1
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu X, Yang Y, Kling C, Seigler L, Gallardo-Romero NF, Martin BE, Smith TG, Olson VA. Inactivated Rabies Virus-Vectored Immunocontraceptive Vaccine in a Thermo-Responsive Hydrogel Induces High and Persistent Antibodies against Rabies, but Insufficient Antibodies against Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone for Contraception. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7030073. [PMID: 31349649 PMCID: PMC6789544 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7030073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies is preventable through vaccination, but the need to mount annual canine vaccination campaigns presents major challenges in rabies control and prevention. The development of a rabies vaccine that ensures lifelong immunity and animal population management in one dose could be extremely advantageous. A nonsurgical alternative to spay/neuter is a high priority for animal welfare, but irreversible infertility in one dose has not been achieved. Towards this goal, we developed a rabies virus-vectored immunocontraceptive vaccine ERA-2GnRH, which protected against rabies virus challenge and induced >80% infertility in mice after three doses in a live, liquid-vaccine formulation (Wu et al., 2014). To improve safety and use, we formulated an inactivated vaccine in a thermo-responsive chitosan hydrogel for one-dose delivery and studied the immune responses in mice. The hydrogel did not cause any injection site reactions, and the killed ERA-2GnRH vaccine induced high and persistent rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (rVNA) in mice. The rVNA in the hydrogel group reached an average of 327.40 IU/mL, more than 200 times higher than the liquid vaccine alone. The Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antibodies were also present and lasted longer in the hydrogel group, but did not prevent fertility in mice, reflecting a possible threshold level of GnRH antibodies for contraception. In conclusion, the hydrogel facilitated a high and long-lasting immunity, and ERA-2GnRH is a promising dual vaccine candidate. Future studies will focus on rabies protection in target species and improving the anti-GnRH response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xianfu Wu
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch/DHCPP/NCEZID, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
| | - Yong Yang
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch/DHCPP/NCEZID, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
- ARK Temporary Staffing, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, USA
| | - Chantal Kling
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch/DHCPP/NCEZID, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
| | - Laurie Seigler
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch/DHCPP/NCEZID, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
- ARK Temporary Staffing, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, USA
| | - Nadia F Gallardo-Romero
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch/DHCPP/NCEZID, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Brock E Martin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch/DHCPP/NCEZID, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Todd G Smith
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch/DHCPP/NCEZID, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Victoria A Olson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch/DHCPP/NCEZID, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| |
Collapse
|