Socio-Ecological Approach of Dog-borne zoonotic diseases in Southeast Asia – SEA-dog-SEA
Socio-Ecological Approach of Dog-borne zoonotic diseases in Southeast Asia
Dog was the first domesticated animal, and it is currently the most widespread and abundant human commensal, especially in Asia where it plays an important role of reservoir for major public health infectious threats, such as rabies. Dog-borne zoonosis are neglected, with major knowledge gaps regarding socio-cultural and ecological determinants of dog-human interactions in SE Asia, to improve dog populations management for human, animal and environmental health benefits.
Documenting social-ecological drivers of dog-borne zoonotic diseases to improve human, animal and environment healths in SE Asia
The general objective of SEA-dog-SEA project is to collect and analyse new epidemiological, ecological and social data on dog-human relationships in rural and semi-urban areas in three countries in SEA, in order to design improved awareness, surveillance and control programmes of major dog-associated zoonotic diseases.<br />The experimental setting is based on the comparison among rural and semi-urban study sites selected in Indonesia, with complementary sites in Cambodia and Thailand, focusing on targeted dog-associated zoonotic diseases (rabies, leptospirosis and cysticercosis…)<br />The specific objectives of the field activities were initially set as:<br />1. Assess community perceptions and practices: dog ownership and classification (e.g. individually owned/stray-collectively owned/wild-feral not owned…), folk dog ecology, perceived roles in disease transmission, management of dog health and reproduction, economic and cultural values.<br />2. Evaluate local free-roaming dog populations, distribution and contacts in order to model potential disease transmission: population size and dynamics, movements and contact patterns of selected dogs using GPS collars to monitor dog ranges and contacts network (among dogs, between dogs and owners)<br />3. Monitor zoonotic pathogens in dogs: shared microbiome (among dogs, between dogs and owners), prevalence of echinococcosis and leptospirosis in selected dog populations, and rickettsiosis and/or Japanese encephalitis in some of the sites to assess the potential role of dogs as sentinels.
The field surveys combine: i) dog ecology, population dynamics and contact network (GPS tracking, camera traps); ii) dog shared microbiome and prevalence of selected dog-borne diseases (e.g. leptospirosis, internal helminths and rickettsia); iii) perceptions and practices of local populations regarding dog keeping and management (anthropology, social-network of owners…): iv) modelling of multi-layered networks and zoonotic risks associated with dogs.
The project adopts an interdisciplinary approach to analyse the linkages between dogs’ spatial behaviour and population dynamics with the socio-cultural and environmental characteristics of the study sites. The movements and distribution of selected dogs will be assessed during radio-tracking sessions using GPS collars, combined with camera-trap monitoring of marked/unmarked dog populations. A questionnaire survey (translated in Balinese/Thai/Khmer), key-informants interviews and participatory mapping will be carried out in the participating villages in order to assess local perceptions and practices regarding dog keeping and management. The screening of zoonotic pathogens in selected dogs will use various standardised laboratory diagnostic techniques (rabies antibodies, leptospirosis, rickettsiosis… depending on the sites), while NGSs will be used to analyse the microbiota of sympatric free-ranging dogs based on faecal samples collected. The analysis of contact networks between dogs, and associated social networks between dog-owners, will aim at identifying key individuals/”superspreaders” and key areas/resources to target the management of spill-over risks. The comparisons between countries will highlight the main drivers of dog-associated zoonotic risks and allow for improved management of dog populations for better prevention of spill-over risks.
NA: Ongoing project until March 2023
NA: Ongoing project until March 2023
Ongoing project until March 2023
Publications and communications
ARTAMA, W.T., ..., DE GARINE-WICHATITSKY, M. 2020 Serological and molecular study of dog borne disease in rural area of Sibetan Village, Karang Asem Regency, Bali. Veterinary Science Innovation For Ecosystem Health And Resilience, October 30th-31st, 2020 Malang, Indonesia
DE GARINE-WICHATITSKY, M. et al. 2020. Will the COVID-19 crisis trigger a One Health coming-of-age? The Lancet Planetary Health, 4(9), e377-e378, doi.org:10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30179-0
DE GARINE-WICHATITSKY, M., et al 2019. Operationalising Socio-Ecological System Health: examples of dog control and management of wildlife-livestock interfaces in the Philippines_ 3rd Pan Asian One Health International Conference. March 26 to 28, 2019. University of the Philippines Diliman Quezon City
DE GARINE-WICHATITSKY, M., PHONPHOEM, ...ARTAMA, W., WIDARTONO, B., CHEVALIER, V., ... MORAND, S. Socio-ecology of dog-borne zoonotic diseases in SE Asia: preliminary results of free-roaming dogs monitoring. Highlight Topic oral presentation. TICA International Seminar: Innovative Animal Health, organized by Faculty of Veterinary technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand. 1st December 2020
LOIRE, E., DE GARINE-WICHATITSKY, M., ARTAMA, W., WIDARTONO, B., CHEVALIER, V. Retrouve mon chien (errant) à Bali et au Cambodge. Short oral case study presentation (E. Loire). 2021. Journée Scientifique IA et Biodiversité. Labex Cemeb et Numev. 30th March 2021. e-workshop and Montpellier, France.
LUNGTEN, L., et al 2021. Knowledge and Perception of Rabies Among School Children in Rabies Endemic Areas of South Bhutan. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis., 6, 28. DOI:10.3390/tropicalmed6010028
THYS, S., ... WAYAN ARTAMA, DE DE GARINE-WICHATITSKY, M. 2019. Towards One Health management of Rabies in Bali: A preliminary socio-ecological approach to dog monitoring and management in Nusa Penida, Indonesia. Biodiversity And Health - ARSOM, 6th December 2019, Brussels, Belgium
Project coordination
Michel Garine-Wichatitsky (Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Ecosystèmes)
The author of this summary is the project coordinator, who is responsible for the content of this summary. The ANR declines any responsibility as for its contents.
Partnership
University of Liège
Gadjah Mada University
ASTRE Animal, Santé, Territoires, Risques et Ecosystèmes
Help of the ANR 49,999 euros
Beginning and duration of the scientific project:
September 2019
- 36 Months
