Decreasing of the risk of zoonoses by solving the problem with stray dogs

People can become infected with zoonoses from domestic or stray dogs (the most dangerous ones are rabies, brucellosis, dermatomycosis, leptospirosis, parasitic diseases). 1,466 rabies outbreaks and 2 cases of human rabies were reported in Ukraine in 2018. In total, 17 people died of rabies in Ukraine in 2014-2018. Sources of rabies were nonvaccinated against rabies dogs. In most dermatomycosis patients, the zoonotic form of microsporia caused by Microsporum canis is recorded, and infected cats and dogs play an important role in the spread. Dogs are a dangerous reservoir of leptospira and a source of infection for humans. Develops a mild course of leptospirosis, reminiscent of influenza, but has severe consequences and leads to meningitis. Dogs can infect humans with the agents of campylobacteriosis and brucellosis, as well as many other parasitic diseases: Ancylostoma braziliense і Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis і Toxocara cati , Cryptosporidium , Echinococcus granulosus, Dirofilaria immitis , Giardia lamblia and ectoparasites: Sarcoptes scabiei (variant canis) and Cheyletiella yasguri. Prevention of zoonotic diseases requires a holistic approach within the framework of the One Health concept. Health, environmental and veterinary services, with the active involvement of local government, conservation and animal welfare organizations, must be involved. The problem of handling animals and regulating the numbers of stray animals in Sumy is an urgent one. The solution to this problem is to reduce the number of stray animals with only humane methods, to improve the epizootic and sanitary-ecological situation in the city, to create conditions for the prevention of the phenomenon of stray animals, and to change public opinion towards a civilized, humane, ethical attitude to animals. Principles of animal shelter organization, scheme of veterinary and sanitary measures and treatment and preventive treatment of animals have been developed and put into practice by us. Within the framework of the agreement with the communal enterprise of the Sumy City Council "Animal Care Center" Sumy National Agrarian University performs the veterinary part of the service of stray animals, which ensures the implementation of the "Program of regulation of the number of stray animals in the city of Sumy by humane methods".