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Disease Risk Assessments Involving Companion Animals: an Overview for 15 Selected Pathogens Taking a European
J M Rijks1, F Cito2, A A Cunningham3
1Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Journal of Comparative Pathology
|October 1, 2015
Summary
Companion Animals multisectoriaL interprofessionaL Interdisciplinary Strategic Think tank On zoonoses (CALLISTO) prioritized 15 transmissible diseases based on public health and economic relevance. The study identified knowledge gaps in risk assessments for companion animal diseases and zoonoses, highlighting a need for further research and responsible pet ownership.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary epidemiology
- Zoonotic disease risk assessment
- Companion animal health
Background:
- Companion animals can transmit diseases to humans (zoonoses) and livestock.
- Prioritization of transmissible diseases in companion animals is crucial for public health and economic reasons.
- The Companion Animals multisectoriaL interprofessionaL Interdisciplinary Strategic Think tank On zoonoses (CALLISTO) project aimed to address this.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prioritize companion animal transmissible diseases based on public health and economic impact.
- To analyze existing knowledge on disease occurrence and transmission risks involving companion animals.
- To identify knowledge and methodological gaps in current risk assessments.
Main Methods:
- Literature scan for risk assessments, classifying them as Import Risk Assessments (IRAs) or Risk Factor Analyses (RFAs).
- IRAs were used for diseases absent from Europe, RFAs for diseases endemic in Europe.
- Analysis focused on risks to companion animals, from companion animals to humans, and from companion animals to livestock.
Main Results:
- Fifteen diseases were prioritized for their public health and/or economic relevance.
- IRAs identified risks for rabies and alveolar echinococcosis introduction due to relaxed pet travel rules.
- RFAs identified risk factors for companion animal infections (e.g., age, free-roaming, deworming practices) and human zoonoses (e.g., campylobacteriosis).
Conclusions:
- Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding risk factors for companion animal diseases and their role in zoonotic transmission.
- Lack of harmonized case definitions and diagnostics hinders robust risk analysis and meta-analyses.
- Further research, improved diagnostics, and promotion of responsible pet ownership are essential to mitigate zoonotic disease risks.
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