Quarantine Research Articles (Page 1)

ABSTRACT This paper examines the cross-border cattle trade along the Myanmar – Thailand border, where live cattle are transformed into “lively commodities” (Collard and Dempsey 2013) through a complex infrastructure of quarantine, classification, and care. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with cattle caretakers, traders, quarantine station owners, and veterinarians, this paper elucidates how cattle arrive as potential disease carriers and are rendered healthy, legal, and trade-ready through documentation and certification, culminating in the issuance of a bo(a)rdering pass that reclassifies them as Thai oxen. In parallel, cattle traders employ informal practices of sorting and valuation, relying on embodied expertise to anticipate an animal’s growth potential and market value. Migrant caretakers provide labor-intensive, affective care sustaining the animals’ health while in quarantine. These intersecting practices produce the “square,” meaty ox, a figure of commodity perfection destined for sale in China. The paper argues that cattle mobility does not simply traverse the border but actively participates in its making, reshaping its function, infrastructure, and significance. Conversely, the border transforms the meaning, legal status, and the physiology of the animals that pass through it. The entanglement of animals, humans, and border practices give rise to and enact a bovine border that is not merely crossed but also continually reassembled.

Sharka is among the most important diseases of stone fruits globally. It is caused by the Potyvirus plumpoxi [plum pox virus (PPV)] and affects mainly apricot, plum, prune, and peach trees. In 1999, PPV was detected for the first time in the United States, and it was declared eradicated by the US Department of Agriculture in Oct 2019. Despite the official declaration of eradication, Sharka is still of great concern, mainly because of the huge quarantine efforts and millions of dollars spent on eradicating it. Studies of vulnerability of Californian almond cultivars and rootstocks to Sharka are scarce, and the reactions of different cultivars and rootstocks to Sharka were never thoroughly analyzed. The main objective of this study was to assess the risk of the potential damage of PPV to almond orchards in California and the subsequent dispersion of the virus to other Prunus tree crops by evaluating the susceptibility and tolerance of the most cultivated almond cultivars and rootstocks. A group of cultivars and rootstocks were evaluated to determine their vulnerability to PPV-Dideron. After 4 years of analyses with more than 1100 tests performed, a total of 11 almond cultivars and 17 rootstocks were infected. None of the almond cultivar replicates that tested positive (21) displayed Sharka symptoms. However, most of the 19 rootstocks assays displayed significant Sharka symptoms and tested positive (327). These results indicate the importance of rootstocks in a potential Sharka disease outbreak in California. In addition, almond tree infection was detected for the first time with our isolate, but only in a small number of trees.

We developed a rapid and efficient TaqMan-based real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay for the detection and quantification of viruses infecting fruit trees, including blackberry chlorotic ringspot virus (BCRV), blueberry shock virus (BlShV), and plum pox virus (PPV). The detection limits for each virus were 40 copies (BCRV), 500 copies (BlShV), and 40 copies (PPV), respectively. Two primer–probe sets were selected for each virus, with amplification efficiencies ranging from 90–110%. High specificity was confirmed against other viruses or viroids sharing the same host plants. Multiplex detection of BCRV, BlShV, and PPV was achieved by using FAM and Cy5 fluorescent dyes. All sets maintained high efficiency and sensitivity with varying amounts of RNA extracted from the woody branches of the host plant. This assay will be useful for rapid and accurate diagnosis of plant virus diseases, especially in quarantine stations where leaf tissue is often unavailable upon import.

Flavescence dorée (FD) is a quarantine grapevine disease associated with FD phytoplasmas (FDp). No curative methods are available for treating FDp-infected grapevines and the mandatory control measures consist of insecticide applications against the main FDp insect vector Scaphoideus titanus (Ball 1932) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and the removal of infected grapevines. Despite such systematic control measures, FD has become widespread across numerous European winegrowing areas. Meanwhile, several alternative vectors capable of acquiring and transmitting FDp have been identified and additional host plant species have been found harboring FDp genotypes associated with FD outbreaks. This highlights the importance of extending disease management efforts beyond individual vineyard plots and considering the broader landscape as an element of FD epidemiology. This study examined the potential epidemiological role of the alternative FDp vector Orientus ishidae (Matsumura 1902) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and its association with the host plant Corylus avellana. A hatching experiment was conducted to confirm the role of C. avellana as a host plant for O. ishidae in the Swiss southern Alps. Meanwhile, a habitat management (HM) experiment was designed, involving the removal of C. avellana resprouts acting as O. ishidae host plant and shelter in the surroundings of vineyards. The removal of the C. avellana resprouts confirmed to be a good strategy to reduce the O. ishidae population in the vineyard and the related risk of exchange of phytoplasma between the wild compartment and adjacent cultivated vineyards. The study concludes by discussing the potential for integrating this HM strategy into conventional FD control methods.

Rapid detection of quarantine diseases in apples is essential for import–export control but remains difficult because routine inspections rely on manual visual checks that limit automation at port scale. A fast, non-destructive system suitable for deployment at customs is therefore needed. In this study, three common apple quarantine pathogens were targeted using hyperspectral images acquired by a close-range hyperspectral camera and analyzed with a convolutional neural network (CNN). Symptoms of these diseases often appear similar in RGB images, making reliable differentiation difficult. Reflectance from 400 to 1000 nm was recorded to provide richer spectral detail for separating subtle disease signatures. To quantify stage-dependent differences, average reflectance curves were extracted for apples infected by each pathogen at early, middle, and late lesion stages. A CNN tailored to hyperspectral inputs, termed HSC-Resnet, was designed with an increased number of convolutional channels to accommodate the broad spectral dimension and with channel and spatial attention integrated to highlight informative bands and regions. HSC-Resnet achieved a precision of 95.51%, indicating strong potential for fast, accurate, and non-destructive detection of apple quarantine diseases in import–export management.

Rice bacterial leaf streak (BLS), caused by gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), is one of the most destructive quarantine diseases internationally. Effectively utilizing BLS resistance genes from wild rice to breed resistant varieties can solve the problem of controlling BLS at its source. In this study, resistant near-isogenic line NIL-bls2 (abbreviated as R) and susceptible near-isogenic line NIL-BLS2 (abbreviated as S) in BC4F3 were constructed by using Guangxi common wild rice material DY19, which carries the BLS resistance gene bls2 and susceptible indica rice variety 9311. Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the molecular interaction mechanism of R and S in response to infection by a highly pathogenic Xoc strain gx01. The results showed that between R and S, there were 218 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 12 hours post inoculation (hpi), 170 DEGs at 24 hpi, and 329 DEGs at 48 hpi after inoculation. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the following changes occurred in R compared to S after Xoc infection: At 12 hpi, R enhanced cell wall toughness by synthesizing lignin; increased the ability to recognize and bind bacterial flagellin flg22, activating multiple immune responses of downstream signal transmission; and promoted wound healing by enhancing the synthesis of traumatic acid. At 24 hpi, R synthesized a large number of diterpenoid phytoalexins, up-regulated genes related to disease resistance protein PR1 and heat shock protein HSP90B, and activated jasmonic acid and salicylic acid-dependent signal transduction pathways. At 48 hpi, R carried out a defense reaction by strengthening the cell wall, enhancing jasmonic acid synthesis, synthesizing monoterpenes and isoquinoline alkaloids, etc. Taken together, bls2 was proposed to regulate both PTI- and ETI-related genes through multi-level defense system, including plant hormone-mediated regulation, antimicrobial phytoalexin biosynthesis, and structural barrier reinforcement, to against Xoc infection. It laid a theoretical foundation for further in-depth research into the molecular mechanism of the BLS resistance gene bls2.

The rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) is one of the most destructive pests of stored cereal grains, particularly wheat, leading to considerable post-harvest losses and posing serious threats to global food security and international trade. Rapid and accurate identification of infestations is essential for implementing timely pest management strategies and adhering to phytosanitary regulations. In this study, we report the development and validation of a molecular diagnostic assay that is rapid, sensitive, and highly specific for the early detection of S. oryzae in stored wheat grains. Two novel species-specific oligonucleotide primer sets—KNSoCox1F1/KNSoCox1R1 and KNSoCox2F1/KNSoCox2R1—were designed to amplify target regions of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunits I and II (COI and COII), generating diagnostic fragments of 176 bp and 248 bp, respectively. Conventional PCR demonstrated high specificity, with no cross-reactivity observed in other non-target insects or uninfested wheat samples. Further, sensitivity assessments using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) revealed detection thresholds as low as 1 picogram of genomic DNA, which corresponds to a single insect per 10 kg of grains. The assay easily operates in moderately equipped molecular laboratories and offers quick results with streamlined workflows or automation, making it ideally suited for use in quarantine stations, grain storage facilities, and entomological diagnostic laboratories. Its reliability, speed, and cost-efficiency make it a powerful tool for pest surveillance, ecological studies, and enhancing biosecurity protocols.

The global emergence of mpox virus (MPXV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has intensified the demand for advanced diagnostic methods. Rapid, sensitive, cost-effective diagnostic methods are crucial for preventing cross-border transmission and early containment of community spread. In this study, we developed a capillary modified Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the identification of MPXV and CHIKV. This system employs capillaries as reaction vessels, offering advantages such as reduced reagent consumption and simplified operation. The capillary-driven liquid handling system also significantly reduces the frequency of lid openings during reagent transfer compared to standard LAMP protocols. This minimizes the risks of aerosol contamination and the associated false-positive outcomes that are inherent to conventional methods. Additionally, direct visual interpretation of the results without specialized instrumentation is achieved through integration of a leuco-hydroxynaphthol blue (LHNB) dye. This novel detection method targets the F13 gene of MPXV, the nsP1 gene of CHIKV, live vaccinia virus (VACV) and CHIKV viruses. Analytical sensitivity reached 10 copies/μL for MPXV F13 and 6 copies/μL for CHIKV nsP1. Because of the high level of laboratory biosafety required for MPXV culture, VACV was selected as a safe surrogate model for detection, where the E9L gene was selected to target all Orthopoxvirus (OPXV). The detection limits of infectious units for intracellular and extracellular viruses of VACV are 0.64 plaque-forming units (PFU) and 8 PFU, respectively. For CHIKV infection, the detection limits of infectious units for intracellular and extracellular viruses are 0.3 PFU and 0.068 PFU, respectively. The capillary modified LAMP assay achieves higher sensitivity to current gold-standard qPCR assays, while offering several advantages, including rapid turnaround time (results obtained within 30 min), minimal equipment requirements (single heating module), cost-effectiveness, visual readout compatibility, and no requirement for specialized personnel. This study confirmed the capacity of this improved LAMP colorimetric detection method. The system addresses critical gaps in resource-limited scenarios, offering a deployable solution for border quarantine stations and primary healthcare services–key nodes for intercepting cross-border transmission and mitigating localized outbreaks through timely case identification.

Pine wilt disease is a global quarantine disease caused by the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. It has been the most serious forest disease in recent decades globally; however, no approved countermeasures have been developed. Existing nematocidal biocontrol agents are derived mainly from fungi and bacteria, and research on oomycete nematocidal agents is rare. A strain capable of killing B. xylophilus, the oomycete Lagenidium sp. NL03, was isolated from the corpses of Rhabditidae soil nematodes. Based on its morphology and molecular biology, the strain was identified as Lagenidium juracyae. L. juracyae could produce kidney-shaped biflagellate zoospores that could kill pine wood nematode, with a nematocidal efficiency of 60% at a zoospore concentration of >1.5 × 104 mL-1. Among second-stage juveniles, third-stage juveniles (J3), fourth-stage juveniles (J4), and adults, J3 and J4 were more susceptible to infestation. Meanwhile, the zoospore suspension and the cytoplasmic extract of L. juracyae inhibited egg hatching and nematode motility significantly. RNA-seq data analysis indicated that the KEGG pathways of 'Glycerolipid metabolism', 'ABC transporters', 'Ribosome', 'Tyrosine metabolism', and the effectors of RxLR and CRN were involved in the infection processes of the oomycetes. L. juracyae kills nematodes via zoospore adhesion. Its zoospores have recognition and infection ability, and the L. juracyae cytoplasmic extract and zoospore suspension can inhibit nematode hatching and motility significantly. Glycerolipid and Tyrosine metabolism-related pathways may participate in the infection. The present study enhances our understanding of oomycete activity against nematodes, which could facilitate the control of the invasive nematode. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gastrointestinal parasites and molecular characterization of Eimeria spp. among imported small ruminants in the Sultanate of Oman.

Bacterial leaf streak (BLS) is one of the internationally significant quarantine diseases in rice. Effectively utilizing BLS resistance genes from wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) to breed new varieties offers a fundamental solution for BLS control. This study focused on the fine mapping of the BLS resistance gene bls2 and the development of closely linked molecular markers for breeding BLS-resistant lines. Using a Guangxi common wild rice accession DY19 (carrying bls2) as the donor parent and the highly BLS-susceptible indica rice variety 9311 as the recipient parent, BLS-resistant rice lines were developed through multiple generations of backcrossing and selfing, incorporating molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS), single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) chip genotyping, pathogen inoculation assays, and agronomic trait evaluation. The results showed that bls2 was delimited to a 113 kb interval between the molecular markers ID2 and ID5 on chromosome 2, with both markers exhibiting over 98% accuracy in detecting bls2. Four stable new lines carrying the bls2 segment were obtained in the BC5F4 generation. These four lines showed highly significant differences in BLS resistance compared with 9311, demonstrating moderate resistance or higher with average lesion lengths ranging from 0.69 to 1.26 cm. Importantly, no significant differences were observed between these resistant lines and 9311 in key agronomic traits, including plant height, number of effective panicles, panicle length, seed setting rate, grain length, grain width, length-to-width ratio, and 1000-grain weight. Collectively, two molecular markers closely linked to bls2 were developed, which can be effectively applied in MAS, and four new lines with significantly enhanced resistance to BLS and excellent agronomic traits were obtained. These findings provide technical support and core germplasm resources for BLS resistance breeding.

This study examines diseases that affected the livestock sector in Malaya from 1895 to 1930. The contagious diseases—rinderpest and foot and mouth disease (FMD)— significantly jeopardised the livestock economy. They were detected in imported cattle and buffaloes from India and Siam (Thailand), entering through ports such as Port Weld, Port Swettenham, and Port Dickson. The spread of these diseases led to the establishment of the veterinary branch within the medical department, which remained active until early 1930. Using a qualitative approach, this article draws on sources from the National Archives of Malaysia, the Internet archives and the Tun Seri Lanang Library (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), including Colonial Office files (CO 576), official letters, medical reports and Federated Malay States administrative reports. The research identifies rinderpest as the primary cause of livestock deaths, particularly among buffaloes. Effective prevention measures included quarantining imported cattle at quarantine stations and using anti-rinderpest serum from India.

Relevance. The vineyards of the Krasnodar Territory cover over 31,000 hectares, accounting for approximately 60% of all vineyards in Russia. Assessing the phytosanitary status of ampelocenoses and understanding the role of Auchenorrhyncha in transmitting dangerous systemic diseases, such as Pierce’s disease, bois noir phytoplasma, and flavescence dorée, is crucial for maintaining vineyard health.The purpose of the research is to identify the current species composition of Auchenorrhyncha suborder in the vineyards of the Krasnodar Territory. Based on literature data and field observations, the study evaluates their actual and potential impact on vineyards.Methods. Sampling was conducted during the 2023–2024 growing seasons using entomological nets, yellow sticky traps, and a combination of ultraviolet (365 nm) and white light traps.Results. In total, 51 species from 9 families of the suborder Auchenorrhyncha were identified. Special attention is given to the biology and ecology of these insects, particularly their role as both direct pests and vectors of infectious diseases. Widespread distribution of Scaphoideus titanus and Philaenus spumarius, vectors of dangerous quarantine diseases of golden yellowing and Pierce’s disease, respectively, has been revealed. Additionally, a preliminary list of potential vectors of bois noir phytoplasma was compiled. The occurrence of a second generation of Metcalfa pruinosa, uncommon for this species, was noted, along with a preliminary complex of species associated with grapevine chlorosis. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of Auchenorrhyncha in the vineyards of the Krasnodar Territory.

This study aims to determine the type of endoparasites that infect snakehead fish and determine the level of prevalence, intensity, and dominance of endoparasites from peat swamp waters. This research was conducted on 15 February - 15 March 2023 for 1 month at the Fish Quarantine Station Quality Control and Safety of Fishery Products in Palangka Raya. The research method used is descriptive research method. As a result of the assistance, 7 types of endoparasites were found, namely Neoechinorhynchus sp., Camallanus sp., Procamallanus sp., Strongyloides sp., Eustrongyloides sp., Proteocephalus sp., and Senga sp. which is found in the target organs of meat, liver, stomach and intestines

Transition of yellow fever immunization environment in Japan.

Background/Introduction:Evaluating high-performance work practices and characteristics of Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) in frontline quarantine and infectious disease control systems is crucial. Such evaluations not only minimize future risks to staff but also significantly enhance responses to crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AUSMAT conducted high-risk missions without any transmission to or between staff, despite including non-AUSMAT-trained personnel and the critical failures recorded in other quarantine operations within Australia.Objectives:This study takes a unique approach to identifying the barriers and facilitators of EMTs’ high-performance work practices, the team characteristics that support implementation, and their impact on team functionality, success, failure, and risk management.Method/Description:A purposive sample of 19 AUSMAT members who held AUSMAT leadership roles for at least fourteen days during the COVID-19 responses from 2020 to 2022 was selected. These AUSMAT Team Leaders, with their real-world experiences, provided invaluable insights for this study.Results/Outcomes:The preliminary findings of this study underscore the practical implications of specific high-performance characteristics. These include the importance of a precautionary approach, temporal stability of team members, command and control structures, shared leadership, and decentralized decision-making.Conclusion:The study highlights how these characteristics can significantly impact performance, emphasizing the importance of tailored work practices and supportive team characteristics in enhancing EMT functionality and managing risks effectively.

Abstract This research aims to identify pathogenic bacteria found in Tilapia fish seeds (Oreochromis niloticus) cultivated in concrete ponds in the Palangka Raya area. To identify the type of bacteria, use the book Cowan and Steel’s Manual for The Identification of Medical Bacteria 1974. This research was carried out by taking samples of tilapia seeds from 3 different cultivator ponds. And then testing was carried out at the Fish Quarantine Station Laboratory, Fishery Quality Control and Fishery Product Safety (SKIPM) Palangka Raya. This research was carried out in May 2024. This research method is descriptive by taking samples of fish seeds, sterilizing tools and materials, measuring water quality parameters, isolating bacteria, and identifying bacteria. The research results showed that the bacteria found were 6 (six) genera of bacteria, namely Acinetobacter sp., Actinobacillus sp., Aeromonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Moraxella sp. and Pasteurella sp.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) was established in 2004 after the SARS epidemic. As a national disease control agency, KCDC strengthened its capacities for global health security based on experiences from some important issues such as the Influenza A/H1N1 pandemic (2009), the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in Korea (2015), the Zika epidemic (2016), and COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2024). KCDC can make or revise infectious disease prevention and control related law, and collect, manage and analyze disease data from all the local public health centers and medical institutions in Korea. Based on the indicator-based surveillance, event-based surveillance and laboratory-based surveillance, KCDC conducts risk assessment for public health threats and has full responsibility as a competing authority in responding to outbreaks on a legal basis, which is specified in the national disaster framework. All quarantine stations in airports and sea ports belong to KCDC, and individual international travel history data at point of entries are linked to the National Health Insurance Services Database and medical doctors can access the database when the symptomatic individual visits the clinics/hospitals to check his/her travel history in the affected countries. This is a backbone to identify and notify imported infectious diseases from local clinic/hospitals to KCDC. Based on risk assessment in KCDC, KCDC triggers the Emergency Operations Center to respond. This KCDC-centered public health governance with centralized, comprehensive surveillance and response is one of the model cases from the health security perspective to consider for countries that are to establish new national public health institutes in the post-COVID-19 era.

IntroductionFlavescence dorée (FD) is a European quarantine disease of grapevine with high economic impact. The Flavescence dorée phytoplasmas (FDp) are epidemically spread by the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus, which has been introduced to Europe from North America. The FDp is of European origin and is widely spread in symptomless alder trees. FD outbreaks were related to three different genetic variants of FDp: MAP-FD1, MAP-FD2 and MAP-FD3. A multitude of non-epidemic genotypes exist in mixed infections in alder trees. Germany is so far free of FD but the possibility of the transmission of MAP-FD2 phytoplasmas from alder to grapevine by the invasive secondary vector Orientus ishidae has been demonstrated experimentally and under natural conditions. Thus, FDp-infected alder represent a risk for FD outbreaks.MethodsGeodata-based analyses were employed to identify potential alder sites adjacent to vineyards in the major wine-growing regions of Germany in Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Wuerttemberg. Webmaps for Plant Protection Services were established. In addition, molecular screening tools for the detection of MAP-FD1 and MAP-FD2 phytoplasmas in mixed infections in alders were developed.Results and Discussion1089 alder samples from 171 sites in Rhineland-Palatinate, 556 alder samples from 104 sites in Baden-Wuerttemberg and 141 samples from 22 sites in Franconia were examined. Almost all samples (98%) were infected with 16SrV phytoplasmas. The distribution of MAP-FD2 phytoplasmas varied greatly among the different regions: no infections were found in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region while along the Rhine valley from Rheinhessen to Baden infection rates around 70% were observed. Northern and Southern regions of Baden-Wuerttemberg as well as Franconia had lower infection rates ranging from 15% to 40%. Insect captures in the different regions showed that O. ishidae is present in all regions but infection rates varied indicating that this invasive species is responsible for the spread of MAP-FD2 phytoplasma in alder in Germany. Only few infections with MAP-FD1 genotypes were found. Specific primers for the epidemic map genotype M54 revealed no infection in the alder trees.

This paper investigates the dynamics of a stochastic $\mathcal{SEIQR}$ epidemic model, which integrates quarantine measures and a saturated incidence rate to more accurately reflect real-world disease transmission. The model is based on the classical $\mathcal{SEIR}$ framework, with the addition of a quarantined compartment, offering insights into the impact of quarantine on epidemic control. The saturated incidence rate accounts for the diminishing rate of new infections as the susceptible population grows, addressing the limitations of traditional bilinear incidence rates in modeling epidemic spread under high disease prevalence. We first establish the basic reproductive number, $\mathcal{R}_0$, for the deterministic model, which serves as a threshold parameter for disease persistence. Through the stochastic Lyapunov function method, we identify the necessary conditions for the existence of a stationary distribution, focusing on the case where $\mathcal{R}_0^* > 1$, signals the potential long-term persistence of the disease in the population. Furthermore, we derive sufficient conditions for disease extinction, particularly when $\mathcal{R}_S^* < 1$, indicating that the disease will eventually die out despite the inherent randomness in disease transmission. Numerical simulations confirm that environmental noise and quarantine rates shape disease dynamics. Simulations show that more noise or higher quarantine rates speed up disease extinction, offering key policy insights. Our results clarify how quarantine, noise intensity, and disease dynamics interact, aiding epidemic modeling in stochastic settings.