Prevalence, Risk Drivers and Locally Feasible Solutions for Brucellosis Control in Peri-Urban Small Holding Dairy Farms: A One Health Study

The rapidly changing economy of India has resulted in emergence of unknown disease risks [1]. Urbanization resulted in an unregulated growth of farming units within the peri-urban fringes in order to satisfy the demands of India’s growing cities [2]. The resultant rise in interactions at the human-animal-environment interface has accelerated the transmission of zoonotic infections. Several pathogens are increasingly being identified as emerging public health threats [3]. Brucellosis, which has a high propensity for animal-animal and animal-human transmission, as well as persistence in contaminated environments, is one such threat [4- 6]. Rearing multiple species of animals, a typical practice in smallholder farms in several parts of India, raises risks of brucellosis transmission [7-8]. Studies have shown that in pyrexia of unknown origin, the seroprevalence of brucellosis is as high as 26%; similarly high levels have been noted in those with occupational exposures (milkmen, meat handlers, and veterinarians) [9-11]. However, despite the growing awareness about brucellosis, there has been limited research on the epidemiology, risk drivers, and sustainable solutions in the Indian context. The current proposal endeavours to address these evidence gaps. We will ascertain the prevalence of brucellosis amongst animals and humans in a peri-urban setting and study the risk drivers using a mixed methods approach informed by the One Health multidisciplinary framework. Finally, a qualitative, participatory action research, including stakeholder mapping, will identify locally feasible solutions to address brucellosis transmission in the peri-urban small holder dairy farms of Guwahati, Assam

Keywords:B680-public-health