Human-animal relationship and leishmaniasis: Repercussions in the daily routine of individuals inserted in an endemic region

Abstract

In the context of zoonosis, the premise according to which the dog is considered by the public health services as a component in the complex chain of proliferation of leishmaniasises (being recommended euthanasia and, from 2016 on, the treatment with specific drugs of dogs diagnosed with this disease), is permeated by conflict, especially due to the space that these animals are gradually occupying in the life of human beings, even being considered substitutes for children and constituting what has been called the “multispecies family.” In this article we analyze the human-animal relationship in the neighborhood with the largest canine seroprevalence of leishmaniasis in an endemic municipality, as well as the social impacts perceived by the humans involved in the process. Through interviews, we identified the various benefits derived from human-animal coexistence, especially for easing solitude, as well as the difficulties involved in the surrendering the animal for euthanasia to the service of zoonoses control.