1
|
Mapatse M, Sabeta C, Fafetine J, Abernethy D. Knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) and control of rabies among community households and health practitioners at the human-wildlife interface in Limpopo National Park, Massingir District, Mozambique. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010202. [PMID: 35255083 PMCID: PMC8929695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease that kills more than 26,000 people each year in Africa. In Mozambique, poverty and inadequate surveillance result in gross underreporting and ineffective control of the disease in animals and people. Little is known of the role of human attitudes and behaviour in prevention or control of rabies, thus this study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst selected households and health practitioners in one affected area, the Limpopo National Park (LNP), Massingir district. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 233 households in eight villages in LNP and among 42 health practitioners from eight health facilities in Massingir district between 2016 and 2018. Consenting household representatives aged 18 years or over were purposively selected. A KAP survey was administered to obtain information on dog ownership and knowledge of rabies, host species affected, modes of transmission, symptoms, recommended treatment and preventive methods. Similar to household study participants, health practitioners were purposively selected and completed the questionnaire during the investigators’ visit. The questionnaire sought information on knowledge of rabies, management of bite wounds, vaccination sites and schedules of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were performed using SPSS software version 18.0. Results Approximately twenty per cent (18.9%; 95% CI: 14.3–24.3) and 13.3% (95% CI: 9.4–18.1) of households had good knowledge and practices of rabies, respectively. For health practitioners, only 16.7% (95% CI: 7.5–31.9) had good knowledge, whilst 33.3% (95% CI: 20.0–49.7) adopted adequate attitudes/practices towards the disease. Conclusions/Significance In conclusion, both households and health practitioners displayed poor levels of knowledge and adopted bad attitudes and practices towards rabies. The former, had more gaps in their attitudes and practices towards the disease. Village location and education level (P < .05) and similarly, sex and occupation, were found to be statistically associated with good knowledge of rabies among households as compared to HPs. Overall, a lack of community-based education and professional retraining courses contribute significantly to poor awareness of rabies in the LNP of Mozambique. Enhancing public health knowledge should consequently reduce dog-mediated human rabies deaths in this country. In Mozambique, rabies is maintained primarily by the domestic dog, the principal vector and host species responsible for the majority of human cases dating back to the early 1900s. Control of animal rabies has historically been undertaken by government veterinary authorities, with limited involvement of the health and environment sectors. In the Massingir District in general, and in Limpopo National Park (LNP) in particular, parenteral dog rabies mass-vaccination campaigns and the provision of post-exposure prophylaxis are inconsistent. Limited resources for dog vaccination campaigns, insufficient veterinary field staff, inefficient disease notification procedures and inadequate training of health practitioners constraint effective rabies control across the country. Awareness of good practices regarding management of bite wounds among local community members and health practitioners is crucial to reducing rabies deaths. The results obtained in this study will inform government policy on practical interventions in the control of dog and human rabies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milton Mapatse
- Veterinary Faculty, University Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
- * E-mail:
| | - Claude Sabeta
- Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, OIE Rabies Reference Laboratory, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - José Fafetine
- Veterinary Faculty, University Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
- Centre of Biotechnology (CB-UEM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Darrell Abernethy
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Aberystwyth School of Veterinary Science, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Warembourg C, Fournié G, Abakar MF, Alvarez D, Berger-González M, Odoch T, Wera E, Alobo G, Carvallo ETL, Bal VD, López Hernandez AL, Madaye E, Maximiano Sousa F, Naminou A, Roquel P, Hartnack S, Zinsstag J, Dürr S. Predictors of free-roaming domestic dogs' contact network centrality and their relevance for rabies control. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12898. [PMID: 34145344 PMCID: PMC8213792 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92308-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Free roaming domestic dogs (FRDD) are the main vectors for rabies transmission to humans worldwide. To eradicate rabies from a dog population, current recommendations focus on random vaccination with at least 70% coverage. Studies suggest that targeting high-risk subpopulations could reduce the required vaccination coverage, and increase the likelihood of success of elimination campaigns. The centrality of a dog in a contact network can be used as a measure of its potential contribution to disease transmission. Our objectives were to investigate social networks of FRDD in eleven study sites in Chad, Guatemala, Indonesia and Uganda, and to identify characteristics of dogs, and their owners, associated with their centrality in the networks. In all study sites, networks had small-world properties and right-skewed degree distributions, suggesting that vaccinating highly connected dogs would be more effective than random vaccination. Dogs were more connected in rural than urban settings, and the likelihood of contacts was negatively correlated with the distance between dogs' households. While heterogeneity in dog's connectedness was observed in all networks, factors predicting centrality and likelihood of contacts varied across networks and countries. We therefore hypothesize that the investigated dog and owner characteristics resulted in different contact patterns depending on the social, cultural and economic context. We suggest to invest into understanding of the sociocultural structures impacting dog ownership and thus driving dog ecology, a requirement to assess the potential of targeted vaccination in dog populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Warembourg
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | | | | | - Danilo Alvarez
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Monica Berger-González
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Terence Odoch
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ewaldus Wera
- Kupang State Agricultural Polytechnic (Politeknik Pertanian Negeri Kupang), West Timor, Indonesia
| | - Grace Alobo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Enos Madaye
- Institut de Recherche en Elevage pour le Développement, N'Djaména, Chad
| | - Filipe Maximiano Sousa
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Abakar Naminou
- Institut de Recherche en Elevage pour le Développement, N'Djaména, Chad
| | - Pablo Roquel
- Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Sonja Hartnack
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jakob Zinsstag
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brookes VJ, Degeling C, van Eeden LM, Ward MP. What Is a Dingo? The Phenotypic Classification of Dingoes by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Residents in Northern Australia. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10071230. [PMID: 32698324 PMCID: PMC7401616 DOI: 10.3390/ani10071230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dingoes are an Australian icon with cultural, as well as ecological, value, yet defining a dingo is complicated by hybridisation with domestic dogs. Northern Australia is a high-risk zone for the arrival of rabies, a disease which affects dogs (including dingoes) and people. In a rabies outbreak, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who live in this region would want dingoes protected. We visited the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), Queensland, in 2018–2019 and surveyed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents about how they define dingoes, using pictures from camera traps previously placed and operated in the area. We found that dingo definition was based on characteristics traditionally associated with the iconic dingo (medium to large-framed dogs, with a long nose, pointed ears, narrow abdomen, bushy tail, smooth tan coats, and white feet and tail tip) but hybrid features, such as curled tail or a lack of white points, were also acceptable features. Local definitions are important when designing and implementing management plans so that actions are supported by local communities, and our findings are a useful guide for identifying dingoes in the NPA so that, in the event of a rabies outbreak, locally valued dingoes could be identified and protected. Abstract Dingo classification and management is complicated by hybridisation with domestic dogs. Northern Australia is a relatively high-risk zone for a rabies incursion, and in the event of an incursion, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who reside in this region would prioritise the protection of dingoes. Therefore, the classification of dingoes in this context is important. Twelve pictures of canids with features associated with both dingoes and domestic dogs from camera traps in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), northern Queensland, were shown to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rangers (n = 3), biosecurity officers (n = 2), environmental health workers (n = 2), and residents (n = 39) in the NPA. Nearly all pictures (10/12) were classified as dingo or domestic dog (none as hybrid) and two were inconclusive (no overall agreement). Dingoes were consistently identified as medium to large-framed dogs, with a long nose, pointed ears, narrow abdomen, a bushy or feathered tail, and smooth coats of a single base colour. Some hybrid features were acceptable, including sable coats, lack of white tail tip or feet, and curled tail. These findings are a preliminary guide for identifying canids in the NPA region for whom management might be controversial. Building on this approach via further consultation with residents is needed to inform rabies response policy. Our approach using locally acquired camera trap pictures could also be extended to other regions in which dingoes have value but their management is controversial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria J. Brookes
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden 2570, Australia;
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga 2650, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Chris Degeling
- Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence & Values, School of Health and Society, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2252, Australia;
| | - Lily M. van Eeden
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown 2006, Australia;
| | - Michael P. Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden 2570, Australia;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Maher EK, Ward MP, Brookes VJ. Investigation of the temporal roaming behaviour of free-roaming domestic dogs in Indigenous communities in northern Australia to inform rabies incursion preparedness. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14893. [PMID: 31624301 PMCID: PMC6797733 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51447-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Australia is canine rabies free but free-roaming, domestic dog populations in remote northern communities are at risk of an incursion due to proximity to rabies-endemic south-east Asia. Unrestricted contact between dogs could facilitate rabies spread following an incursion, and increase the impact on both dogs and people. Whilst dog vaccination is the foundation of rabies prevention, control strategies could be enhanced by understanding the temporal pattern of roaming and associated risk factors, so that movement restrictions can be targeted. Global positioning system datasets from 132 dogs in eight Indigenous communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) of Australia were analysed using regression methods. The influence of risk factors (including age, sex, location, season and hour of day) on dogs' distance from their residences were assessed. Dogs roamed furthest in the NPA and during the dry season. Daily peaks in mean roaming distance were observed at 1000-1100 hrs and 1700-1800 hrs in the Torres Strait, and 1700-1800 hrs in the NPA. These findings demonstrate that understanding community-specific temporal roaming patterns can inform targeted movement restrictions during an outbreak of rabies in remote communities in northern Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Maher
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia.
| | - Victoria J Brookes
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Targeted pre-emptive rabies vaccination strategies in a susceptible domestic dog population with heterogeneous roaming patterns. Prev Vet Med 2019; 172:104774. [PMID: 31557685 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Australia is free of canine rabies, however northern regions - such as the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), Queensland - are at risk of an incursion from nearby rabies-infected Indonesian islands. Early detection and reactive vaccination is the current Australian policy to eradicate an incursion. Early detection in this region is challenging, so pre-emptive vaccination might be an effective strategy. The NPA dog population also has a heterogenous contact structure, with three roaming categories previously characterised, which could be exploited in targeted pre-emptive vaccination strategies for more efficient use of limited resources. To evaluate the effectiveness of a pre-emptive vaccination program, an agent-based rabies spread simulation model was used to simulate outbreaks with a range of pre-emptive vaccination coverages. Increasing proportions (10% increments) of the dog population randomly vaccinated were modelled, and at the most efficient random vaccination coverage we then explored 10 pre-emptive vaccination strategies targeting different dog roaming categories (whilst maintaining the same overall population level vaccination coverage). All pre-emptive vaccination strategies were simulated 2000 times without and with a 70% random reactive vaccination strategy, following rabies detection. All random pre-emptive vaccination coverages reduced outbreak size and duration compared to no pre-emptive vaccination. A 40% random coverage was most efficient. Targeted strategies that pre-emptively vaccinated proportionally more roaming dogs were more effective than a random 40% vaccination coverage and strategies that targeted non-roaming dogs. The pre-emptive vaccination strategies that targeted non-roaming dogs produced significantly larger and longer outbreaks. These results suggest that pre-emptive vaccination can reduce potential rabies outbreaks in this region and that such a strategy should not just focus on easily accessible dogs that do not roam often or at all. A cost-benefit analysis is required to determine whether the implementation of such pre-emptive vaccination strategies is also cost-effective, which is essential in the resource-poor communities of this region.
Collapse
|
6
|
Gabriele-Rivet V, Brookes VJ, Arsenault J, Ward MP. Hunting practices in northern Australia and their implication for disease transmission between community dogs and wild dogs. Aust Vet J 2019; 97:268-276. [PMID: 31209868 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This survey aimed to understand hunting practices involving domestic dogs in remote Indigenous communities in northern Australia and, in the context of disease transmission, describe the domestic-wild dog interface and intercommunity interactions of hunting dogs during hunting activities. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 13 hunters from communities of the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) of Queensland gathered information on demographics of hunters and hunting dogs, hunting practices and past encounters with wild dogs during hunting trips. Social networks that described the connections of hunters between NPA communities from hunting expeditions were developed. RESULTS Most hunters interviewed were not aware of any diseases that could be transmitted to dogs (n = 11) or humans (n = 9) from wild animals while hunting. More than half (n = 7) of the respondents had experienced at least one wild dog encounter during hunting in the year prior to the interview. A map of the relative risk of interactions between wild and hunting dogs during hunting trips allowed the identification of high-risk areas in the NPA; these areas are characterised by dense rainforests. The social networks at the community level resulted in relatively large density measures reflecting a high level of intercommunity connectedness. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to our knowledge of Australian Indigenous hunting practices and supports the potential for disease transmission at the domestic-wild dog interface and intercommunity level through contacts between hunting dogs during hunting activities. Insights from this study also highlight the need for educational programs on disease management in Indigenous communities of northern Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Gabriele-Rivet
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia
| | - V J Brookes
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia
| | - J Arsenault
- Faculty of veterinary medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - M P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, New South Wales, 2570, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hudson EG, Brookes VJ, Ward MP. Demographic studies of owned dogs in the Northern Peninsula Area, Australia, to inform population and disease management strategies. Aust Vet J 2018; 96:487-494. [PMID: 30478842 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To generate domestic dog demographic information to aid population and disease management in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the Northern Peninsula Area, Queensland, Australia. METHODS Sight-resight surveys using standard and modified methods were conducted to estimate the free-roaming dog population size. A cross-sectional questionnaire of dog owners was used to gather dog demographic information and investigate owners' dog management behaviours. A survey was also conducted to estimate the total dog population size. RESULTS The mean total dog population size was estimated to be 813 (range, 770-868). The roaming dog population was 430 or 542 (95% confidence interval (CI) 254-608; 95% CI 405-680, standard and modified methods, respectively). Therefore, the roaming population represents 52.8% or 66.7% of the total population based on the sight-resight methodology. We surveyed 65 dog owners who owned 165 dogs (1 : 1 ratio of male : female dogs). Only 14% (95% CI 9-19) of dogs were sterilised and significantly more males were entire (P = 0.02). Although most dogs were pets (65%), hunting dogs were significantly more likely to be taken outside of the resident community (P < 0.001). The birth rate was 2.4 puppies/dog-owning house/year, which was higher than the death rate (1.7 dogs/dog-owning house/year). In the previous 12 months, 90% of the 109 deaths were dogs aged 0-2 years old. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that most of the dog population in the NPA is free-roaming and that the population has increased, likely because of a lack of population management strategies such as sterilisation. This information will be used to develop population and disease management strategies in the NPA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E G Hudson
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW, 2570, Australia
| | - V J Brookes
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW, 2570, Australia
| | - M P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW, 2570, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Degeling C, Brookes V, Lea T, Ward M. Rabies response, One Health and more-than-human considerations in Indigenous communities in northern Australia. Soc Sci Med 2018; 212:60-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
9
|
Hudson EG, Brookes VJ, Ward MP. Assessing the Risk of a Canine Rabies Incursion in Northern Australia. Front Vet Sci 2017; 4:141. [PMID: 28913341 PMCID: PMC5583209 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Rabies is a globally distributed virus that causes approximately 60,00 human deaths annually with >99% of cases caused by dog bites. Australia is currently canine rabies free. However, the recent eastward spread of rabies in the Indonesian archipelago has increased the probability of rabies entry into northern Australian communities. In addition, many northern Australian communities have large populations of free-roaming dogs, capable of maintaining rabies should an incursion occur. A risk assessment of rabies entry and transmission into these communities is needed to target control and surveillance measures. Illegal transportation of rabies-infected dogs via boat landings is a high-risk entry pathway and was the focus of the current study. A quantitative, stochastic, risk assessment model was developed to evaluate the risk of rabies entry into north-west Cape York Peninsula, Australia, and rabies introduction to resident dogs in one of the communities via transport of rabies-infected dogs on illegal Indonesian fishing boats. Parameter distributions were derived from expert opinion, literature, and analysis of field studies. The estimated median probability of rabies entry into north-west Cape York Peninsula and into Seisia from individual fishing boats was 1.9 × 10−4/boat and 8.7 × 10−6/boat, respectively. The estimated annual probability that at least one rabies-infected dog enters north-west Cape York Peninsula and into Seisia was 5.5 × 10−3 and 3.5 × 10−4, respectively. The estimated median probability of rabies introduction into Seisia was 4.7 × 10−8/boat, and the estimated annual probability that at least one rabies-infected dog causes rabies transmission in a resident Seisia dog was 8.3 × 10−5. Sensitivity analysis using the Sobol method highlighted some parameters as influential, including but not limited to the prevalence of rabies in Indonesia, the probability of a dog on board an Indonesian fishing boat, and the probability of a Seisia dog being on the beach. Overall, the probabilities of rabies entry into north-west Cape York Peninsula and rabies introduction into Seisia are low. However, the potential devastating consequences of a rabies incursion in this region make this a non-negligible risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Hudson
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW Australia
| | - Victoria J Brookes
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW Australia
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Bombara CB, Dürr S, Machovsky-Capuska GE, Jones PW, Ward MP. A preliminary study to estimate contact rates between free-roaming domestic dogs using novel miniature cameras. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181859. [PMID: 28750073 PMCID: PMC5547700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Information on contacts between individuals within a population is crucial to inform disease control strategies, via parameterisation of disease spread models. In this study we investigated the use of dog-borne video cameras–in conjunction with global positioning systems (GPS) loggers–to both characterise dog-to-dog contacts and to estimate contact rates. We customized miniaturised video cameras, enclosed within 3D-printed plastic cases, and attached these to nylon dog collars. Using two 3400 mAh NCR lithium Li-ion batteries, cameras could record a maximum of 22 hr of continuous video footage. Together with a GPS logger, collars were attached to six free roaming domestic dogs (FRDDs) in two remote Indigenous communities in northern Australia. We recorded a total of 97 hr of video footage, ranging from 4.5 to 22 hr (mean 19.1) per dog, and observed a wide range of social behaviours. The majority (69%) of all observed interactions between community dogs involved direct physical contact. Direct contact behaviours included sniffing, licking, mouthing and play fighting. No contacts appeared to be aggressive, however multiple teeth baring incidents were observed during play fights. We identified a total of 153 contacts–equating to 8 to 147 contacts per dog per 24 hr–from the videos of the five dogs with camera data that could be analysed. These contacts were attributed to 42 unique dogs (range 1 to 19 per video) which could be identified (based on colour patterns and markings). Most dog activity was observed in urban (houses and roads) environments, but contacts were more common in bushland and beach environments. A variety of foraging behaviours were observed, included scavenging through rubbish and rolling on dead animal carcasses. Identified food consumed included chicken, raw bones, animal carcasses, rubbish, grass and cheese. For characterising contacts between FRDD, several benefits of analysing videos compared to GPS fixes alone were identified in this study, including visualisation of the nature of the contact between two dogs; and inclusion of a greater number of dogs in the study (which do not need to be wearing video or GPS collars). Some limitations identified included visualisation of contacts only during daylight hours; the camera lens being obscured on occasion by the dog’s mandible or the dog resting on the camera; an insufficiently wide viewing angle (36°); battery life and robustness of the deployments; high costs of the deployment; and analysis of large volumes of often unsteady video footage. This study demonstrates that dog-borne video cameras, are a feasible technology for estimating and characterising contacts between FRDDs. Modifying camera specifications and developing new analytical methods will improve applicability of this technology for monitoring FRDD populations, providing insights into dog-to-dog contacts and therefore how disease might spread within these populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Courtenay B. Bombara
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel E. Machovsky-Capuska
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
- The Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter W. Jones
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael P. Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hudson EG, Brookes VJ, Dürr S, Ward MP. Domestic dog roaming patterns in remote northern Australian indigenous communities and implications for disease modelling. Prev Vet Med 2017; 146:52-60. [PMID: 28992928 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although Australia is canine rabies free, the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA), Queensland and other northern Australian communities are at risk of an incursion due to proximity to rabies infected islands of Indonesia and existing disease spread pathways. Northern Australia also has large populations of free-roaming domestic dogs, presenting a risk of rabies establishment and maintenance should an incursion occur. Agent-based rabies spread models are being used to predict potential outbreak size and identify effective control strategies to aid incursion preparedness. A key component of these models is knowledge of dog roaming patterns to inform contact rates. However, a comprehensive understanding of how dogs utilise their environment and the heterogeneity of their movements to estimate contact rates is lacking. Using a novel simulation approach - and GPS data collected from 21 free-roaming domestic dogs in the NPA in 2014 and 2016 - we characterised the roaming patterns within this dog population. Multiple subsets from each individual dog's GPS dataset were selected representing different monitoring durations and a utilisation distribution (UD) and derived core (50%) and extended (95%) home ranges (HR) were estimated for each duration. Three roaming patterns were identified, based on changes in mean HR over increased monitoring durations, supported by assessment of maps of daily UDs of each dog. Stay-at-home dogs consolidated their HR around their owner's residence, resulting in a decrease in mean HR (both core and extended) as monitoring duration increased (median peak core and extended HR 0.336 and 3.696ha, respectively). Roamer dogs consolidated their core HR but their extended HR increased with longer monitoring durations, suggesting that their roaming patterns based on place of residence were more variable (median peak core and extended HR 0.391 and 6.049ha, respectively). Explorer dogs demonstrated large variability in their roaming patterns, with both core and extended HR increasing as monitoring duration increased (median peak core and extended HR 0.650 and 9.520ha, respectively). These findings are likely driven by multiple factors that have not been further investigated within this study. Different roaming patterns suggest heterogeneous contact rates between dogs in this population. These findings will be incorporated into disease-spread modelling to more realistically represent roaming patterns and improve model predictions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Hudson
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia.
| | - Victoria J Brookes
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| | - Salome Dürr
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Liebefeld, Switzerland
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, Australia
| |
Collapse
|