Abstract
In 1991, the National Zoonoses and Food Hygiene Research Centre (NZFHRC) in Nepal and the University of Guelph, Canada, began to work together to understand and control the transmission of a tapeworm infection called echinococcosis or hydatidosis in Wards 19 and 20 of Kathmandu. Ecchinococcocus species are small tapeworms that depend on 2 animal hosts to complete their reproductive lifecycle. The mature tapeworm lives in the intestine of a dog or other canine. The worm eggs are shed in dog faeces, contaminating the environment. A herbivorous animal may ingest the eggs while grazing, thus becoming an intermediate host for the immature stage of the worm. This immature tapeworm forms large thick-walled cysts in the organs of the intermediate host, not usually causing much harm to the animal, depending on the location and number of cysts. When the intermediate host is eaten by a dog or canine, the immature tapeworms take hold in the carnivore’s intestine and develop into mature worms, completing the lifecycle.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Baronet, D., Waltner-Toews, D., Craig, P.S., and Joshi, D.D. (1994). Echinococcus granulosus Infection in Dog Populations in Kathmandu, Nepal. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 88, 485–492.
Joshi, D.D., Sherpa, C.L., and Waltner-Toews, D. (2003a). Participatory Action Research on Urban Ecosystem Health in Kathmandu Inner City Neighbourhoods. National Zoonoses and Food Hygiene Research Centre (NZFHRC), Kathmandu, Nepal. Available at: http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/handle/10625/32067.
Joshi, D.D., Sharma, M., Maharjan, M., Joshi, H., and Chand, P.B. (2003b). Urban Ecosystem Health Approaches to Local Initiatives in Kathmandu Ward No. 19 and 20, Nepal. National Zoonoses and Food Hygiene Research Centre (NZFHRC), Kathmandu, Nepal.
Joshi, D.D., Regmi, D.N., Thapa, D.B., and Gurung, C.K. (2003c). Sanitary Condition of Households in Kathmandu City. National Zoonoses and Food Hygiene Research Centre (NZFHRC), Kathmandu, Nepal.
Joshi, D.D., Gupta, R., Sharma, M., and Dahal, M. (2006). Three Years Progress Review of Urban Ecosystem Health Project, Phase II. National Zoonoses and Food Hygiene Research Centre (NZFHRC), Kathmandu, Nepal.
Neudoerffer, R.C., Waltner-Toews, D., Kay, J., Joshi, D.D., and Tamang, M.S. (2005). A Diagrammatic Approach to Understanding Complex Eco-Social Interactions in Kathmandu, Nepal. Ecology and Society, 10(2), 12. Available at: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol10/iss2/art12/.
Neudoerffer, R.C., Waltner-Toews, D., and Kay, J. (2008). Chapter 15: Return to Kathmandu, A Post Hoc Application of AMESH. In: David Waltner-Toews, D., Kay, J.J., and Lister, N-M.E. (Editors), The Ecosystem Approach: Complexity, Uncertainty, and Managing for Sustainability. Columbia University Press, New York, NY, USA.
Regmi (2009a). Assistance in Synthesis and Documentation of Health, Environment and Development Outcomes in Urban Ecohealth Project Kathamdu. Consultancy Report. International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada. Available at: http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/handle/10625/45392.
Regmi (2009b). Assistance in Synthesis and Documentation of Health, Environment and Development Outcomes in Urban Ecohealth Project, Kathmandu. Workshop Report. International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada. Available at: http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/handle/10625/45391.
Torgerson, P.R., Keller, K., Magnotta, M. and Ragland, N. (2010). The Global Burden of Alveolar Echinococcosis. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 4(6), e722. Available at: http://www.plosntds.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pntd.0000722.
Waltner-Toews, D., Neudoerffer, C., Joshi, D.D., and Tamang, M.S. (2005). Agro-Urban Ecosystem Health Assessment in Kathmandu, Nepal: Epidemiology, Systems, Narratives. EcoHealth, 2(2), 155–164.
WHO (World Health Organization). (2010). Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2010: Working to Overcome the Global Impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to a large number of researchers and institutions who worked with us over the years. Special thanks are due to our partners from SAGUN, all members from the 18 stakeholder groups from Wards 19 and 20 of Kathmandu, students and other colleagues from the University of Guelph, Canada, and all staff, consultants, advisors, and resource persons who worked directly with NZFHRC. IDRC support was provided through projects 003320, 101277, and 104659.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 International Development Research Centre
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Joshi, D.D., Sharma, M., Waltner-Toews, D. (2012). Rebuilding Urban Ecosystems for Better Community Health in Kathmandu. In: Charron, D. (eds) Ecohealth Research in Practice. Insight and Innovation in International Development, vol 1. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0517-7_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0517-7_18
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-0516-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-0517-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)