Ecohealth/one health and echinococcus transmission
Résumé
Infectious disease transmission is increasingly thought to be the result of the systemic integration of complex links between the health of all species and that of their environment. This field of research and application is being popularized in the term of "One Health", itself encapsulated in the term "Ecohealth". The life-cycles of Echinococcus species range from merely sylvatic to merely domestic. Furthermore, several species and genotypes can co-exist locally in the same ecosystem. The diversity of Echinococcus species and genotypes, the number of host species and the variety of community lifestyles pose substantial problems when it comes to understand life-cycle and exposure routes and develop relevant strategies for control. Understanding Echinococcus transmission and achieving successful control is dependent on developing parallel paths, bridges and sustainable long-term interactions between disciplines (ecology, geography, population genetics, modelling, anthropology, economics, health sciences and clinics, etc.) and sectors (e.g. pest control, conservation, public health, socio-economy, land use and land management, etc.). Based on examples, here we present an overview about world ecosystems conducive to Echinococcus parasite transmission, and how anthropogenic disturbance can or do lead to transmission re-enforcement, sustained stability or to extinction in various conditions. We present why systems approach is essential to insert Echinococcus control in a larger scope where ultimate and proximate causes of transmission can together be taken into account.