A One Health Approach Relative to Trematode-Caused Diseases of People and Animals Associated with Aquaculture

Abstract

A marked increase in food production is necessary if the World Health Assembly goal of ending world hunger and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030 is to be achieved. To this end, aquaculture plays a major role, but it could play an even more prominent role at least in some areas, especially Africa. There is a need to further develop aquaculture because harvesting from natural populations of potential food-species is not sustainable. At the same time aquaculture may also have some negative environmental and public health effects. Environmental effects are primarily due to eutrophication of natural habitats. Negative health effects are related to the potential presence of chemical residuals (medicine residuals or heavy metals from feed), pathogens or parasites in the final product. In Africa, there is a special concern that aquaculture facilities could contribute to increased transmission of schistosomes. Aquaculture development and the possible problems and their mitigation are discussed. The possible integration of mini-livestock with aquaculture is considered.