Community Based Intervention for Zoonotic Diseases Prevention and Control in Ethiopian Pastoral Areas

Abstract

The livelihood of pastoral community of Ethiopia is mainly dependant on livestock production which made the pastoralists to have an intimate relationship with their animals and zoonotic infections, transmissible between humans and animals, are closely associated with Pastoralism. According to the various studies conducted in Ethiopia, different types of zoonotic diseases are reported from different areas of the country including anthrax, brucellosis, rabies, tuberculosis etc. Therefore, objective of this paper is to show the importance of community based intervention for zoonotic disease prevention and control in Ethiopian pastoral areas. There are common practices such as traditional husbandry and poor management practices, mixing of wild animals with farm animals and unrestricted movement and living of pastoralists together with their animals are thought to support spread of zoonotic diseases. In addition to this, consumption of raw milk and meat together with handling of sick animals and animal products with bare hand facilitates transmission of zoonotic diseases. There is a knowledge gap about zoonoses not only in the pastoralists but also in the medical professionals found in the pastoral areas of the country. There is community health extension program in Ethiopia which is launched to educate the community about primary health care but it lacks a discipline related with zoonoses. Therefore, preventing the diseases before occurrence using community based intervention programs such as prevention package, awareness creation programs and controlling the transmission of the diseases and strengthening integrated and collaborative work between all concerned bodies are help full for better health in the pastoral areas of Ethiopia.

Keywords: Ethiopia, Livestock, Pastoral community, Zoonoses.