Community perception and knowledge of cystic echinococcosis in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a neglected zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, remains a public health issue in many developing countries that practice extensive sheep breeding. Control of CE is difficult and requires a community-based integrated approach. We assessed the communities' knowledge and perception of CE, its animal hosts, and its control in a CE endemic area of the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco. We conducted twenty focus group discussions (FGDs) stratified by gender with villagers, butchers and students in ten Berber villages that were purposefully selected for their CE prevalence. This community considers CE to be a severe and relatively common disease in humans and animals but has a poor understanding of the parasite's life cycle. Risk behaviour and disabling factors for disease control are mainly related to cultural practices in sheep breeding and home slaughtering, dog keeping, and offal disposal at home, as well as in slaughterhouses. Participants in our focus group discussions were supportive of control measures as management of canine populations, waste disposal, and monitoring of slaughterhouses. The uncontrolled stray dog population and dogs having access to offal (both at village dumps and slaughterhouses) suggest that authorities should be more closely involved in CE control. This study also highlights the need for improved knowledge about the transmission cycle of the parasite among communities and health professionals. Inter-sectoral collaboration between health staff, veterinarians, and social scientists appears to be crucial for sustainable control of this parasitic zoonosis

Abondance saisonnière des tiques (Acari / Ixodidae) infestant le bétail dans quatre régions irriguées au Maroc

A study has been conducted between April 2007 and March 2008 to identify tick species infesting cattle in four irrigated regions in Morocco and to determine their abundance and phenology. The influence of climate, type of farm, age, sex and origin of the animals on the tick infestation was analyzed. 5,777 ticks have been collected and ten species identified, Hyalomma scupense 1,544 (26.7%), Hyalomma marginatum 1,489 (25.8%), Hyalomma lusitanicum 199 (3.4%), Hyalomma excavatum 554 (6.1%), Hyalomma dromedarii 59 (1.0%), Hyalomma impeltatum 26 (0.5%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus 266 (4.6%), Rhipicephalus turanicus 232 (4.0%), Rhipicephalus bursa 391 (10.2%) and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 1,017 (17.6%). The activity of most of the species was limited to spring and summer. According to the study, age and type of farm have a significant influence on the degree of infestation of cattle by ticks, whereas the origin and sex of the animals and climate had less influence. Key words: Ticks,  Ixodidae, Cattle, Irrigated areas, MoroccoUne étude a été menée entre Avril 2007 et Mars 2008 au niveau de quatre régions irriguées du Maroc dans le but d’identifier les espèces de tiques qui infestent les bovins et de déterminer leur abondance et leur phénologie. L'influence du climat, le type d’élevage, l'âge, le sexe et la race des bovins sur l'infestation des tiques ont été analysés. 5777 tiques ont été recueillies et dix espèces identifiées, Hyalomma scupense 1544 (26,7%), Hyalomma marginatum 1489 (25,8%), Hyalomma lusitanicum 199 (3,4%), Hyalomma excavatum 554 (6,1%), Hyalomma dromedarii 59 (1,0%), Hyalomma Impeltatum 26 (0,5 %), Rhipicephalus sanguineus 266 (4,6%), Rhipicephalus turanicus 232 (4,0%), Rhipicephalus bursa 391 (10,2%) et Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 1017 (17,6%). L'activité de la plupart des espèces a été limitée au printemps et à l’été. Selon cette étude, l'âge et le type d'élevage ont une influence significative sur le degré d'infestation des bovins par les tiques, alors que l'origine et le sexe des bovins et du climat ont eu moins d'influence. Mots clés : Tiques, Ixodidae, Bovins, Zones irriguées, Maro

Seasonal abundance of ticks (Acari/ Ixodidae) infesting cattle in four irrigated regions in Morocco

A study has been conducted between April 2007 and March 2008 to identify tick species infesting cattle in four irrigated regions in Morocco and to determine their abundance and phenology. The influence of climate, type of farm, age, sex and origin of the animals on the tick infestation was analyzed. 5,777 ticks have been collected and ten species identified, Hyalomma scupense 1,544 (26.7%), Hyalomma marginatum 1,489 (25.8%), Hyalomma lusitanicum 199 (3.4%), Hyalomma excavatum 554 (6.1%), Hyalomma dromedarii 59 (1.0%), Hyalomma impeltatum 26 (0.5%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus 266 (4.6%), Rhipicephalus turanicus 232 (4.0%), Rhipicephalus bursa 391 (10.2%) and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 1,017 (17.6%). The activity of most of the species was limited to spring and summer. According to the study, age and type of farm have a significant influence on the degree of infestation of cattle by ticks, whereas the origin and sex of the animals and climate had less influence

Additional file 2: of Community perception and knowledge of cystic echinococcosis in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Illustrative quotes from the Focus Groups Discussions (a to n). Quotes (a to n) selected from the Focus Group Discussions conducted in the Hight Atlas in Morocco (October - November 2009) to illustrate the results. (DOCX 18 kb

Additional file 1: of Community perception and knowledge of cystic echinococcosis in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Focus Group Discussion guides (Men, Women and Butchers) in English. The guides elaborated for the Focus Group Discussions for each of the three group categories (Men, Women and Butchers), documented in the research protocol and translated from French to English for the purpose of this publication. (DOCX 24 kb