Epidemiology of dog-mediated zoonotic diseases in Algeria: a One Health control approach

Globally, human–dog interactions cause significant social, economic and human health costs. Public health problems linked with dogs include mainly zoonotic diseases. Recently the concept of a global and integrative approach to improve the health and well-being of people, animals and the environment has been strongly endorsed. This concept, often referred to as One Health, also reflects the collaboration in the field of surveillance and monitoring. Because humans and animals often suffer from the same pathogens and share the same environment, a cross-sector approach integrating human and animal disease surveillance information is required. The aims of the present study were to describe the incidence of dog-mediated zoonotic diseases in Algeria between 2010 and 2017, and to propose a One Health approach to control these diseases in Algeria. Rabies, leishmaniasis and echinococcosis are the major zoonoses in Algeria, with a reported average number of deaths per year, respectively, of 18, 7947 and 387. These zoonoses occur with the uncontrolled proliferation of household waste deposits, particularly in and around urban area which maintain the presence of stray dogs. The persistence of these diseases indicates the need for greater partnership and collaboration among multiple sectors, including medical doctors, veterinarians, ecologists, environmentalists and law-enforcement agents. Such partnerships permit the sharing of information, facilities and resources under a One Health approach; permit rapid communication among disciplines as well as interdisciplinary training/education opportunities and raising awareness among human population; and allow a combined effort towards disease surveillance/control, which will consequently improve the efficiency of the control programmes.