Gasser, Lea Cornelia (2025). Pets, People, and Pandemic Preparedness: First insights from the BEready longitudinal cohort study. (Thesis). Universität Bern, Bern
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Abstract
Background: Pandemics and zoonotic diseases pose a significant threat to human health. Household pets are often overlooked in surveillance, despite their close contact with humans. Objective: To present first findings from the BEready cohort, a longitudinal study integrating humans and pets to assess zoonotic risks and pandemic preparedness in Swiss households. Materials and methods: We analysed data from the pilot study and the first nine months of the main cohort enrolment, focusing on pet demographics, preventive care, and behaviours relevant to the acquisition and transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Results: Endoparasites were found in 11% of cats and 33% of dogs. Many pets had contact with birds, wildlife, livestock, or other animals. Owners lived in close contact with their pets. Preventive measures such as vaccinations and deworming were more consistently implemented in dogs than in cats. Conclusion: These initial results highlight zoonotic risks in the household setting. Including pets in pandemic preparedness cohorts is challenging but essential to a more comprehensive One Health approach and to strengthen future public health responses.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Dissertation Type: | Single |
| Date of Defense: | 14 March 2025 |
| Subjects: | 500 Science > 590 Animals (Zoology) 600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
| Institute / Center: | 05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine (DKV) |
| Depositing User: | Hammer Igor |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Dec 2025 09:34 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Dec 2025 09:34 |
| URI: | https://boristheses.unibe.ch/id/eprint/6987 |
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