Animal Husbandry Practices and Perceptions of Zoonotic Infectious Disease Risks Among Livestock Keepers in a Rural Parish of Quito, Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract. Small-scale livestock production plays an essential role as a source of income and nutrition for households in low-and middle-income countries, yet these practices can also increase risk of zoonotic infectious diseases, especially among young children. To mitigate this risk, there is a need to better understand how livestock producers perceive and manage risks of disease transmission. Twenty semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted with small-scale livestock producers in a semirural parish of Quito, Ecuador. Interviews explored livestock-raising practices, including animal health-care practices and use of antimicrobials, family members' interactions with livestock and other animals, and perceptions of health risk associated with these practices and activities. Interviews were analyzed for common themes. Awareness of zoonotic disease transmission was widespread, yet few study participants considered raising livestock a significant health risk for themselves or their families. Several study households reported handling and consuming meat or poultry from sick or dead animals and using animal waste as a fertilizer on their crops. Households typically diagnosed and treated their sick animals, occasionally seeking treatment advice from employees of local animal feed stores where medications, including antimicrobials, are available over the counter. Despite a basic understanding of zoonotic disease risk, this study identified several factors, such as the handling and consumption of sick and dead animals and purchasing medications for sick animals over the counter, that potentially increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission as well as the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

High Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase CTX-M–Producing Escherichia coli in Small-Scale Poultry Farming in Rural Ecuador

“…1,7,13,14 In Ecuador, one study found that nearly half of the producers considered the use of antibiotics important for growth promotion, especially when animals are young. 15 This intensive use of antibiotics has many implications, including greater AMR gene richness and lower taxonomic diversity compared with backyard chickens. 14 Small-scale introductions of intensively raised food animals over a short duration may yield lasting effects on the surrounding environment.…”

Analysis of Domestic Resources Cost Based on Farm Typology of Bali Cattle in Plampang Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara

“…Emelda et al (2014) and Rouf et al (2014) report that Asian countries including Indonesia import young bulls because they have a comparative advantage in producing beef cattle, due to the availability of agro-industry by-products and relatively low labor wages. Guzek et al (2015) and Lowenstein et al (2016) state that the comparative advantages of the livestock sub-sector are contributed by the potential of livestock resources and natural resources in providing feed.…”

Small-Scale Food Animal Production and Antimicrobial Resistance: Mountain, Molehill, or Something in-between?

“…In LMICs, antimicrobials are often available over the counter in animal agriculture shops ( Katakweba et al 2012 ). The practice of using antimicrobials in small-scale food animal production—whether for growth promotion, disease prevention, or disease treatment—has been documented in a diverse set of studies within LMICs ( Andoh et al 2016 ; Braykov et al 2016 ; Katakweba et al 2012 ; Lowenstein et al 2016 ; Nguyen et al 2015 ; Nonga et al 2010 ; Roess et al 2013 ) ( Table 1 ). In rural Ecuador, for example, small-scale poultry farmers report that they regularly administer antimicrobials, including drugs from six different antimicrobial classes ( Braykov et al 2016 ).…”

“… Conceptual illustration of AMR spillover from small-scale food animals to humans ( Lowenstein et al 2016 ; Roess et al 2013 ; Braykov et al 2016 ; Andoh et al 2016 ; Pehrsson et al 2016 ; Moser et al 2017 ). …”