Veterinary urban hygiene: a challenge for India

Ghatak, Sandeep; Banga, H. S.; Gill, James S.

doi:10.20506/rst.32.3.2251

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The presence of scavenging/stray pigs and lack of sewage disposal in urban slums make it a serious zoonosis in India (6,7) and illegal and uninspected slaughtering of pigs perpetuates the transmission cycle (8). Human neurocysticercosis is considered to be an emerging disease and one of the principal causes of epilepsy in India (9,10).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of porcine cysticercosis in naturally infected pigs (Sus scrofa) in Punjab, India

Chawhan¹,

Sharma²,

Gill³

2015

Rev. Sci. Tech. OIE

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Porcine cysticercosis is a serious zoonosis in resource poor countries.Despite the evidence showing that the disease is endemic in the Punjab region of India, molecular characterisation of Taenia solium cysticercosis from naturally infected pigs has not been carried out.The authors examined a total of 519 pigs slaughtered in small slaughter shops (shops that sell meat from animals that are slaughtered on the premises as the customer waits) in the urban slums of Punjab state in northern India. The expected polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products with molecular sizes of 286 bp, 420 bp, 1150 bp and 333 bp corresponding to the targeted large subunit rRNA, cytochrome oxidase 1, internal transcribed spacer 1, and diagnostic antigen Ts14 genes, respectively, were amplified from the cysts collected from all 22 infected carcasses. The detection limits for the respective primers (except those targeting the Ts14 gene) were estimated. The analytical sensitivities of both the TBR and JB primers (targeting the rRNA and cytochrome oxidase genes, respectively) were found to be higher (10 pg) than that of the internal transcribed spacer 1 gene (1 ng) primers. Ten representative samples from cytochrome oxidase 1 gene amplified products were sequenced in both directions for phylogenetic analysis. Sequencing demonstrated that all cysticerci were of the Rev. Sci. Tech. Off. Int. Epiz., 34 (3) 2 No. 05102015-00063-EN 2/16 Asian genotype of T. solium and not of the African/Latin American genotype or T. asiatica. The results confirm the presence of T. solium porcine cysticercosis in Punjab state and there is therefore an urgent need for science-based policies for prevention and control of this serious zoonosis.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of porcine cysticercosis in naturally infected pigs (Sus scrofa) in Punjab, India

Chawhan¹,

Sharma²,

Gill³

2015

Rev. Sci. Tech. OIE

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“…There are estimated to be 25,754 unregistered slaughterhouses in India presents an opportunity to increase the trade and export potential of developing countries such as India (48,69).…”

Section: Unauthorised Slaughter In Indiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A number of zoonoses, such as avian influenza, Nipah virus infection and leptospirosis are known to be emerging or re-emerging (78,79). Certain other zoonoses are believed to be associated with the illegal slaughter and improper disposal of animals (48). Moreover, the large numbers of stray animals in India are also considered potential sources for the spread of zoonotic infection (48,80,81,82).…”

Section: Zoonotic Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Veterinary public health in India: current status and future needs

Ghatak¹

2015

Rev. Sci. Tech. OIE

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Veterinary public health (VPH) assumes huge significance in developing countries such as India. However, the implementation of VPH services throughout the country is still in its infancy. From 1970 onwards, many institutes, national and international organisations, professional societies, policies and personalities have contributed towards the development of VPH in India. However, there is an urgent need to develop VPH still further as there are many issues, such as high population density, the re-emergence of zoonotic pathogens, environmental pollution and antimicrobial resistance, that require attention. The time has surely come to involve all stakeholders, ranging from primary producers (e.g. farmers) to policy-makers, so as to garner support for the holistic implementation of VPH services in India. To improve VPH activities and services, there is an urgent need to develop sound, science-based strategies enforced through stringent regulation to improve human, animal and environmental health. The emergence of the 'One Health' concept has ushered in new hopes for the resurrection of VPH in India. Applying tools such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies and the No. 29092015-00062-EN 2/33 OIE Tool for the Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS Tool) is essential to improve the quality of national Veterinary Services and to identify gaps and weaknesses in service provision, which can be remedied to comply with the OIE international standards. VPH initiatives started modestly but they continue to grow. The present review is focused on the current status and future needs of VPH in India.

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“…In urban areas, they then forage on garbage dumps, potentially consuming plastics and wires, as well as potentially suffering fatal traffic injuries [1]. Abandoning of cows in streets is contentious as these cows are often injured, even causing human mortality, and potentially causing a public health risks to humans and animals [2,3]. According to the Indian government, stray animals caused 1604 road accidents in 2016, leading to 629 human deaths [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Management of Cow Shelters (Gaushalas) in India, Including the Attitudes of Shelter Managers to Cow Welfare

Sharma

Schuetze

Phillips

2020

Animals

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Gaushala management is a specialized profession requiring particular skills relating to the management of cow shelters or gaushalas, which are traditional and ancient Indian institutions that shelter old, unproductive and abandoned cows, The 1800 registered cow shelters in India have managers who are important stakeholders in the management of cows in these unique institutions. It is important to survey the routine management of these shelters and attitudes of the managers towards cow welfare to identify the constraints and welfare issues. We visited 54 shelters in six states of India for a face-to-face structured interview of the managers. Quantitative data collection included questions on demographics, routine management operations, protocols followed in the shelters and attitudes of the managers towards cow welfare. All shelters except one were managed by males, half of them were in the age range of 45–65 years, were university graduates or post-graduates, with 5–15 years shelter management experience, and with the majority having lived in rural areas for most of their lives. Each shelter housed a median of 232 cattle were housed, out of which 13 were lactating cows. The majority of managers vaccinated their animals against endemic diseases like foot and mouth disease, haemorrhagic septicaemia and black quarter (gangraena emphysematosa) and administered endo-and ectoparasiticidal treatments, however, hardly any screened the cattle for brucellosis and tuberculosis. Only 17% of the shelters had in house veterinarians and most cows died of old age, with an annual mortality rate of 14%. The majority of the shelters allowed the cows to reproduce. Access to pasture was available in only 41% of the shelters, while most allowed some access to yards. Most (57%) had limited biosecurity measures, but 82% of the shelters disposed of the carcasses by deep burial on their own premises or through the municipality, with 18% disposing of them in open spaces or nearby creeks. About one half of the shelters maintained records of the protocols followed routinely. Charitable societies ran half of the shelters, mostly through public donations, with accounts audited regularly. Most managers thought that shelter cows’ welfare was important and that they should attempt to improve it. They were less in agreement that their knowledge of animal welfare was adequate. Local support, more moral than financial, was recognized more than government support. Managers perceived cow welfare as important from a religious perspective, citing the mother god and caring for abandoned animals as frequent themes in their definition of cow welfare. Caring for animals, mother and goddess were key elements in managers’ perception of animal welfare. The recommendations arising from this survey include that the shelter managers should be involved in the decision-making process for the welfare of cows in shelters, which is vital for the sustainability of these unique institutions. Welfare could be improved by strict compliance with biosecurity measures and disease surveillance protocols, avoidance of unrestricted reproduction in cows and separation of males and females.

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Veterinary urban hygiene: a challenge for India

Cited by 16 publications

References 36 publications

Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of porcine cysticercosis in naturally infected pigs (Sus scrofa) in Punjab, India

Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of porcine cysticercosis in naturally infected pigs (Sus scrofa) in Punjab, India

Veterinary public health in India: current status and future needs

The Management of Cow Shelters (Gaushalas) in India, Including the Attitudes of Shelter Managers to Cow Welfare

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