An Analysis of Zoonosis Transmission and Prevention in a Modern Family Setting

The interaction between humans and animals requires the development of conscious attitudes to maintain the biological, social, and environmental balance between the various species. However, lack of sufficient knowledge on human-animal interactions, and the consequences of such interactions, is the biggest challenge in the area of population management and control of dogs and cats in the implementation of a program focused on health promotion and prevention of diseases such as rabies and Salmonella (Gruszynski, Taetzsch, Bertke, Dubey, Mont, Zajac, & Lindsay, 2018). This paper explores the various measures that can be used to manage zoonosis transmission. They include adequate control of the populations of dogs and cats, responsible ownership and custody of pets, registration and identification, reproduction control and provision of relevant legal devices. Creating awareness on how people can effectively manage pets through education training on will significantly contribute towards control or prevention of zoonosis transmission.

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There has been growing concern over reemergence of zoonoses, a phenomenon closely related to ecological, climatic and socio-cultural changes as the animal population shares habitats with man more frequently. According to a study by van Knapen and Overgaauw (2015), this transmission of diseases is exemplified by the lack of knowledge by humans. The study observed that as the human-pet interaction became common, people, especially children would share food with their dogs and this contact would spread diseases. Taetzsch et al. (2018) observed that densely populated areas had the highest concentration of feral cats, which interacted with children to increase zoonosis transmission. A geospatial analysis of zoonosis transmission argued that understanding the extent through which zoonoses are transmitted would provide health professionals with vital information to reduce transmission of zoonosis from feral cats (Taetzsch et al., 2018). Van Knapen and Overgaauw (2015) argued that consistent maintenance of a stance that encompasses legal responsibility and shelter care, lifestyles, reproductive control and prevention of various diseases such as salmonella and rabies requires a new understanding for it to be sustainable. This means that all stakeholders across susceptible geographical areas need to work together in formulation preventive and control measures.

While incorporating different animal species into the human-made environment in urban or rural areas, it is always relevant to consider the importance of promoting and prevention community health, ecological balance, and animal welfare. As Stull, Peregrine, Sargeant, and Weese (2013) observed in their study on zoonoses in Ontario, Canada, the factors and conditions of the physical, biological, socio-cultural and economic environments exerted a marked influence on community health. Therefore, the relationship between man and the environment is directly linked to man's better conviviality with the environment. This means that man must understand the factors influencing zoonosis transmission so that he can create effective measures of preventing such diseases. As argued by Gruszynski et al. (2018), the field of public health, especially the World Health Organization (WHO), have sought to meet the needs and demands of contemporary society. The approach of WHO is to ensure that people understand the vulnerabilities they are exposed to as they interact with animals in their daily lives so that they can make an effort to protect themselves against zoonoses.

Successful prevention of zoonosis transmission requires comprehensive public awareness in the health domain. According to Taetzsch and others (2018), the concept of health has been expanded beyond health prevention and education, incorporating social, economic, political, environmental and educational aspects, at the same time as its determinants have been identified: equity, housing, social justice, food, income, peace, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, and education. Combining these aspects of health ensures that all necessary factors are considered before making decisions. In Gruszynski et al. (2018), the implementation of programs aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing people to achieve self-awareness on health promotion, concerning the coexistence and maintenance of pets (dogs and cats ), requires some consideration. This is because people are the agents of change and their contribution is critical towards the success of such programs. Van Knapen and Overgaauw (2015) argued that although authoritative measures of preventing wildlife zoonosis from dogs to individuals were relatively effective, awareness and participation in decision making would achieve more support.

The control of populations of dogs and cats depends on the development of critical, proactive, and constant attitudes of the whole society in particular of the owners, which deserves specific emphasis for the reevaluation of personal beliefs and values. As argued by Gruszynski et al. (2018), aspects such as the provision of foods with a recommended nutritional composition, the limitation of territories where they can remain freely, environmental and individual hygiene, the availability of safe shelters, control of reproduction, administration of immunogens and other drugs to prevent diseases and risks of injuries, such as bites, scratches, accidents at home or in transit, must be part of the daily conduct of the owners (Stull et al., 2013). For these factors to be taken into account in the relationship between humans and animals, it is necessary to disseminate knowledge, to stimulate and motivate the assumption of ownership, ownership or responsible custody and to present alternative proposals for each community group considered, stimulating and motivating implementation of the feasible ones.

For effective pet husbandry to be realized, professionals working in the various spheres of public health must be qualified for the performance of educational activities that seek to achieve health objectives within the framework of programs related to the control of populations of pets. According to Stull et al., (2013), childhood and adolescence are perceived as decisive phases for the construction of this new social paradigm. The educators of the formal education network have a fundamental role in the formation of this modern society (Gruszynski et al. (2018). In Stull et al. (2013), analyzing the experiences and the history of socioeconomic and cultural characteristics, and especially by the active, sincere, respectful and emancipatory involvement of the actors of a given community, these professionals can develop health promotion programs based on reality, causes attributed to the predisposing factors and determinants of identified problems, and how it can be circumvented or solved according to local peoples' beliefs and knowledge.

Regulation of animal husbandry practices requires honest consideration of the rights and interest of diverse people. According to van Knapen and Overgaauw (2015), it is necessary to be sensitive, willing and prepared to understand the needs and priorities desired by different social groups, which do not always coincide with goals and objectives established at a distance, without living and therefore without understanding each reality. Just as Stull et al., (2013) posited, this understanding is particularly essential as people will most likely adopt safe practices of pet husbandry if they feel that their opinions or perceptions are considered rather than forcing the practices upon them. Diseases represent health inequities and must be avoided through investments and actions to the more significant benefit of the peoples (van Knapen & Overgaauw, 2015).

Most urban centers face the problem of uncontrolled dogs and cats, posing risks to health, public safety, animal health, the environment, burdening the public with investments necessary for population control. According to Taetzsch and others (2018), the isolated activities of collecting and disposing of dogs and cats are not sufficient to control the dynamics of these populations, so it is necessary to act in case of such problems as unprotected animal breeding, the lack of human responsibility for possession, property or custody. Bitches and cats are animals of short gestation (around 60 days), with great potential for the production of numerous proles that can reach sexual maturity from 6 months of age (Gruszynski et al., 2018). These factors contribute to the population growth of uncontrolled dogs and cats. To solve the problem, it is necessary to institute effective programs involving the control of the reproduction of these animals.

One of the measures towards controlling the transmission of zoonosis is controlling the reproduction of cats and dogs. According to Sing (2015), there are three methods of intervention in the reproductive capacity of dogs and cats; surgical, pharmacological and immunization. Surgical interventions induce permanent sterility or infertility through anatomical alterations (van Knapen & Overgaauw, 2015). Females surgically sterilized reduces the possibility of forming groups of animals, minimizing the occurrence of fights, injuries to humans and the spread of diseases. The pharmacological interventions in females indirectly suppress fertility by inhibiting the secretion of gonadotropic hormones; prevents embryonic development, interferes with cyclic activity or induce embryonic or fetal loss. In males, a chemosterase agent for dogs leads to degeneration, decreasing the number of germ cells (Gruszynski et al., 2018). Immunization, on the other hand, interferes in reproductive activity through vaccine against proteins or essential hormones in reproduction.

Understanding the aspects of zoonosis transmission is the first step toward developing preventive measures. Both Stull et al. (2013) and Gruszynski et al. (2018) provide complementary information on the different aspects of zoonosis transmission. While Stull et al. (2013) characterized zoonotic transmission prevention measures in Canada, Gruszynski et al. (2018) focused on how the animals and humans interact in the first place. The two articles offer readers critical information on where the problem begins, out of which preventive measures are implemented. Both the articles applied a crucial study design especially by choosing a populated locality to provide more perspective into the problem. Van Knapen & Overgaauw (2015) focused on the human-animal interaction in homes. The goal was to rank potential diseases transmitted by the family dogs to people. This is crucial information as it narrows the scope from an extensive locality to smaller area. In effect, readers can take more initiative from personal levels and not just push for strategies from higher levels. Gruszynski et al. (2018) article complement van Knapen & Overgaauw (2015) by emphasizing on the importance of cooperation at all levels to ensure that effective zoonosis transmission preventive measures are adopted.

Conclusion

It is the legal competence of various municipalities to control animals in their area of circumscription through programmatic activities, such as the registration, capture or seizure and elimination of animals that represent risks to human health. As Taetzsch et al., 2018 argues, the municipalities must maintain permanent programs of control of zoonosis, through vaccination and control of the reproduction of dogs and cats, accompanied by educational actions for property or responsible custody. In order to prevent the transmission of zoonosis, in addition to other risks to public and animal health, as well as to preserve the environment and biodiversity, it is recommended that municipalities implant effective programs for the population control of...