Ecosystem Approaches for a Better Management of Toxoplasmosis in Yunnan Province, China

Wengui Li College of Animal Science and Technology,

Yunnan Agricultural University

Ecohealth 2012 conference, Kunming, China,15-18 October 2012

1. Toxoplasmosis-brief introduction

• Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that infects a large proportion of the world's population, but rarely causes disease. Only certain people are at high risk of severe or life-threatening.

• common symptoms of human:Painless swelling of the lymph nodes/Headache/Malaise/Fatigue/Low-grade fever

• Toxoplasma gondii is single-celled parasite that spends most of its life cycle inside cats which can spread easily to almost any other animal that shares the environment with cats.

Risk Factors

• Eating undercooked, contaminated meat (especially pork, lamb, and venison).

• Accidental ingestion of undercooked, contaminated meat after handling it and not washing hands thoroughly (Toxoplasma cannot be absorbed through intact skin).

• Eating food that was contaminated by knives, utensils, cutting boards and other foods that have had contact with raw, contaminated meat.

• Drinking contaminated water• Accidentally swallowing the parasite through contact with

cat feces that contain Toxoplasma.

2. Research objectives and hypothesis

• Hypothesis: Toxoplasmosis causes abortions in both ruminants and humans.

In the case definition of sheep/goat abortion it will thus be included for study.• Objectives: To understand perception, awareness and behaviour of

stakeholders including potential risk groups towards these zoonoses

To investigate the impact of Tox in pilot communities, hospitals To demonstrate how an integrated approach can help to improve

collaboration between different stakeholders and contribute to a better control

3. Research methodology• Ecosystem Approaches • Trans-discipline: veterinary, Public health, social scientist…… • Muti-level involved:

Province: YIEDC (CDC)/YAGAS/YAU/YASVICounty: CDC, Bureau of anima husbandry, Hospital

Township/Village: cooperation/commercial/backyard Farm;

village head, Vet, Butcher Direct and manage by ILRI specialist

6

Groups involved in EcoZD in China

The problem: Toxoplasmosis

in Yunnan

Public health authorities(hospitals)

Vet officers & Vet stations

Local administration officers

Farmers , pet owners • cattle, buffalo, small ruminants,

pigs, cats• Small holder and cooperatives

Past unit, milk vendors

Villagers (ethnic minorities) Butchers

Consumer

Research methodology

• literature review (historical data)• Focus Group Discussion: Farmers (both with and

without ruminate animals), Past unit• Questionnaires: Farmers (Diary cooperation,

Backyard, Managers in commercial farm)• Interviews (butchers, vets , PH)• Outcome mapping• Cross-section study: prevalence of T.gondii in

diary cow, diary water buffalo and diary goat

Outcome mapping

CAMEHRCCMU CHI

LAOIND

EHRCUGM JTV

VTN

ILRI

Village leaders

Rabies Cadres BPs

Research Associates

BPs

SH Owners

Group of villagers

VDC & CC

KKN Students

Outcome Mapping• Boundary Partner: Village

head, village vets and doctors

• Outcome Challenge Statement

• Strategies to change working environment of BPs: Capacity Building/Sustainability/Project Management

• Progress Markers

4. Prevalence of Tox in Yiliang and Mangshi (Seroepidemiology)

• Sampling: Milk samples:Yiliang County: total 85. commercial dairy cow farm/cooperation/backyard and dairyMangshi City: 36 backyard, 4 bulk milk samples from cooperation and 1 commercial•Methods:commercially IHA kit (Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences)

Table 1 Seroprevalence of T.gondii in 85 milk samples collected in Yiliang County

Township Village BY Diary goats BY Diary cow Dairy Cooperative Farms

Dairy Commercial Farms

Bei Gucheng 21 - - -Che Tian - 10 - -Feng Lai - 10 - -

Seroprevalence 33.3%(7/21) 30.0%(6/20) - -Kuang Yuan 20 - - -

Jin Xing - 9 - -Peng Lai - 9 - -

Seroprevalence 35.0%(7/20) 11.1%(2/18) - -Total Sample size 41 38 5 1

Prevalence rate 34.1%(14/41) 21.1%(8/38) 0%(0/5) 0%(0/1)

Prevalence of T.Gondii in Yiliang County were 34.1% (14/41) in backyard dairy goats, 21.1% (18/38) in backyard dairy cow, 5 selected Dairy Cooperative Farms and 1 Dairy Commercial Farms were both negative.

Table 2 Seroprevalence of T.gondii in 41 milk samples collected in Mangshi City

Sampling Site Sample size Host Positive rate%

Manggan 6 Buffalo 0%(0/6)

Lagen 15 Buffalo 20%(3/15)

Fapa 15 Buffalo 0%(0/15)

Total 41 - 8.3%(3/36)

Cooperation farms 4 Buffalo 0%(0/4)

Commercial farm 1 Buffalo 0%(0/1)

6 samples collected from Manggan Village of Mangshi Township and 15 samples collected in Fapa village of Fengping township were all negative, 3 positive found in 15 samples collected in Lagen village of Xungang, the overall seroprevalence was 8.3%(3/36). 5 bulk milk samples were all negative.

A typical toilet of Dai nationality in Mangshi, feces are directly released into drainage system. July 24, 2012 by Li WG

“生皮” Sheng PiRaw (under cook) pork meat -one of most popular Traditional Foods in western Yunnan Province

5. Some preliminary outcome:

Poor knowledge on risk factors of zoonosis of respondent (Q, FGD, IDI) Unhealthy tradition like raw meat eating, lack of handling of waste. Lack of Communication and cooperation between different departments Capacity of team member and stakeholders improve effectively

Data analysis of the Project still on going…

Thank You very much for your attention!