Causal Factors and Epidemiological Analysis of the Main Bovine Zoonoses

Abstract

Even though cattle farming is a fundamental livestock activity in the production of food and the development of many countries, it is generating adverse effects on the environment and health. The invasion of natural ecosystems to expand breeding sites increases contact with wildlife and its pathogens, causing domestic animals to participate as potential reservoirs, which increases the risks of transmission of zoonotic diseases to humans. This condition highlights the relevance that animals have in both the origin and transmission of these diseases. The identification of causal factors, such as etiological agents, pathogenicity, environmental conditions in which they develop, transmission mechanisms, as well as risk factors for human and animal health, are decisive for generating intervention strategies. From the epidemiological point of view, imbalances in the ecological triad etiological agent-hostenvironment are associated with natural changes in the environment, physical and chemical factors and the biological conditions of the pathogens that manifest under certain conditions, initiating the epidemiological chain, so the scope of each zoonosis will depend on environmental conditions, prevalence and incidence. In the case of cattle, zoonoses can affect both productivity and public health, so adequate health management is essential, which includes primary prevention measures that guarantee the health of the animals by providing them with the necessary conditions of well-being and specific protection. Likewise, at a secondary level, early diagnosis and timely treatment of the disease, to promote the recovery of the animal and thereby reduce the risks of transmission to humans. The problem currently faced is the diversity of diseases and etiological agents that produce zoonotic diseases in cattle, highlighting bacterial, parasitic and viral zoonoses. Many of these diseases have a global distribution, such as brucellosis, anthrax, leptospirosis and tuberculosis, which are present in all five regions of the world. The current challenge, in addition to strengthening prevention and control measures, is to ensure that public, animal and environmental health function comprehensively.