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Haynes E, Garrett KB, Grunert RKA, Bryan JA, Sidouin M, Oaukou PT, Ngandolo BNR, Yabsley MJ, Cleveland CA. Surveillance of tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs from Chad, Africa. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:417. [PMID: 39294647 PMCID: PMC11409619 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04267-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tick-borne pathogens are understudied among domestic animals in sub-Saharan Africa but represent significant threats to the health of domestic animals and humans. Specifically, additional data are needed on tick-borne pathogens in Chad, Africa. Surveillance was conducted among domestic dogs in Chad for selected tick-borne pathogens to measure (1) the prevalence of antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi, and Ehrlichia spp.; (2) the prevalence of infections caused by Hepatozoon spp., Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, and Babesia spp.; and (3) associations of pathogens with demographic, spatial, and temporal factors. Blood samples were collected from domestic dogs at three time points (May 2019, November 2019, June 2020) across 23 villages in southern Chad. RESULTS Of the 428 dogs tested with the IDEXX SNAP 4Dx test in May 2019, 86% (n = 370, 95% CI = 83-90%) were positive for antibodies to Ehrlichia spp., 21% (n = 88, 95% CI = 17-25%) were positive for antibodies to Anaplasma spp., and 0.7% (n = 3, 95% CI = 0.1-2%) were positive for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Four different pathogens were detected via PCR. Hepatozoon spp. were most commonly detected (67.2-93.4%, depending on the time point of sampling), followed by E. canis (7.0-27.8%), A. platys (10.1-22.0%), and Babesia vogeli (0.4-1.9%). Dogs were coinfected with up to three pathogens at a single time point, and coinfections were most common in May 2019 compared to November 2019 and May 2020. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study provides new data about the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs in Chad, with potential implications for dog and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Haynes
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Kayla B Garrett
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Ryan K A Grunert
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - John A Bryan
- Zachery Consulting, LLC, 2595 Rogers Mill Road, Danielsville, GA, 30633, USA
| | - Metinou Sidouin
- The Carter Center, National Guinea Worm Eradication Program, BP 440, N'Djamena, Chad
| | | | | | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, 203 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Christopher A Cleveland
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Health Building, 589 D.W, Brooks Dr, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, 203 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
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Tavlian S, Stevenson MA, Webb B, Sharma K, Pearson J, Britton A, Pfeiffer CN. Prediction of the size and spatial distribution of free-roaming dog populations in urban areas of Nepal. Spat Spatiotemporal Epidemiol 2024; 49:100647. [PMID: 38876560 DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2024.100647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
A factor constraining the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies is limited information on the size and spatial distribution of free-roaming dog populations (FRDPs). The aim of this study was to develop a statistical model to predict the size of free-roaming dog populations and the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs in urban areas of Nepal, based on real-world dog census data from the Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust (HART) and Animal Nepal. Candidate explanatory variables included proximity to roads, building density, specific building types, human population density and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). A multivariable Poisson point process model was developed to estimate dog population size in four study locations in urban Nepal, with building density and distance from nearest retail food establishment or lodgings as explanatory variables. The proposed model accurately predicted, within a 95 % confidence interval, the surveyed FRDP size and spatial distribution for all four study locations. This model is proposed for further testing and refinement in other locations as a decision-support tool alongside observational dog population size estimates, to inform dog health and public health initiatives including rabies elimination efforts to support the 'zero by 30' global mission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Tavlian
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark A Stevenson
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Jim Pearson
- Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust, Pokhara, Nepal
| | - Andrea Britton
- Ultimate Efficacy Consulting, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Caitlin N Pfeiffer
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Brill G, Chaudhari A, Polak K, Rawat S, Pandey D, Bhatt P, Dholakia PK, Murali A. Owned-Dog Demographics, Ownership Dynamics, and Attitudes across Three States of India. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1464. [PMID: 38791681 PMCID: PMC11117354 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This paper presents the demographics, dynamics, and attitudes of dog ownership across three states in India. The background of this research is set against the increasing significance of pet ownership in urban Indian contexts, with a particular focus on understanding the variations in dog-ownership patterns and their implications for public health and animal welfare. We employed a survey-based approach, gathering quantitative survey data from dog owners (n = 563) and non-dog-owners (n = 9282) across different socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds in seven Indian settlements. The results reveal notable differences in dog-ownership patterns, influenced by regional state. In particular, settlements in Gujarat were found to have significantly fewer dog-owning households than those in Tamil Nadu, with no differences found according to settlement size. Dog ownership was found to be more common in households of higher socioeconomic standing, and settlements in Uttarakhand were found more frequently to possess dogs for reasons other than companionship. Data from Ahmedabad and Vadodara, specifically, also indicate rapidly increasing rates of pet ownership. Sterilisation and rabies vaccination proportions were typically low and high, respectively, across all settlements, with few significant differences found among settlements. Confinement of owned dogs at night was significantly lower in Nainital than all other settlements. Differences in attitudes towards roaming dogs between dog owners and non-dog-owners were also examined, with the results indicating both positive and negative trends accordingly. Our results emphasise the need for region-specific strategies in public health and animal welfare policies, acknowledging the diverse nature of pet ownership in India. This research provides valuable insight for policymakers and animal welfare organisations, underlining the importance of tailored approaches to address the unique challenges and opportunities in the Indian context.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Brill
- Humane Society International, 1255 23rd Street NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Amit Chaudhari
- Humane Society International, 1255 23rd Street NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037, USA
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Rajoromanana B, Nyirenda G, Edosoa GT, Andrianasolo RL, Rietmann S, Marks F, Rakotozandrindrainy R, Haselbeck A, Farasolo PAR. Dog ecology and rabies control including canine vaccination coverage: Impacts from a survey in Madagascar. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302690. [PMID: 38722982 PMCID: PMC11081359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rabies virus (RABV; species Lyssavirus rabies) is causing one of the oldest zoonotic diseases known to mankind, leading to fatal encephalomyelitis in animals and humans. Despite the existence of safe and effective vaccines to prevent the disease, an estimated 99% of human rabies deaths worldwide are caused by dog-mediated rabies with children at the highest risk of infection. Rabies has been endemic in Madagascar for over a century, yet there has been little research evaluating local knowledge and practices impacting on the rabies control and prevention. Thus, this study was undertaken to better understand the dog ecology including canine vaccine coverage and to assess knowledge and practices of dog owners and veterinarians. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study was conducted among 123 dog-owning households in thirteen fokontanys in Mahajanga from July 4 to September 13, 2016. Single and multi-member dog-owning households in the study area on the day of the interview were eligible for inclusion and purposively selected with the support of a local guide. The survey included a household questionnaire capturing information on the dog's demographics, husbandry practices, knowledge and practices towards rabies and its control measures; the dog ecology questionnaire collected dog characteristics, vaccination status and husbandry practices. All households that reported a dog bite incident, were invited to participate in a dog bite questionnaire. In addition, direct observations of roaming dogs were conducted to assess dog population demographics and to document behavioural characteristics. Two veterinarians were purposively selected and took part in an interview during the survey period, providing information on rabies control activities, including dog-care practices in the area. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed using Epi Info version 7.1.5.0 (CDC Atlanta, USA). RESULTS We recorded a total of 400 dogs, of which 338 (84.5%) were owned amongst 123 households. More than half (67.8%) of owned dogs were between 1 to 5 years old and 95.6% were kept for guarding purposes. 45% of the surveyed dogs had free access to roam outside the premises. The majority (85.4%) of dog owners were knowledgeable that a dog bite could potentially transmit RABV to humans. 19 dog bites were reported and of these 73.6% were caused by the owner's or a neighbour's dog. In 6 of the 19 cases, children between 7 and 15 years of age were the victims. Dog vaccination coverage against rabies was 34% among owned dogs. Of the participants aware of a veterinarian, the majority (55/82) indicated that they accessed veterinarian services at irregular intervals. The main obstacles to vaccinations cited by dog owners were limited financial resources and difficulty accessing veterinary care. CONCLUSION This study contributes to enhanced understanding of the dog ecology including canine vaccine coverage as well as knowledge and practices of dog owners in Madagascar. Most dogs in the study area were accessible for preventive vaccination through their owners, however only one third of the investigated canine population was vaccinated against rabies. Concerted national efforts towards rabies prevention and control should aim to address financial challenges and access to veterinary services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaise Rajoromanana
- Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | | | | | | | - Florian Marks
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Faculté de Science, de Technologie et de l’environnement, Université de Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
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Lv MM, Sun XD, Jin Z, Wu HR, Li MT, Sun GQ, Pei X, Wu YT, Liu P, Li L, Zhang J. Dynamic analysis of rabies transmission and elimination in mainland China. One Health 2023; 17:100615. [PMID: 37638210 PMCID: PMC10458286 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rabies is an acute zoonotic infectious disease caused by rabies virus. In 2015, the World Health Organization proposed the goal of eliminating dog-induced human rabies by 2030. In response to this goal positively, China has been dedicated to the control and elimination of rabies mainly caused by dogs, for nearly 10 years. By applying infectious disease dynamics, in this paper, we establish a dog-human rabies transmission model to forecast future epidemic trends of rabies, assess whether the goal of eliminating dog-induced human rabies cases in China can be achieved in 2030, and further evaluate and suggest the follow-up sustained preventive measures after the elimination of human rabies. By analyzing and simulating above dynamic model, it is concluded that rabies has been well controlled in China in recent years, but dog-induced human rabies cannot be eliminated by 2030 according to current situation. In addition, we propose to improve rabies control efforts by increasing the immunization coverage rate of rural domestic dogs, controlling the number of stray dogs and preventing the import of rabies virus in wild animals. Immunization coverage rate of rural domestic dogs which is currently less than 10% is far from requirement, and it needs to reach 50%-60% to meet the goal of 2030. Since it is difficult to immunize stray dogs, we suggest to control the number of stray dogs below 15.27 million to achieve the goal. If the goal of eliminating human rabies is reached in 2030, the essential immunization coverage needs to be maintained for 18 years to reduce the number of canine rabies cases to zero. Lastly, to prevent transmission of rabies virus from wild animals to dogs, the thresholds of the number of dogs and the immunization coverage rate of dogs after eliminating canine rabies cases are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao-Miao Lv
- Complex Systems Research Center, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Complex Systems and Data Science Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, Taiyuan 030006, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Shanxi University, Shanxi, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xiang-Dong Sun
- The Laboratory of Animal Epidemiological Surveillance, China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Shandong, Qingdao 266032, China
| | - Zhen Jin
- Complex Systems Research Center, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Complex Systems and Data Science Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, Taiyuan 030006, China
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Shanxi University, Shanxi, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Hai-Rong Wu
- School of Journalism and Communication, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ming-Tao Li
- College of Mathematics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Gui-Quan Sun
- School of Mathematics, North University of China, Shanxi, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Xin Pei
- College of Mathematics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Yu-Tong Wu
- Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 102616, China
| | - Ping Liu
- The Laboratory of Animal Epidemiological Surveillance, China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Shandong, Qingdao 266032, China
| | - Li Li
- School of Computer and Information Technology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Complex Systems Research Center, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Complex Systems and Data Science Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, Taiyuan 030006, China
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Yoak AJ, Calinger KM, Hiby E. Assessing multiple free-roaming dog control strategies in a flexible agent-based model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19826. [PMID: 37963941 PMCID: PMC10645819 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47076-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Management of free-roaming dog populations is required to mitigate the threat of pathogens like rabies, minimize conflict with people, wildlife, and livestock and improve dog welfare however there are multiple strategies currently employed including sterilization, vaccination, and lethal removal. This work describes an agent-based stochastic model, 'StreetDogSim' that can be used as a planning tool to investigate the predicted impact of different strategies with variable implementation approaches and adjustable parameters to match local conditions. Here, we explore the effects of different management strategies with additional variation in their duration, intensity, and vaccine quality on important population metrics such as overall size, demographics, vaccination coverage, time until effective population suppression, and duration of suppression. Under most model parameterizations, a strategy that targets females for sterilization with vaccination outperforms all other options with respect to population control and demographic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Yoak
- Otterbein University, Westerville, OH, USA.
| | | | - E Hiby
- International Companion Animal Management Coalition, Cambridge, UK
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7
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Khairullah AR, Kurniawan SC, Hasib A, Silaen OSM, Widodo A, Effendi MH, Ramandinianto SC, Moses IB, Riwu KHP, Yanestria SM. Tracking lethal threat: in-depth review of rabies. Open Vet J 2023; 13:1385-1399. [PMID: 38107233 PMCID: PMC10725282 DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2023.v13.i11.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
An infectious disease known as rabies (family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus) causes severe damage to mammals' central nervous systems (CNS). This illness has been around for a very long time. The majority of human cases of rabies take place in underdeveloped regions of Africa and Asia. Following viral transmission, the Rhabdovirus enters the peripheral nervous system and proceeds to the CNS, where it targets the encephalon and produces encephalomyelitis. Postbite prophylaxis requires laboratory confirmation of rabies in both people and animals. All warm-blooded animals can transmit the Lyssavirus infection, while the virus can also develop in the cells of cold-blooded animals. In the 21st century, more than 3 billion people are in danger of contracting the rabies virus in more than 100 different nations, resulting in an annual death toll of 50,000-59,000. There are three important elements in handling rabies disease in post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), namely wound care, administration of anti-rabies serum, and anti-rabies vaccine. Social costs include death, lost productivity as a result of early death, illness as a result of vaccination side effects, and the psychological toll that exposure to these deadly diseases has on people. Humans are most frequently exposed to canine rabies, especially youngsters and the poor, and there are few resources available to treat or prevent exposure, making prevention of human rabies challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswin Rafif Khairullah
- Division of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Shendy Canadya Kurniawan
- Master Program of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Specialisation in Molecule, Cell and Organ Functioning, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Abdullah Hasib
- School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
| | - Otto Sahat Martua Silaen
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Agus Widodo
- Department of Health, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Mustofa Helmi Effendi
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | | | - Ikechukwu Benjamin Moses
- Department of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
| | - Katty Hendriana Priscilia Riwu
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika, Mataram, Indonesia
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Corfmat J, Gibson AD, Mellanby RJ, Watson W, Appupillai M, Yale G, Gamble L, Mazeri S. Community attitudes and perceptions towards free-roaming dogs in Goa, India. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2023; 26:565-581. [PMID: 35037536 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2021.2014839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Free-roaming dogs (FRD) represent a large proportion of the canine population in India and are often implicated as a source of conflict with humans. However, objective data on the attitudes and perceptions of local communities toward FRD are lacking. This study collected baseline data from 1141 households in Goa, India, on FRD feeding practices and assessed people's attitudes toward FRD in urban and rural communities. Additionally, respondents identified problems caused by FRD and proposed potential solutions.The study reported that 37% of respondents fed FRD with dog owners and Hindus being the most likely to feed. The majority of respondents agreed FRD were a menace (57%), a nuisance (58%) and scary (60%). Most respondents also agreed FRD were a vulnerable population (59%), that belong in communities (66%) and have a right to live on the streets (53%). Barking was the most commonly reported problem associated with FRD and the preferred solution was to impound FRD in shelters. This study reveals the complex and often misunderstood relationship between local communities and FRD and highlights potential strategies to reduce human-dog conflict.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Corfmat
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Mission Rabies, Goa, Panjim, India
| | - A D Gibson
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Mission Rabies, Cranborne, Dorset, UK
| | - R J Mellanby
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - W Watson
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | | | - G Yale
- Mission Rabies, Goa, Panjim, India
| | - L Gamble
- Mission Rabies, Cranborne, Dorset, UK
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, Cranborne, Dorset, UK
| | - S Mazeri
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian, United Kingdom
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Fielding HR, Fernandes KA, Amulya VR, Belgayer D, Misquita A, Kenny R, Gibson AD, Gamble L, Bronsvoort BMDC, Mellanby RJ, Mazeri S. Capturing free-roaming dogs for sterilisation: A multi-site study in Goa, India. Prev Vet Med 2023; 218:105996. [PMID: 37595388 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.105996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Sterilisation and rabies vaccination programs seek to manage free-roaming domestic dog (Canis familiaris) populations with the aim to reduce inter-species disease transmission and conflicts. As effective, permanent, remotely-administered options are not yet available for sterilisation, and oral vaccination is not yet commonly used; free-roaming dogs are typically captured for these interventions. There is a paucity of information describing how dog capture rates change over time within defined areas following repeated capture efforts. This data is needed to allow efficient dog capture programmes to be developed. Using spatial co-ordinates of dog capture, we characterise where dogs are more likely to be captured in six catch-sterilise-release campaigns, in Goa state, India. Combining capture numbers with population survey data collected in five sites, we document the increasing difficulty of catching entire (non-sterilised) dogs as sterilisation coverage increases and demonstrate how this leads to increased unit costs. Accounting for the extra resources required to capture dogs when sterilisation coverage is high will improve estimation of the resources required to manage free-roaming dog populations and assist in planning the most efficient intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H R Fielding
- The Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS), Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - K A Fernandes
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V R Amulya
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - D Belgayer
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - A Misquita
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Government of Goa and The Goa Veterinary Association, Pashusamwardhan Bhavan, Patto, Panaji 403401, Goa, India
| | - R Kenny
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Government of Goa and The Goa Veterinary Association, Pashusamwardhan Bhavan, Patto, Panaji 403401, Goa, India
| | - A D Gibson
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, 4 Castle Street, Cranborne, Dorset BH21 5PZ, UK
| | - L Gamble
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, 4 Castle Street, Cranborne, Dorset BH21 5PZ, UK
| | - B M de C Bronsvoort
- The Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS), Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - R J Mellanby
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - S Mazeri
- The Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS), Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
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10
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Peda A, Samaniego P, Daugherty C, Wood T, Wang C, Knobel D. Does Perioperative Administration of Rabies Vaccine in Dogs Undergoing Surgical Sterilization Induce an Adequate Antibody Response? Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1418. [PMID: 37766095 PMCID: PMC10534611 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
High-volume spay/neuter events may facilitate access to free-roaming dogs to administer rabies vaccination, but important questions remain regarding the effect of surgery and anesthesia on the immune response to a vaccine administered in the perioperative period. This study evaluated the immunogenicity of primary rabies vaccination in dogs when administered during the immediate perioperative period at the time of surgical sterilization (ovariohysterectomy/orchidectomy). Healthy dogs of both sexes presenting for surgical sterilization who had never been vaccinated against rabies virus were eligible for enrollment in the study. Fifty dogs ranging in age from 5 to 96 months were enrolled and were vaccinated against rabies virus during the recovery period following anesthesia and surgery. Rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) titers were measured preoperatively and 28 days postoperatively. This cohort was compared to a historical control cohort of 57 dogs who received primary rabies vaccination for travel purposes and had RVNA titers measured at the same laboratory as the study group 28-35 days post-vaccination. After controlling for age and sex, there was no statistically significant difference in immunogenicity of a rabies vaccine administered to dogs during the perioperative period in comparison to dogs that received the rabies vaccine for travel alone in the absence of surgery. Perioperative administration of a rabies vaccine in dogs undergoing surgical sterilization induces an adequate antibody response. We recommend that rabies vaccine be administered perioperatively during spay/neuter campaigns in canine rabies endemic areas if other opportunities to access veterinary care and rabies vaccination are limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Peda
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre P.O. Box 334, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Paulina Samaniego
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre P.O. Box 334, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Christy Daugherty
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre P.O. Box 334, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Theresa Wood
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (T.W.)
| | - Chengming Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; (T.W.)
| | - Darryn Knobel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre P.O. Box 334, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Omar KN, Coetzer A, Hamdu M, Malan AJ, Moh’d AZ, Suleiman TS, Nel LH. The Use of Dog Collars Offers Significant Benefits to Rabies Vaccination Campaigns: The Case of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:421. [PMID: 37624359 PMCID: PMC10459019 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8080421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tools and resources that could increase dog vaccination coverage have become increasingly critical towards progressing the goal to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. In this regard, dog collars that are fitted during vaccination campaigns could potentially enhance owner participation. The use of dog collars will, however, increase the cost per dog vaccinated and the impact and benefit of this practice should be elucidated. This study evaluated the impact of dog collars by testing the perception and related behavioural influences in communities in Zanzibar. In this cross-sectional investigation-conducted approximately two months after the implementation of a mass dog vaccination (MDV) where dog collars were provided to vaccinated dogs-data were collected from 600 respondents in 56 municipal wards in Zanzibar. Descriptive analyses and logistic regressions were undertaken to determine the impact the collars had on respondents with regards to (i) engaging with the community dogs, (ii) health seeking behaviour after exposure, and (iii) overall participation during dog vaccination campaigns. From the data, it was evident that the collars had a positive impact on the community's perception of dogs, with 57% of the respondents feeling safer around a dog with a collar, while 66% of the respondents felt less safe around a dog without a collar. Furthermore, the collars had a positive impact on participation during dog vaccination campaigns. Of the 142 respondents who owned dogs, 64% reported that the collars made them more likely to take their dogs for vaccination, and 95% felt that the collar was an important sign of the dog's vaccination status. This study demonstrated that dog collars could not only improve participation during dog vaccination campaigns, but that they could also play a significant role in the community's perception of rabies vaccination campaigns and vaccinated dogs in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadija N. Omar
- Zanzibar Livestock Research Institute, Zanzibar P.O. Box 104, Tanzania
| | - Andre Coetzer
- Global Alliance for Rabies Control South Africa Non-Profit Company, Pretoria 0181, South Africa
| | - Maulid Hamdu
- Zanzibar Livestock Research Institute, Zanzibar P.O. Box 104, Tanzania
| | - Ayla J. Malan
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Ali Z. Moh’d
- Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, Zanzibar P.O. Box 159, Tanzania
| | - Talib S. Suleiman
- Zanzibar Livestock Research Institute, Zanzibar P.O. Box 104, Tanzania
| | - Louis H. Nel
- Global Alliance for Rabies Control South Africa Non-Profit Company, Pretoria 0181, South Africa
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
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12
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Khan UR, Soomar SM, Ghazi SM, Naeem R, Kerai S, Jamali S. Epidemiological pattern and management of dog bite injuries in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional study. Injury 2023; 54 Suppl 4:110473. [PMID: 37573070 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2022.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dog bite injuries are a common problem globally; however, little is known about the epidemiology of dog bite injury from a low-and-middle-income country like Pakistan. This study aims to determine the epidemiology of dog bite injuries among children and adults from a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study on dog bite patients visiting the emergency department from November 2015 to August 2016 of a major public tertiary care hospital. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire on demographic details, bite history, and management of dog bite victims. Descriptive analysis was reported. Chi-square test was applied to check the associations between age-specific dog bite cases and independent variables. RESULTS 2178 participants were included in the analysis. 715 (38.8%) were children less than 18 years old, and 1463 (61.2%) were adults over 18 years. A majority of the patients were males (1909, 87.7%). Results show that most dog bite injuries (2052, 94.2%) tend to occur outside the house by stray dogs biting without provocation. People aged 18 years and above (61.2%) and males (children: 84.6%, adults: 89.1%) tend to be bitten more often. Lower limbs are most frequently bitten (children: 69.5%, adults: 85.8%). Free-roaming stray dogs (children: 73.4%, adults: 74.9%) were involved in reported biting cases. Many of the patients did not receive appropriate first aid and instead just washed the wound with soap and water (children: 45.1%, adults: 43.7%). 99% of the victims received Tetanus toxoid, Rabies vaccine, and immunoglobulins while in the emergency department. CONCLUSION There is a high burden of dog bite injuries from stray dogs in Karachi, Pakistan. Efforts should be made to create awareness among the general public on the risks of dog bites and on seeking appropriate first aid and medical attention for a dog bite injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uzma Rahim Khan
- Instructor (Research), Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Main Stadium Road, Karachi 75300, Pakistan
| | - Salman Muhammad Soomar
- Instructor (Research), Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Main Stadium Road, Karachi 75300, Pakistan.
| | - Sanam Mir Ghazi
- Instructor (Research), Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Main Stadium Road, Karachi 75300, Pakistan
| | - Rubaba Naeem
- Instructor (Research), Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Main Stadium Road, Karachi 75300, Pakistan
| | - Salima Kerai
- Instructor (Research), Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Main Stadium Road, Karachi 75300, Pakistan
| | - Seemin Jamali
- Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan
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13
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Bay V, Shirzadi MR, Jafari sirizi M, Asl IM. Animal bites management in Northern Iran: Challenges and solutions. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18637. [PMID: 37554820 PMCID: PMC10404659 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Animal bite is considered a serious social, economic, and health risk for societies with poor animal bites and population management. The objective of this study was to propose a model for animal bites management in Golestan Province. METHODS The present study is a multi-method study conducted quantitatively and qualitatively. First, as a cross-sectional study, the animal bites in Golestan Province and the country were calculated and their trend was predicted. Secondly, in the qualitative study (content analysis), the challenges, barriers, and methods of animal bite control were extracted through conducting semi-structured interviews and focused group discussion meetings. Finally, the model of animal bite management was developed and it was confirmed by Round Delphi. The data were analyzed via content analysis using MAXQDA18. The participants in this study consisted of university professors, managers, and executive officers involved in animal bite and rabies control plans. RESULTS This study revealed that the animal bite in Golestan Province had an upward trend, as in the country, and dogs were the main cause of bites (90%). The obstacles and challenges of current animal bites control program in eight areas were expressed by the participants. Also, the animal bite management model, which was obtained from the data of different stages of this study, included nine fields and 41 sub-fields. The fields of the animal bite management model included: providing a cultural package, resolving barriers to animal population control plans, wide coverage of dog vaccination, passing and enacting preventive laws, attracting financial support, constructing standard equipment, providing proper medical services, enhancing inter-departmental coordination, and controlling rabies in the wild. This model was confirmed in a Delphi round. CONCLUSION Our study indicated that Golestan Province with an average bite higher than twice the country's average is one of the leading provinces in this regard. Thus, revising the animal bite and animal population control plans in this province is necessary. The model designed in this study can be used as a practical guide by policy makers and officials to manage animal bite and related consequences in this province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Bay
- Department of Healthcare Services Management, School of Health Management & Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran
| | - Mohamad Reza Shirzadi
- Center for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Jafari sirizi
- Department of Healthcare Services Management, School of Health Management & Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Irvan Masoudi Asl
- Department of Healthcare Services Management, School of Health Management & Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Rupprecht CE, Mshelbwala PP, Reeves RG, Kuzmin IV. Rabies in a postpandemic world: resilient reservoirs, redoubtable riposte, recurrent roadblocks, and resolute recidivism. ANIMAL DISEASES 2023; 3:15. [PMID: 37252063 PMCID: PMC10195671 DOI: 10.1186/s44149-023-00078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Rabies is an ancient disease. Two centuries since Pasteur, fundamental progress occurred in virology, vaccinology, and diagnostics-and an understanding of pathobiology and epizootiology of rabies in testament to One Health-before common terminological coinage. Prevention, control, selective elimination, and even the unthinkable-occasional treatment-of this zoonosis dawned by the twenty-first century. However, in contrast to smallpox and rinderpest, eradication is a wishful misnomer applied to rabies, particularly post-COVID-19 pandemic. Reasons are minion. Polyhostality encompasses bats and mesocarnivores, but other mammals represent a diverse spectrum of potential hosts. While rabies virus is the classical member of the genus, other species of lyssaviruses also cause the disease. Some reservoirs remain cryptic. Although global, this viral encephalitis is untreatable and often ignored. As with other neglected diseases, laboratory-based surveillance falls short of the notifiable ideal, especially in lower- and middle-income countries. Calculation of actual burden defaults to a flux within broad health economic models. Competing priorities, lack of defined, long-term international donors, and shrinking local champions challenge human prophylaxis and mass dog vaccination toward targets of 2030 for even canine rabies impacts. For prevention, all licensed vaccines are delivered to the individual, whether parenteral or oral-essentially 'one and done'. Exploiting mammalian social behaviors, future 'spreadable vaccines' might increase the proportion of immunized hosts per unit effort. However, the release of replication-competent, genetically modified organisms selectively engineered to spread intentionally throughout a population raises significant biological, ethical, and regulatory issues in need of broader, transdisciplinary discourse. How this rather curious idea will evolve toward actual unconventional prevention, control, or elimination in the near term remains debatable. In the interim, more precise terminology and realistic expectations serve as the norm for diverse, collective constituents to maintain progress in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E. Rupprecht
- College of Forestry, Wildlife & Environment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 USA
| | - Philip P. Mshelbwala
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - R. Guy Reeves
- Max Planck Institut Für Evolutionsbiologie, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Ivan V. Kuzmin
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
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15
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Kumar A, Bhatt S, Kumar A, Rana T. Canine rabies: An epidemiological significance, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and public health issues. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 97:101992. [PMID: 37229956 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.101992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by rabies virus of the genus Lyssa virus and family Rhabdoviridae. It affects all mammals and is prevalent throughout the world and endemic in many countries except in Islands like Australia and Antarctica. It is highly fatal, but preventable. Disease causes threat to public health because rabid dogs bite humans, resulting in thousands of deaths every year. Around 59,000 people die every year from rabies in the world. Dogs play a vital role in most of the human exposure in rabies endemic areas. Transmission of virus occurs through the bite of an infected dog. Disease is manifested by fatal nervous symptoms leading to paralysis and death. Direct fluorescent antibody technique is the gold standard for the diagnosis of the disease in animals and humans. Prevention of rabies involves the vaccination of dogs and humans before or after an exposure. This review describes the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, its prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Sonam Bhatt
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Ankesh Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Tanmoy Rana
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India.
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16
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Bonaparte SC, Moodie J, Undurraga EA, Wallace RM. Evaluation of country infrastructure as an indirect measure of dog-mediated human rabies deaths. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1147543. [PMID: 37228840 PMCID: PMC10203152 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1147543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rabies is a neglected disease, primarily due to poor detection stemming from limited surveillance and diagnostic capabilities in most countries. As a result, there is limited ability to monitor and evaluate country, regional, and global progress towards the WHO goal of eliminating human rabies deaths by 2030. There is a need for a low-cost, readily reproducible method of estimating rabies burden and elimination capacity in endemic countries. Methods Publicly available economic, environmental, political, social, public health, and One Health indicators were evaluated to identify variables with strong correlation to country-level rabies burden estimates. A novel index was developed to estimate infrastructural rabies elimination capacity and annual case-burden for dog-mediated rabies virus variant (DMRVV) endemic countries. Findings Five country-level indicators with superior explanatory value represent the novel "STOP-R index:" (1) literacy rate, (2) infant mortality rate, (3) electricity access, (4) political stability, and (5) presence/severity of natural hazards. Based on the STOP-R index, 40,111 (95% CI 25,854-74,344) global human rabies deaths are estimated to occur in 2022 among DMRVV-endemic countries and are projected to decrease to 32,349 (95% CI 21,110-57,019) in 2030. Interpretation The STOP-R index offers a unique means of addressing the data gap and monitoring progress towards eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths. Results presented here suggest that factors external to rabies programs influence the successes of rabies elimination, and it is now possible to identify countries exceeding or lagging in expected rabies control and elimination progress based on country infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Bonaparte
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Janae Moodie
- New York University College of Global Public Health, New York, NY, United States
- James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases RISE Fellow, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Eduardo A. Undurraga
- Escuela de Gobierno, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research in Bacterial Resistance (MICROB-R), Santiago, Chile
- Research Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management (CIGIDEN), Santiago, Chile
| | - Ryan M. Wallace
- Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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17
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de Melo SN, da Silva ES, Ribeiro RAN, Soares PHA, Cunha AKR, de Souza Gonçalves CM, Melo FDS, Horta MAP, Teixeira-Neto RG, Belo VS. The Influence of Community Feeders and Commercial Food Outlets on the Spatial Distribution of Free-Roaming Dogs-A Photographic Capture and Recapture Study. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050824. [PMID: 36899681 PMCID: PMC10000244 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the distribution of dogs in the environment is relevant for establishing human and animal health actions. In the present study, we analyzed the influence of community feeders and commercial food outlets on the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs in an urban area of a municipality in Southeast Brazil. The dogs were identified via photographic capture and recapture performed over five sampling efforts. The spatial densities of dogs were determined using the Kernel method. Spatial correlations between the distribution of free-roaming dogs and the locations of community feeders and commercial food outlets were analyzed using the K function. During the study, 1207 captures/recaptures were performed encompassing 554 dogs, the majority (62.6%) of which were males. Agglomerations of male and female dogs were observed in the areas where food was present. Positive spatial autocorrelations were detected between the distribution of dogs and food sources. The median distances between dogs and community feeders or commercial food outlets were 1.2 and 1.4 km, respectively, and the difference between these two was statistically significant. The presence of community feeders and food outlets demonstrates the influence of human activity, on the spatial distribution of free-roaming dogs. These results will be useful for developing strategies aimed at the improvement of animal welfare and the prevention of zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saulo Nascimento de Melo
- Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Sérgio da Silva
- Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Vinícius Silva Belo
- Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, MG, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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18
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Mohammadi A, Nayeri D, Alambeigi A, Marchini S. A wicked environmental challenge: collaboration network for free-ranging dog management in an urban environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:27125-27136. [PMID: 36378375 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24029-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Invasive species possess wide-ranging social and ecological impacts globally. Although the ecological impacts are well studied, social aspects especially in developing countries are often poorly understood. Free-ranging dogs (FRDs) (Canis familiaris) are the most abundant carnivore on earth with a high level of invasion. Recently, the presence of FRDs in the Jiroft city in southern Iran has increased, and local managers have not yet developed a coherent management plan. Given the high rate of human bites by FRDs in this region, a principled management plan with integrated collaboration between the relevant organizations is necessary. To better understand collaboration networks, we interviewed employees of three relevant governmental organizations about their collaboration with other organizations toward FRD management. Our objective in this study was to (1) assess the collaboration between the municipality, provincial offices of veterinary medicine, and health network and (2) predict the behavioral tendencies of network actors based on their current position in the FRD management network. Although most employees have never worked together to manage FRDs, our results showed that most of the interviewees did not evaluate the role of other organizations in FRD management as beneficial. Moreover, the current assessment of the employees of the two municipal and health organizations affects their current collaboration in the management of FRDs. Also, the current collaboration has a significant impact on their intention to collaborate in the future. We make suggestions for improving collaboration in managing FRDs in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Danial Nayeri
- Department of Wildlife, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA, 95521, USA
| | - Amir Alambeigi
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agricultural Economics and Development, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Silvio Marchini
- Wildlife Ecology, Management and Conservation Lab (LEMaC), Forest Science Department, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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Mbaipago N, Madjadinan A, Amalaman DM, Andrée Ndour P, Zinsstag J, Heitz-Tokpa K, Lechenne M. General insights on obstacles to dog vaccination in Chad on community and institutional level. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:866755. [PMID: 36311655 PMCID: PMC9597194 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.866755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic dogs are responsible for 95% of all human rabies cases worldwide and continue to be the main reservoir for this fatal virus in African and Asian countries. Interrupting the spread of the disease in the domestic dog population is therefore necessary for long-term, sustainable rabies control. Chad has been recognized as a rabies-endemic country since 1961, but no national control strategy is in place to date and dog vaccination coverage is very low. This qualitative, descriptive study aims to describe the main barriers to dog vaccination on both the community and the institutional level from a socio-anthropological point of view in Chad. The study was embedded in an overall project conducted from 2016 to 2018, to determine rabies burden and vaccine demand in West and Central Africa, funded by GAVI, the vaccine alliance. Data collection was conducted on the occasion of the project's closing workshops with stakeholders organized between August to September 2018 in the four (4) project areas: Logone Occidental, Ouaddaï, Hadjer Lamis and Chari Baguirmi. We conducted interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) among veterinary officers and dog owners. Participants were selected purposively based on their place of residence (dog owners) or work place (veterinary officers) and their previous contact with the project through reporting (dog owner) or management (veterinary officers) of a suspect dog rabies case. In each region, one FGD was organized with dog owners, and one FGD with heads of veterinary posts. At the end of the FGDs, a few participants were randomly selected for interviews. In addition, in each region an interview was conducted with the head of the livestock sector, the chief district medical officers and the head of a civil society association. The identified barriers to dog vaccination access are grouped into three main aspects: the economic, the socio-cultural and the institutional level. Economic constraints encountered relate to the cost of the vaccine itself and the expenses for transporting the dogs to the vaccination site. The cultural belief that the vaccine will have an impact on the therapeutic properties of dog meat for consumers (observed in Southern Chad), and the fact that dogs are considered impure animals in Muslim faith, which prohibits handling of dogs, are obstacles identified on the sociocultural level. At the institutional level, the unavailability of vaccines in veterinary services, the lack of communication about the law on dog vaccination, the absence of rabies in the training curricula of veterinary agents, and the lack of intersectoral collaboration limit vaccination coverage. In order to improve vaccination coverage and rabies surveillance with a view to eradicate rabies by 2030, communication strategies that are adapted to the context and that take cultural obstacles into account must be put in place in a synergy of interdisciplinary action. In addition, factors such as affordability, geographical access and availability of dog rabies vaccines needs to be addressed throughout the country. Although our study design did not allow a detailed analysis of obstacles related to socio-economic level, gender and age the broad insights gained can provide general guidance for future interventions in Chad and similar countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nodjimbadem Mbaipago
- Centre de Support en Santé Internationale, N'Djamena, Chad
- Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire
| | | | | | | | - Jakob Zinsstag
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Heitz-Tokpa
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Monique Lechenne
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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20
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Heterogeneity in dog population characteristics contributes to chronic under-vaccination against rabies in Guatemala. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010522. [PMID: 35797418 PMCID: PMC9295952 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Guatemala has held dog rabies mass vaccination campaigns countrywide since 1984, yet the virus remains endemic. To eliminate dog-mediated human rabies, dog vaccination coverage must reach at least 70%. The Guatemala rabies program uses a 5:1 human:dog ratio (HDR) to estimate the vaccination coverage; however, this method may not accurately reflect the heterogeneity of dog ownership practices in Guatemalan communities. We conducted 16 field-based dog population estimates in urban, semi-urban and rural areas of Guatemala to determine HDR and evaluate the standard 5:1. Our study-derived HDR estimates varied from 1.7–11.4:1 (average 4.0:1), being higher in densely populated sites and lowest in rural communities. The community-to-community heterogeneity observed in dog populations could explain the persistence of rabies in certain communities. To date, this is the most extensive dog-population evaluation conducted in Guatemala, and can be used to inform future rabies vaccination campaigns needed to meet the global 2030 rabies elimination targets.
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Trabelsi K, Zakour MB, Jordan I, Sandig V, Rourou S, Kallel H. Development of an efficient veterinary rabies vaccine production process in the avian suspension cell line AGE1.CR.pIX. BMC Biotechnol 2022; 22:17. [PMID: 35715843 PMCID: PMC9206308 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-022-00747-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mass vaccination of dogs as important rabies reservoir is proposed to most effectively reduce and eliminate rabies also in humans. However, a minimum coverage of 70% needs to be achieved for control of the disease in zoonotic regions. In numerous developing countries, dog vaccination rate is still dangerously low because of economic constraints and due to a high turnover in dog populations. Improved vaccine production processes may help to alleviate cost and supply limitations. In this work, we studied and optimized the replication and vaccine potency of PV rabies virus strain in the muscovy-duck derived AGE1.CR and AGE1.CR.pIX suspension cell lines. Results The BHK-21-adapted PV rabies virus strain replicated efficiently in the avian cell lines without requirement for prior passaging. CR.pIX was previously shown to augment heat shock responses and supported slightly higher infectious titers compared to the parental CR cell line. Both cell lines allowed replication of rabies virus also in absence of recombinant IGF, the only complex component of the chemically defined medium that was developed for the two cell lines. After scale-up from optimization experiments in shake flask to production in 7-l bioreactors peak virus titers of 2.4 × 108 FFU/ml were obtained. The potency of inactivated rabies virus harvest according to the NIH test was 3.5 IU/ml. Perfusion with the chemically defined medium during the virus replication phase improved the potency of the vaccine twofold, and increased the number of doses 9.6 fold. Conclusion This study demonstrates that a rabies vaccine for animal vaccination can be produced efficiently in the AGE1.CR.pIX suspension cell line in a scalable process in chemically defined medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Trabelsi
- Biotechnology Development group, Institut Pasteur de Tunis. Université Tunis El Manar., 13, place Pasteur. BP 74., 1002, Tunis, Tunisia.,Department of Life Sciences, Health Biotechnology Program - King Fahad Chair for Health Biotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University, PO Box 26671, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Meriem Ben Zakour
- Biotechnology Development group, Institut Pasteur de Tunis. Université Tunis El Manar., 13, place Pasteur. BP 74., 1002, Tunis, Tunisia.,Laboratoire Teriak, Zone Industrielle, El Fejja Mornaguia, 1153, La Manouba, Tunisia
| | | | | | - Samia Rourou
- Biotechnology Development group, Institut Pasteur de Tunis. Université Tunis El Manar., 13, place Pasteur. BP 74., 1002, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Hela Kallel
- Biotechnology Development group, Institut Pasteur de Tunis. Université Tunis El Manar., 13, place Pasteur. BP 74., 1002, Tunis, Tunisia.,Quantoom Biosciences, Nivelles, Belgium
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22
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Daigle L, Delesalle L, Ravel A, Ford B, Aenishaenslin C. Occurrence and Risk Factors of Dog Bites in Northern Indigenous Communities: A Scoping Review. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:777640. [PMID: 35518635 PMCID: PMC9064469 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.777640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between northern Indigenous people and dogs has evolved over the past years alongside events such as colonization, settlement, proliferation of snowmobiling and other socio-cultural and environmental changes. These changes have had negative impacts on this relationship, and with the endemic presence of arctic fox rabies, dog bites have become an important public health burden. The objective of this study was to synthesize the state of knowledge regarding the occurrence of dog bites and associated risk factors in the specific context of northern Indigenous communities. A scoping review was conducted in seven bibliographic databases, from June 2018 to May 2020. From this search, 257 original studies were identified and eight papers were included for final analysis. Annual occurrence of dog bites in northern Indigenous communities ranged from 0.61 to 59.6/10,000 inhabitants. Dog bites affected 27–62.9% of the population in those regions during their lifetime. Very few studies compared the occurrence of dog bites between people living in northern communities with other populations or settings, but available evidence suggests that Indigenous people living in northern communities are at higher risk of dog bites than the rest of the population. Several individual and environmental risk factors were identified in the selected studies, although the strength of evidence varied significantly. Age (children) and gender (male) were well documented individual risk factors. Other factors, such as organizational barriers to dog management and lack of access to veterinary services, were identified and discussed by several authors. The results of this study support concerns about the higher risk of bites in northern Indigenous communities, and underscore the urgent need for more research into the contextual and environmental factors that impact the mitigation of these risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Daigle
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Groupe de Recherche en Épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Léa Delesalle
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Groupe de Recherche en Épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - André Ravel
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | | | - Cécile Aenishaenslin
- Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Groupe de Recherche en Épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
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23
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Lugelo A, Hampson K, Ferguson EA, Czupryna A, Bigambo M, Duamor CT, Kazwala R, Johnson PCD, Lankester F. Development of Dog Vaccination Strategies to Maintain Herd Immunity against Rabies. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040830. [PMID: 35458560 PMCID: PMC9028497 DOI: 10.3390/v14040830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human rabies can be prevented through mass dog vaccination campaigns; however, in rabies endemic countries, pulsed central point campaigns do not always achieve the recommended coverage of 70%. This study describes the development of a novel approach to sustain high coverage based on decentralized and continuous vaccination delivery. A rabies vaccination campaign was conducted across 12 wards in the Mara region, Tanzania to test this approach. Household surveys were used to obtain data on vaccination coverage as well as factors influencing dog vaccination. A total 17,571 dogs were vaccinated, 2654 using routine central point delivery and 14,917 dogs using one of three strategies of decentralized continuous vaccination. One month after the first vaccination campaign, coverage in areas receiving decentralized vaccinations was higher (64.1, 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) 62.1-66%) than in areas receiving pulsed vaccinations (35.9%, 95% CIs 32.6-39.5%). Follow-up surveys 10 months later showed that vaccination coverage in areas receiving decentralized vaccinations remained on average over 60% (60.7%, 95% CIs 58.5-62.8%) and much higher than in villages receiving pulsed vaccinations where coverage was on average 32.1% (95% CIs 28.8-35.6%). We conclude that decentralized continuous dog vaccination strategies have the potential to improve vaccination coverage and maintain herd immunity against rabies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Lugelo
- Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam P.O. Box 78373, Tanzania
- Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (K.H.); (E.A.F.); (A.C.); (P.C.D.J.)
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3105, Tanzania;
- Global Animal Health Tanzania, Arusha 1642, Tanzania; (M.B.); (F.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Katie Hampson
- Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (K.H.); (E.A.F.); (A.C.); (P.C.D.J.)
| | - Elaine A. Ferguson
- Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (K.H.); (E.A.F.); (A.C.); (P.C.D.J.)
| | - Anna Czupryna
- Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (K.H.); (E.A.F.); (A.C.); (P.C.D.J.)
| | - Machunde Bigambo
- Global Animal Health Tanzania, Arusha 1642, Tanzania; (M.B.); (F.L.)
| | - Christian Tetteh Duamor
- Department of Global Health, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha P.O. Box 447, Tanzania;
| | - Rudovick Kazwala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro P.O. Box 3105, Tanzania;
| | - Paul C. D. Johnson
- Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK; (K.H.); (E.A.F.); (A.C.); (P.C.D.J.)
| | - Felix Lankester
- Global Animal Health Tanzania, Arusha 1642, Tanzania; (M.B.); (F.L.)
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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24
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A Review and Analysis of the National Dog Population Management Program in Chile. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030228. [PMID: 35158553 PMCID: PMC8833616 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Free-roaming dogs are a worldwide problem, with Chile having some of the highest human-to-dog ratios in the world. In 2017, Law 21.020 was promulgated and the federal government developed a national responsible pet ownership program. The objectives of this article are to describe and discuss the dog-related components of the program, to design a tool for determining human-to-dog ratios in Chile, and to make recommendations to managers to improve the program outcomes. The overarching goal of the program was to mitigate the conflict between humans and dogs, but many of the interventions were animal-focused and the indicators did not consider the perception of the Chilean public. Using human density data and known dog populations, we found that as the human density increased, there were fewer dogs per person. Veterinary services and sterilizations were the mainstay of the program and were offered for free to citizens. Education was offered to all ages through public events, as well as municipality and organization activities. The identification of dogs was obligatory for dog owners. Enforcement was not included in the program. The recommendations are to conduct preintervention baseline data collections and to tailor interventions and indicators appropriately; to use dog population size estimates determined at the local level rather than a country-wide estimate; to replace free veterinary services with low-cost sterilization campaigns; to create sustainable plans for education; and to create enforcement teams in communities.
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25
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Yale G, Lopes M, Isloor S, Head JR, Mazeri S, Gamble L, Dukpa K, Gongal G, Gibson AD. Review of Oral Rabies Vaccination of Dogs and Its Application in India. Viruses 2022; 14:155. [PMID: 35062358 PMCID: PMC8777998 DOI: 10.3390/v14010155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral rabies vaccines (ORVs) have been in use to successfully control rabies in wildlife since 1978 across Europe and the USA. This review focuses on the potential and need for the use of ORVs in free-roaming dogs to control dog-transmitted rabies in India. Iterative work to improve ORVs over the past four decades has resulted in vaccines that have high safety profiles whilst generating a consistent protective immune response to the rabies virus. The available evidence for safety and efficacy of modern ORVs in dogs and the broad and outspoken support from prominent global public health institutions for their use provides confidence to national authorities considering their use in rabies-endemic regions. India is estimated to have the largest rabies burden of any country and, whilst considerable progress has been made to increase access to human rabies prophylaxis, examples of high-output mass dog vaccination campaigns to eliminate the virus at the source remain limited. Efficiently accessing a large proportion of the dog population through parenteral methods is a considerable challenge due to the large, evasive stray dog population in many settings. Existing parenteral approaches require large skilled dog-catching teams to reach these dogs, which present financial, operational and logistical limitations to achieve 70% dog vaccination coverage in urban settings in a short duration. ORV presents the potential to accelerate the development of approaches to eliminate rabies across large areas of the South Asia region. Here we review the use of ORVs in wildlife and dogs, with specific consideration of the India setting. We also present the results of a risk analysis for a hypothetical campaign using ORV for the vaccination of dogs in an Indian state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marwin Lopes
- Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Government of Goa, Panjim 403001, India;
| | - Shrikrishna Isloor
- Bangalore Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bengaluru 560024, Karnataka, India;
| | - Jennifer R. Head
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
| | - Stella Mazeri
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian, Roslin EH25 9RG, UK; (S.M.); (A.D.G.)
- Mission Rabies, Dorset, Cranborne BH21 5PZ, UK;
| | - Luke Gamble
- Mission Rabies, Dorset, Cranborne BH21 5PZ, UK;
| | - Kinzang Dukpa
- World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan;
| | - Gyanendra Gongal
- World Health Organization (WHO), Regional Office for South East Asia, New Delhi 110002, India;
| | - Andrew D. Gibson
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Midlothian, Roslin EH25 9RG, UK; (S.M.); (A.D.G.)
- Mission Rabies, Dorset, Cranborne BH21 5PZ, UK;
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26
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Hartnack S. Animal health is often ignored, but indispensable to the human right to health. Int J Equity Health 2022; 21:3. [PMID: 35012552 PMCID: PMC8751102 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-021-01613-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although preventable by vaccines, approximately 60′000 humans die due to canine transmitted rabies annually, mostly in Africa and Asia. The aim of this paper is to advocate for including animal health aspects into considerations of human health and human rights, and for equitable access to rabies vaccination for both animals and humans. An infringement of human - in particular of children’s - right to health will be illustrated with the case of rabies and poor dog management in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 270, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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27
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Thanapongtharm W, Kasemsuwan S, Wongphruksasoong V, Boonyo K, Pinyopummintr T, Wiratsudakul A, Gilbert M, Leelahapongsathon K. Spatial Distribution and Population Estimation of Dogs in Thailand: Implications for Rabies Prevention and Control. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:790701. [PMID: 34993247 PMCID: PMC8724437 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.790701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor management of dog populations causes many problems in different countries, including rabies. To strategically design a dog population management, certain sets of data are required, such as the population size and spatial distribution of dogs. However, these data are rarely available or incomplete. Hence, this study aimed to describe the characteristics of dog populations in Thailand, explore their spatial distribution and relevant factors, and estimate the number of dogs in the whole country. First, four districts were selected as representatives of each region. Each district was partitioned into grids with a 300-m resolution. The selected grids were then surveyed, and the number of dogs and related data were collected. Random forest models with a two-part approach were used to quantify the association between the surveyed dog population and predictor variables. The spatial distribution of dog populations was then predicted. A total of 1,750 grids were surveyed (945 grids with dog presence and 805 grids with dog absence). Among the surveyed dogs, 86.6% (12,027/13,895) were owned. Of these, 51% were classified as independent, followed by confined (25%), semi-independent (21%), and unidentified dogs (3%). Seventy-two percent (1,348/1,868) of the ownerless dogs were feral, and the rest were community dogs. The spatial pattern of the dog populations was highly distributed in big cities such as Bangkok and its suburbs. In owned dogs, it was linked to household demographics, whereas it was related to community factors in ownerless dogs. The number of estimated dogs in the entire country was 12.8 million heads including 11.2 million owned dogs (21.7 heads/km2) and 1.6 million ownerless dogs (3.2 heads/km2). The methods developed here are extrapolatable to a larger area and use much less budget and manpower compared to the present practices. Our results are helpful for canine rabies prevention and control programs, such as dog population management and control and rabies vaccine allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suwicha Kasemsuwan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | | | | | - Tanu Pinyopummintr
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Anuwat Wiratsudakul
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health and the Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Marius Gilbert
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab. (SpELL), University Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS), Brussels, Belgium
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28
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Chaudhari A, Kartal T, Brill G, Amano KJ, Lagayan MG, Jorca D. Dog Ecology and Demographics in Several Areas in the Philippines and Its Application to Anti-Rabies Vaccination Programs. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:105. [PMID: 35011210 PMCID: PMC8749769 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding dog population dynamics plays a vital role in planning both rabies and dog management interventions. Establishing a human to dog ratio and an understanding how the urban/rural nature of the community might affect the overall dog population estimate provides an easy-to-use reference to estimate approximate dog populations in a range of communities. A total of 10,664 households were interviewed in 10 locations in the Philippines (2017 and 2018) to understand the dog population variations among the urban, semi-urban and rural areas. Epicollect5 and OSM tracker applications were used to conduct household interviews using a predesigned fixed set of questions. All answers were recorded directly using mobile phone applications. The survey results showed that for every 1000 humans, there are 256.3 dogs in rural areas, 213.8 dogs in semi-rural areas, 208.7 dogs in urban areas and 170.0 dogs on small islands of the Philippines. We estimate a total dog population in the Philippines of 23.29 million dogs (CI 95%, 22.51-24.07 million). Based on the survey findings from Quezon City and Cebu City, targets, resources allocations and vaccination approach were adjusted for the anti-rabies vaccination program at two locations in 2018, which lead to a 3- to 4-fold increase in the total number of dogs vaccinated in each city compared to previous years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Chaudhari
- Humane Society International, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (T.K.); (G.B.)
| | - Tamara Kartal
- Humane Society International, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (T.K.); (G.B.)
| | - George Brill
- Humane Society International, 2100 L St., NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA; (T.K.); (G.B.)
| | | | - Maria Glofezita Lagayan
- Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Department of Agriculture, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (M.G.L.); (D.J.)
| | - Daphne Jorca
- Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Department of Agriculture, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines; (M.G.L.); (D.J.)
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29
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Dog rabies control in West and Central Africa: A review. Acta Trop 2021; 224:105459. [PMID: 32404295 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Rabies is a neglected but preventable zoonotic disease that predominantly affects the most vulnerable populations living in remote rural areas of resource-limited countries. To date, every country on the African mainland is considered endemic for dog-mediated rabies with an estimated 21'500 human rabies deaths occurring each year. In 2018, the United Against Rabies collaboration launched the Global Strategic Plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030. The epidemiology of rabies from most Western and Central African countries remains poorly defined, making it difficult to assess the overall rabies situation and progress towards the 2030 goal. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview of the current rabies situation in 22 West and Central African countries based on published scientific literature and information obtained from rabies focal points. To this end, information was collected on i) established surveillance, ii) diagnostic capacity, iii) post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) availability and coverage, iv) dog population estimates, v) dog vaccination campaigns, vi) animal and human health communication (One Health), vii) molecular studies, viii) Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP), ix) cost estimates and x) national control strategies. Although rabies is a notifiable disease in the majority of the studied countries, national surveillance systems do not adequately capture the disease. A general lack of rabies diagnostic capacity has an additional negative impact on rabies surveillance and attempts to estimate rabies burden. Recurrent shortages of human rabies vaccine are reported by all of the countries, with vaccine availability usually limited to major urban centers but no country has yet adopted the new WHO-recommended 1-week intradermal vaccination regimen. Most countries carry out subsidized mass dog vaccination campaigns on World Rabies Day. Such activities are indispensable to keep rabies in the public consciousness but are not of the scale and intensity that is required to eliminate rabies from the dog population. Countries will need to scale up the intensity of their campaigns, if they are to progress towards the 2030 goal. But more than half of the countries do not yet have reliable figures on their dog populations. Only two countries reached stage 2 on the Stepwise Approach towards Rabies Elimination ladder - indicating that their national governments have truly prioritized rabies elimination and are thus providing the necessary support and political buy-in required to achieve success. In summary, the sub-region of West and Central Africa seems to be divided into countries which have accepted the challenge to eliminate rabies with governments committed to pushing forward rabies elimination, while other countries have achieved some progress, but elimination efforts remain stuck due to lacking government commitment and financial constraints. The possibility to meet the 2030 goal without international solidarity is low, because more than two-thirds of the countries rank in the low human development group (HDI ≤ 152). Leading countries should act as role models, sharing their experiences and capacities so that no country is left behind. Unified and with international support it is possible to reach the common goal of zero human rabies deaths by 2030.
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30
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Yale G, Sudarshan S, Taj S, Patchimuthu GI, Mangalanathan BV, Belludi AY, Shampur MN, Krishnaswamy TG, Mazeri S. Investigation of protective level of rabies antibodies in vaccinated dogs in Chennai, India. Vet Rec Open 2021; 8:e8. [PMID: 33981442 PMCID: PMC8110021 DOI: 10.1002/vro2.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rabies is still endemic in India causing an estimated 20,000 human deaths a year. Free roaming dogs and unvaccinated owned dogs play a major role in the maintenance of the disease. Dog vaccination is the most crucial aspect of rabies prevention and control strategies; therefore vaccine immunogenicity and longevity are important determinants of the efficiency of rabies control efforts. METHODS In this study at Madras Veterinary College, India, a total of 297 serum samples were collected from owned dogs that were vaccinated against rabies. Data regarding age, gender, breed, neuter status and last date of vaccination were collected at the time of blood collection. The level of rabies virus neutralising antibodies in the sera of these dogs was measured through rapid focus fluorescence inhibition test. The factors associated with protective level of rabies antibodies in vaccinated dogs were investigated through multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS This cross-sectional investigation shows that only 40% (119/297) of the all the dogs in the study showed presence of protective level of anti-rabies antibodies, and 40% (72/180) of the dogs vaccinated within the last year showed presence of protective levels of antibodies causing concern about rabies vaccine quality and its impact on rabies control. The study also shows that older and neutered dogs are more likely to have protective titre among vaccinated dogs, while non-descript breed dogs are less likely to have a protective titre compared to pure breeds. CONCLUSION In this study 60% (108/180) of young prima dogs and adult dogs did not show protective levels of antibodies within the year of last rabies vaccination, although they had previous vaccination history. This high percentage of apparent non-responders is a cause of concern of administration, distribution, storage, potency and quality management of vaccines in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gowri Yale
- Mission RabiesVeterinary Hospital ComplexPanajiGoaIndia
| | - Sampada Sudarshan
- Department of NeurovirologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBangaloreKarnatakaIndia
| | - Shaheen Taj
- Department of NeurovirologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBangaloreKarnatakaIndia
| | | | - Bharathi Vijaya Mangalanathan
- Department of Veterinary Preventive MedicineMadras Veterinary CollegeTamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences UniversityChennaiTamil NaduIndia
| | - Ashwin Yajaman Belludi
- Department of NeurovirologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBangaloreKarnatakaIndia
| | | | - Tirumurugaan Gopalan Krishnaswamy
- Zoonoses Research LaboratoryCentre for Animal Health StudiesTamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences UniversityChennaiTamil NaduIndia
| | - Stella Mazeri
- Division of Genetics and GenomicsThe Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesThe University of Edinburgh, MidlothianUK
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Li D, Liu Q, Chen F, Jiang Q, Wang T, Yin X, Lu Z, Cao S. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding to rabies and its prevention and control among bite victims by suspected rabid animals in China. One Health 2021; 13:100264. [PMID: 34036144 PMCID: PMC8135036 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies is a major public health problem and the incidence of suspected rabid animal bites remains high in China. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about rabies of bite victims in Wuhan, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1015 bite victims visiting rabies prevention clinics. We performed a face-to-face interview to investigate the rabies KAP of these victims using a self-designed questionnaire. Factors associated with the KAP were evaluated using logistic regression models. Only 56.85% of respondents knew that rabies is infectious. More than 20% of respondents thought that it is not necessary to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies usually. About 70% of participants stated that they never need to be reminded to vaccinate when they were bitten. Lower education level (odds ratio [OR] = 3.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.65-5.38 for secondary school or less and OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.28-2.38 for high school or vocational school, p-trend<0.0001) was independently associated with poor knowledge of rabies. Respondents who had experienced two or more times of animal bites (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39-0.97) were inclined to have appropriate attitudes about rabies prevention and control. Older respondents were more likely to show proper behaviors towards rabies prevention and control (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.33-0.58 for age group 31-60 and OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.21-0.54 for age group >60, p-trend <0.0001). The level of rabies KAP among bite victims in China was suboptimal. It is necessary to conduct interventions focusing on improving public awareness of rabies and ameliorating behaviors of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiaoyan Liu
- Research Institute of Rehabilitation Information, China Rehabilitation Science Institute, Beijing, China
- China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Chen
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qingqing Jiang
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tiantian Wang
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoxv Yin
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zuxun Lu
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shiyi Cao
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Molini U, Hassel R, Ortmann S, Vos A, Loschke M, Shilongo A, Freuling CM, Müller T. Immunogenicity of the Oral Rabies Vaccine Strain SPBN GASGAS in Dogs Under Field Settings in Namibia. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:737250. [PMID: 34760958 PMCID: PMC8573107 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.737250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dog-mediated rabies is endemic throughout Africa. While free-roaming dogs that play a crucial role in rabies transmission are often inaccessible for parenteral vaccination during mass dog vaccination campaigns, oral rabies vaccination (ORV) is considered to be a promising alternative to increase vaccination coverage in these hard-to-reach dogs. The acceptance of ORV as an efficient supplementary tool is still low, not least because of limited immunogenicity and field trial data in local dogs. In this study, the immunogenicity of the highly attenuated 3rd-generation oral rabies vaccine strain SPBN GASGAS in local free-roaming dogs from Namibia was assessed by determining the immune response in terms of seroconversion for up to 56 days post-vaccination. At two study sites, free-roaming dogs were vaccinated by administering the vaccine either by direct oral administration or via a vaccine-loaded egg bait. Pre- and post-vaccination blood samples were tested for rabies virus neutralizing as well as binding antibodies using standard serological assays. A multiple logistic regression (MLR) analysis was performed to determine a possible influence of study area, vaccination method, and vaccine dose on the seroconversion rate obtained. About 78% of the dogs vaccinated by the oral route seroconverted (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA), though the seroconversion as determined by a rapid fluorescence focus inhibition test (RFFIT) was much lower. None of the factors examined had a significant effect on the seroconversion rate. This study confirms the immunogenicity of the vaccine strain SPBN GASGAS and the potential utility of ORV for the control of dog-mediated rabies in African dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Molini
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Rainer Hassel
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Steffen Ortmann
- Ceva Innovation Center, Ceva Santé Animale, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Ad Vos
- Ceva Innovation Center, Ceva Santé Animale, Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Malaika Loschke
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Albertina Shilongo
- Directorate of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Conrad M Freuling
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, WHO Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research, OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Riems, Germany
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Kanda K, Jayasinghe A, Jayasinghe C, Yoshida T. Public health implication towards rabies elimination in Sri Lanka: A systematic review. Acta Trop 2021; 223:106080. [PMID: 34364895 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Sri Lanka has been targeted zero rabies by the end of 2025. Towards the elimination, the country needs more effective, evidence-based strategies and efforts to achieve its ultimate goal. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of scientific literatures and data to assess current human and animal rabies control and prevention strategies in Sri Lanka. METHODS We compiled documents regarding current and previous rabies control and prevention activities implemented in the entire country of Sri Lanka. The documents included published literatures issued between 1946 and 2020 from both online databases and university library in Sri Lanka. All the collected documents were screened based on the PRISMA statement and categorized into several types of rabies control and prevention strategies. Official reports including epidemiological data in Sri Lanka were also filed in order to analyze the current trend of rabies control and prevention in the nation. RESULTS As of end December 2020, we found 119 scientific literatures regarding rabies control and prevention in Sri Lanka. Human rabies deaths in Sri Lanka have been reduced for the last half century by successful implementation of mass dog vaccination, animal birth control and awareness raising activities. However, the country is still facing on sporadic rabies cases, limited dog vaccination coverage and insufficient dog population management in the district level. Despite the nationwide standard of dog to human ratio of 1:8, there are huge disparities or unknown of dog ecology in regions. Awareness raising including has been enhancing for both general public and school children. Surveillance system is poorly operated so that simultaneous data analysis for decision-making is impractical. CONCLUSIONS In order to achieve nationwide rabies elimination, it is highly recommended to implement more effective rabies control and prevention activities and build adequate scientific evidences.
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Tiwari HK, Gogoi-Tiwari J, Robertson ID. Eliminating dog-mediated rabies: challenges and strategies. ANIMAL DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s44149-021-00023-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractRabies is an acute encephalitis caused by a lyssavirus. It is primarily transmitted through bites of infected dogs which results in the worldwide death of an estimated 59000 humans every year. The disease is preventable through the application of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and its elimination has been demonstrated in many countries by applying multiple interventions simultaneously. Nonetheless, rabies is still widespread in many developing countries, primarily due to the poor implementation of intervention strategies that include inadequate dog-bite wound management practices, unavailability/unaffordability of PEP by the communities, failure to control the disease in free-roaming dogs and wildlife, improper dog population management, weak surveillance and diagnostic facilities and a lack of a One Health approach to the disease. In this review, strategies to control dog-mediated rabies through a One Health approach were discussed. We recommend applying multiple interventions against the disease by involving all the concerned stakeholders in selected urban and rural areas of the countries where rabies is endemic. An empirical demonstration of disease freedom in the selected areas through a One Health approach is needed to convince policymakers to invest in rabies prevention and control on the national level. This multifaceted One Health control model will enhance the likelihood of achieving the goal of global rabies eradication by 2030.
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Baker T, Rock M, Bondo K, van der Meer F, Kutz S. 11 years of regular access to subsidized veterinary services is associated with improved dog health and welfare in remote northern communities. Prev Vet Med 2021; 196:105471. [PMID: 34509773 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Access to veterinary services can have positive impacts on animal health and welfare, and on human mental and physical health and well-being; however, many communities worldwide lack access to such services. At their request, the 5 communities of the Sahtu Settlement Area, Northwest Territories, Canada, have received annual access to preventive veterinary services through the University of Calgary's Northern Community Health Rotation since 2008. To determine the reach of the program, we conducted a dog census in 2017. We then conducted a chart review of 11 years of dog medical records from 2008 to 2018 to evaluate how the reach of the program, the uptake of veterinary services, and dog population demographics, health and welfare measures changed over the duration of the program. In the chart review, we used either multi-level logistic regression or generalized linear models, to determine how seven variables, including age, sex, breed, body condition, deworming, vaccination, and sterilization status upon clinic entry, changed over the course of program delivery. Our results suggest that program reach, veterinary service uptake, and dog demographic, health and welfare measures improved over time. We observed high rabies vaccination coverage in some communities (48 %-83 % of the dog population) and moderate overall sterilization status (25 %-56 % of the dog population) with female dog sterilization more common than male (75 % of dogs leaving the 2017 clinics, compared to 43 %). Several dog demographic, health, and welfare measures, including age, body condition, and vaccination, deworming, and sterilization status, were significantly better in later years of the program (all p < 0.001). Differences among communities, both in dog population numbers from the 2017 census (40-89 dogs) and in the uptake of veterinary services in 2017 (48 %-83 % of the dog population), were notable. Vaccination uptake was directly related to clinic attendance, but sterilization was impacted by additional factors, including community members' acceptance of the procedure. Some unintended consequences were noted, however, including the potential effect of sterilization on the availability of traditional dog breeds in the communities. Overall, our study findings demonstrate that subsidized veterinary services provided over a regular and extended period of time benefit animal population demographics, health and welfare, and could have positive impacts on human well-being. The framework of community collaboration and long-term commitment developed through this program serves as a model for achieving common health goals among communities in need and veterinary service providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Baker
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Melanie Rock
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Kristin Bondo
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Frank van der Meer
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Susan Kutz
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
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Lederman Z, Magalhães-Sant’Ana M, Voo TC. Stamping Out Animal Culling: From Anthropocentrism to One Health Ethics. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS 2021; 34:27. [PMID: 34483696 PMCID: PMC8403469 DOI: 10.1007/s10806-021-09868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Culling is used in traditional public health policies to control animal populations. These policies aim primarily to protect human interests but often fail to provide scientific evidence of effectiveness. In this article, we defend the need to move from a strictly anthropocentric approach to disease control towards a One Health ethics, using culling practices as an example. We focus on the recent badger culls in the UK, claiming that, based on data provided by the English Government, these culls may be unjustified, all thing considered. We highlight the relevance of ethical reasoning rooted in One Health for this discussion, and make several suggestions including a moratorium on culling until data are provided to support the effectiveness of culling; to conduct a randomized trial to compare proactive culling with alternative methods; to apply deliberative democratic methods to assess public opinion towards the culls, and to find in Brexit an opportunity for aiming for more effective control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Magalhães-Sant’Ana
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Teck Chuan Voo
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Block MD11, Clinical Research Centre, #02-03, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597 Singapore
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Collinson A, Brennan ML, Dean RS, Stavisky J. Priorities for Research into the Impact of Canine Surgical Sterilisation Programmes for Free-Roaming Dogs: An International Priority Setting Partnership. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082250. [PMID: 34438707 PMCID: PMC8388514 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Surgical sterilisation is a core activity of free-roaming dog population management (DPM) programmes globally. However, there is limited published evidence on its impact at the population level. To support evidence-based decision making in this field, it is important that research conducted is relevant to those involved in working with free-roaming dogs and implementing such programmes. The aim of this study was to adapt the James Lind Alliance (JLA) user involvement approach to systematically identify the top 10 research priorities regarding the impact of canine sterilisation. International stakeholders with experience working in DPM were asked in an online survey what unanswered questions they had regarding the impact of sterilisation programmes. Thematic analysis of survey responses was used to develop a long list of collated indicative research questions (CIRQs). A literature review was performed to identify questions that were 'true uncertainties' (had not been answered by evidence review). These questions were reduced to a shortlist via an online interim prioritisation survey, and a Delphi consensus process determined the top 10 priorities. The top 10 questions related to dog population size and turnover, dog bite incidents, rabies control, implementation in the field and human behaviour change. These priorities were identified and shaped by people with direct experience of canine surgical sterilisation programmes, and as such are an essential resource for directing future funding and research. Addressing these priorities will generate evidence that is directly applicable to policy makers and practitioners who make decisions regarding the management of free-roaming dogs (FRDs) worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abi Collinson
- Centre for Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK; (M.L.B.); (J.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marnie L. Brennan
- Centre for Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK; (M.L.B.); (J.S.)
| | | | - Jenny Stavisky
- Centre for Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK; (M.L.B.); (J.S.)
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Mathematical modelling and phylodynamics for the study of dog rabies dynamics and control: A scoping review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009449. [PMID: 34043640 PMCID: PMC8189497 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rabies is a fatal yet vaccine-preventable disease. In the last two decades, domestic dog populations have been shown to constitute the predominant reservoir of rabies in developing countries, causing 99% of human rabies cases. Despite substantial control efforts, dog rabies is still widely endemic and is spreading across previously rabies-free areas. Developing a detailed understanding of dog rabies dynamics and the impact of vaccination is essential to optimize existing control strategies and developing new ones. In this scoping review, we aimed at disentangling the respective contributions of mathematical models and phylodynamic approaches to advancing the understanding of rabies dynamics and control in domestic dog populations. We also addressed the methodological limitations of both approaches and the remaining issues related to studying rabies spread and how this could be applied to rabies control. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We reviewed how mathematical modelling of disease dynamics and phylodynamics have been developed and used to characterize dog rabies dynamics and control. Through a detailed search of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, we identified a total of n = 59 relevant studies using mathematical models (n = 30), phylodynamic inference (n = 22) and interdisciplinary approaches (n = 7). We found that despite often relying on scarce rabies epidemiological data, mathematical models investigated multiple aspects of rabies dynamics and control. These models confirmed the overwhelming efficacy of massive dog vaccination campaigns in all settings and unraveled the role of dog population structure and frequent introductions in dog rabies maintenance. Phylodynamic approaches successfully disentangled the evolutionary and environmental determinants of rabies dispersal and consistently reported support for the role of reintroduction events and human-mediated transportation over long distances in the maintenance of rabies in endemic areas. Potential biases in data collection still need to be properly accounted for in most of these analyses. Finally, interdisciplinary studies were determined to provide the most comprehensive assessments through hypothesis generation and testing. They also represent new avenues, especially concerning the reconstruction of local transmission chains or clusters through data integration. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Despite advances in rabies knowledge, substantial uncertainty remains regarding the mechanisms of local spread, the role of wildlife in dog rabies maintenance, and the impact of community behavior on the efficacy of control strategies including vaccination of dogs. Future integrative approaches that use phylodynamic analyses and mechanistic models within a single framework could take full advantage of not only viral sequences but also additional epidemiological information as well as dog ecology data to refine our understanding of rabies spread and control. This would represent a significant improvement on past studies and a promising opportunity for canine rabies research in the frame of the One Health concept that aims to achieve better public health outcomes through cross-sector collaboration.
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Gompper ME. Adding Nuance to Our Understanding of Dog-Wildlife Interactions and the Need for Management. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:93-102. [PMID: 33963410 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The interactions of dogs and wildlife are receiving increasing attention across the globe. Evidence suggests that dogs can negatively affect wildlife in a variety of ways, including through the risk of predation, by hybridizing with other Canis species, by acting as a reservoir or vector of pathogens, and by competing with wildlife for resources. A multitude of observations and case studies for each of these interactions has led to calls to prioritize increased management of dogs, for instance, through population reduction, vaccination, movement restrictions, and enhanced care of the dogs themselves. Here, I argue that while the risks that dogs present to wildlife are real, they vary in their importance across the globe. Furthermore, often the approaches used to address these risks are championed without a full understanding of the likelihood of success given the necessary spatial scale of management, the availability of alternative management approaches, and the role dogs play in societies. For instance, culling, vaccination, and animal husbandry approaches in reducing the impacts of dogs on wildlife sometimes fail to recognize that local human populations actively recruit replacement dogs, that vaccination often fails to reach levels necessary for herd immunity, and that enhanced dog husbandry may have indirect impacts on wildlife by requiring environmentally impactful activities. I suggest there is a need for attention not only to identify the impacts of dogs but also to determine where and when such interactions with wildlife are problematic and the likelihood of success for any proposed management approach. The impacts of dogs should be mediated in a context-specific manner that accounts for factors such as the local density of dogs, the susceptibility of local wildlife populations to the risks that dog populations may represent, and the local societal norms that underpin how dogs might be managed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Gompper
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
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Alegría-Morán R, Pastenes Á, Cabrera G, Fredes F, Ramírez-Toloza G. Urban public squares as potential hotspots of dog-human contact: A spatial analysis of zoonotic parasites detection in Gran Santiago, Chile. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2021; 24:100579. [PMID: 34024395 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Zoonotic parasites are a major public health problem globally, representing a hazard to human health. The infections occur through contact with different parasite forms. Public squares are a common meeting place for people and dogs, becoming a risk area for transmission to other dogs and humans. A spatial analysis of zoonotic parasite distribution in urban public squares in Gran Santiago, Chile was performed to elucidate its importance, exploring spatial aggregation on positivity rates at commune level. A total of 170 stool samples were analysed; 54 (31.7%) were positive for gastrointestinal-zoonotic parasites. Positivity was detected in 27 (79.4%) squares. Diversity of parasite species was variable across sites. Toxocara canis was the most frequently detected (27 samples, 21/34 squares), followed by Toxascaris leonina (13 samples, 10/34 squares), cestode eggs (10 samples, 9/34 squares), Giardia sp. (6 samples, 5/34 squares), Ancylostomatidae-like eggs (4 samples, 4/34 squares), Cryptosporidium spp. (2 samples, 2/34 squares) and Entamoeba spp. (1 sample, 1/34 square). Spatial autocorrelation (SA) was observed at commune level. The local indicators of the spatial association test showed statistical significance for cestode eggs (p < 0.001) with a negative SA (Moran's I Index = -0.2929, CI-95% = -0.3869--0.1989) and Ancylostomatidae (p = 0.046) with a positive SA (Moran's I Index = 0.1404, CI-95% = 0.0499-0.2309). Toxocara canis is the most prevalent geo-helminth in public places of Santiago, Chile. Spatial autocorrelation was detected for cestode eggs and Ancylostomatidae. Diagnosis and detection of parasites is key for the establishment of control/eradication of environmental dissemination following One Health guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Alegría-Morán
- Unit of Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Santa Rosa 11.735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile; Ciencias Agropecuarias y Ambientales, Universidad Pedro de Valdivia, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, 2222 Santiago, Chile
| | - Álvaro Pastenes
- Unit of Parasitology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Santa Rosa 11.735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Cabrera
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia, 1027 Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando Fredes
- Unit of Parasitology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Santa Rosa 11.735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
| | - Galia Ramírez-Toloza
- Unit of Parasitology, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Santa Rosa 11.735, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile.
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Filla C, Rajeev M, Randriana Z, Hanitriniana C, Rafaliarison RR, Edosoa GT, Andriamananjara M, Razafindraibe NP, Nely J, Ferreira A, Yang AL, Daniel F, Clarke TA, Farris Z, Stone T, Lastdrager J, Rajaonarivelo T, Hampson K, Metcalf CJE, Valenta K. Lessons Learned and Paths Forward for Rabies Dog Vaccination in Madagascar: A Case Study of Pilot Vaccination Campaigns in Moramanga District. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6020048. [PMID: 33921499 PMCID: PMC8167587 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6020048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine rabies causes an estimated 60,000 human deaths per year, but these deaths are preventable through post-exposure prophylaxis of people and vaccination of domestic dogs. Dog vaccination campaigns targeting 70% of the population are effective at interrupting transmission. Here, we report on lessons learned during pilot dog vaccination campaigns in the Moramanga District of Madagascar. We compare two different vaccination strategies: a volunteer-driven effort to vaccinate dogs in two communes using static point vaccination and continuous vaccination as part of routine veterinary services. We used dog age data from the campaigns to estimate key demographic parameters and to simulate different vaccination strategies. Overall, we found that dog vaccination was feasible and that most dogs were accessible to vaccination. The static-point campaign achieved higher coverage but required more resources and had a limited geographic scope compared to the continuous delivery campaign. Our modeling results suggest that targeting puppies through community-based vaccination efforts could improve coverage. We found that mass dog vaccination is feasible and can achieve high coverage in Madagascar; however, context-specific strategies and an investment in dog vaccination as a public good will be required to move the country towards elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlynn Filla
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (C.F.); (K.V.)
| | - Malavika Rajeev
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; (A.L.Y.); (C.J.E.M.)
- Correspondence: mailto:
| | - Zoavina Randriana
- The Mad Dog Initiative Akanin’ny Veterinera, Akaikiniarivo, Ambatobe, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (Z.R.); (R.R.R.); (A.F.); (F.D.); (T.A.C.); (Z.F.); (T.R.)
| | - Chantal Hanitriniana
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar;
| | - Radoniaina R. Rafaliarison
- The Mad Dog Initiative Akanin’ny Veterinera, Akaikiniarivo, Ambatobe, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (Z.R.); (R.R.R.); (A.F.); (F.D.); (T.A.C.); (Z.F.); (T.R.)
| | - Glenn Torrencelli Edosoa
- Chargé des Maladies Tropicales Négligées Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Madagascar, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar;
| | - Mamitiana Andriamananjara
- Direction des Services Vétérinaires Ministère Chargé de l’Agriculture et de l’Élevage, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (M.A.); (N.P.R.)
| | - Nivohanitra P. Razafindraibe
- Direction des Services Vétérinaires Ministère Chargé de l’Agriculture et de l’Élevage, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (M.A.); (N.P.R.)
| | - José Nely
- Service contre les Maladies Endémo-épidémiques et Tropicales Négligées Ministère de la Santé Publique, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar;
| | - Angelique Ferreira
- The Mad Dog Initiative Akanin’ny Veterinera, Akaikiniarivo, Ambatobe, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (Z.R.); (R.R.R.); (A.F.); (F.D.); (T.A.C.); (Z.F.); (T.R.)
- Travelling Animal Doctors, Newark, DE 19711-2916, USA; (T.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Annie L. Yang
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; (A.L.Y.); (C.J.E.M.)
| | - Fenomanana Daniel
- The Mad Dog Initiative Akanin’ny Veterinera, Akaikiniarivo, Ambatobe, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (Z.R.); (R.R.R.); (A.F.); (F.D.); (T.A.C.); (Z.F.); (T.R.)
| | - Tara A. Clarke
- The Mad Dog Initiative Akanin’ny Veterinera, Akaikiniarivo, Ambatobe, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (Z.R.); (R.R.R.); (A.F.); (F.D.); (T.A.C.); (Z.F.); (T.R.)
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8107, USA
| | - Zachary Farris
- The Mad Dog Initiative Akanin’ny Veterinera, Akaikiniarivo, Ambatobe, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (Z.R.); (R.R.R.); (A.F.); (F.D.); (T.A.C.); (Z.F.); (T.R.)
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA
| | - Terry Stone
- Travelling Animal Doctors, Newark, DE 19711-2916, USA; (T.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Jochem Lastdrager
- Travelling Animal Doctors, Newark, DE 19711-2916, USA; (T.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Tsiky Rajaonarivelo
- The Mad Dog Initiative Akanin’ny Veterinera, Akaikiniarivo, Ambatobe, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (Z.R.); (R.R.R.); (A.F.); (F.D.); (T.A.C.); (Z.F.); (T.R.)
| | - Katie Hampson
- Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK;
| | - C. Jessica E. Metcalf
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; (A.L.Y.); (C.J.E.M.)
| | - Kim Valenta
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (C.F.); (K.V.)
- The Mad Dog Initiative Akanin’ny Veterinera, Akaikiniarivo, Ambatobe, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar; (Z.R.); (R.R.R.); (A.F.); (F.D.); (T.A.C.); (Z.F.); (T.R.)
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Kamalikhah T, Mirrezaei S, Rahimi T, Sabzmakan L, Ghobakhloo S. Community readiness for collecting stray dogs in Aradan County: a quantitative-qualitative study. Ir Vet J 2021; 74:10. [PMID: 33794996 PMCID: PMC8017831 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-021-00184-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paying more attention to free-roaming dogs' population control seems to be necessary because of public health and environmental problems. The present study used the community readiness model to determine the readiness of Aradan County in terms of collecting stray dogs. METHODS This study is a quantitative-qualitative research study conducted in Aradan County in Semnan Province of Iran. The semi-structured questionnaire uses the six dimensions of the Community Readiness Model as guideline, with 36 items used for the interview. The interviews lasted 45 to 100 minutes with 11 key members including the governor, prefect, mayor's assistant, city council chairman, key trustees, officials responsible for environmental health network, officials responsible for environmentalism of the city, and governors of a rural district. In quantitative part two, assessors read the interviews carefully and assigned scores based on the rating-scale form suggested by the guideline itself for scoring each dimension. A qualitative directed content analysis with deductive approach was used for analyzing the collected qualitative data. RESULTS The study involved 11 key members of Aradan County, all of whom were male. Most of the participants were over 40 years old and with five years of work experience (73.6 %). The mean score of each six dimensions in Aradan County were: Community efforts (4.78), Community knowledge of efforts (4.28), Leadership (4.90), Community climate (4.38), Community knowledge about the issue (4.20) and Resources related to the issue (3.29) respectively. Community readiness in Aradan County and Aradan City was generally estimated to be in the preplanning stage, whereas vague public awareness was found in the rural areas. In the qualitative part, 870 initial open codes, 589 refund codes, 19 subcategories and 6 themes emerged, including (a) community efforts, (b) community knowledge of the efforts (c) leadership, (d) community climate, (e) community knowledge of the issue, and (f) resources related to the issue. CONCLUSIONS For improving the process of collecting the stray dogs, it is necessary to focus on holding educational sessions for the public to increase their partnership and justify the responsible organizations' activities to collaborate and provide the necessary financial resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Kamalikhah
- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Public Health Faculty, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Mirrezaei
- Vice chancellor for Health Affairs, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Tahereh Rahimi
- Department of Public Health, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Leila Sabzmakan
- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Safiye Ghobakhloo
- Department of Environmental Health Eng, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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Risk factors for rabid animal bites: a study in domestic ruminants in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. Epidemiol Infect 2021; 149:e76. [PMID: 33715660 PMCID: PMC8080183 DOI: 10.1017/s095026882100056x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies is endemic in Bangladesh. To identify risk factors, a case-control study was conducted based on hospital-reported rabid animal bite (RAB) cases in domestic ruminants, 2009 − 2018. RAB cases (n = 449) and three controls per case were selected. Dogs (87.8%) and jackals (12.2%) were most often identified as biting animals. In the final multivariable model, the risk of being a RAB case was significantly higher in cattle aged >0.5–2 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–5.37), >2–5 years (OR 3.63; 95% CI: 1.97–6.67) and >5 years (OR 6.42; 95% CI: 3.39–12.17) compared to those aged <0.5 years. Crossbred cattle were at higher risk of being a RAB case (OR 5.48; 95% CI: 3.56–8.42) than indigenous. Similarly, female cattle were more likely to be a RAB case (OR 1.26; 95% CI: 1.15–2.29) than males. Cattle in rural areas (OR 39.48; 95% CI: 6.14–254.00) were at a much higher risk of being RAB cases than those in urban areas. Female, crossbred and older cattle, especially in rural areas should either be managed indoors during the dog breeding season (September and October) or vaccinated. A national rabies elimination program should prioritise rural dogs for mass vaccination. Jackals should also be immunised using oral bait vaccines. Prevention of rabies in rural dogs and jackals would also reduce rabies incidence in humans.
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Kotzé JL, Duncan Grewar J, Anderson A. Modelling the factors affecting the probability for local rabies elimination by strategic control. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009236. [PMID: 33661893 PMCID: PMC7963038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dog rabies has been recognized from ancient times and remains widespread across the developing world with an estimated 59,000 people dying annually from the disease. In 2011 a tri-partite alliance consisting of the OIE, the WHO and the FAO committed to globally eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. Regardless of global support, the responsibility remains with local program managers to implement successful elimination programs. It is well known that vaccination programs have a high probability of successful elimination if they achieve a population-coverage of 70%. It is often quoted that reducing population turnover (typically through sterilizations) raises the probability for local elimination by maintaining herd immunity for longer. Besides this, other factors that affect rabies elimination are rarely mentioned. This paper investigates the probability for local elimination as it relates to immunity, fecundity, dog population size, infectivity (bite rates), in-migration of immune-naïve dogs, and the initial incidence. To achieve this, an individual-based, stochastic, transmission model was manipulated to create a dataset covering combinations of factors that may affect elimination. The results thereof were analysed using a logistic regression model with elimination as the dependent variable. Our results suggest that smaller dog populations, lower infectivity and lower incidence (such as when epidemics start with single introductions) strongly increased the probability for elimination at wide ranges of vaccination levels. Lower fecundity and lower in-migration had weak effects. We discuss the importance of these findings in terms of their impact and their practical application in the design of dog-mediated rabies control programs. Most guidelines for rabies control call for at least 70% vaccination coverage of dogs. This level of immunity has a very high probability for the local elimination of rabies, but it is often not an achievable ideal due to resource constraints. Campaign managers can be strategic on how they allocate their resources. Lower infectivity rates are present in areas with more restricted dog movements and have higher probabilities for elimination at lower vaccination rates. Smaller sub-populations have higher probabilities for elimination at the same vaccination coverage levels compared to larger sub-populations. Vaccinating immune corridors can divide meta-populations into smaller sub-populations that are likely to result in elimination either due to their small size or due to the local low infectivity. Areas already free of rabies require lower vaccination levels to maintain freedom compared to endemic areas. Where donors do not specifically require sterilization campaigns, funds meant for rabies control should not be diverted to sterilizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann L. Kotzé
- Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - John Duncan Grewar
- Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- jDATA (Pty) Ltd, Sandbaai, South Africa
| | - Aaron Anderson
- USDA National Wildlife Research Centre, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
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Al-Mustapha AI, Tijani AA, Bamidele FO, Muftau O, Ibrahim A, Abdulrahim I, Osu MS, Kia G, Patrick N, Endie WN. Awareness and knowledge of canine rabies: A state-wide cross-sectional study in Nigeria. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247523. [PMID: 33657138 PMCID: PMC7928438 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies is a highly fatal disease that is endemic in Nigeria. The poor community awareness and knowledge of canine rabies have thwarted the realization of zero deaths from dog mediated human rabies. This study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge of canine rabies in Kwara state. A total of 1,460 questionnaires were administered to respondents in the three senatorial zones of the state using open data kit (ODK) on mobile phones between September 2019 to January 2020. The rabies awareness rate was 38.1%. The mean knowledge score was 3.78 ± 2.15. Only 10.6% (n = 59/557) of the respondents had satisfactory knowledge of canine rabies. Respondents had poor knowledge of the mode of transmission, symptoms, prevention, and the control measures needed to eliminate canine rabies. Only 20.1% of respondents owned at least a dog. Dog owners were 3.85× (95% CI: 2.89, 5.13; p < 0.01) more likely to be aware of canine rabies and were 1.78× (95% CI: 1.22-2.60; p = 0.003) more likely to have satisfactory knowledge about canine rabies than non-dog owners. Respondents with tertiary education were at least 6.81× (95% CI: 4.24, 10.92; p < 0.01) more likely to be aware of rabies than respondents with no formal education. The findings of this study showed very low awareness and knowledge of canine rabies among residents of Kwara state. Mass sensitization of the populace on the dangers of rabies should be intensified. Such interventions should be targeted at the general public and dog owners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad I. Al-Mustapha
- Department of Veterinary Services, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ilorin, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Abubakar A. Tijani
- Department of Veterinary Services, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ilorin, Nigeria
- Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Folashade O. Bamidele
- Department of Veterinary Services, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ilorin, Nigeria
- Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Oyewo Muftau
- Department of Veterinary Services, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ilorin, Nigeria
- Nigerian Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Ahmed Ibrahim
- Department of Veterinary Services, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Abdulrahim
- Department of Veterinary Services, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Muhammad Shuaib Osu
- Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Grace Kia
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
- War Against Rabies Foundation, Abuja, Nigeria
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Melyantono SE, Susetya H, Widayani P, Tenaya IWM, Hartawan DHW. The rabies distribution pattern on dogs using average nearest neighbor analysis approach in the Karangasem District, Bali, Indonesia, in 2019. Vet World 2021; 14:614-624. [PMID: 33935406 PMCID: PMC8076469 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.614-624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Rabies is a severe progressive encephalitis disease in dogs characterized as a zoonosis. The transmission of rabies between animals in Karangasem District, Bali is still high and continues until today; therefore, rabies in the district still actively circulating. The distribution pattern of rabies, especially in the district, is unknown. This research aimed to describe the spatial distribution of rabies in Karangasem District. The information would help in developing effective control strategies for the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS An observational study was carried out using 38 positive rabies cases confirmed by the direct fluorescent antibody test diagnosed at the Disease Investigation Centre of Denpasar from September 2018 to September 2019. The Global Positioning System was used to take the geographical coordinates of the places where positive rabies cases had been confirmed in Karangasem District. The ArcGIS version 10.3 (ESRI) was used to determine and analyze the distribution pattern using the average nearest neighbor (ANN) method. RESULTS On the basis of the ANN analysis, the rabies distribution pattern in Karangasem District in 2019 was clustered in groups but not significant (Z-score=-1.670309 [<-1.65], p=0.094858 [<0.1]; nearest neighbor ratio=0.858364). The rabies distribution pattern in each subdistrict of Karangasem was dispersed significantly since it had z-score of more than 2.58, p-value less than 0.1 and nearest neighbor ratio of more than 1. CONCLUSION The rabies distribution in Karangasem District had a clustered pattern, although this was not significant. The grouping of rabies in Karangasem District showed a significant dispersed pattern in the subdistricts Abang, Bebandem, and Karangasem. The dispersed pattern of the rabies cases in the subdistricts was caused by unidentified stray dogs that lived in rice fields and other fields and by the whole district's hilly and mountainous topography. The ANN analysis suggested that for rabies control in Karangasem District, vaccination, elimination, and sterilization of stray dogs should be conducted in densely populated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heru Susetya
- Department of Epidemiology and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Prima Widayani
- Department of Geographical Information Science, Faculty of Geography, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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Wright N, Subedi D, Pantha S, Acharya KP, Nel LH. The Role of Waste Management in Control of Rabies: A Neglected Issue. Viruses 2021; 13:225. [PMID: 33535718 PMCID: PMC7912825 DOI: 10.3390/v13020225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being vaccine preventable, the global burden of dog rabies remains significant, and historically it is the rural and marginalized communities in developing countries of Africa and Asia that are most threatened by the disease. In recent years, the developing world has been experiencing unprecedented increases in urbanization, with a correspondingly massive increase in municipal solid waste generation, among other things. Inefficient and inadequate waste collection and management, due to lack of resources and planning, led to significant increases in the volumes of waste on the streets and in open dumps, where it serves as food sources for free-roaming dogs. In this commentary, we discuss examples of poor waste management and the likely impact on rabies control efforts through the sustenance of free-roaming dogs in some dog rabies-endemic countries. We aim to stress the importance of implementing strategies that effectively address this particular issue as an important component of humane dog population management, as it relates to aspirations for the control and elimination of dog rabies per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolette Wright
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0083, South Africa;
| | - Deepak Subedi
- Paklihawa Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Paklihawa, Rupandehi 32900, Nepal; (D.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Saurav Pantha
- Paklihawa Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Paklihawa, Rupandehi 32900, Nepal; (D.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Krishna Prasad Acharya
- Animal Quarantine Office (AQO), Department of Livestock Services, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal;
| | - Louis Hendrik Nel
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0083, South Africa;
- Global Alliance for Rabies Control SA NPC, Erasmus Forum A434, South Erasmus Rand, Pretoria 0181, South Africa
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Barrios CL, Bustos-López C, Pavletic C, Parra A, Vidal M, Bowen J, Fatjó J. Epidemiology of Dog Bite Incidents in Chile: Factors Related to the Patterns of Human-Dog Relationship. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:E96. [PMID: 33419043 PMCID: PMC7825333 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Dog bites are one of the main public health problems. They produce important consequences for those who suffer them (physical and psychological injuries, secondary infections, sequelae, risk of transmission of zoonoses and surgeries, among others). The objective of this study was to characterize epidemiologically the incidents of bites in Chile and the patterns of human-dog relationship involved. The records analyzed in this article were obtained from bitten patients who attended the main public health facilities in Chile during the period 17 September 2017 and 17 September 2018: In the period studied, 17,299 animal bites were recorded; however, only 7220 (41.74%) cases were analyzed in which the offending species could be identified. Of the bites analyzed, 6533 were caused by dogs (90.48%). Of these, 41.05% were caused by medium-sized dogs. Most bites were caused by dogs of mixed breeds (55.99%), followed by dogs of the German Shepherd breed (8.50%). Most of the dogs that bit were known to the victim (99.95%) and most of the attacks occurred indoors (57.48%). Although dog bite records have improved in Chile, it would be useful to also include background information on the context in which the incident occurred, which would be very useful for developing effective bite prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Luz Barrios
- Cátedra Fundación Affinity Animales y Salud, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Parque de Investigación Biomédica de Barcelona, C/Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Región Metropolitana 8580745, Chile;
| | - Carlos Bustos-López
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile, Av. Ejército Libertador 146, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 8320000, Chile;
| | - Carlos Pavletic
- Departamento de Zoonosis y Vectores, Ministerio de Salud, Enrique Mac Iver 541, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 8320064, Chile; (C.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Alonso Parra
- Departamento de Zoonosis y Vectores, Ministerio de Salud, Enrique Mac Iver 541, Santiago, Región Metropolitana 8320064, Chile; (C.P.); (A.P.)
| | - Macarena Vidal
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide 5750, Huechuraba, Región Metropolitana 8580745, Chile;
| | - Jonathan Bowen
- Queen Mother Hospital for Small Animals, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK;
| | - Jaume Fatjó
- Cátedra Fundación Affinity Animales y Salud, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Parque de Investigación Biomédica de Barcelona, C/Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
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Timing of reproduction and association with environmental factors in female free-roaming dogs in southern India. Prev Vet Med 2020; 187:105249. [PMID: 33418515 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Annual peaks in reproductive activity have been identified in multiple domestic dog populations. However, there is little evidence to describe how these peaks may be associated with environmental factors such as daylength, which plays a well-established role in breeding patterns of seasonally-reproductive species. Data were collected 2016-2020 during 7,743 and 4,681 neuter surgeries on adult female unowned free-roaming dogs in veterinary clinics in Goa and Tamil Nadu respectively. Temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and daylength data were gathered for time periods preceding the neuter surgery that may have influenced the likelihood of pregnancy (potential influence periods). A multivariable generalised additive model was used to assess the relationship between these factors and pregnancy. The prevalence of pregnancy varied by month in both locations indicating seasonality of reproduction in these groups. The annual pattern was more distinct in Goa with a peak in pregnancies between September and December. In Goa, decreasing daylength was associated with a higher probability of pregnancy (p = 0.040). Decreasing temperature was associated with decreasing probability of pregnancy in the Nilgiris (p = 0.034). Bitches had a median of 6 foetuses, with no evidence of seasonal variation. Environmental factors were associated with patterns of pregnancy in free-roaming dogs, however statistically-significant factors varied by geographical location. Establishing local seasonal patterns of breeding in free-roaming dogs and assessing their relationship with environmental influences is recommended to facilitate effective and efficient population management strategies, which aim to reduce conflict between human and free-roaming dog populations.
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Barnett KM, Civitello DJ. Ecological and Evolutionary Challenges for Wildlife Vaccination. Trends Parasitol 2020; 36:970-978. [PMID: 32952060 PMCID: PMC7498468 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Wildlife vaccination is of urgent interest to reduce disease-induced extinction and zoonotic spillover events. However, several challenges complicate its application to wildlife. For example, vaccines rarely provide perfect immunity. While some protection may seem better than none, imperfect vaccination can present epidemiological, ecological, and evolutionary challenges. While anti-infection and antitransmission vaccines reduce parasite transmission, antidisease vaccines may undermine herd immunity, select for increased virulence, or promote spillover. These imperfections interact with ecological and logistical constraints that are magnified in wildlife, such as poor control and substantial trait variation within and among species. Ultimately, we recommend approaches such as trait-based vaccination, modeling tools, and methods to assess community- and ecosystem-level vaccine safety to address these concerns and bolster wildlife vaccination campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Barnett
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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