Abstract
This study traces the biosocial dynamics of Echinococcus granulosus - a zoonotic tapeworm spread between dogs, livestock and people - at slaughterhouses in Morocco. One of the most important parasitic zoonoses worldwide, this neglected cestode is responsible for a debilitating, potentially life-threatening, human disease and significant livestock production losses. Transmission can be interrupted, among other ways, by restricting dogs from eating cyst-infected livestock viscera. Recent epidemiological studies in Sidi Kacem province, northern Morocco, found that government-operated slaughterhouses were 'hotspots' for hydatid cysts in livestock and infection in dogs. An ethnographic approach was used to compliment these studies, exploring 'how' and 'why' cysts were being openly discarded. All seven visited slaughterhouses had low levels of hygiene, oversight and infrastructure. This was described locally as perpetuating a sense of 'chaos' that normalized (un)hygienic practices and justified the ignoring of state rules and regulations. However deference to 'poor' infrastructure, both physically and symbolically, served to under-emphasize local institutional logics, which were mediated by prevailing risk perceptions, economic practices and local socio-political norms. These included inter-departmental government relationships, the motivation of veterinary technicians, the political lobbying of butchers and market-based mitigation strategies. The study shows the importance of understanding E. granulosus from a biosocial perspective, and the need for more long-term, participatory and integrated 'One Health' approaches for neglected zoonotic diseases.
Highlights
Echinococcus granulosus is a zoonotic tapeworm with a worldwide distribution
Recent epidemiological studies undertaken as part of the EU-funded Integrated Control of Neglected Zoonoses (ICONZ) project included: a slaughterhouse-based study (2009–2013) 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; and an additional parasitological study where a strong correlation between high infection rates in dogs and proximity to slaughterhouses was observed
Walls, doors and piped water, most were more than 40 years old, in various degrees of disrepair and lacking infrastructure components deemed essential for cystic echinococcosis (CE) control (Table 1)
Summary
Echinococcus granulosus is a zoonotic tapeworm with a worldwide distribution. There is a sylvatic cycle, most transmission occurs between dogs, livestock and people. 2–7 mm in length, live in the small intestine of dogs (their definitive hosts). When gravid proglottids release eggs (which move down the intestines due to peristalsis) they are shed in dog faeces. Small ruminants and cattle grazing on contaminated pastures ingest these eggs; immature tapeworms migrate to the visceral organs of these animals, notably the liver and lungs, where they form large, thick-walled cysts. The dog–livestock transmission cycle is complete when these infected organs are not safely disposed of, and are consumed by dogs. Budke et al (2006) estimated the annual economic impact of organ condemnation and associated production losses at US$2.19 billion The dog–livestock transmission cycle is complete when these infected organs are not safely disposed of, and are consumed by dogs. Budke et al (2006) estimated the annual economic impact of organ condemnation and associated production losses at US$2.19 billion
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