Assessment of abattoir workers and livestock keepers’ knowledge and practices regarding bovine tuberculosis in Senegal

Background and Aim: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major zoonosis in Senegal, accounting for 33% of all zoonotic disease reports in 2019. The aim of this study was to assess bovine TB knowledge and practices of abattoir workers in Dakar and livestock farmers in Pout. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on knowledge and practices of Dakar abattoir workers (butchers, transporters, sellers, and animal health workers) and Pout livestock farmers regarding bovine tuberculosis. R 3.2.6 was used for descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Fischer’s exact tests, and STATA 13 was used for univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results: A total of 274 abattoir workers and livestock farmers were interviewed: 103 (37.6%) from Dakar abattoir and 171 (62.4%) from Pout farms. Respondents were predominantly male (75.2%), aged 30–59 years (67.5%), and had at least 10 years of experience (51.8%). The majority (98.2%) were aware of TB, but only 31.4% knew that it was zoonotic. Only 2.5% (7/274) of participants had satisfactory TB knowledge, which differed according to study area, experience, profession, and good practice (p = 0.05). Abattoir workers were 11 times more likely than farmers to have good TB knowledge (odds ratio [OR] = 11.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–114.3). Respondents with 5–10 years of experience were 16.9 times more likely to have good knowledge of TB (OR = 16.9; 95% CI = 1.7–163.4). The majority of participants preferred raw milk (83.6%) and undercooked meat (83.6%). Only 29.6% of participants had good practices, which differed with respect to study area, gender, marital status, age, occupation, and knowledge of TB (p = 0.05). Age (OR = 3.3; 95% CI, 1.3–8.3) was identified as a good practice adoption predictor. Conclusion: Globally, there was a low level of good knowledge and practices regarding TB among respondents. There is a need for mass education through multi-sectoral collaboration between health professionals (humans and animals) using a One Health approach

Gastrointestinal parasites of baboons (Papio papio) in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal

Background: Primates can harbor parasites that could be pathogenic or not for humans and primates themselves. It is necessary to know the parasitological situation of the primates that are under surveillance in the park.Aim: To estimate the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites, including zoonotic potential parasites, in baboons in the Niokolo-Koba National Park located in Senegal.Method: Fecal samples (n = 50) from two groups of baboons (A and B) were collected in October 2019. The samples were processed using the flotation technique and the modified Ritchie method. Slides were examined microscopically and the parasite identification was based on morphology, color, and parasite content.Results: A total of seven nematodes (Strongyloides sp., Trichirus sp., Ancylostoma sp., Mammo monogamus, Enterobius sp., Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyle digestif), one cestode (Bertiella sp.), and one trematode (Fasciolopsis sp.) were identified. The overall prevalence was 78%, while the prevalence of poly-infected samples was 49%. The parasite with zoonotic potential, S. stercoralis, was identified in group B samples. Trichuris sp., which is common and pathogenic to humans and primates, was present with prevalence of 52% and of 32% in groups A and B, respectively.Conclusion: These results suggest that baboons are infested with zoonotic parasites and this situation could expose people working in this park to infection. Contact between humans and these baboons or their feces could expose them to infection with zoonotic parasites

Gastrointestinal parasites of baboons (Papio papio) in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal

Background: Primates can harbour parasites that could be pathogenic or not for humans and primates themselves. It is necessary to know the parasitological situation of the primates that are under surveillance in the park. Aim: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites, including zoonotic potential parasites, in baboons in the Niokolo-Koba National Park located in Senegal. Method: Faecal samples (n=50) from two groups of Baboons (A and B) were collected in October 2019. Faecal samples were processed using the flotation technique and the modified Ritchie method. Slides were examined microscopically, and the parasite identification was based on morphology, colour, and parasite content. Results: A total of seven nematodes (Strongyloides sp., Trichirus sp., Ancylostoma sp., Mammo monogamus, Enterobius sp., Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongle digestif), one cestode (Bertiella sp.) and one trematode (Fasciolopsis sp.) were identified. The overall prevalence was 78% while prevalence of poly-infected samples was 49%. The parasite with zoonotic potential, Strongyloides stercoralis, was identified in group B samples. Trichuris sp. which is common and pathogenic to humans and primates was present with a prevalence of 52% and of 32% in groups A and B, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that baboons are infested with zoonotic parasites and this situation could expose people working in this park to infection. Contact between humans and these baboons or their faeces could expose to infection with zoonotic parasites

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in households sheep "Elevage en case" in Dakar, Senegal

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep breeding in a particular husbandry system called "Elevage en case" in Dakar, Senegal. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 278 sheep. Serum was harvested and used for analysis. For the detection of T. gondii antibodies, 278 sera were analyzed using the modified agglutination test, while the enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay was used on 174 sheep sera to look for N. caninum antibodies. Results: This study showed that 29.4±6.8% of sheep carried both T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies. The overall prevalence was 60.1±5.7% and 41.9±7.3% for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis, respectively. For toxoplasmosis, the prevalence was higher in Gueule Tapée (63.3%) than in Medina (58.9%), but the variation was not significant (p=0.45). Regarding the age of animals, the prevalence was significantly higher in animals over 2 years old compared to those under 2 years old (p=0.002). For neosporosis, the prevalence was significantly higher in Medina (48.67%) than Gueule Tapée (16.7%) (p=0.001), but non-significant variation was noted according to animal age. Conclusion: The study showed that sheep reared in households have carried antibodies of T. gondii and N. caninum. The prevalence was high and it means that consumption of meat from these animals is risky if the meat is eaten undercooked

Assessing factors associated with owner's individual decision to vaccinate their dogs against rabies: A house-to-house survey in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Background and Aim: In rabies endemic area, dog vaccination is an effective way of controlling the disease in animals and humans if a minimum of 70% vaccination coverage is reached. This study aimed to identify dog demographics and household characteristics associated with dogs' vaccination against rabies in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents with regard to their dogs' demographics and their household characteristics. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were performed to assess the association between explicative variables and the dogs' vaccination status. Results: Overall, as per the findings of this study, it was determined that out of 424 dogs, 57.8% were reportedly vaccinated. The vaccination status was significantly associated with most of the household variables (e.g., gender of the respondent, age, level of education, main means of transportation, participation in a vaccination campaign, knowledge on rabies, and knowledge on dog vaccination) and the dogs' variables (breed of dog, dog origin, purpose for keeping, confinement status, and perceived behavior) (p0.05). Conclusion: Our study generated informative data showing that animal health workers could develop effective rabies vaccination strategy planning by examining owned dog demographics and their husbandry practices in households

Rabies epidemiology and community knowledge, attitudes and practices in Burkina Faso

Rabies is an endemic zoonosis in developing countries and is one of the most virulent and deadly viral diseases. It is a threat to public and animal health in Burkina Faso. This cross-sectional study describes the epidemiology of rabies and the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of the populations in Ouagadougou. Data were collected from households and technical services involved in the prevention, control and surveillance of human and animal rabies. The KAP survey was conducted among 616 households. It showed that the majority of participants had heard of human (80.7%) and animal (94.6%) rabies, were aware that the disease is mainly transmitted by infected dog bites (94.2%), and were able to quote at least two routes of rabies transmission (65.7%). In contrast, only 9.7% of dog owners claimed to be able to afford annual canine rabies vaccination. The main channels of information and communication about rabies used by the participants were friends and family (41.8%), school (33.4%), and media 24.8%). As for the retrospective epidemiological study, which was based on the documents vailable within national services, it showed that an average of 4172 cases of bites were recorded each year, that only 31.7% of those bitten had received complete post-exposure prophylaxis, and that 68% of the animal tested were positive for rabies virus. These studies confirm the presence of a rabies risk in the country, and show the need for increased education and community involvement, and close collaboration between the animal and human health sectors for integrated bite-case management

Prevalence and risk factors of wax moth in bee colonies in the Central and Central-West regions of Burkina Faso: pilot study

Beekeeping is a very old practice in Burkina Faso and has many advantages, including the availability of honey resources, of endogenous knowledge and support from public policies. However, it faces challenges, including health problems, which are poorly documented. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2019 in the Central and Central-west regions of Burkina Faso to determine the prevalence and risk factors of wax moth in bee colonies. A total of 200 modern hives were visited of which 106 were colonized or previously colonized. Methods of observation and inspection of the hives were used to search for witnesses of the wax moth infestation: eggs, larvae, pupae cocoons, woven silk cloth, gallery in wax or adult butterflies. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information on beekeepers and apiaries characteristics. An inspection sheet was used to record observations made during the inspection of the hives. The results revealed that the average size was 18 hives by apiary. Hives used were Kenyan, Dadant, and rectangular frame hives with a colonization rate of 53%. The overall prevalence of wax moth was 23.6% [15.5-31.7%]. Other predators/pests were observed in 43.4% of the hives, the main ones being beetles (25.5%) and ants (17%). The analysis of the radio adjusted odds ratio showed the absence of risk factors among the modalities of the studied variables. In view of the results of this pilot study, more extensive studies could be carried out to have a better understanding of the epidemiology of the infestation and its possible impact that it can have on honey production

Adoption of the One Health approach to improve zoonosis control in low-income countries: Insights from the case of rabies management in Burkina Faso

Background and Aim: Rabies is a neglected zoonotic disease transmissible to humans and domestic and wild animals through biting, scratching, or licking. This study aimed to analyze the adoption of the One Health approach by the stakeholders involved in rabies control in Burkina Faso. Materials and Methods: The stakeholders involved in rabies control were from the Ministry of ivestock, Ministry of Health, Ministry of the Territory Administration, Ministry of Environment and Wildlife, and Ministry of Higher Education and Research. A structured questionnaire was used in face-to-face interviews to collect data from the stakeholders. The collected data included stakeholders’ knowledge of rabies and the One Health approach and their levels of involvement in the multisectoral collaboration. Results: Most participants could not describe rabies correctly (80%), and only 52.9% had heard of the One Health approach. In addition, there was no significant association between knowledge of rabies and participants’ characteristics, and the knowledge of the One Health approach was significantly influenced by a participant’s affiliation (place of work). Conclusion: The results call for an increase in One Health education for its effective adoption by all the rabies control stakeholders. Additional efforts should focus on continual training of the One Health workforce, from policy-makers to frontline personnel