Publication
Identification of hotspots for disease transmission in free-roaming domestic dog population in Uganda, Indonesia and Guatemala
| Summary: | ABSTRACT - Rabies is a zoonotic disease with major impact in the public health of several civilizations. Nowadays, it is often perpetuated by interactions of people with free-roaming dogs (FRD) in human territories. The intricate dynamics of these interactions, particularly in regions marked by substantial human population growth, call for a detailed understanding in dog roaming behaviour. This study examined the spatial and temporal patterns of FRD contacts in three distinct urban study sites, Soroti (Uganda), Habi (Indonesia), and Poptún (Guatemala), each presenting unique contexts. The study involved the collaring of 193 FRD, merging their GPS and dog-to-dog contact datasets. Spatial analysis employed kernel density estimates, unravelling the dispersion of GPS fixes and contacts. Temporal analysis showed intriguing variations in the Contact:GPS density ratio across different study days and time periods. Linear regression models probed dependencies on study days and time periods. Spatial dispersion was diverse between study sites, with Poptún in Guatemala displaying the most heterogeneous and extensive area coverage. Temporal patterns unveiled a marked surge in contact ratios during weekends, particularly on Fridays. Spatial-temporal consistency in contact hotspot patterns revealed stable, yet limited in time, and likely influenced by environmental and human factors. Cross-location analysis underscored the role of local factors and infrastructures in shaping contact distribution in FRD. The study findings enlighten the critical need for a better understanding of FRD roaming behaviour, for example for effective control of rabies. Identification of contact hotspots supports targeted intervention strategies and emphasizes the importance of local contexts. The consistency in overlapping infrastructure within contact hotspots across locations suggests shared attractions for dogs, emphasizing the significance of context specific strategies. This work thus advocates for tailored control and surveillance strategies, acknowledging the inherent heterogeneity in dog behaviour across diverse settings. Recognizing these patterns and understanding local influences on FRD dynamics are pivotal steps toward optimizing disease control efforts and advancing the goal of rabies eradication by 2030 |
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| Main Authors: | Freudenthal, Jerónimo Queiroga |
| Subject: | Free-roaming dogs Dog-mediated rabies Contact rates KDE Spatiotemporal analysis Cães errantes domésticos Raiva humana transmitida por cães Taxas de contacto KDE Análise espaciotemporal |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Document type: | master thesis |
| Access type: | open access |
| Associated institution: | Universidade de Lisboa |
| Language: | English |
| Origin: | Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa |
| Summary: | ABSTRACT - Rabies is a zoonotic disease with major impact in the public health of several civilizations. Nowadays, it is often perpetuated by interactions of people with free-roaming dogs (FRD) in human territories. The intricate dynamics of these interactions, particularly in regions marked by substantial human population growth, call for a detailed understanding in dog roaming behaviour. This study examined the spatial and temporal patterns of FRD contacts in three distinct urban study sites, Soroti (Uganda), Habi (Indonesia), and Poptún (Guatemala), each presenting unique contexts. The study involved the collaring of 193 FRD, merging their GPS and dog-to-dog contact datasets. Spatial analysis employed kernel density estimates, unravelling the dispersion of GPS fixes and contacts. Temporal analysis showed intriguing variations in the Contact:GPS density ratio across different study days and time periods. Linear regression models probed dependencies on study days and time periods. Spatial dispersion was diverse between study sites, with Poptún in Guatemala displaying the most heterogeneous and extensive area coverage. Temporal patterns unveiled a marked surge in contact ratios during weekends, particularly on Fridays. Spatial-temporal consistency in contact hotspot patterns revealed stable, yet limited in time, and likely influenced by environmental and human factors. Cross-location analysis underscored the role of local factors and infrastructures in shaping contact distribution in FRD. The study findings enlighten the critical need for a better understanding of FRD roaming behaviour, for example for effective control of rabies. Identification of contact hotspots supports targeted intervention strategies and emphasizes the importance of local contexts. The consistency in overlapping infrastructure within contact hotspots across locations suggests shared attractions for dogs, emphasizing the significance of context specific strategies. This work thus advocates for tailored control and surveillance strategies, acknowledging the inherent heterogeneity in dog behaviour across diverse settings. Recognizing these patterns and understanding local influences on FRD dynamics are pivotal steps toward optimizing disease control efforts and advancing the goal of rabies eradication by 2030 |
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