Publications by authors named "Alexis Lopez Hernandez"
Free roaming domestic dogs (FRDD) are the main vectors for rabies transmission to humans worldwide. To eradicate rabies from a dog population, current recommendations focus on random vaccination with at least 70% coverage. Studies suggest that targeting high-risk subpopulations could reduce the required vaccination coverage, and increase the likelihood of success of elimination campaigns.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDogs play a major role in public health because of potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, such as rabies. Dog roaming behavior has been studied worldwide, including countries in Asia, Latin America, and Oceania, while studies on dog roaming behavior are lacking in Africa. Many of those studies investigated potential drivers for roaming, which could be used to refine disease control measures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study investigates using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for estimating free-roaming domestic dog populations in Petén, Guatemala, comparing it to traditional methods like foot-patrol surveys and human: dog ratios.
- Data was collected through collaring dogs during door-to-door surveys, UAV flights capturing images, and simultaneous foot-patrol counts, allowing for a capture-recapture model to estimate populations.
- The UAV method identified fewer dogs in the study areas than foot patrols, suggesting potential underestimation, yet it provides a modern approach to more accurately assess dog population sizes for better disease control and vaccination strategies.