Zoonotic Pathogens at the Interface between Humans and Animals in Cambodia, a Rural Approach

A zoonosis is a disease or infection that is naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. The majority of infectious diseases that affect humans are zoonoses. Environments where wild animals, domestic animals and humans live in close proximity with no or small boundaries in the ecological system favor the transmission of diseases between animals and humans. The above described situation is more common in low income countries, where humans and animals live in high density and zoonoses are generally more common. The study was conducted in Cambodia. Typically in Cambodia, poor families have chicken and may also raise pigs, cows, or buffalos. Most livestock is kept free ranging and not always penned at night. The study was conducted as part of an ongoing cross-sectoral project between SLU, UU (Uppsala University) and in Cambodia CelAgrid (Center for livestock and agricultural development), NIPH (National Institute for Public Health), VPHO (Veterinary Public Health Office) and NaVRI (the National Veterinary Research Institute) with the title: Zoonoses in Humans and Domestic Animals: a cross-disciplinary approach in rural Cambodia. The present study focuses on the transmission of diseases between humans and animals which may happen through food, water, contaminated equipment and direct contact. The objectives of the present study was to: 1: Describe farmers’ livestock management practice and knowledge of infectious diseases and zoonoses, 2: Identify risk factors for transmission of zoonotic pathogens at the interface between humans and animals at farm level and 3: Identify feasible and acceptable preventive measures for transmission of infectious pathogens by using participatory research methods. Three villages in Kampong Cham province in the Mekong lowland swamp in the south of Cambodia were selected from the ongoing cross-disciplinary project; Pror Sam (village A), Roung (village B) and Tang Krang (village C). Gastrointestinal diseases were one of the major diseases seen and confirmed among humans in all three villages. An interview-based survey was carried out to collect information on general livestock management practices and farmers’ knowledge of infectious diseases/zoonoses. The information was gathered through focus group discussions held with rural farmers. Participatory Action Research with transect walks was used as tools to gain a wider understanding of rural livestock practices. The study shows that domestic animals are kept free ranging in the household close to where the humans cook and eat their food and that wild animals have access to this area. Further does the study show that farmers have limited knowledge about routes of transmission between animals and humans as well as about subclinical infected animals. Vaccination was regarded as an effective but expensive method by the farmers to stop diseases from spreading. The conclusion from the study is that further research on disease prevention in humans and animals and increased awareness of zoonoses by the rural Cambodian population is needed and could create a platform for communication and action such as building of closed animal pens and kitchens, an increase in biosecurity measures and cleaning of water.