Rimoin Anne W, Alfonso Vivian Helena, Hoff Nicole A, Doshi Reena H, Mulembakani Prime, Kisalu Nevile K, Muyembe Jean-Jacques, Okitolonda Emile W, Wright Linda L
Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 650 S Charles E Young Drive, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ecohealth. 2017 Sep;14(3):552-563. doi: 10.1007/s10393-017-1262-9. Epub 2017 Aug 22.
Due to the high level of biological diversity in the Congo Basin and human population dependence on bushmeat, the DRC represents an ideal location for expanding knowledge on wild animal exposures and thus the potential for transmission of zoonotic pathogens. However, limited information exists on patterns and extent of contact with wildlife in such communities. Using a cross-sectional study, 14 villages in the Sankuru Province of the DRC were surveyed between August and September 2007. Villagers ≥ 1 year of age and at home of the time of the survey were eligible and enrolled to describe and assess factors associated with animal exposures (both activity and type of animal). Among respondents, 91% reported exposure to rodents, 89% to duikers, 78% to non-human primates (NHPs), and 32% reported contact with bats in the month prior to the survey. The most frequently reported activities included eating (95%), cooking (70%), and butchering or skinning of animals (55%). The activities and animals to which subjects had contact varied by sex and age. Moreover, we observed a high correlation of the same activities across animal types. In this and other populations that rely on bushmeat, there is a high frequency of exposure to multiple animal species through various modalities. In the event of future zoonotic disease outbreaks, effective public health interventions and campaigns that mitigate the risk of animal contact during outbreaks need to be broad to include various modes of contact and should be directed to both men and women across all age groups. As available information is limited, further studies are necessary to better understand the complex relationships and exposures individuals have with animals.
由于刚果盆地生物多样性水平高，且当地人口依赖丛林肉，刚果民主共和国是一个理想之地，有助于拓展对野生动物接触情况的了解，进而了解人畜共患病原体的传播潜力。然而，关于此类社区与野生动物接触的模式和程度，现有信息有限。2007年8月至9月期间，采用横断面研究方法，对刚果民主共和国桑库鲁省的14个村庄进行了调查。年龄≥1岁且调查时在家的村民符合条件并被纳入研究，以描述和评估与动物接触相关的因素（包括活动和动物类型）。在受访者中，91%报告在调查前一个月接触过啮齿动物，89%接触过非洲麂羚，78%接触过非人灵长类动物，32%报告接触过蝙蝠。最常报告的活动包括食用（95%）、烹饪（70%）以及屠宰或剥皮动物（55%）。接触的活动和动物因性别和年龄而异。此外，我们观察到不同动物类型的相同活动之间存在高度相关性。在这个以及其他依赖丛林肉的人群中，通过各种方式接触多种动物物种的频率很高。在未来人畜共患病疫情爆发时，有效的公共卫生干预措施和宣传活动需要广泛开展，以降低疫情期间动物接触风险，应涵盖各种接触方式，并针对所有年龄段的男性和女性。由于现有信息有限，有必要进一步开展研究，以更好地了解个体与动物之间的复杂关系和接触情况。
