Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Veterinary urban hygiene: a challenge for India.
- Journal:
- Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics)
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Singh, B B et al.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
In India, cities are facing serious hygiene challenges linked to the growing number of animals, including livestock like cattle, goats, and poultry, as well as stray dogs. The rise in these animal populations is driven by easier access to markets and a lack of control over stray animals. This situation can lead to health risks for people, such as the spread of diseases that can jump from animals to humans, as well as environmental pollution and concerns for animal welfare. Currently, the public health risks associated with keeping animals in urban areas are not fully recognized. To tackle these issues, experts suggest creating better regulations and using collaborative health teams to address the interconnected health problems caused by urban animal populations.
Abstract
India is confronted with many hygiene problems in urban areas that are related to animal populations. While some of these issues have been present for many years, others are only now emerging. A livestock census in 2003 and another in 2007 revealed that populations of crossbred cattle, goats and poultry are all increasing in urban areas, since this enables easy market access, which, in turn, reduces transportation costs and adds to profits. The canine population has increased along with the human population, largely due to a lack of control measures such as impounding stray animals and euthanasia. These increases in populations of both food-producing animals and stray animals in cities exacerbate such public health hazards as the transmission of zoonoses, vector-borne diseases, occcupational health hazards and environmental pollution, as well as compromising animal welfare. At present, public health hazards due to urban animal husbandry practices are considerably under-estimated. To improve veterinary-related urban hygiene and to facilitate livestock production operations in urban areas, there is an urgent need to develop sound, science-based strategies enforced through stringent regulations. The use of One Health teams may provide an answer to these highly integrated public health problems.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24761721/