Zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths from pets in Ethiopia

A literature review published from 2000-2019

Abstract

Introduction: Gastrointestinal helminths are one of the most neglected tropical diseases and our close contact relation with pet animals puts us in the worst risk of parasitism with zoonotic helminths.

Objectives:  To briefly present some literature data concerning zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths burden in humans and animals, its prevalence in pets, potential risk factors and ways of proper control and prevention measures.

Methods: Systematic review of all published scientific pieces of evidence on zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths in pets from 2000-2019 in different parts of Ethiopia were addressed.

Results: The overall prevalence was 64 to 85.6% and at species level 0 to 61% for dog Tapeworm, 32 to 76% for dog Hookworm, and 17 to 61.5% dog/cat was recorded. Ascarids and other major zoonotic helminths were reviewed from different studies conducted on pets in Ethiopia. The potential risk factors associated with gastrointestinal helminths zoonosis from pets were lack of pets’ health care (deworming), existence of abundant stray dogs with more than 90.7% of parasitism and lack of community awareness on dog parasitism with zoonotic potential on public health. Regular deworming program for pets, counseling and community educations on how to manage dogs and to minimize close humans-pets contact were reviewed, as control measures.

Conclusion: This literature review provided a brief overview on the consequence of zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths in pets and humans, trend analysis in pets and its potential associated risk factors as well as ways of possible control measures. Further studies, collaboration, and coordination among multi-discipline, community awareness creations and dog population management (registration of owned dogs to eliminate stray one) were suggested.