance of integrated surveillance approaches to better understand zoonotic risks associated with wildlife trade.