Deworming Medicine Is Not Enough, IPB University Expert Mentions Ways to Overcome the Risk of Zoonotic Parasitic Worms in Pets
Having a pet can bring emotional benefits. However, behind those benefits, there are health risks that need to be watched out for, especially regarding the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as parasitic worm infections.
Prof Yusuf Ridwan, Professor of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science (SKHB) IPB University offers a one health approach as an integrated control strategy to overcome these risks.
“The existence of pet animals brings emotional benefits, but also health risks, especially related to the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as parasitic worm infections,” said Prof Yusuf Ridwan during the Pre Professor Scientific Oration Press Conference (5/22) online.
According to him, zoonotic parasitic worm infections are an important public health problem, especially in areas with high interaction between humans and animals. Pet dogs and cats can be hosts for various zoonotic parasitic worms such as Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp.
“Dogs and cats can host helminths such as Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp. whose eggs are excreted through feces and infect other animals and humans, causing a range of serious clinical manifestations,” he explains.
One Health: A Comprehensive Solution
Prof Yusuf said that infection control currently relies on routine anthelmintic administration. However, he said, this approach is limited in preventing reinfection without environmental interventions and changes in animal owner behavior.
The life cycle of zoonotic parasitic worms involves free-living phases in the environment as well as cross-transmission between animals and humans. Therefore, its control requires a one health approach, which is a cross-sector collaboration between animal health workers, public health, and other related parties.
“One health is an integrated approach that recognizes that human, animal and environmental health are closely interconnected,” explained Prof Yusuf.
He elaborated that the implementation of one health in parasitic worm control includes three main pillars. First, community education and empowerment to raise awareness about the risk of infection, hygiene and sanitation behavior.
“Communities are encouraged to implement synergistic control practices through the use of appropriate anthelmintics, animal husbandry management, environmental management, and control of wild animal populations,” he explained.
Second, integrated surveillance through monitoring of parasites in pet and human populations, resistance to anthelmintics, and integration of animal and human health data for effective response.
Third, support innovative research for the development of diagnostics, molecular identification, and alternative anthelmintic treatments for more effective control programs in the future.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Prof Yusuf also emphasized that the control of zoonotic parasitic worms in pet animals does not only depend on individual actions such as deworming, but must be part of a collaborative strategy that integrates various disciplines and sectors.
“The systematic application of one health is expected to strengthen zoonosis prevention efforts and improve the quality of life of humans and animals in a sustainable manner,” he concluded. (AS) (IAAS/NRA)
