Abstract
Cambodia is a rabid-endemic country. However, data on dog population characteristics are lacking, and there is no national dog vaccination program. We implemented the first extensive door-to-door longitudinal survey in 2 Cambodian provinces, namely Kandal and Battambang, to estimate dog population demographic parameters, identify dog ownership determinants, analyze dog management practices and estimate the yearly cumulative bite incidence and associated factors. During the first session, more than 5000 dogs were recorded and identified. Data on families, dogs and cats characteristics, as well as the number of bites experienced the year before in the family, were recorded. One year later, a second session was performed in both provinces to record missing dogs and the reasons for missing. Age-specific survival rates of the dog populations were computed using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Ownership determinants and bite risk factors were identified using a negative binomial regression model. Dog trade and dog meat consumption were often reported. We estimated high dog-to-human ratios (1:3.8 in Kandal, and 1:3.3 in Battambang). The mean age of dog populations was 26.4 months in Kandal against 24.3 in Battambang, with a survival rate of 52% at 24 months in Kandal (34% only in Battambang). They were no feral dogs, but the large majority of recorded dogs were free roaming. In both provinces, the number of dogs significantly increased in families with children younger than 15, and when the head of the family was a male. The estimated yearly cumulative bite incidences were 2.3 and 3.1% in Kandal and Battambang provinces respectively, and are among the highest in the world. Our survey provides valuable data to focus information programs, parametrize transmission models and identify efficient vaccination strategies to control rabies in Cambodia in the future.
Highlights
IntroductionRabies is a zoonotic viral disease caused by a virus in the family Rhabdoviridae
Every year, there are more than 50,000 human deaths globally due to rabies
This paper presents the results of the first large scale dog population door-to-door survey in Cambodia, with more than 5000 dogs recorded, and provides valuable data to design information programs, parametrize transmission models and identify efficient vaccination strategies to control rabies in this country in the future
Summary
Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease caused by a virus in the family Rhabdoviridae. Rabies virus is transmitted from infectious to susceptible dogs by bite, and the vast majority of human deaths worldwide are the result of bites from rabid dogs [1]. Since dogs are the main reservoir and source of infection for humans, vaccination of dogs is recognized as the most cost-effective and permanent solution to rabies prevention [5]. In areas where dog life expectancy is short, the fast dog population turnover accelerates vaccination coverage decline [8]. A high proportions of free roaming dogs, or owned but aggressive dogs may result in a substantial fraction of unvaccinated dogs [9] These unvaccinated dogs may create virus persistence pockets and jeopardize control efforts. To settle adapted and efficient dog vaccination strategies that guarantee sufficient and sustained vaccination coverage in domestic dog populations, an in-depth knowledge of the dog populations as well as an understanding of the relationships dogs have with human is crucial [11]
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