Prevalence and risk behaviours of camel brucellosis transmission in the peri-urban dairy basin of Niamey, Niger

Considered as one of the most widespread zoonoses in the world and dangerous for human and animal health, brucellosis has been studied mainly in cattle and small ruminants but rarely in camels. The lack of data in Niger on this pathology in camels has aroused particular interest given the breeding method and the dietary habits of urban and peri-urban consumers. It is in this context that we conducted the first cross-sectional study on camel brucellosis in Niger, in the peri-urban dairy basin of Niamey. The general objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of camel brucellosis and the risk behaviours for its transmission at the animal-human interface. Thus, 275 serum samples and 75 camel milk samples were collected from 20 farms in 11 peri-urban localities of Niamey. The serum samples were analysed by 2 methods, namely the Rose Bengal test and indirect ELISA. The overall seroprevalence obtained with the serum samples was 4%. All 75 milk samples tested by indirect ELISA were negative. In addition, 30 camel farmers were surveyed to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding brucellosis. The survey revealed that 96.7% of the farmers were not aware of brucellosis, the species affected and the modes of transmission. Most of participants stated that camels were in frequent contact with sheep, goats, cattle, and other species. In case of abortion, the placenta and runt are handled with bare hands and sometimes buried or thrown away. All respondents consumed raw camel milk and stated that the milk sold is not pasteurised. These elements constitute risk behaviours for the transmission of this zoonosis and urgent measures should be taken. However, epidemiological investigations must be carried out continuously in order to monitor the evolution of this major zoonosis and to establish an adapted prophylaxis that takes into account this species, in order to protect the herd but also public health. Keywords: Camel brucellosis, seroprevalence, lacto-prevalence, KAP study, Niamey-Niger

Typology, technical efficiency and scale economy of dibiteries in Dakar, Senegal

In recent years, a profound transformation has been observed in the eating habits of the populations of African cities, induced by accelerated socioeconomic and demographic growth. In Senegal, these changes have manifested in the proliferation of collective informal catering enterprises, such as the '; dibiteries; ', where the roasted meat of sheep is prepared and sold. The rise of the average household income has contributed substantially to increasing levels of meat consumption, leading to the expansion of the; dibiteries; . The purpose of the current work was to evaluate the managerial performance of these establishments in Dakar, Senegal.; To achieve this, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 ; dibiteries; using a questionnaire. Efficiency scores were determined via the data envelopment analysis method. The pure technical scores thereby obtained were subsequently used as dependent variables in a Tobit model to identify the socioeconomic determinants of; dibiterie; efficiency.; The resulting average score of the; dibiteries; suggests that the majority are operating inefficiently (79.6%). Moreover, it was demonstrated that this inefficiency seems to be related to scale rather than technical issues. However, few of the; dibiteries; assessed (20.4%) were nevertheless in a situation of constant scale economy. Among the socioeconomic variables tested, experience, leadership (family or individual-run), the ownership status of the restaurant building (own or lease) and the type of workforce (family, recruited, mixed or without) had a significant impact on the efficiency of the establishments.; The scale economy and waste reduction in food production can result in economic gains that can in turn be used in the safety of finished products. Indeed, by following best practices,; dibiteries; can make gains which could be used to invest in good hygiene practices on handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting grilling tools, optimizing work space and training staff

Brucellosis in dairy herds: a public health concern in the milk supply chains of West and Central Africa

Ten herd-level cross-sectional studies were conducted in peri-urban dairy production areas of seven West and Central African countries (Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo). The objectives were to estimate herd level Brucella spp. seroprevalence and identify risk factors for seropositivity. In each of the ten study areas, herds (between 52 and 142 per area, total = 965) were selected probabilistically and a structured questionnaire was administered to gather information on their structure and management. A bulk milk sample from each herd was tested by indirect ELISA for Brucella spp. For each area, herd seroprevalence estimates were obtained after adjusting for the assumed performance of the diagnostic test. Herd level risk factors for Brucella spp. seropositivity were identified by means of stratified logistic regression, with each peri-urban zone as a stratum. Area-specific models were also explored. Estimated herd seroprevalences were: Lomé (Togo) 62.0% (95% CI:55.0-69.0), Bamako (Mali) 32.5% (95% CI:28.0-37.0), Bujumbura (Burundi) 14.7% (95%CI:9.4-20.8), Bamenda (Cameroon) 12.6% (95% CI:7.6-21.9), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) 3.0% (95% CI:1.0-9.1), Ngaoundere (Cameroon) 2.3% (95% CI:1.0-7.0), Thies (Senegal) 1.3% (95% CI:0.1, 5.3), Niamey (Niger) 1.2% (95% CI:0.08-5.3), Dakar (Senegal) 0.2% (95% CI:0.01-1.7) and Niakhar (Senegal) <0.04%. Logistic regression modelling revealed transhumant herds to be at lower risk of infection (adjusted OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.13 - 0.5) and in one of the areas (Bamenda), regular purchase of new animals was found to be strongly associated with Brucella spp. seropositivity (adjusted OR = 5.3, 95% CI: 1.4-25.9). Our findings confirm that Brucella spp. circulates among dairy cattle supplying milk to urban consumers in West and Central Africa, posing a serious public health concern. Control programs are urgently needed in areas such as Lomé or Bamako, where more than 30% of the herds show evidence of infection

One Health training needs for Senegalese professionals to manage emerging public health threats

Global health trends, marked by increasing epidemics and pandemics, call for enhanced human resource preparedness to prevent and respond to emerging and future health problems. Indeed, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), at least 75% of the pathogens responsible for emerging and re-emerging human infectious diseases originate from animals. These health problems involve environmental, economic and social factors. Because of their multidimensional nature, addressing these health problems requires the adoption of a One Health approach. To achieve this, training of human resources is a priority.This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to 22, 2021 in 6 regions of Senegal, namely, Dakar, Thiès, Diourbel, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, and Ziguinchor. Questionnaires were administered online and in person to 217 professionals in human, environmental, animal health and agriculture. Data were statistically processed, and bivariate analyses enabled a better correlation between training needs for professionals according to their occupational group.The survey sample was 64% male and 36% female. More than half of the professionals surveyed (53.5%) had less than 10 years of experience. Human health workers were the most represented (46%), followed by animal health workers (34%) and environmental workers (16%). Agriculture, fisheries, and food security were weakly represented. Few had received training in the One Health approach and entry-level One Health skills predominated. The One Health competencies in which professionals want to build capacity differ by sector. Globally, public health and epidemiology, health risk management, basic of One Health concepts, animal health and biotechnology are the priorities.The development of training programs could then enable these expressed needs to be addressed