International Animal Health Research Articles

Molecular characterization of peste des petits ruminants virus and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae in small ruminants in northern Mauritania, 2023.

Global eradication of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is planned for 2030 by international animal health organizations in collaboration with national partners. As the deadline approaches, it is fundamental that the PPR status in each country is determined. In addition, the identification of other pathogens of small ruminants that share common geographical locations and can produce similar clinical signs is also important for differential diagnosis. With this in mind, 37 samples collected from goats and sheep presenting respiratory symptoms in Mauritania in 2023 were screened for the presence of PPR virus, Capripoxvirus, Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) using a one-step multiplex RT-qPCR assay. None of the samples were positive for Capripoxvirus or P. multocida. Nine of them were positive for PPRV and sequence analysis of a segment of the PPRV nucleoprotein revealed that they belonged to lineage IV and were similar to viruses recently identified in Côte D'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger indicating transboundary movement. The full genome of one representative virus was also generated. Mccp was identified in eight samples and multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) identified them as belonging to MLSA Group 3 together with Mccps identified in China, Tajikistan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. This is the first time that such a study has been undertaken in Mauritania and the data generated should be of interest to those involved in the management of goat diseases in Mauritania and neighbouring countries.

A practical stakeholder-focused approach for assessing the biosecurity system in Pacific Island countries

ABSTRACT Aims: To develop a structured process for a transparent, efficient, high-level review of a low-resource biosecurity system (limited by physical infrastructure, financial, and human resources), in order to identify and prioritise key areas for future focus which could then lead to interventions, tailored by country, to improve the system. A key requirement was that the approach developed was culturally sensitive and respectful to Pasifika people within the country. Methods: Animal health and biosecurity systems need to be urgently strengthened by Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) if they are to respond to current and future threats. Understanding where additional resources should be allocated to maximise benefit and ensuring buy-in from PICT stakeholders are critical for uptake of any recommendations made. However, there is little available literature on reviewing biosecurity systems, particularly where there is a need for efficiency, simplicity, and cultural sensitivity. A framework was developed through initial in-person consultation between four New Zealand experts who had experience working in international animal health development and support programmes. This was followed by input from informal discussions with selected heads of agriculture in PICTs and included their experiences with previous system reviews, as well as general advice from experts in Pasifika culture. Foundational objectives included simplicity, local inclusivity, and a structured approach, which could be undertaken over a relatively short period of time. A rapid evidence assessment methodology was used to search the available literature (published and grey, search terms biosecurity, system, Pacific, animal, framework, and review used in AND/OR combinations), to establish an evidence base for other methods of biosecurity system review. The developed framework for review of biosecurity systems in low-resource PICTs was based on elements from expert elicitation frameworks, the SurF surveillance evaluation framework and the Performance of Veterinary Services tool from The World Organisation for Animal Health. Results: The developed framework involved bringing stakeholders together in a workshop environment and comprised up to 10 steps including mapping the PICT biosecurity system and exploring attributes of component activities. Understanding the system at a high level enables stakeholders to make informed recommendations on improvements to address future needs. Using the Delphi method, recommendations were then prioritised by stakeholders. Conclusions and clinical relevance: A distinctive difference flowing from the use of the needs analysis described in this process was the empowerment of PICT stakeholders to determine their own needs and priorities, rather than have these developed by external parties.

Aflatoxins in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea): Prevalence, Global Health Concern, and Management from an Innovative Nanotechnology Approach: A Mechanistic Repertoire and Future Direction.

Arachis hypogaea is the most significant oilseed nutritious legume crop in agricultural trade across the world. It is recognized as a valued crop for its contributions to nourishing food, as a cooking oil, and for meeting the protein needs of people who are unable to afford animal protein. Currently, its production, marketability, and consumption are hindered because of Aspergillus species infection that consequently contaminates the kernels with aflatoxins. Regarding health concerns, humans and animals are affected by acute and chronic aflatoxin toxicity and millions of people are at high risk of chronic levels. Most methods used to store peanuts are traditional and serve effectively for short-term storage. Now the question for long-term storage has been raised, and this promptly finds potential approaches to the issue. It is imperative to reduce the aflatoxin levels in peanuts to a permissible level by introducing detoxifying innovations. Most of the detoxification reports mention physical, chemical, and biological techniques. However, many current approaches are impractical because of time consumption, loss of nutritional quality, or weak detoxifying efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate practical, economical, and green methods to control Aspergillus flavus that address current global food security problems. Herein, a green and economically revolutionary way is a nanotechnology that has demonstrated its potential to connect farmers to markets, elevate international marketability, improve human and animal health conditions, and enhance food quality and safety by the management of fungal diseases. Due to the antimicrobial potential of nanoparticles, they act as nanofungicides and have an incredible role in the control of aflatoxins. Nanoparticles have ultrasmall sizes and therefore penetrate the fungal body and invade the pathogen machinery, leading to fungal cell death by ROS production, mutation in DNA, disruption of organelles, and membrane leakage. This is the first mechanistic overview that unveils a comprehensive insight into aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, its prevalence, health effects, and management in addition to nanotechnological interventions that serve as a triple defense approach to detoxify aflatoxins. The optimum use of nanofungicides ensures food safety and the development of goals, especially "zero hunger".

114 The efficacy of a natural fungus (Duddingtonia flagrans) in reducing gastrointestinal nematode indicators in lambs

Abstract Sustainable and profitable small ruminant production in the US is affected by infections with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), especially the blood sucking GIN, Haemonchus contortus. The overuse and misuse of available drug classes has led to multi-drug resistant GIN that pose significant challenges to parasite control on many farms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a natural fungus (Duddingtonia flagrans; Bioworma, International Animal Health) in reducing GIN larval counts and other GIN indicators in hair sheep wethers. Eighteen St. Croix (n = 9) and Barbados Blackbelly (n = 9) wethers (227 ± 1.4 days of age and 29.7 ± 0.6 kg BW) were dewormed (d 0) with a combination of levamisol (Prohibit; 8 mg/kg BW) moxidectin (Cydectin; 0.2 mg/kg BW) and albendazole (Valbazen; 7.5 mg/kg BW) prior to the start of feeding according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for feeding BioWorma. At this time, lambs were separated into two treatment groups (n = 9/group), split into 3 replications per treatment group and placed on six pasture paddocks (0.06 ha; n = 3 per paddock) after accounting for breed, initial fecal egg count (FEC) and BW. Lambs were then fed daily either a grain supplement ration (corn and soybean meal) with Livamol with Bioworma (LIV) or without (CON) at 2% of their BW for 98 d. LIV was added to the ration based on total lamb BW/paddock. To evaluate the effect of LIV treatment, BW and body condition scores (BCS) were recorded every 2 wk for 98 d. Blood and fecal samples were also collected for determination of packed cell volume (PCV) and FEC. Pooled treatment group feces (d 0 – 98) were collected and cultured to determine GIN genera. A subset of animals/treatment (n = 3) will be harvested to determine abomasal worm counts. Data were analyzed using repeated measures in a mixed model, and FEC were log transformed before analysis. Following deworming (d 0), FEC were reduced by 100% by d 14. There was a mixed population of GIN at the start of the study (averaging 54%, 42%, 1.2% and 1.8% for H. contortus, Tricostrongylus spp., Oesphagostomum spp. and Nematodirus spp., respectively). LIV with Bioworma supplementation had no impact on BW, BCS, PCV or FEC in this study averaging 34.2 ± 0.3 kg, 2.5 ± 0.04, 34.7 ± 0.5% and 150.9 eggs per gram, respectively. Under the conditions of this study, Bioworma® supplementation had no influence on GIN indicators measured up to 100 d of grazing. This research will be continued during subsequent grazing seasons to determine the effect of continued supplementation on lamb parasite load and performance as well as pasture infestation levels.

Safety of a feed additive consisting of Duddingtonia flagransNCIMB 30336 (BioWorma®) for all grazing animals (International Animal Health Products Pty Ltd).

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety of a feed additive consisting of Duddingtonia flagrans NCIMB 30336 (BioWorma®) for all grazing animals. The safety and efficacy of the additive have been already assessed previously, however the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety of the additive for the target species and the consumers due to the limitations in the dataset provided. For the current assessment, the applicant submitted a new tolerance trial in dairy cows and new toxicological studies. After the assessment of the new data submitted, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of the feed additive in animal nutrition under the conditions of use proposed is of no concern for dairy cows. This conclusion can be extrapolated to all dairy bovines, ovines and caprines, but not to fattening and rearing animals of those species. Due to the lack of data, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the safety of the additive for other grazing species/categories. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is safe for the consumers.

12 The Efficacy of a Natural Fungus (Duddingtonia Flagrans) in Controlling Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Lactating Meat Goat Does

Abstract Small ruminant production in the US is significantly impacted by infections with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), especially the blood sucking GIN, Haemonchus contortus. Unfortunately, the indiscriminate use of available drug classes has led to multi-drug resistant GIN that pose significant challenges to parasite control on many farms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a natural fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans (Bioworma, International Animal Health) in reducing GIN loads in lactating meat does. Thirty eight late gestating Spanish and Myotonic does were dewormed (day 0) approximately 2 weeks before to kidding with a combination of levamisol (Prohibit; 12 mg/kg BW) and moxidectin (Cydectin; 0.4 mg/kg BW) before the start of feeding BioWorma according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. At this time, does were also allocated into two treatment groups (n = 19/group), split into 3 replications per treatment and placed on six pasture paddocks (n = 6/7 per paddock). Does were then fed either a corn and soybean meal supplement at 1.5% of their BW with (BIO) or without (CON) Bioworma daily until weaning and hay was offered throughout the study. Bioworma was added to the ration based on the manufacturer’s recommended dose of 0.066 g/kg BW and on the BW of the heaviest doe. To evaluate the effect of Bioworma treatment, BW, body condition score (BCS), and FAMACHA scores were recorded every 2 weeks for 98 days. Blood and fecal samples were also collected for determination of packed cell volume (PCV) and fecal egg counts (FEC). Pooled (d 28) or pooled treatment group feces (d 42, 56, 70, 84 and 98) were also collected and cultured to determine GIN genera. If blood PCV decreased to below 19%, does were dewormed and removed from the study (n = 2 BIO; n = 2 CON). Data were analyzed using repeated measures in a mixed model, and FEC were log transformed before analysis. Following deworming (d 0), FEC were reduced by 97% by d4. There was a mixed population of GIN throughout the study (averaging 70.3%,7.7%, and2.0% for H. contortus, Tricostrongylus spp., and Oesphagostomum spp., respectively). Bioworma supplementation had no impact on BW, BCS, FAMACHA scores, nor PCV averaging 38.8 ± 0.5 kg, 2.3 ± 0.03, 2.2 ± 0.02, and 29.3 ± 0.3%, respectively. There was also no effect of treatment on FEC (averaging 1,067±254 and 1,107±144 and 987±282 and 847±163 eggs per gram for BIO and CON does on days 0 and 98, respectively. Bioworma supplementation in a highly susceptible group of lactating does, had no influence on GIN indicators. Additional research is needed to confirm the efficacy of Duddingtoni flagrans in controlling GIN and how best to incorporate in current on-farm parasite control strategies.

Circulation of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Lineage-IV Haplotypes in Pakistan: implication for Control and Eradication

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), a viral disease of small ruminants, was identified for the first time in Pakistan in 1991. Due to the availability of effective vaccine, FAO and OIE to set target of PPR control and eradication by 2030. The molecular signature of variation in the virus can assist in the control and eradication of a transboundary disease of PPR. In this study, the causative PPR virus was isolated in cell culture from suspected goats and sheep from Punjab, Pakistan. Out of swab samples, 74.2% produced cytopathic effect in cell culture and proceeded for amplification of nucleoprotein gene for genome based sequence comparison. Molecular typing showed that all of them belonged to the PPRV lineage IV. However, within lineage IV, haplotype variation was evident from the sequence analysis giving a clue of virus evolution over time in accordance with the route of disease spread. The isolated PPRVs being closely related to those from the neighboring countries of Dubai, Tajikistan and Iran. This subdivision indicates possible cross-border PPRV influx or efflux of PPRV strains through nomadism or trade from Northern areas (Tajikistan), across the south-western border of Taftan (Iran) and Dubai and other gulf countries. The study proposes joint effort by national and international animal health agencies to control and eradicate the transboundary disease of PPR in the region.

High real-time reporting of domestic and wild animal diseases following rollout of mobile phone reporting system in Kenya.

BackgroundTo improve early detection of emerging infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), many of them zoonotic, numerous electronic animal disease-reporting systems have been piloted but not implemented because of cost, lack of user friendliness, and data insecurity. In Kenya, we developed and rolled out an open-source mobile phone-based domestic and wild animal disease reporting system and collected data over two years to investigate its robustness and ability to track disease trends.MethodsThe Kenya Animal Biosurveillance System (KABS) application was built on the Java® platform, freely downloadable for android compatible mobile phones, and supported by web-based account management, form editing and data monitoring. The application was integrated into the surveillance systems of Kenya’s domestic and wild animal sectors by adopting their existing data collection tools, and targeting disease syndromes prioritized by national, regional and international animal and human health agencies. Smartphone-owning government and private domestic and wild animal health officers were recruited and trained on the application, and reports received and analyzed by Kenya Directorate of Veterinary Services. The KABS application performed automatic basic analyses (frequencies, spatial distribution), which were immediately relayed to reporting officers as feedback.ResultsOf 697 trained domestic animal officers, 662 (95%) downloaded the application, and >72% of them started reporting using the application within three months. Introduction of the application resulted in 2- to 14-fold increase in number of disease reports when compared to the previous year (relative risk = 14, CI 13.8–14.2, p<0.001), and reports were more widely distributed. Among domestic animals, food animals (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and chicken) accounted for >90% of the reports, with respiratory, gastrointestinal and skin diseases constituting >85% of the reports. Herbivore wildlife (zebra, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, antelopes) accounted for >60% of the wildlife disease reports, followed by carnivores (lions, cheetah, hyenas, jackals, and wild dogs). Deaths, traumatic injuries, and skin diseases were most reported in wildlife.ConclusionsThis open-source system was user friendly and secure, ideal for rolling out in other countries in SSA to improve disease reporting and enhance preparedness for epidemics of zoonotic diseases.

Taiwan’s Participation in the World Organisation for Animal Health (oie): Modalities, Utility, and Challenges

Abstract This article explores the utility of membership in international organisations for states with specific status within the international community, focusing on Taiwan’s surprisingly neglected involvement in the World Organisation for Animal Health or oie (Office International des Épizooties). The paper shows that in addition to its contribution to the legitimisation of Taiwan’s identities, such participation has also enabled Taiwan to shape international norms in the field of animal health, increase international cooperation opportunities, strengthen domestic and global health security, and facilitate the trade of animal health-related products. Additionally, it has contributed to the domestic implementation of international animal health norms and helped increase the accountability of Taiwanese authorities in the domain of animal health management. Despite tremendous challenges, Taiwan still has plenty of opportunities to enhance its participation in global health governance through its membership in oie.

BioWorma as an Aid for Controlling Ruminant Nematode Parasites

Abstract Nematode-trapping fungi are biological control agents used against the larval stages of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock feces. These fungi are normal soil inhabitants where they feed on a variety of non-parasitic soil nematodes. Of the various fungi tested, Duddingtonia flagrans spores (BioWorma, International Animal Health Products, Australia) have been shown to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants. After defecation, the spores germinate and grow in the feces to form sticky, sophisticated traps/loops which are able to trap the developing larval stages in the fecal environment. This form of control has been successfully applied under field conditions and is an environmentally safe biological approach for forage-based feeding systems. BioWorma has recently been approved for use in the United States. The primary delivery system is mixing BioWorma into supplement feedstuffs daily where each animal has the opportunity to consume an adequate amount of the mixture. To achieve optimum control of larvae during the transmission season (May–October), BioWorma needs to be fed for a period of no shorter than 60 days, starting at the beginning of the grazing season (especially young after weaning). Feeding BioWorma to dams during late pregnancy and lactation will also help to reduce pasture contamination, especially for growing young that will graze the same pasture. Another delivery system is mixing BioWorma into loose mineral supplement where animals will consume it free choice. The mineral needs to be kept covered and dry. The spores cannot be incorporated into pellets as the heat of the pelleting process will kill the spores. One drawback in using BioWorma is the relatively high cost. Research is being conducted to evaluate other delivery schemes that could be more cost effective. This product is the only control method that targets nematodes on pasture, where a majority of the total population reside.

Evaluation of the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) Curriculum at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania: Mapping to OIE Veterinary Graduate 'Day 1 Competencies'.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) provides the requirements needed for graduating veterinary professionals to be competent in the delivery of animal health services. However, significant differences in veterinarycurricula across countries-attributable to differing animal health priorities and predominant types of veterinary practice-provide a challenge for veterinary schools to address these competencies adequately. As part of the OIE's veterinary education establishment Twinning Project activities, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania undertook a curriculum mapping and gap analysis to assess the extent to which the veterinary curriculum addresses OIE's 'Day 1 Competencies' for graduating veterinarians. Results of the analysis indicated that all the OIE's Day 1 Competencies (general, specific, and advanced) are addressed to some degree by the courses present in the curriculum. However, gaps in the depth and breadth of instruction were found for a number of competencies in all three categories. These findings indicate a need for addressing the gaps in the next curriculum review. This will allow the development of a stronger curriculum that will efficiently meet the national and international animal health requirements.

Use of the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health in veterinary certificates.

International trade in animals and animal products results in economic, social and scientific benefits. The risk of the transmission of diseases that affect both animal and human health through the movement of animals and animal products can be controlled by import health requirements. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is recognised by the World Trade Organization as the standard-setting body for international animal health standards covering the safe trade of animals and animal products. To ensure the safe trade of animals and animal products, without unnecessary restrictions, countries should harmonise their import health requirements with OIE standards. Governments should refer to the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Aquatic Animal Health Code, Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, and Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals, standards that have been robustly developed to account for countries' differences in animal health status. Nevertheless, any determination of equivalence or requirement to achieve a higher level of protection should be based on risk analysis. Even though the use of OIE standards in veterinary certificates has benefits, there are several challenges that countries may encounter, such as legislative processes or inter-agency controls slowing down the flexibility of adopting import standards. Some countries may also encounter difficulties in meeting the standards due to operational practicalities. Although private standards have not been significantly involved in regulating animal health, this may present challenges to the universality and fairness of international standards in the future. Lastly, it is important to stay up to date with technology, such as electronic certification, that enhances the certification system for international trade to ensure the authenticity and efficiency of certification.

Family poultry: Multiple roles, systems, challenges, and options for sustainable contributions to household nutrition security through a planetary health lens

Achieving sustainable production of eggs by family poultry production systems that meet both environmental health and welfare standards is a complex endeavour. Humans have been raising different species of poultry for thousands of years across many different agroecological zones. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has identified four different family poultry production systems: small extensive, extensive, semi‐intensive, and intensive. Each of these systems varies in terms of inputs, outputs, gender dimensions, poultry health and welfare, and environmental impacts. This paper addresses key issues associated with the production of family poultry eggs in support of both improved maternal and child nutrition and sustainable, nutrition‐sensitive agricultural practices. It provides an overview of the history of poultry raising; characteristics of the different family poultry production systems; challenges and solutions to poultry production in low‐ and middle‐income countries; poultry husbandry (including breeds, nutrition, and shelter); infectious disease prevention and control in line with national and international animal health regulations; and food safety (microbial pathogens, toxins, and egg storage). To ensure that bird, human, and environmental health can flourish, it is essential for interdisciplinary research and development teams to work in collaboration with communities to ensure the long‐term environmental and economic sustainability of family poultry production enterprises that are a good fit with local circumstances.

Sustainable development goal #3, “health and well-being”, and the need for more integrative thinking

Veterinaria Mexico OA ISSN: 2448-6760 Cite this as: Guegan J-F, Suzan G, Kati-Coulibaly S, Bonpamgue DN, Moatti J-P. Sustainable Development Goal #3, “health and well-being”, and the need for more integrative thinking. Veterinaria Mexico OA. 2018;5(2). doi: 10.21753/vmoa.5.2.443 . Recently, the United-Nations adopted 17 sustainable development goals for the 2030 Agenda. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 “Ensuring a healthy life and promoting well-being for all ages” is one of the most transversal goals, which is interconnected with the other SDGs. The health and well-being are the aim of this goal and also, they are the result of other goals that empower people to develop better in different social, economic and productive areas. The SDG 3 is a multiple and universal resource on which sustainable development policies can be based, in particular for the most needed countries, and can lead to the sustainable maintenance of well-being and health. However, SDG 3 faces a high sectorization, so there is a risk of not being able to achieve the stated objectives. Only a national and international reflection on human population and animal health surveillance devices, environmental health, implementation of appropriate indicators and specific research funding will ensure the balance between the legitimacy of society’s demands and the needs of scientific and medical excellence. The health and well-being indicators that are needed to achieve the agenda goals are based on reliable and relevant quantitative data, which are currently rare or even non-existent in some regions. Therefore, it is now necessary to initiate a more integrative international animal and public health and research strategy in order to collect new data, particularly those relating to current emerging infectious diseases that affect public and animal health, especially in developing countries. Figure 1. (a) Simplified representation of the relationships between the environment and its different ecological and biogeographic components, depending on the distribution and abundance of infectious diseases and their hosts (vectors and/or reservoirs), and to the individual and family income. The form and severity of infections interact with the income by introducing a complex dynamic between these two parameters.

Recommended reporting standards for test accuracy studies of infectious diseases of finfish, amphibians, molluscs and crustaceans: the STRADAS-aquatic checklist.

Complete and transparent reporting of key elements of diagnostic accuracy studies for infectious diseases in cultured and wild aquatic animals benefits end-users of these tests, enabling the rational design of surveillance programs, the assessment of test results from clinical cases and comparisons of diagnostic test performance. Based on deficiencies in the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) guidelines identified in a prior finfish study (Gardner et al. 2014), we adapted the Standards for Reporting of Animal Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-paratuberculosis (STRADAS-paraTB) checklist of 25 reporting items to increase their relevance to finfish, amphibians, molluscs, and crustaceans and provided examples and explanations for each item. The checklist, known as STRADAS-aquatic, was developed and refined by an expert group of 14 transdisciplinary scientists with experience in test evaluation studies using field and experimental samples, in operation of reference laboratories for aquatic animal pathogens, and in development of international aquatic animal health policy. The main changes to the STRADAS-paraTB checklist were to nomenclature related to the species, the addition of guidelines for experimental challenge studies, and the designation of some items as relevant only to experimental studies and ante-mortem tests. We believe that adoption of these guidelines will improve reporting of primary studies of test accuracy for aquatic animal diseases and facilitate assessment of their fitness-for-purpose. Given the importance of diagnostic tests to underpin the Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement of the World Trade Organization, the principles outlined in this paper should be applied to other World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)-relevant species.

Biosecurity and disease management in China’s animal agriculture sector

China’s livestock production sector is changing rapidly to meet a variety of challenges. The country is pursuing a major public animal health infrastructure upgrade and is seeking better integration with international public animal health programs. The intent of this article is twofold. We provide an overview of and commentary on China’s animal husbandry sector and animal disease control policies. We also assess weaknesses in its animal farm biosecurity infrastructure and institutional underpinnings. China’s animal health administration shares institutional weaknesses in common with higher-income countries, but her problems are more pronounced. Administrative failings include poorly demarcated and inconsistent oversight as well as weak accountability. Heterogeneous professional standards in animal health careers, emphasis on quantity goals over qualitative metrics, as well as a want in scientific analysis and follow-through when prioritizing are other shortcomings. Spillovers from the general economy as well as government policies on animal health career professionalization and organization of animal sector production have been, on the whole, positive developments. While animal production is changing in ways that may pose intermediate-term threats to animal and human health, the longer-term outcome is likely to be a production base that poses fewer concerns for global health.

Irreparable Global Spread of Pathogens and International Trade – Infection Monitoring

Abstract There is no systematic monitoring of global spreading of pathogens through international trade carried out by any organisation regulating world-wide trade in animals and their products. A critical evaluation of the impact of international trade provisions on global pathogen spread is missing as well. Data related to this kind of analysis are no more internationally collected. However, information on animal infection occurrence is of paramount importance for decision-making on animal health import conditions based on pathogen introduction risk assessment considering first of all the epizootiological situation in exporting countries. Actual international animal health information system covers just a small part of known animal infections and provides much less information on their occurrence and epizootiological characteristics than before (except for a few selected emergency infections). It provides the importing countries zero or insufficient data for objective risk assessment to avoid pathogen introduction through international trade. Illegal export/import is not recorded in any information system. The globalisation era trade requires much more efficient information system, including monitoring of global spread of pathogenic microflora through trade, as the basis for more effective international preventive and control anti-epizootic measures. There is an urgent need to re-establish animal health information system within the United Nations Organization as its inseparable component for follow-up execution of animal health technical assistance and global anti-epizootic programmes.

Musical murmur in a dog with acute chordae tendineae rupture

Abstract : A 6 year-old, spayed female, Maltese dog was presented with precordial thrill and mild coughing. Thoracicauscultation revealed a grade V/VI systolic murmur with maximal intensity over the left apex characterized by musicalmurmur. Echocardiography revealed mild myxomatous degeneration of mitral valve and ruptured chordae tendineae.Musical murmur was produced due to the vibration of ruptured piece of chordae tendineae along with regurgitant flow.After treatment with furosemide and ramipril, clinical signs resolved and precordial thrill reduced. This case reportdescribes typical clinical signs and phonocardiogram of musical murmur in a dog with acute chordae tendineae rupture.Keywords : chordae tendineae rupture, mitral valve disease, musical murmur Mitral valve disease (MVD) is the most common acquiredheart disease in small breed-dogs and characterized by myx-omatous valvular degeneration [3, 5, 6, 7, 8]. It results inmitral valve insufficiency creating systolic mitral regurgita-tion, which in turn leads to a left apical systolic murmur [7].Usually with MVD, systolic murmur intensity is related to dis-ease severity. However, occasionally with mild stage of MVD,the murmur has a musical quality and striking intensity [9].This case describes sudden onset of precordial thrill char-acterized as musical murmur resulted from acutely rupturedchordae tendineae with midly degenerated mitral valve.A 6 year-old, spayed female, Maltese dog was presentedwith sudden onset of precordial thrill and mild nocturnalcoughing. Thoracic auscultation revealed a grade V/VI sys-tolic murmur with maximal intensity over the left apex. Lab-oratory data including a complete blood count, serumbiochemical analysis were within normal ranges. Evaluationof the electrocardiogram showed mildly prolonged P wave.Thoracic radiography revealed bronchointerstitial pattern inbilateral caudal lung lobes. 2D-echocardiography demon-strated slightly thickened mitral valve and pieces of rupturedchordae tendineae attached to the tip of mitral valve leaflet(Fig. 1). Doppler echocardiography revealed mild systolicturbulent flow in the left atrium running around atrial wallwith peak velocity 2.07 m/sec and pressure gradient 17.2mmHg (Fig. 1). There was no marked evidence of cardiacremodeling. Phonocardiography was performed, and showedmid-systolic diamond shape murmur with variable ampli-tudes (Fig. 2). Recorded sound files of phonocardiogramrevealed sharp, pitched ‘wheeping’ sound, characterized asmusical murmur. The blood sample collected aseptically wassubmitted for aerobic and anaerobic blood culture, and theresult was negative. Based on the physical and clinical exam-ination, the dog was diagnosed as mitral valve degeneration(MVD) with chordae tendineae rupture (CTR). Furosemide(Lasix, 0.5 mg/kg, oral, twice daily; Handok phrmaceuticals,Korea) and ramipril (Vasotop, 0.125 mg/kg, oral, once adaily; Intervet, Korea) were administered. After 1 month ofmedical treatment, nocturnal coughing was improved andprecordial thrill was reduced.Generally, musical murmur is characterized by a strikingmusical quality and is frequently so loud that it can be heardover the entire thorax. The murmur has been described inhuman literature using following terms: “cooing of a dove,”,“buzzing of a saw”, “like a cuckoo clock,” “like the spinningof a top” [1]. Musical murmur would occur owing to the res-onance of vibrating structure projecting into the regurgitantblood flow. In human medicine, musical murmur is most fre-quently occurred in aortic stenosis [4]. In the present case, itwas ruptured piece of chordae tendineae flailed with mitralvalve during systole vibrating with turbulent blood flow thatmade loud, pinched sound. The size of turbulent jet flow wasrelatively small and ran around the atrial wall. The directionof jet flow indicated that the degeneration of anterior leafletwas worse than posterior leaflet.Historically, CTR is commonly described as a devastatingcomplication of MVD, because it is responsible for acute leftheart failure leading to pulmonary edema and death [2, 8].However, one study suggested that 24.6% of the dogs withCTR were asymptomatic and therefore assigned to Interna-tional Small Animal Health Council (ISACHC) classes Iaand Ib at the time of diagnosis [8]. In this case, 2-D echocar-

A History of the International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (ICAHIS) and its Partnership in One Health

This article chronicles the International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists’ (ICAHIS) beginning in 1992 to the present and describes other groups and conferences formed from the international animal health information conference idea. Throughout its history, ICAHIS has been a forum for colleagues worldwide to discuss, share, and promote animal health information access. This article is a brief history of ICAHIS's origins and the movement it fostered. The 7th ICAHIS, the first in the United States, will occur in Boston, May 3–8, 2013. Previous conferences were held on three continents: Europe, Africa, and Australia.

A Pilot Study for Targeted Surveillance of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Nigeria

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), popularly known as 'mad cow disease', led to an epidemic in Europe that peaked in the mid-1990s. Its impact on developing countries, such as Nigeria, has not been fully established as information on livestock and surveillance has eluded those in charge of this task. The BSE risk to Nigeria's cattle population currently remains undetermined, which has resulted in international trade restrictions on commodities from the cattle population. This is mainly because of a lack of updated BSE risk assessments and disease surveillance data. To evaluate the feasibility of BSE surveillance in Nigeria, we carried out a pilot study targeting cattle that were presented for emergency or casualty slaughter. In total, 1551 cattle of local breeds, aged 24 months and above were clinically examined. Ataxia, recumbency and other neurological signs were topmost on our list of criteria. A total of 96 cattle, which correspond to 6.2%, presented clinical signs that supported a suspect of BSE. The caudal brainstem tissues of these animals were collected post-mortem and analysed for the disease-specific form of the prion protein using a rapid test approved by the International Animal Health Organization (OIE). None of the samples were positive for BSE. Although our findings do not exclude the presence of BSE in Nigeria, they do demonstrate that targeted sampling of clinically suspected cases of BSE is feasible in developing countries. In addition, these findings point to the possibility of implementing clinical monitoring schemes for BSE and potentially other diseases with grave economic and public health consequences.