Dog-associated husbandry practices favouring the spread of zoonotic pathogens with reference to helminth parasites in Yaounde, Cameroon
Journal Title: Scientific Journal of Veterinary Advances - Year 2012, Vol 1, Issue 5
Abstract
Dogs are the most common animal species kept around households and are also known to be source of diseases of importance to human health. The aim of this study was to determine some characteristics of dog population and husbandry practices that favour the spread of zoonotic parasites in Yaounde, Cameroon. Three hundred and twenty-two households owning at least one dog were recruited into the study. Information on dog and household characteristics as well as potential risk factors for the transmission of dog-related zoonotic parasites was collected using self-administered questionnaires. Over three-quarters of the households (76%) owned one dog each while 62% (200/322) kept dogs strictly for security reasons. Eighty four per cent (270/322) of the dogs owned were of local breed type and dominated by male dogs (64%). Twenty five per cent (80/320) of households left their dogs permanently free while 84% (240/320) declared negligence in disposing dog’s faeces. Dogs in 35.5% (114/320) of the households rarely or have never been consulted by a veterinarian. Although 242 (75%) respondents were aware of zoonotic diseases, only 51 (21%) of these knew parasites from dogs may infect human beings. The provision of a defecation site for dogs and access to living quarters were associated with household head’s level of education and care taker category, respectively. The current dog husbandry practices in Yaounde are likely to favour the spread of dog-related zoonotic diseases. Further investigations to determine the prevalence of zoonotic parasites, educational intervention as well as routine veterinary care are necessary to reduce the risk exposures to zoonotic parasites from dogs.
Authors and Affiliations
Njong| Pharmacie Vétérinaire d'Olézoa, P.O. Box 441 Yaoundé, Cameroon., S. F. Tebug*| Institute of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, University of Kiel, Germany., W. A. Abia| Division of integrated Risk Assessment Team Consult (iRATI), Integrated Health for All Foundation (IHAF), P.O. Box 31717, Biyem-Assi, Yaoundé, Cameroon., J. A. Yepka| Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP874
- DOI -
- Views 412
- Downloads 27
Participatory surveillance of livestock and poultry diseases in Agidi development area of Nasarawa state Nigeria
A participatory surveillance of livestock and poultry diseases was carried out in Agidi Development Area of Nasarawa State among 123 farmers, 29 of the respondent were female, while 94 were male. Open-ended interviews we...
Evaluation of the antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to the K9CATH peptide by the resazurin microtiter method and the reference broth microdilution method
The antimicrobial activity of the synthetic peptide K9CATH was determined by the resazurin microtitre method (RMM) and by the reference broth microdilution method (NCCLS) against a clinical mastitic isolate of S. aureus...
Analysis of the effects of cynarin and choline chloride on the metabolic processes of broilers
One of the important modifications that have been made in animal feeding is the usage of the natural feeds and the feed supplements having any negative impact on human health. Therefore there has been an increase in the...
In vitro evaluation of the acaricidal effect of vegetal oils extracted from the kernel of Thevetia peruviana and Annona muricata on the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus larvae
The objective of this work was to study the acaricide activity of oils extracted from kernels of T. peruviana and A. muricata with the hexane at different concentrations on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus larvae aged...
Identification of Babesia species and vector ticks in equine in Meyaneh area
Babesiosis, a protozoan parasitic disease, caused by different species of Babesia. They transmitted by hard ticks, and can infected domestic, wild animals and rarely human. Babesiosis is a worldwide disease and their exc...