Anthrax is hyper-endemic in West Africa affecting wildlife, livestock and humans. Prediction is difficult due to the lack of accurate outbreak data. However, predicting the risk of infection is important for public health, wildlife... more
Anthrax is hyper-endemic in West Africa affecting wildlife, livestock and humans. Prediction is difficult due to the lack of accurate outbreak data. However, predicting the risk of infection is important for public health, wildlife conservation and livestock economies. In this study, the seasonality of anthrax outbreaks in West Africa was investigated using climate time series and ecological niche modeling to identify environmental factors related to anthrax occurrence, develop geospatial risk maps and identify seasonal patterns. Outbreak data in livestock, wildlife and humans between 2010 and 2018 were compiled from different sources and analyzed against monthly rates of change in precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface temperature. Maximum Entropy was used to predict and map the environmental suitability of anthrax occurrence. The findings showed that: (i) Anthrax outbreaks significantly (99%) increased with incremental changes in monthly prec...
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African swine fever (ASF) is now established beyond Africa, in the Caucasus and the Russian Federation, where it is having a particularly devastating impact on small-scale pig farmers, who are losing a valuable protein source and cash... more
African swine fever (ASF) is now established beyond Africa, in the Caucasus and the Russian Federation, where it is having a particularly devastating impact on small-scale pig farmers, who are losing a valuable protein source and cash income. In the past, the virus was already detected outside Africa from the 1950s to the 1980s in Europe, the Caribbean and Brazil. The recent developments in Eastern Europe indicate that a further geographic expansion of ASF is likely to occur, requiring increased prevention and vigilance to protect swine populations and the associated business and livelihoods.
SUMMARY A survey of national animal influenza surveillance programmes was conducted to assess the current capacity to detect influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals (i.e. those influenza viruses that can be naturally... more
SUMMARY A survey of national animal influenza surveillance programmes was conducted to assess the current capacity to detect influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals (i.e. those influenza viruses that can be naturally transmitted between animals and humans) at regional and global levels. Information on 587 animal influenza surveillance system components was collected for 99 countries from Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) (n = 94) and published literature. Less than 1% (n = 4) of these components were specifically aimed at detecting influenza viruses with pandemic potential in animals (i.e. those influenza viruses that are capable of causing epidemic spread in human populations over large geographical regions or worldwide), which would have zoonotic potential as a prerequisite. Those countries that sought to detect influenza viruses with pandemic potential searched for such viruses exclusively in domestic pigs. This work shows the global need for increasing surveillance t...
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Science and Regulation.An estimated 6051 tons of active substances went into the production of veterinary pharmaceuticals (VPs) for the treatment of food animals in the European Union (EU) in 2004, including 5393 tons of antibiotics and... more
Science and Regulation.An estimated 6051 tons of active substances went into the production of veterinary pharmaceuticals (VPs) for the treatment of food animals in the European Union (EU) in 2004, including 5393 tons of antibiotics and 194 tons of antiparasitics. With global meat production projected to increase and the growing market for companion animal pharmaceuticals, the use of VPs will continue to increase. Although VPs may benefit the health and welfare of domestic animals and the efficiency of food animal production, they can contaminate the environment through manufacturing, treatment of animals, and disposal of carcasses, offal, urine, feces, and unused products (see the chart). This contamination is a threat to nontarget species, including humans. With Spain having recently authorized marketing of a VP that was banned in South Asia in the past decade in light of environmental impacts, we recommend strengthening of current procedures and addition of a more proactive, holi...
Schematic diagram showing the distribution and dynamic pattern of different H5N1 clusters on the Map of Egypt. (GIF 67 kb)
Abstract. Three llamas (Lama glama) were experimentally infected intranasally with an isolate of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) from the brain of an alpaca that had experienced severe neurologic signs. Two of the 3 llamas developed severe... more
Abstract. Three llamas (Lama glama) were experimentally infected intranasally with an isolate of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) from the brain of an alpaca that had experienced severe neurologic signs. Two of the 3 llamas developed severe neurologic disorders following inoculation; 1 died, and 1 was euthanized in a moribund state. The third llama showed only mild neurologic signs. The euthanized llama had preexisting antibodies to-EHV-1, and the remaining 2 llamas were seronegative (virus neutralization titer < 6) at the time of inoculation. One of the seronegative llamas died acutely without production of detectable antibodies, and the other developed antibodies typical of a primary immune response. The EHV-1 virus was recovered only from a sample of the thalamus of the llama that died acutely. Histopathologic lesions were observed in the brain and retina of the dead and euthanized animals. This study verifies the pathogenic potential of EHV-1 for llamas. Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV...
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Abstract This literature review provides an overview of use of environmental samples (ES) such as faeces, water, air, mud and swabs of surfaces in avian influenza (AI) surveillance programs, focussing on effectiveness, advantages and gaps... more
Abstract This literature review provides an overview of use of environmental samples (ES) such as faeces, water, air, mud and swabs of surfaces in avian influenza (AI) surveillance programs, focussing on effectiveness, advantages and gaps in knowledge. ES have been used effectively for AI surveillance since the 1970s. Results from ES have enhanced understanding of the biology of AI viruses in wild birds and in markets, of links between human and avian influenza, provided early warning of viral incursions, allowed assessment of effectiveness of control and preventive measures, and assisted epidemiological studies in outbreaks, both avian and human. Variation exists in the methods and protocols used, and no internationally recognized guidelines exist on the use of ES and data management. Few studies have performed direct comparisons of ES versus live bird samples (LBS). Results reported so far demonstrate reliance on ES will not be sufficient to detect virus in all cases when it is present, especially when the prevalence of infection/contamination is low. Multiple sample types should be collected. In live bird markets, ES from processing/selling areas are more likely to test positive than samples from bird holding areas. When compared to LBS, ES is considered a cost‐effective, simple, rapid, flexible, convenient and acceptable way of achieving surveillance objectives. As a non‐invasive technique, it can minimize effects on animal welfare and trade in markets and reduce impacts on wild bird communities. Some limitations of environmental sampling methods have been identified, such as the loss of species‐specific or information on the source of virus, and taxonomic‐level analyses, unless additional methods are applied. Some studies employing ES have not provided detailed methods. In others, where ES and LBS are collected from the same site, positive results have not been assigned to specific sample types. These gaps should be remedied in future studies.
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Climate strongly affects agriculture and livestock production and influences animal diseases, vectors and pathogens, and their habitat. Global warming trends predicted in the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC) report... more
Climate strongly affects agriculture and livestock production and influences animal diseases, vectors and pathogens, and their habitat. Global warming trends predicted in the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC) report for South America are likely to change the temporal and geographical distribution of infectious diseases, including those that are vector-borne such as bluetongue, West Nile fever, vesicular stomatitis and New World screwworm. Changes in distribution will be partially modulated by El Niño Southern Oscillation events, which will become more frequent and lead to a greater frequency of droughts and floods. Active disease surveillance for animal diseases in South America, particularly for vector-borne diseases, is very poor. Disease reporting is often lacking, which affects knowledge of disease distribution and impact, and preparedness for early response. Improved reporting for animal diseases that may be affected by climate change is needed for better prevention and intervention measures in susceptible livestock, wildlife and vectors in South America. This requires contributions from multidisciplinary experts, including meteorologists, epidemiologists, biologists and ecologists, and from local communities.
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Research Interests: Genetics, Microbiology, Eastern Europe, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, and 15 moreNigeria, Biologie Moléculaire, Birds, Animals, Infection, Ducks, Avian Influenza Viruses, Genotype, Genetic Analysis, Large Scale, Base Sequence, Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Molecular Sequence Data, Génome, and grippe aviaire
Research Interests: Microbiology, Electron Microscopy, Immune response, Medical Microbiology, Biology, and 15 moreMedicine, Gene expression, Cell line, Animals, Vaccination, Foot and Mouth Disease, Animal Protein, Cattle, Convalescence, Diagnostic Test, Rabbits, Elsevier, Recombinant Proteins, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, and Cricetinae
To evaluate a portable real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay designed to detect all 7 viral serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Laboratory and animal studies. Viruses grown in tissue... more
To evaluate a portable real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay designed to detect all 7 viral serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Laboratory and animal studies. Viruses grown in tissue culture and animals experimentally infected with FMDV. 1 steer, pig, and sheep were infected with serotype O FMDV. Twenty-four hours later, animals were placed in separate rooms that contained 4 FMDV-free, healthy animals of the same species. Oral and nasal swab specimens, oropharyngeal specimens obtained with a probang, and blood samples were obtained at frequent intervals, and animals were observed for fever and clinical signs of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Samples from animals and tissue cultures were assayed for infectious virus and viral RNA. The assay detected viral RNA representing all 7 FMDV serotypes grown in tissue culture but did not amplify a panel of selected viruses that included those that cause vesicular diseases similar to FMD; thus, the assay had a specificity of 100%, depending on the panel selected. The assay also met or exceeded sensitivity of viral culture on samples from experimentally infected animals. In many instances, the assay detected viral RNA in the mouth and nose 24 to 96 hours before the onset of clinical disease. The assay reagents are produced in a vitrified form, which permits storage and transportation at ambient temperatures. The test can be performed in 2 hours or less on a portable instrument, thus providing a rapid, portable, sensitive, and specific method for detection of FMDV.
Research Interests: Biology, Virology, Medicine, Sheep, Animals, and 15 moreMale, Polymerase Chain Reaction, The, Foot and Mouth Disease, Real Time, Cattle, Saliva, Time Factors, Swine, Veterinary Sciences, Sensitivity and Specificity, Reverse Transcriptase, Serotyping, real time polymerase chain reaction, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
Research Interests: Eastern Europe, Global Health, Medical Microbiology, Biology, Ecology, and 12 moreMedicine, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Birds, Animals, Geese, Clinical Sciences, Ducks, Public health systems and services research, Migratory Birds, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Species Specificity, and Highly pathogenic avian influenza
Egypt has a large traditional and exotic poultry sector which is challenged regularly by poultry diseases in endemic and epidemic proportions. The household poultry in particular is a source of livelihoods and employment for millions of... more
Egypt has a large traditional and exotic poultry sector which is challenged regularly by poultry diseases in endemic and epidemic proportions. The household poultry in particular is a source of livelihoods and employment for millions of low income citizens. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and Newcastle disease are the most important poultry diseases in this sector. Whereas poultry vaccines are available to reduce the incidence of disease in Egypt, their effectiveness is doubtful. We conducted a biological evaluation of selected viral vaccines of poultry in three governorates in Egypt. Fifty‑four percent of the vaccines had reduced vaccine titres and the effect of secondary vaccine distributions was associated with the observed vaccine titres. External contamination was observed in some vaccines and break in cold chain was reported. Whereas no vaccine distributor used purpose‑built vaccine refrigerator, none also had prescribed protocol for vaccine handling or kept reco...
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Binding of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) to cells requires an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence in the capsid protein VP1. We have genetically engineered an FMDV in which these three amino acids have been deleted,... more
Binding of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) to cells requires an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence in the capsid protein VP1. We have genetically engineered an FMDV in which these three amino acids have been deleted, producing a virus particle which is unable to bind to cells. Cattle vaccinated with these receptor binding site-deleted virions were protected from disease when challenged with a virulent virus, demonstrating that these RGD-deleted viruses could serve as the basis for foot-and-mouth disease vaccines safer than those currently in use. This strategy may prove useful in the development of vaccines for other viral diseases.
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remain infective in faeces for at least 11 days and in bone marrow for months. When not protected, ASF virus is rapidly inactivated by sunlight and desiccation. As a result of its tolerance to a wide pH range, only certain disinfectants... more
remain infective in faeces for at least 11 days and in bone marrow for months. When not protected, ASF virus is rapidly inactivated by sunlight and desiccation. As a result of its tolerance to a wide pH range, only certain disinfectants are effective against the virus. African swine fever affects all ages of pigs, without sex predilection. Pigs become infected mainly through the oro-nasal route after contact with infected pigs or through feeding of virus-contaminated products (swill and garbage waste). In areas where competent vectors of the Ornithodoros tick genus exist, transmission via these vectors can be important for virus persistence in an area. Maintenance of ASF virus in domestic pigs in the absence of Ornithodoros ticks is probably dependant on the existence of large, continuous populations of pigs whose high reproductive rate ensures constant availability of naïve pigs for infection and further spread. Aerosol transmission has been shown to occur only over very short dist...
Preparing for highly pathogenic avian influenza , Preparing for highly pathogenic avian influenza , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
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In early September 2012, a human case of RVF was reported in Mauritania. By 30 October 2012, a total of six regions had been affected with 34 human cases of RVF, including 17 deaths. Only the southern regions of Mauritania, those closest... more
In early September 2012, a human case of RVF was reported in Mauritania. By 30 October 2012, a total of six regions had been affected with 34 human cases of RVF, including 17 deaths. Only the southern regions of Mauritania, those closest to the usual enzootic areas along the Senegal River, seem to have been involved in this event. Although no active cases in animals have been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), analyses conducted by the National Veterinary Research Laboratory show serological evidence of ongoing virus circulation in several regions of the country, along with reports of abortions in sheep and camels.
To respond to the lack of early warning in dealing with livestock diseases, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) developed and launched the Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES)... more
To respond to the lack of early warning in dealing with livestock diseases, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) developed and launched the Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES) programme in 1994. Emphasis was placed on the prevention of emergencies due to transboundary epidemic diseases of livestock of significant economic, trade and/or food security importance. EMPRES early warning activities, mainly based on disease surveillance, reporting and epidemiological analysis are supported by the EMPRES-i information system which enables integration, analysis and sharing of animal health data, combined with relevant layers of information, such as socio-economic, production and climatic data. Indeed, data integration, analysis and mapping represent a key step towards a better understanding of the distribution and behaviour, source and evolution of a disease (or infection) for the definition of appropriate cost-effective disease c...
Research Interests: Management, Geology, Geomorphology, Data Analysis, Digital Elevation Models, and 15 moreCoastal Zone Management, Early Warning, Models, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Littoral, ARENA, Equilibrium, Cliffs, Human Activity, Food and Agriculture Organization, Geographic Information System, Geographic Information Systems, Building Model, Highly pathogenic avian influenza, and Coastal Area
A distinct cluster of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of subtype A(H5N1) has been found to emerge within clade 2.2.1.2 in poultry in Egypt since summer 2014 and appears to have quickly become predominant. Viruses of this cluster... more
A distinct cluster of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of subtype A(H5N1) has been found to emerge within clade 2.2.1.2 in poultry in Egypt since summer 2014 and appears to have quickly become predominant. Viruses of this cluster may be associated with increased incidence of human influenza A(H5N1) infections in Egypt over the last months.
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The article explains the current procedures to be followed for institutes that are, were or would like to become Reference Centres for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Within the realm of animal health... more
The article explains the current procedures to be followed for institutes that are, were or would like to become Reference Centres for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Within the realm of animal health many of the Reference Laboratories and Reference Centres of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) are the same as those of the Animal and Health Division of FAO, particularly for diseases that are transboundary in nature, but they also address other aspects concerning health, production, standard setting, agriculture, conservation, water, and biotechnology.
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Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been recognised as a serious viral disease of poultry since 1878. The number of recorded outbreaks of HPAI has increased globally in the past 10 years culminating in 2004 with the unprecedented... more
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been recognised as a serious viral disease of poultry since 1878. The number of recorded outbreaks of HPAI has increased globally in the past 10 years culminating in 2004 with the unprecedented outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI involving at least nine countries in East and South-East Asia. Apart from the geographical extent of these outbreaks and apparent rapid spread, this epidemic has a number of unique features, among which is the role that asymptomatic domestic waterfowl and more particularly free-ranging ducks play in the transmission of highly pathogenic H5N1. Field epidemiological studies have been conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization and several collaborative centres to explore the factors that could have led to a change from infection to the emergence of widespread disease in 2003-2004 and 2005. Domestic waterfowl, specific farming practices and agro-ecological environments have been identified to play a key role in the occurr...
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ロシア連邦において、アフリカ豚コレラの感染が拡大しています。この疾病は、死亡率が極めて高いこと、有効なワクチンがないことなどから、一旦、侵入すると、経済的損失が大きく、撲滅は困難とされています。日本でも、口蹄疫と並ぶ海外悪性伝染病のひとつとして位置付けられています。 ロシアでの流行の現状から、今後、欧州でも発生することが懸念されています。仮に欧州で発生した場合、今後の世界の豚肉需給にも大きな影響を及ぼすことになります。... more
ロシア連邦において、アフリカ豚コレラの感染が拡大しています。この疾病は、死亡率が極めて高いこと、有効なワクチンがないことなどから、一旦、侵入すると、経済的損失が大きく、撲滅は困難とされています。日本でも、口蹄疫と並ぶ海外悪性伝染病のひとつとして位置付けられています。 ロシアでの流行の現状から、今後、欧州でも発生することが懸念されています。仮に欧州で発生した場合、今後の世界の豚肉需給にも大きな影響を及ぼすことになります。 今後の事態を考える上でも、まず、この疾病のことを正確に知る必要がありますが、ロシアの状況についての情報は入手が難しかったところ、今般、この疾病の最新の情報がＦＡＯ専門家より報告（ＦＡＯ empres watch vol.28 May 2013に掲載）があったので、ＦＡＯの翻訳許可を得て、紹介します。 なお、一部の記述を理解しやすい表現にするとともに、紙面の都合上、引用など一部省略している箇所があることをご了承ください。 調査情報部 首席農畜産業調査員 新川 俊一
... Recovery ... While work continues to address the current HPAI crisis at the national level, greaterefforts are required to strengthen regional integration and international coordination to backstop the national efforts and secure... more
... Recovery ... While work continues to address the current HPAI crisis at the national level, greaterefforts are required to strengthen regional integration and international coordination to backstop the national efforts and secure longer-term success for control and eradica-tion. ...
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ABSTRACT Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is perhaps the most infectious disease known to human and veterinary medicine. This article is written with the practitioner in mind, concentrating on early recognition, epidemiology, occurrence... more
ABSTRACT Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is perhaps the most infectious disease known to human and veterinary medicine. This article is written with the practitioner in mind, concentrating on early recognition, epidemiology, occurrence around the world, and sampling and diagnostic methods. The article stresses that there are numerous FMD viruses, and not all behave in a similar fashion. The practitioner must be acute in his or her herd inspection of animals in which vesicular disease is suspected and knowledgeable as to differential diagnosis.
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African swine fever virus used to occur primarily in Africa. There had been occasional incursions into Europe or America which apart from the endemic situation on the island of Sardinia always had been successfully controlled. But... more
African swine fever virus used to occur primarily in Africa. There had been occasional incursions into Europe or America which apart from the endemic situation on the island of Sardinia always had been successfully controlled. But following an introduction of the virus in 2007, it now has expanded its geographical distribution into Caucasus and Eastern Europe where it has not been controlled, to date. African swine fever affects domestic and wild pig species, and can involve tick vectors. The ability of the virus to survive within a particular ecosystem is defined by the ecology of its wild host populations and the characteristics of livestock production systems, which influence host and vector species densities and interrelationships. African swine fever has high morbidity in naïve pig populations and can result in very high mortality. There is no vaccine or treatment available. Apart from stamping out and movement control, there are no control measures, thereby potentially resulting in extreme losses for producers. Prevention and control of the infection requires good understanding of its epidemiology, so that targeted measures can be instigated.