Seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in Zambia

Informal livestock markets are an important source of animal-derived proteins for growing urban populations in countries such as Zambia. In parallel, they can also constitute pathways of zoonotic pathogen transmission to humans. This risk is aggravated by limited disease monitoring and poor control...

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Main Authors: Lysholm, S., Fischer, K., Lindahl, Johanna F., Munyeme, M., Wensman, Jonas Johansson
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115946
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author Lysholm, S.
Fischer, K.
Lindahl, Johanna F.
Munyeme, M.
Wensman, Jonas Johansson
author_browse Fischer, K.
Lindahl, Johanna F.
Lysholm, S.
Munyeme, M.
Wensman, Jonas Johansson
author_facet Lysholm, S.
Fischer, K.
Lindahl, Johanna F.
Munyeme, M.
Wensman, Jonas Johansson
author_sort Lysholm, S.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Informal livestock markets are an important source of animal-derived proteins for growing urban populations in countries such as Zambia. In parallel, they can also constitute pathways of zoonotic pathogen transmission to humans. This risk is aggravated by limited disease monitoring and poor control systems with regards to biosecurity and public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the risks for spread of zoonotic diseases in Zambia's two largest informal small ruminant markets, located in Lusaka and Kasumbalesa, through combining seroepidemiology with interviews and observations. In April, May and September 2018, serum samples (n = 237) were collected and analysed for antibodies for the zoonotic pathogens Brucella spp., Coxiella (C.) burnetii and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In addition, slaughterhouse activities were observed and semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions held with slaughterhouse workers and small ruminant traders, focusing on the handling of animals and meat, and the perceptions of zoonotic disease risks at slaughter and consumption. The study found seropositivity rates of 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.60–14.7) for Brucella spp., 5.9% (95% CI 3.27–9.71) for C. burnetii, and 0.8% (95% CI 0.10–3.01) for RVFV. Interviews with value chain members and observations at the slaughterhouse revealed unsanitary procedures and multiple occupational hazards for slaughterhouse workers. This study showed that the Zambian informal small ruminant trade system poses risks to public health, and that these risks are exacerbated by a lack of information about food-borne diseases and how associated risks can be mitigated amongst value chain actors. The results of this study can be used to formulate preventive measures to improve informal meat markets and reduce the risks to public health.
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spelling CGSpace1159462025-10-26T13:02:18Z Seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in Zambia Lysholm, S. Fischer, K. Lindahl, Johanna F. Munyeme, M. Wensman, Jonas Johansson zoonoses health small ruminants sheep goats markets rift valley fever coxiella burnetii brucella Informal livestock markets are an important source of animal-derived proteins for growing urban populations in countries such as Zambia. In parallel, they can also constitute pathways of zoonotic pathogen transmission to humans. This risk is aggravated by limited disease monitoring and poor control systems with regards to biosecurity and public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the risks for spread of zoonotic diseases in Zambia's two largest informal small ruminant markets, located in Lusaka and Kasumbalesa, through combining seroepidemiology with interviews and observations. In April, May and September 2018, serum samples (n = 237) were collected and analysed for antibodies for the zoonotic pathogens Brucella spp., Coxiella (C.) burnetii and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In addition, slaughterhouse activities were observed and semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions held with slaughterhouse workers and small ruminant traders, focusing on the handling of animals and meat, and the perceptions of zoonotic disease risks at slaughter and consumption. The study found seropositivity rates of 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.60–14.7) for Brucella spp., 5.9% (95% CI 3.27–9.71) for C. burnetii, and 0.8% (95% CI 0.10–3.01) for RVFV. Interviews with value chain members and observations at the slaughterhouse revealed unsanitary procedures and multiple occupational hazards for slaughterhouse workers. This study showed that the Zambian informal small ruminant trade system poses risks to public health, and that these risks are exacerbated by a lack of information about food-borne diseases and how associated risks can be mitigated amongst value chain actors. The results of this study can be used to formulate preventive measures to improve informal meat markets and reduce the risks to public health. 2022-01 2021-11-10T10:54:46Z 2021-11-10T10:54:46Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115946 en Open Access Elsevier Lysholm, S., Fischer, K., Lindahl, J.F., Munyeme, M. and Wensman, J.J. 2022. Seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in Zambia. Acta Tropica 225: 106217.
spellingShingle zoonoses
health
small ruminants
sheep
goats
markets
rift valley fever
coxiella burnetii
brucella
Lysholm, S.
Fischer, K.
Lindahl, Johanna F.
Munyeme, M.
Wensman, Jonas Johansson
Seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in Zambia
title Seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in Zambia
title_full Seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in Zambia
title_fullStr Seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in Zambia
title_full_unstemmed Seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in Zambia
title_short Seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in Zambia
title_sort seropositivity rates of zoonotic pathogens in small ruminants and associated public health risks at informal urban markets in zambia
topic zoonoses
health
small ruminants
sheep
goats
markets
rift valley fever
coxiella burnetii
brucella
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115946
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