Assessment of the Risk of Zoonotic Infections in Prisons in French Guiana

The prison system in French Guiana is characterized by severe overcrowding, high levels of promiscuity, poor sanitary conditions, and the documented presence of potential reservoirs or vectors of zoonotic diseases, particularly swallows and rodents.

In French Guiana, several zoonotic diseases have a high incidence or are of particular public health significance, including Q fever, leptospirosis, Chagas disease, histoplasmosis, and toxoplasmosis. Despite this context, the risk of zoonotic diseases in prisons remains poorly documented, even though endemic and epidemic circulation of Q fever has already been described at the French Guiana correctional facility. This study aims to document this risk in a systematic and prospective manner.

The main objective is to assess the prevalence of zoonotic infections (Q fever, leptospirosis, Chagas disease, histoplasmosis, and toxoplasmosis) among inmates at the French Guiana Correctional Facility in 2026-2027.

The other objectives are :

* To measure the seroprevalence of zoonotic infections among new arrivals at the French Guiana correctional facility; * To identify individual risk factors, both within and outside the prison, for acquiring zoonotic infections; * To analyze the results in relation to bioclimatic data (wind direction, humidity, precipitation, temperature) The expected benefits will aim to objectively assess the risk of zoonotic diseases within the French Guiana correctional facility, to improve understanding of zoonoses in prison settings, to guide the implementation of appropriate prevention and screening measures, and to contribute to improving health conditions in detention.

It should also strengthen cooperation between health and justice officials as part of an integrated approach to the prevention and management of infectious diseases.