Background and Aim: Out of all global microbial pathogens, 61% are zoonoses. Zoonotic diseases (Z/D/S) are responsible for a large burden on the public health, livestock economies, and wildlife of India. Data on burden and knowledge about Z/D/S among animal handlers are limited for urban and peri-urban areas of India. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported selected Z/D/S and knowledge about those diseases among animal handlers in the urban area of Ahmedabad city, India.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 animal handlers from three zones of Ahmedabad city, India, from February to May 2017. Data were collected on sociodemographic, different exposure, knowledge, practices about animal handling, and self-reported Z/D/S condition.

Results: Majority of study participants were females. Participants had numbers of animals, and it ranged from 1 to 70. However, the majority of them were cattle. Average experience and hours/day spent for handling animal were reported 22±15 years and 5±2 h, respectively. From all participants, about one-third perceived that handling animal could be a cause of disease. Average knowledge on the mode of transmission of Z/D/S was found 4.1%. Most common high risk and preventive practices found consumption of raw milk (72%) and handwashing (83%). The proportion of self-reported Z/D/S in the past 5 years was found to be 23% among respondents and 17% among family members. However, the proportion of existing self-reported Z/D/S or symptomatic Z/D/S was 17% among respondents and 18% among family members. Most common self-reported Z/D/S were vector-borne, animal bite, and respiratory disorders.

Conclusion: The knowledge and prevalence of Z/D/S were found low as compared to other studies from India. Further awareness and screening of animal handlers can be useful to increase the reporting and prevention and control of Z/D/S among them.

Keywords: animal handlers, knowledge and practices, self-reported zoonotic diseases.

1. Sharing Responsibilities and Coordinating Global Activities to Address Health Risks at the Animal-Human-Ecosystems Interfaces. A Tripartite Concept Note; 2010. Available from: http://www.who.int/zoonoses/en. Last accessed on 14-05-2018.

2. Dubal, Z.B., Barbuddhe, S.B., Singh, N.P. (2014) Important Zoonotic Diseases: Prevention and Control. Technical Bulletin No. 39. ICAR Research Complex for Goa (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), Old Goa 403 402, Goa, India. Available from: http://www.ccari.res.in/Technical%20Bulletin%20No.%2039.pdf. Last accessed on 14-05-2018.

3. Taylor, L.H., Latham, S.M. and Woolhouse, M.E. (2001) Risk factors for disease emergence. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B. Biol. Sci., 356(1411): 983-989. [Crossref] [PubMed] [PMC]

4. Grace, D., Mutua, F., Ochungo, P., Kruska, R., Jones, K., Herrero, M., Kruska, R., Said, M., Lapar, L. (2012) Mapping of Poverty and Likely Zoonoses Hotspots. International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi. Available from: http://www.hdl.handle.net/10568/21161. Last accessed on 15-05-2018.

5. Knobel, D.L., Cleaveland, S., Coleman, P.G., Fevre, E.M., Meltzer, M.I., Miranda, M.E., Shaw, A., Zinsstag, J. and Meslin, F.X. (2005) Re-evaluating the burden of rabies in Africa and Asia. Bull. World Health Organ., 83(5): 360-368. [PubMed] [PMC]

6. Pavani, G. (2014) Zoonotic diseases with special reference to India. Int. J. Basic Appl. Med. Sci., 4(1): 73-87.

7. Neiderud, C.J. (2015) How urbanization affects the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases. Infect. Ecol. Epidemiol., : 2015; 5: 10.3402/iee.v5.27060. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4481042/. Last accessed on 15-05-2018. [Crossref]

8. Ahmedabad Yet to Become a Mega City, The Hindu; 2001. Available from: http://www.thehindu.com/2001/04/07/stories/0207000q.htm. Last accessed on 03-04-2018.

9. BPL Census for Ninth Plan Ahmedabad District Collectorate. Vol. 2. p595; 2006. Available from:http://www.revenuedepartment.gujarat.gov.in/applications/content.asp?Content_Id=764&Title_Id=195&language=E&SiteID=8. Last accessed on 10-05-2018.

10. "Slum Population in Million Plus Cities". Available From: https://data.gov.in/resources/slum-population-million-plus-cities-census-2011-ministry-housing-and-urban-poverty. Last accessed on 11-05-2018.

11. Bagaria, A. and Sharma, A. (2014) A knowledge and practices study of health hazards among animal handlers in zoological gardens. Int. J. Occup. Saf. Health, 4(1): 1-04. Available from: http://www.nepjol.info/index.php/ijosh. Last accessed on 20-07-2018.

12. Rajkumar, K., Bhattacharya, A., David, S., Balaji, S.H., Hariharan, R., Jayakumar, M. and Balaji, N. (2016) Socio-demographic study on extent of knowledge, awareness, attitude, and risks of zoonotic diseases among livestock owners in Puducherry region. Vet. World, 9(9): 1018-1024. Available from: http://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.9/September-2016/17.pdf. Last accessed on 02-06-2018. [Crossref]

13. Hundal, J.S., Sodhi, S.S., Gupta, A., Singh, J. and Chahal, U.S. (2016) Awareness, knowledge, and risks of zoonotic diseases among livestock farmers in Punjab. Vet. World, 9(2): 186-191. Available from: http://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.9/February-2016/13.pdf. Last accessed on 20-07-2018. [Crossref]

14. Mangesho, P.E., Neselle, M.O., Karimuribo, E.D., Mlangwa, J.E., Queenan, K., Mboera, L.E., Rushton, J., Kock, R., Hasler, B., Kiwara, A. and Rweyemamu, M. (2017) Exploring local knowledge and perceptions on zoonoses among pastoralists in Northern and Eastern Tanzania. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis., 11(2): e0005345. [Crossref]

15. Swai, E.S., Schoonman, L. and Daborn, C.J. (2010) Knowledge and attitude towards zoonoses among animal health workers and livestock keepers in Arusha and Tanga, Tanzania. Tanzan. J. Health Res., 12(4): 280-286. [Crossref]