Zoonotic giardiasis – Knowledge of pet owners in Estonia

Lõputöö Veterinaarmeditsiini õppekavalGiardiaas on ülemaailmse levikuga zoonootiline parasitaarne haigus, millesse nakatub enamik imetajatest, sealhulgas ka lemmikloomad ja inimesed. Selle kirjeldava uuringu eesmärk oli saada ülevaade Eesti loomaomanike teadmistest giardiaasi, selle leviku, tekitaja, kliiniliste tunnuste ja zoonootilise edasi kandumise kohta. Samuti koguti andmeid, et saada ülevaade milliste skeemide järgi annavad inimesed oma loomadele ussirohtu ning kas nad leiavad, et loomaarstid on neid teavitanud zoonootilistest haigustest. Andmed koguti küsimustiku kaudu, millest võtsid osa 181 loomaomanikku, kes külastasid Eesti Maaülikooli Väikeloomakliinikut ühe kuu vältel. Peamised uurimuse tulemused olid, et enamus loomaomanikke (86%, n = 156) ei ole giardiaasist varem kuulnud ja ainult 32% (n = 8) nendest loomaomanikest, kellel oli haiguse kohta varasem teadmine, teadsid võimalikust zoonootilisest ülekandumisest inimesele. 42% loomaomanikest leidis, et nad ei ole saanud loomaarstilt piisavalt teavet zoonootiliste haiguste kohta. Tuginedes meie uuringu tulemustele saame öelda, et giardiaasi ja selle zoonootilise riski osas on vaja tõsta teadlikkust, kuna see kujutab ohtu rahvatervisele.Giardiasis is a worldwide zoonotic parasitic disease that infects most mammals, including pets and humans. The aim of this descriptive study was to obtain an overview of the knowledge about giardiasis, its prevalence, cause, clinical signs, and zoonotic significance. Data were also collected to provide an overview of which schemes owners use for worm medicine on their animals and whether they consider that zoonotic diseases have been reported to them by veterinarians. Data was collected through a questionnaire, which was attended by 181 animal owners who visited the Small Animal Clinic of Estonia University of Life Sciences for one month period. The main results of the study were that the majority of animal owners (86%, n = 156) had not heard of giardiasis before, and only 32% (n = 8) of those animal owners with previous knowledge of the disease, were aware of the potential for zoonotic transmission to humans. 42% of pet owners say they have not received enough information from a veterinarian about zoonotic diseases. Based on the results of our study, we can say that there is a need to increase the awareness of giardiasis and its zoonotic risk, as it poses a threat to public health