Trichinellosis is a foodborne zoonosis transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat containing Trichinella spp. larvae and maintained by complex transmission cycles linking wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. This study estimated the seroprevalence of Trichinella spp. in hunting dogs and assessed hunters’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to trichinellosis in West Pasaman Regency, using a cross-sectional study. Blood serum samples were collected from 112 hunting dogs in West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, and tested for Trichinella antibodies using a commercial indirect ELISA. Sociodemographic characteristics and KAP related to trichinellosis and hunting dog management were collected through structured, validated interviews with 30 hunters involved in traditional hunting practices. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Fisher's exact tests) were used to analyze the data and evaluate the correlation between seropositivity and the dogs' sex and age. Overall, Trichinella antibodies were detected in 14.29% (n = 16/112; 95% CI: 9.0%-22.0%) with no significant correlation against sex (P=0.689) or age (P=0.649). KAP assessment revealed very limited awareness of trichinellosis among hunters, predominantly neutral attitudes, and widespread misconceptions regarding zoonotic risk, transmission routes, and disease severity. Hunting practices, including frequent hunting, direct contact between dogs and wild boars, and routine feeding of raw wild boar meat or offal to dogs were identified as potential risk pathways for parasite transmission. These findings suggest that Trichinella spp. may be circulating, indicating that Trichinella spp. is established in the local sylvatic cycle. This highlights the need for integrated surveillance by relevant authorities, hunter education, safe meat-handling practices, improved feeding practices for hunting dogs (avoiding raw wild boar meat or offal), and strengthened cross-sector collaboration.

To Cite This Article: Dalimunthe YH, Satrija F, Ridwan Y, Sudarnika E, Murtini S and Arif R, 2026. First report on serological evidence of Trichinella spp. exposure in hunting dogs and knowledge–attitude–practice assessment among hunters in West Pasaman Regency: a one health approach. Pak Vet J, 46(6): 1485-1494. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2026.141