Prevalence and environmental risk factors for ten zoonoses in two cree communities of James Bay (Canada)

Abstract

Zoonoses are diseases transmitted from animals to humans and populations in close contact to wildlife are more at risk to contracting them. A study to document the seroprevalence for ten zoonotic infections was conducted in the Cree communities of Eastmain and Wemindji (Canada) in 2007. The general objective of this essay is to present the seroprevalence and environmental risk factors for the populations of Eastmain and Wemindji for the ten pathogens investigated. Estimated seroprevalence are: Leptospira sp. (23%), Coxiella burnetii, Francisella tularensis (17%, titer > 1/20), Toxoplasma gondii (5%), the Sin Nombre virus (0%), two of the virus of the California serogroup (10%) (Snowshoe hare and Jamestown Canyon viruses) and of than less 5% for Echinococcus granulosus, Toxocara canis and Trichinella sp. Risk factors associated to the diseases are “being male”, “hunting” and owning a dog”. There are relatively few health effects associated with the diseases. Physician should investigate for both F. tularensis and Leptospira sp. in cases of severe ocular pathologies and for F. tularensis in cases of strong pharyngitis. The effects of zoonotic diseases are marginal compared to the benefits of maintaining a traditional diet and preserving a feeling of connectedness to traditions and culture.