Alternative and Complementary Methods for the Control of Infectious Diseases in Animals

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Background

Traditional methods of infectious disease control in animals with commercial drugs are losing popularity due to the development of resistance by infectious agents. Furthermore, the public has become more sensitive to issues relating to chemical residues in animal products, and possible side effects in human and animal health. Recent studies have demonstrated that many agents (viruses, bacteria and parasites) responsible for causing diseases can be effectively controlled through use of alternative and complementary methods such as biological control, vaccines, management practices, plants and natural products.

Globally, animal welfare and the concept of ‘clean, green and sustainable’ animal production has been promoted in response to consumer-driven demands. Although alternative and complementary methods have been explored for centuries, and are still used in developing countries to treat animals against infectious diseases, these practices are generally characterised by inadequate documentation and insufficient evidence-based efficacy research. In recent times, there has been a paradigm shift towards the search for more ‘natural’ ways of managing animal health and production.

Globally, animals make a significant contribution to people's food security, income and well-being. However, infectious diseases in production, companion and wild animals have caused serious losses to the economy of people and institutions. Conventionally, livestock, clinics and zoos often rely on the extensive use of synthetic chemicals, including antibiotics, anthelmintics and feed supplements to monitor animal health in order to improve meat production and animal welfare. Long-term use of chemical drugs has led to serious problems, such as the rapid development of drug-resistant infectious agents. In addition, more and more negative effects and consequences for human and animal health are emerging from these synthetic products and there is a paradigm shift towards the search for alternative or complementary options and more "natural" ways of managing animal health and production.

On different continents, there is no doubt that alternative methods of animal husbandry and medication are increasingly being recognized for their potential usefulness in contributing to animal welfare, particularly at the level of primary animal health care. For this reason, it is pertinent that researchers urgently consider the need to document treatments that involve the application of biological control, vaccines, management practices, plants and natural products.

Therefore, the objective of this research topic is to bring together different academic disciplines to offer new knowledge about alternative and complementary methods useful against infectious diseases in animals. We welcome Original Research Papers, Clinical Research, Reviews, Systematic Reviews and Opinions on, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Indigenous knowledge and ethnobotanical surveys focusing on animal health and productivity
• Biological efficacy and safety evaluation of plants and associated natural products for infectious diseases in animals
• Application of biological control in order to mitigate infectious diseases in animals
• Use of management and zootechnical strategies for the prevention and control of infectious diseases in animals
• Use of innovative vaccines and treatments for controlling infectious diseases in animals

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Anthelmintic, Ethnoveterinary, Phytomedicine, Biological control, Animals

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