Helminth and protozoan infections are responsible for important diseases in grazing sheep, which can be especially threatening in an autochthonous breed at risk of extinction like the Churra Galega Mirandesa Portuguese sheep breed. The aim of the present study was to determine the diversity, prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal parasites in these sheep and to assess the effects of deworming practices, cohabiting animals on the farm and feed management. Coprological qualitative and quantitative analysis (flotation, natural sedimentation and McMaster method) were used to identify and quantify gastrointestinal parasites and a questionnaire was designed and applied. A total of 512 faecal samples were collected from 49 flocks, and 49 replies to the questionnaire were received. Parasites were identified in 100% of the flocks, and in 97% of the samples. The genera or species that have been morphologically identified were: strongyle-type, Nematodirus spp., Skrjabinema spp., Moniezia expansa, Moniezia benedeni, Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Eimeria spp., Dicrocoelium spp. and Fasciola hepatica. This is the first report in Portugal of Skrjabinema spp. The burden of parasites' oocysts and eggs per gram in faecal samples ranged, respectively, from 50 to 17,550 for Eimeria spp., and from 50 to 6250 for strongyle-type eggs. Factors affecting parasitic infections were evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression. Grazing time and a lack of anthelmintic treatment were positively associated with Nematodirus spp. infection. This study showed that there is a high prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in the Churra Galega Mirandesa sheep breed.

© 2018 Elsevier LtdBackground: Most cases of listeriosis are domestically acquired. Although consumers have a key role in its prevention, it is generally agreed that individuals at higher risk have a low awareness of the infection. Scope and approach: A summary of the scientific information on listeriosis awareness among high-risk groups will be presented. Reasons explaining unawareness and potential strategies to communicate with target groups in a manner that can effectively change risk behaviours reducing the burden of listeriosis will be discussed. Key findings and conclusions: Research efforts are needed in particular experimental studies that can identify which communication factors have a causal effect on peoples’ risk behaviour and how these factors influence the processing of information by consumers.

Despite pressure to increase farm productivity, a tendency for animal-friendly production systems, like the one that includes grazing, is becoming more common due to an increased consumer awareness of animal welfare. Pasture is generally the main food source for these animals. Grazing sheep are therefore exposed to a huge diversity of parasites. These parasites impact greatly on animal health, welfare and productivity, and can be responsible for high economic losses due to delayed development of lambs and low productivity levels of adult sheep, which can be especially threatening in endangered breeds. Nematodes of the genera Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Teladorsagia, Cooperia and Nematodirus can cause serious health problems in sheep. Haemonchus contortus is responsible for the main health problems in sheep, and represents a significant cause of mortality worldwide. Nematodirus battus is a common cause of lamb diarrhoea. Some trematodes, besides affecting animal health, are zoonotic and may have health implications for farmers and local communities. Prophylaxis plans are essential in order to keep acceptable infection levels. A detailed knowledge of parasite species involved, as well as their burden and prevalence, is necessary. Pasture management should be a primary tool to control parasites. Integration of more than one measure like good farming practices, and appropriate biological control measures is essential to achieve the sustainable control on the parasites. Anti-parasitic drugs are still an important part of parasite control in grazing sheep. Consumers worry about the quality of meat as well as about the animal welfare, but studies of the effects of parasites are scarce, and there is a concern that grazing management systems increase the prevalence of parasites. The question is whether to choose less productive breeds but well adapted to the local environmental conditions (autochthonous breeds) and more resistant to parasites, or high productive breeds but not adapted to the local environment and its parasites. The aim of this review was to understand the current situation of the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in grazing sheep, and the consequences on sheep management and the effects on meat quality.

© 2016, International Association for Ecology and Health.Hydatidosis is a re-emerging disease. Farmers are a vulnerable population; however, little is known about their awareness of this disease. The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to assess sheep and goat farmers’ awareness of, perceptions of, and attitudes towards parasitic zoonoses and hydatidosis and (2) to identify the preferred means for promotion of information about hydatidosis. A cross-sectional study was conducted. An in-person questionnaire was constructed and administered to 279 individuals. A coprological survey in shepherd dogs was performed using 88 faecal samples. SPSS version 18.0 was used for statistical analysis. Farmers reported several risk practices (69% practice home slaughtering, 46% do not deworm the dogs, 58% of these dogs have contact with other animals) and very little knowledge about hydatidosis (97% have never heard about it). Nevertheless, 75% of the farmers demonstrated interest in receiving information, mainly from a veterinarian. A wide diversity of potentially zoonotic parasites (Trichuris spp., Ancylostomatidae, Toxocara spp., Taeniidae) was found in 61% of the dogs. This survey revealed farmers’ lack of knowledge in relation to hydatidosis and a high prevalence of potentially zoonotic parasites in dogs, thus pointing to the need for health education and a closer collaboration between veterinarian and public health professionals.

© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Dogs play many roles and their presence within people’s houses has increased. In rural settings dog faeces are not removed from the streets, representing an environmental pollution factor. Our aim was to evaluate the occurrence of environmental contamination with zoonotic intestinal parasites of three groups of dogs in Ponte de Lima, Portugal, with a particular emphasis on Echinococcus granulosus. We collected 592 dog faecal samples from the environment, farm and hunting dogs. Qualitative flotation coprological analysis was performed and the frequency in the positive samples ranged between 57.44% and 81.19% in different groups. We isolated up to four different parasites in one sample and detected seven intestinal parasitic species, genera or families overall. Ancylostomatidae was the most prevalent parasite, followed by Trichuris spp., Toxocara spp., Isospora spp., Dipylidium caninum, Taeniidae and Toxascaris leonina. Taeniidae eggs were analyzed with the PCR technique and revealed not to be from Echinococcus. The parasite prevalence and the diversity of zoonotic parasites found were high, which calls for a greater awareness of the problem among the population, especially hunters. Promoting research at the local level is important to plan control strategies. Health education should be developed with regard to farmers and hunters, and a closer collaboration between researchers, practitioners and public health authorities is needed.