Human-Domestic Animal Interaction:

Abstract

In Northern Ghana, backyard animal production remains common among rural dwellers for commercial and religious to subsistence purposes. However, these animals may serve as reservoirs for the transmission of infectious pathogens to humans. This study examined human and domesticated animal interaction and the risks of parasitic zoonosis in the concept of One Health in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design with a multistage sampling technique, including cluster, purposive, convenient, and simple random for the study sites, households with backyard farm animals, faecal samples, and one member from the household, respectively. Household members were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire while faecal samples of animals and humans were examined using concentration techniques. The study noted 69(69%) and 31(31%) of the respondents practiced extensive and semi-intensive husbandry systems. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among domesticated animals was 73.1%, whereas in humans, 67.69%. A total of 32 parasites species were isolated from all the faecal samples examined of which 17 were recovered in humans. The three most prevalent parasites recorded in animals comprise Trichostrongyloides spp. (18.95%), Emeria spp. (17.81%), and Strongyloides spp (14.16%) of infection. It was also observed that Bunostomum spp, Cryptosporidium spp., Emeria spp., Strongylus spp, and Toxocara cati were the most prevalent parasites recorded in humans, with (7.7%) each. The study recorded host-specific parasites such as Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Toxocaris leonina, and Trichuris vulpis in dogs have been recorded in other animals including humans within the study area. Also, Cryptosporidium spp., Ascaris spp., Paragonimus kellicotti, and Strongyloides spp., which are host-specific to humans were recorded in domestic animals. The study recorded host specific parasites in animals/humans, which were also recorded in other animals within the study area. This cross-species transmission of infectious pathogens between humans and domestic animals was due to the close relationship between them (animals and humans) within a limited space in each household. It therefore requires an effective collaboration between the Ghana Health, Animal Health, and the Environmental Health Services to mitigate the possible outbreak of zoonosis within the Wa West District.