Public health education/importance and experience from the field. Educational impact of community-based ultrasound screening surveys

Zoonotic Encounters at the Slaughterhouse: Pathways and Possibilities for the Control of Cystic Echinococcosis in Northern Morocco

“…The clandestine sale of meat (as opposed to home-based slaughter and consumption) is, for the most part, done only on an ad hoc basis, and is considered relatively rare. Unlike previous studies in the Middle Atlas Mountains where CE prevalence is related to pastoralism and home slaughter (Kachani et al, 2003), research in Sidi Kacem appears to show that most transmission is driven by practices at local slaughter-houses. Recent epidemiological studies undertaken as part of the EU-funded Integrated Control of Neglected Zoonoses (ICONZ) project (http://www.iconzafrica.org) included: a slaughterhouse-based study (2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)) that found 42.9% of cattle, 11% of sheep and 1.5% of goats were infected with hydatid cysts; a parasitological survey showing a 9.24% infection rate in dogs (which number roughly 20,000 in the province as a whole); and an additional parasitological study where a strong correlation between high infection rates in dogs and proximity to slaughterhouses was observed (unpublished data, ICONZ).…”

“…In 2004, 1701 human cases of CE were reported in the country (5.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) with a 2% mortality rate (CILCH, 2007). However, large-scale active surveillance studies using ultrasound in the Middle Atlas Mountains have shown a much higher 1% human prevalence (Kachani et al, 2003).…”

“…Interventions could focus on education at schools surrounding slaughterhouses, more formalized media education before Muslim festivals (i.e. Eid El Kebir) to address home slaughter, and ultrasound surveys to assess under-reporting in villages with high dog infection rates, as undertaken by Kachani et al (2003) in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Presently, the economics and efficacy of an integrated dog-zoonoses control strategy is being evaluated in Sidi Kacem by the ICONZ project, using rabies vaccination, long-acting insecticidal collars for leishmaniasis and anthelmintic treatment for CE (http://www.iconzafrica.org).…”

Global Distribution of Alveolar and Cystic Echinococcosis

“…The main drivers for CE transmission in Morocco (Kachani et al, 2003;Azlaf et al, 2007;Dakkak, 2010) have identified the high number of stray dogs and close proximity of un-dewormed owned dogs living with humans and livestock; behaviours and practices of the rural population; poor human hygiene practice; the infected environment (soil, food, drinking water) with Echinococcus eggs; animal slaughtering in fields or at home for family and religious occasions; abattoirs lacking appropriate facilities and hygiene to which free-roaming dogs have easily access. In Algeria, CE is primarily maintained by a synanthropic cycle involving domestic dogs and livestock (sheep and cattle), where dogs are fed offal discarded from animals slaughtered for human consumption (Kouidri et al, 2012).…”

Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of zoonotic cestode infections: an update

“…Ultrasound surveys are usually appealing to rural communities where the technique is generally appreciated by its application in a wide range of medical areas. The qualities of the ultrasound test (painless, non-invasive, and providing instant results) are also attractive to participants during such surveys and the majority of the population in a selected study area choose to be screened (Kachani et al 2003). Other imaging techniques such as computer tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) are confined to inpatients suspected of cysticercosis, CE, AE or other cystic lesions (e.g.…”