Public health significance of zoonotic species in wildlife: Critical insights into better drinking water management.

is an enteric parasite that is transmitted via the faecal-oral route, water and food. Humans, wildlife and domestic livestock all potentially contribute to surface waters. Human encroachment into natural ecosystems has led to an increase in interactions between humans, domestic animals and wildlife populations. Increasing numbers of zoonotic diseases and spill over/back of zoonotic pathogens is a consequence of this anthropogenic disturbance. Drinking water catchments and water reservoir areas have been at the front line of this conflict as they can be easily contaminated by zoonotic waterborne pathogens. Therefore, the epidemiology of zoonotic species of in free-ranging and captive wildlife is of increasing importance. This review focuses on zoonotic species reported in global wildlife populations to date, and highlights their significance for public health and the water industry.