Erneo B. Ochi, David A. Akol, Yatta S. Lukaw

Abstract:

Hydatidosis is one of the neglected tropical diseases of public health importance causing socioeconomic impacts on the livelihoods of pastoralist communities in the rural areas and the urban population in some areas at the global level. This review highlights on the epidemiology of hydatidosis and its public health importance such that strategic control measures are developed for sustainable rural development in South Sudan. Large scores of people are associated with cattle directly or indirectly for improving their livelihoods and enhancing food and nutrition security in South Sudan. Livestock are infected through the ingestion of contaminated pasture with the feces of infected dogs. Dogs usually become infected by ingestion of contaminated meat of cattle, sheep and goats with hydatid cysts. Humans acquire infection by ingestion of hydatid cysts or consumption of raw and undercooked infected meat of cattle, sheep and goats. Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are the most zoonotic and pathogenic species of Echinococcus and the adult tape-worms usually inhabit in the intestine of dogs. The Mundari tribesmen of Terekeka County, and both the Bouya and Toposa of Greater Kapoeta are the most affected communities with hydatidosis in South Sudan. Such a review is imperative for understanding and providing public awareness on the importance of extension delivery services and health education for prevention and control of the disease among the vulnerable poor rural pastoralist communities in South Sudan.

Keywords: Hydatidosis; Echinococcus granulosus; Livestock; Public Health; Human; Dogs; South Sudan

Download the PDF A Review on Epidemiology of Hydatidosis in Livestock and Humans in South Sudan