Highest Number Of Outbreaks Research Articles

Risk factors for highly pathogenic H7N1 avian influenza virus infection in poultry during the 1999–2000 epidemic in Italy

In 1999–2000, Italian poultry production was disrupted by an H7N1 virus subtype epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The objectives of the present study were to identify risk factors for infection on poultry farms located in regions that had the highest number of outbreaks (Veneto and Lombardia) and the impact of pre-emptive culling as a complementary measure for eradicating infection. A Cox regression model that included spatial factors, such as the G index, was used. The results confirmed the relationship between risk of infection and poultry species, production type and size of farms. The effectiveness of pre-emptive culling was confirmed. An increased risk of infection was observed for poultry farms located near an infected farm and those at altitudes less than 150 m above sea level. The measures for the control and eradication of AI virus infection need to consider species differences in susceptibility, the types of production and the density of poultry farms in the affected areas.

A Questionnaire Survey Of Reports Of Livestock Disease Outbreaks In Enugu North, South East Nigeria

A survey of some infectious diseases of livestock was carried out in four out of six Local Government Areas (L.G.A) of Enugu North, South East Nigeria. The local government areas were: Nsukka, Igboeze North, Uzo-uwani, and Udenu. The questionnaire-based survey also included oral interviews and repeated personal visits. The study was carried out over a period of one year from September, 2002 to August, 2003. Following a pre-survey census of one hundred and thirty two (132) practicing veterinarians and animal health superintendents in the study area, one hundred and twenty (120) in the area were interviewed. A total number of forty-four (44) outbreaks of different diseases were reported in the study area for the period under study. Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) recorded the highest number of reports (19.33%) followed by Trypanosomosis (17.10%) and Newcastle Disease (ND) (13.01%). The highest number of outbreaks was observed within the second and third quarters of year (rainy season) and the locations where they were mostly reported were from Udenu L.G.A. (34.1%) and Nsukka L.G.A. (31.8%). The result of this epidemiological study showed that the diseases investigated were not significantly endemic, (p>0.05) however, based on the frequency of reports, it was evident that PPR, Trypanosomosis, ND, Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), African Swine Fever (ASF) and Rabies were endemic in the study area. The result of this study provides background information on the diseases that limit livestock production in Enugu North Zone of Southeast Nigeria. Therefore, efforts towards curbing of livestock diseases in the study area should be targeted on PPR, Trypanosomosis, ND, IBD, ASF and Rabies. Keywords: Questionnaires, Diseases, Livestock, Epidemiology, Enugu NorthNigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 27 (3) 2006 pp. 1-5

Infectious outbreaks associated with bivalve shellfish consumption: a worldwide perspective.

Outbreaks of shellfish-associated infection have been reported for more than a century. Since the early 1970s, the global consumption of shellfish has increased considerably--and with it, the reports of outbreaks of infection. Most of these reports have originated from the United States, but Europe and, to a lesser extent, Asia and Australia have also been represented. The majority of outbreaks have been linked to oysters, followed by clams and mussels. Hepatitis A virus caused the largest ever shellfish-associated outbreak, but caliciviruses have caused the highest number of outbreaks; Vibrio species lead the list of bacterial pathogens. The prognosis of shellfish-associated infections is generally good, except for outbreaks of Vibrio vulnificus infection, which have a mortality rate of up to 50% in vulnerable people. Conventional and molecular techniques should be applied to better identify the causative agents, thereby enabling more-targeted control measures in growing, harvesting, and shipping bivalves.

Distribution ofSalmonella enteritidisphage types in Canada

The distribution of Salmonella enteritidis phage types in Canada is described; 606 of 674 strains examined were of human origin. Typable strains of all sources, constituted 99.6% (671/674) of all strains examined, and were representative of 15 different phage types. Five phage types (8, 13, 4, 13a and 1) accounted for 92.4% of the total. Phage type 8 consistently showed the highest incidence in human (69.96%) and non-human (72.05%) sources and appeared to be the most common in North America. Phage type 4, the most prevalent in the UK, is infrequent in Canada (38/674). The distribution of phage types showed regional variation among infrequent phage types, whereas the common type, 8, was observed in different frequencies in all provinces. Examination of 29 outbreaks of S. enteritidis representing 254 isolates for humans revealed 5 different phage types, the highest number of outbreaks (11) were type 8. A study of these outbreaks and the animal-host-associations of the common phage types, 8 and 13, indicated that contaminated poultry appeared to be the most common source of human infection in Canada.

The Incidence of Waterborne and Water-Associated Disease in Scotland from 1945 to 1987

A review of the incidence of waterborne disease in Scotland from 1945 to 1987 has been undertaken in conjunction with the Communicable Diseases (Scotland) Unit and the Scottish Home and Health Department. Primarily, these relate to contamination of private and public supplies by microbiological and chemical agents, but incidents in which water such as river water was ingested deliberately or accidentally were included. Water-related infections such as legionellosis and leptospirosis which are acquired by non-alimentary routes have been excluded. During the period of the review there were 57 outbreaks of water-borne disease comprising of over 15,305 cases of illness. A total of 18 outbreaks occurred in public supplies and 21 in private supplies. Microbiological contamination gave rise to the greatest number of cases of water-borne disease which were caused by viral gastroenteritis and shigellosis followed by outbreaks of gastroenteritis of unknown aetiology. The highest number of outbreaks were due to chemical poisoning,caused mainly by lead and copper, followed by outbreaks of gastroenteritis of unknown aetiology. The type of deficiency giving rise to incidents of waterborne disease were described for private and public water supplies. In public supplies the need for hygenic storage of water in distribution and effective catchment control practices in conjunction with adequate water treatment facilities is emphasised. In private supplies the need to, at minimum, apply rudimentary disinfection to untreated source water is highlighted by the large numbers of people who have been affected by water-borne disease.