State Veterinary Administration Research Articles

Deficiencies in livestock holdings with respect to animal welfare identified as part of cross-compliance checks completed in 2016–2020 in the Czech Republic

Cross-compliance checks are a tool of the Common Agricultural Policy to promote agri-environmental objectives relating to the environment, animal welfare, and food safety. This mechanism consists of paying direct subsidies to farmers who comply with prescribed requirements. Compliance with animal welfare requirements in the Czech Republic is supervised by the State Veterinary Administration. This study aimed to find the main deficiencies identified as part of cross-compliance checks and to assess the trends of the most frequent defects during the period under review, i.e. 2016–2020. The data for the analysis were received from the Central Veterinary Administration of the State Veterinary Administration and included the results of 2,031 checks carried out. Shortcomings were found in 14.52% of cases. Detailed analysis showed that significantly (P < 0.05) the highest frequency of violations was found in the areas of ‘nutrition and watering’ (294; 29.85%) and ‘spatial requirements’ (274; 27.82%). Based on the evaluation of trends, a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the frequency of violations in the field of compliance with holder duties and animal hygiene standards of animals was detected. The results of this work show that animal welfare is continuously improving on farms. However, the aim should be to reduce deficiencies to a minimum for all indicators. In view of the results of this study, it is necessary to focus primarily on improving the quality of nutrition, providing better housing standards with emphasis on space and equipment used, and intensifying daily checks of animals.

Analysis of the major deficiencies detected during welfare inspections of farm animals in the Czech Republic

The level of compliance with livestock welfare requirements is directly reflected in animal health, behaviour, and performance as well as farm profitability. It is mandatory to keep animals in conditions that prevent suffering and that respect animal needs in terms of biology and ethology. Compliance with these obligations in the Czech Republic is supervised by the State Veterinary Administration (SVA) through inspectors affiliated to the veterinary administrations at the regional level. The aim of the study was to identify the main deficiencies observed during official site visits carried out at livestock holdings in 2016–2020 and to assess the trend of the most frequently occurring deficiencies during the reference period. Data obtained from Central Veterinary Administration of the SVA containing a total of 9,147 records of partial welfare checks were subjected to the analysis. The percentage of site visits where deficiencies were found at livestock holdings was 15.04%. When analysed in more detail, the results revealed a significantly (P < 0.05) highest frequency of violations with respect to administration and animal marking (2,054) followed by the provision of treatment and spatial conditions. The trend analysis showed no significant increase or decrease in the frequency of violations in the selected areas during the reference period (P > 0.05). The results show the need to focus on compliance with duties in the framework of administration and animal marking, provision of treatment, and provision of animal management standards, especially in terms of spatial conditions, nutrition, and animal hygiene where violations were consistently found most often.

American Foulbrood in the Czech Republic: ERIC II Genotype of Paenibacillus Larvae Is Prevalent.

American foulbrood (AFB) is a dangerous disease of honeybees (Apis mellifera) caused by the spore-forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. According to the ERIC (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus) classification, five genotypes are distinguished, i.e., I, II, III, IV, and V, which differ in their virulence and prevalence in colonies. In the Czech Republic, AFB prevalence is monitored by the State Veterinary Administration; however, the occurrence of specific P. larvae genotypes within the country remains unknown. In this study, our aim was to genotype field P. larvae strains collected in the Czech Republic according to the ERIC classification. In total, 102 field isolates from colonies with AFB clinical symptoms were collected from various locations in the Czech Republic, and the PCR genotypization was performed using ERIC primers. We confirmed the presence of both ERIC I and II genotypes, while ERIC III, IV, and V were not detected. The majority of samples (n = 82, 80.4%) were identified as ERIC II, while the ERIC I genotype was confirmed only in 20 samples (19.6%). In contrast to other European countries, the ERIC II genotype is predominant in Czech honeybee colonies. The ERIC I genotype was mostly detected in border regions close to Poland, Slovakia, and Austria.

Comparison of the frequency of patho-anatomic findings in laying hens with findings in broiler chickens and turkeys detected during post-mortem veterinary inspection

We have investigated the health condition of laying hens on the basis of patho-anatomic findings obtained during the veterinary inspection after slaughter. To assess the severity of the health condition of laying hens, we compared the incidence of findings with the findings in broiler chickens and turkeys. In the period from 2010 to 2017, 17,346,183 laying hens, 887,994,167 broiler chickens, and 919,843 turkeys were transported from Czech farms to slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic. The competent veterinary authority in the Czech Republic (the State Veterinary Administration) carried out a veterinary inspection of these birds slaughtered in the slaughterhouse and recorded the patho-anatomic findings. From the recorded data, the number of patho-anatomic findings (intravital origin) of the organs and parts of the bodies (liver, intestines, lungs, heart, spleen, genital tract, urinary system, CNS, skin, head, body, limbs, and whole animal) were analysed. We found increased patho-anatomic findings in the liver (26.76%) and limbs (6.03%) in hens, and also high numbers of findings in the category of total findings (1.57%) were detected. In liver findings, chronic findings (22.09%) were prevailing over the acute findings (4.67%), compared to broiler chickens (chronic 0.04%, acute 0.03%) and turkeys (chronic 1.90%, acute 0.00%). The differences between hens, broilers, and turkeys were significant (P < 0.001). The incidence of traumatic, chronic, and acute findings in hens (3.88%, 1.71%, and 0.44%, respectively) was higher (P < 0.001) in the case of the legs, compared with broiler chickens (0.02%, 0.08%, and 0.02%, respectively) and turkeys (0.27%, 0.23%, and 0.05%, respectively). The results show that the health condition of laying hens is significantly worse than in case of broiler chickens and turkeys, especially in the impact on the liver due to the likely effect of nutrition not corresponding to the intensity of the production of laying hens, and the impact on the limbs due in particular to traumatic changes caused by inappropriate transport handling and inadequate conditions (especially cage housing) of laying hens.

Insight into the economy of aquaculture production in Czechia: assessment of aquaculture enterprises

We provide a general overview of spatial distribution and the economic situation of aquaculture enterprises in Czechia (the Czech Republic) in terms of revenues, profitability, work productivity, indebtedness and grants. We analysed data available in the State Veterinary Administration and information system of the State Agricultural Intervention Fund. The most significant fish producers (enterprises) are located in the regions of South Bohemia. Aquaculture sector profitability and enterprises profits have been moderately rising since 2010. The profitability in 2015 is roughly the same as that in 2005. The amount of provided grants showed a higher value than the generated average annual profits. The enterprises were not able to generate sufficient resources to finance investments without grants resources. Enterprises that realised financing for larger investments from bank credits showed relatively high levels of indebtedness (micro-enterprises at 95.5%). On the contrary, work productivity was the highest for micro-enterprises. Micro-enterprises had the largest share of revenues in relation to the number of employees. Each group of enterprises is considerably specific and needs an individual approach for the subsequent evaluation.

Comparison of the welfare of laying hens, broiler chickens and turkeys in terms of bird health as surveyed during inspection in slaughterhouses

During the period 2010–2017 we monitored 17 346 183 laying hens, 887 994 167 broiler chickens and 919 843 turkeys slaughtered at slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic. In cooperation with the State Veterinary Administration, we recorded findings detected in slaughtered birds within thepost mortemveterinary inspection. We analysed the total number of patho-anatomical findings (of intravital origin) and the number of findings divided into acute, chronic and traumatic diseases. In hens, the total ratio of the number of patho-anatomical intravital findings to the number of slaughtered birds (index) was found to be 0.378. This index of the incidence of patho-anatomical findings in hens was higher (P&lt; 0.001) than that found in broilers (0.016) and turkeys (0.101). The prevailing findings in hens were chronic changes (26.32%), followed by acute changes (5.29%), but also notable were traumatic changes (3.90%). Compared to the findings in broilers which were divided into chronic (0.34%), acute (0.10%) and traumatic diseases (0.02%) and turkey findings which were broken down into chronic (7.60%), acute (0.16%) and traumatic diseases (0.33%), the findings of acute, chronic and traumatic diseases were higher (P&lt; 0.001) in hens than in broilers and turkeys. These findings show that the health condition and hence the welfare of laying hens as reflected in the patho-anatomical findings during the veterinary inspection of slaughtered birds is significantly worse than the health condition of broilers and turkeys. This demonstrates the need for increased care for laying hens both on farms and in transit to the slaughterhouse.

Occurrence of chemical contaminants in animal products during 1999–2016 in the Czech Republic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the results of inspections carried out by the State Veterinary Administration (SVA) of Czech Republic (CR) for the occurrence of chemical contaminants in animal products before and after CR entered the European Union (EU). Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from e-databases of the SVA from 1999–2016 and sorted into categories (game animals and fish; livestock; food and raw material of animal origin) and time periods (one before entry and two after entry of CR to the EU). Analyses of the samples were categorized as “positive samples” (any presence of contaminants) and “samples above the MRL” (presence of contaminants exceeding the maximum residue levels). Findings Results showed a significant decrease in the number of positive findings of contaminants during the monitored years 1999–2016, especially after CR entered the EU. Most encouragingly, the number of samples that exceeded the MRL was less than 1 percent from all the tested samples of animal origin and, after entry to the EU, in one category (food and raw materials of animal origin) it was even less than 0.1 percent. Findings of banned substances indicate continued environmental contamination in CR; however, this remains a problem in most of Europe due to their extensive use in the past and slow degradation. Originality/value This paper provides an overview of the occurrence of chemical contaminants and their levels in food of animal origin in view of the changing legislative requirements before and after CR entered the EU.

CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF THE RED PALM OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE CARDIAC OXIDATIVE STRESS, NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE AND HEART FUNCTION IN THE RATS SUFFERING FROM HYPERTENSION

Objective: We know from our previous study that myocardial protein connexin 43 (Cx43), responsible for intercellular communication, and protein kinase C epsilon which directly phosphorylates Cx43 on the serine 368, were significantly decreased in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) what was also associated with increased incidence to malignant arrhythmias. Antioxidant rich red palm oil (RPO) significantly normalized all of these parameters. Therefore, we further aimed to investigate whether intake of RPO may affect endothelial dysfunction, antioxidant enzymes and heart function in SHR. Design and method: In accordance with the rules issued by the State Veterinary Administration of the Slovak Republic and European Union Council Directive 86/609/EEC we used in our experiment 3-months-old, male SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto control rats fed standard rat chow without or with RPO (0.2 ml/day/5 weeks). Left ventricular tissue was used to examine expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutases (SOD1, SOD2) and glutathione peroxidases (GPx) as well as activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Functional parameters of the heart were measured during basal conditions and at the early-phase of post-ischemic reperfusion by Langendorff-perfused system. Results: RPO supplementation significantly normalized higher blood pressure and total NOS activity as well as increased lowered expression of mitochondrial SOD2 in SHR hearts during basal condition. RPO intake resulted in the suppression of elevated heart rate, increase of reduced coronary flow and enhancement of systolic and diastolic heart function at the early-phase of post-ischemic reperfusion. Conclusions: We can conclude that SHR benefit from RPO intake due to its apparent anti-arrhythmic effects by Cx43 modulation, reduction of blood pressure, enhancement of oxidative stress and protection of heart function that was deteriorated by post-ischemic reperfusion.

Transport losses in finisher pigs: impact of transport distance and season of the year.

ObjectiveThe death of animals during transport for slaughter is a major factor indicating the level of welfare in transported animals. The aim of this study was to assess mortality related to the commercial transport of finisher pigs for slaughter in the Czech Republic.MethodsThe inspectors of the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic recorded the numbers of finisher pigs transported to processing plants in the Czech Republic for slaughter and the mortality in these pigs in relation to transport in the period from 2009 to 2014.ResultsOur results show that the likelihood of death losses in transported pigs increases with increasing transport distance. The transport-related mortality ranged from 0.049% in pigs transported for distances below 50 km to 0.145% in pigs transported for distances exceeding 300 km. The impact of external air temperature on the transport-related mortality found in our study clearly shows that current transport practices fail to ensure the welfare of pigs transported under other than moderate weather. Particularly cold temperatures below −2°C were associated with increased death losses in winter transport.ConclusionDespite a decreasing trend in the mortality of finisher pigs transported for slaughter in Europe, our study suggests that current transport conditions are not efficient at ensuring the welfare of pigs during transport for longer distances and the protection of pigs against the negative impact of extreme ambient temperatures. Further research should focus on developing practical guidelines to improve the welfare of pigs in transit accordingly.

Transport-induced mortality in Pekin ducks transported for slaughter in the Czech Republic

Data on the numbers of Pekin ducks transported to slaughterhouses between 2009 and 2014 and the numbers of ducks that died during these transports were recorded in cooperation with the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic. In the monitored period, a total of 12,327,017 ducks were transported, of which 9,545 (0.077%) died. The levels of transport-related mortality over these years varied significantly (P &lt; 0.001); the lowest mortality was observed in 2011 (0.059%) and the highest in 2013 (0.089%). The impact of distance on transport-related mortality in ducks was demonstrated. The lowest transport-related mortality (0.052%) was found for distances shorter than 50 km. It was significantly (P &lt; 0.001) lower than the mortality rates connected with longer journeys. The greatest mortality rates were found for transport distances of 101–200 km (0.105%). In addition, the season of the year significantly affected transport-related mortality in Pekin ducks. The highest death losses were found in the summer (0.090%). Death losses of ducks connected with summer transports were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.001) in comparison with transport-related mortality rates in any other season of the year. The lowest death losses were found in duck transports carried out in the autumn and winter (0.069% and 0.072%, respectively) with no significant difference between those two seasons. Shortening transport distances and maintaining a suitable micro-climate inside transport vehicles especially in the summer are thus two important factors that can contribute to reducing transport-related mortality in Pekin ducks in commercial practice.

HLAVNÍ ZÁSADY A STRUKTURA NÁHRAD POSKYTOVANÝCH CHOVATELŮM S VÝSKYTEM BOVINNÍ SPONGIFORMNÍ ENCEFALOPATIE V CHOVECH SKOTU

Mad cow disease first appeared in the 80´s of last century and has gradually spread in series to high breeding countries, incurring major breeding and economic loses. In June of 2001, the disease was first doccumented in the Czech Republic and by year end 2006, there were discovered 26 cases. In accor­dance to the broader conception of the Common agricultural policy od the European Union, whose one pillar is pillar in the protection of agricultural industry, the European Union has paid breeders in particular EU states with financial compensation, which are the boundaries of the EU budget. For this purpose, there was established in the Czech Republic legal assignment for the distribution of this compensation, and this is reflected in act No. 166/1999, veterinary act and act No. 147/2006. Financial compensation will be paid by the Czech Republic´s Minister of finance after the proposed approval by the Minister of Agriculture and the State Veterinary Administration. Submitted work will deal the majority of compensation to breeders with the occurence of BSE in breeding cattle and with regards to their disbursement.

NÁKLADY NA ASANACI ZVÍŘAT V SOUVISLOSTI S VÝSKYTEM BOVINNÍ SPONGIFORMNÍ ENCEFALOPATIE V URČENÉM ASANAČNÍM PODNIKU

The first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the Czech Republic appeared in 2001 and since that a total of 28 infected cows have been detected. Two outbreaks of BSE in 2007 and no di­sea­sed animal in 2008 confirms that, in the Czech Republic, the disease incidence has a decreasing trend, which is in an agreement with the situation in other EU countries. According to the Veterinary Act No. 166/1999, farmers with BSE disease are indemnified from the state budget. The state, therefore, significantly contributes to the prevention and mitigation of BSE and ensures epidemiologic health in our country. Between the outbreak in 2001 and 2008, a total of 1 311 473 cows were exa­mi­ned and, based on the finding of 28 BSE-positive animals, 4 022 cows were subsequently slaughtered. BSE examination, killing and decontamination costs amounted to 18.9 million CZK, compensation costs for killed animals reached almost 163.9 million CZK and compensation for unaccomplished production accounted for over 13.6 million CZK. Together with other additional costs, the total financial compensations paid out during the period of BSE presence were almost 198 million CZK. A se­pa­ra­te budget is proportioned to subsequent safe disposing of carcasses in rendering plants. The rendering plant “Asanace, spol. s r. o., Zichlinek“ was appointed by the State Veterinary Administration to perform the disposal of carcasses. Since the beginning of 2003 to 2008, 22 cases of BSE were reported and 3 572 cows were killed and destroyed there, what represents 2 221 tons of material . The cost of processing of 1 kg of waste material ranged from 3.50 CZK to 6.50 CZK, total costs reached 9.315 thousand CZK. The final product – meat and bone meal – was incinerated in a cement factories at a cost of 1 CZK per 1 kg between years 2003–2006, now it is free of charge. This study does not include costs of disposal of Specific Risk Material, because it is covered by slaughter houses, that are the source of this material.

Mortality Rates in Poultry Species and Categories during Transport for Slaughter

Transport-related mortality rates were compared for various poultry species and categories where published data are limited. The numbers of broilers, hens and cockerels, turkeys, ducks, and geese transported for slaughter, and the numbers that died during such transport, were recorded from 1997 to 2006 in cooperation with the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic. The mortality rate for individual poultry species and categories was calculated overall, and was also recorded for the following transport distances: up to 50 km, from 51 km to 100 km, from 101 km to 200 km, from 201 km to 300 km, and over 300 km. Transport of poultry for slaughter was accompanied by varying mortality rates depending on poultry species and categories. The highest mortality rates occurred in hens and cockerels (1.013%), followed by turkeys (0.272%), broilers (0.253%), ducks (0.103%), and geese (0.056%). Differences among the mortality rates estimated were highly significant (p &lt; 0.001). Mortality rates highly correlated with transport distance. The lowest mortality rates were for the shortest transport distances: In broilers (0.154%), turkeys (0.164%), and hens and cockerels (0.595%) for a transport distance up to 50 km; and in ducks (0.069-0.111%) and geese (0.021 - 0.053%) for transport distances up to 300 km. Highest mortality rates in hens and cockerels (1.892%), turkeys (0.341%), and broilers (0.536%) were observed for transport distances over 200 km, while in ducks (0.147%) and geese (0.253%), highest mortality rates were with transport distances exceeding 300 km. The highest mortality rates for all transport distances were in hens and cockerels, followed by turkeys and broilers. The mortality rate in turkeys for a transport distance up to 50 km was significantly higher than that in broilers. No significant differences were found between mortality rates in turkeys and broilers for transport distances of 51-100 km and 101-200 km whereas, for a distance of 201-300 km and in distances exceeding 300 km, the mortality rates in broilers were significantly higher compared to turkeys. The lowest mortality rates were observed in ducks and geese, with a significant difference between them only for transport distances of 51 to 100 km, where the mortality rate in ducks was higher, and over 300 km, where the mortality rate in geese was higher. When planning the transport of poultry for slaughter, susceptibility to stress induced by transport and transport distance (i.e. the duration of transport) of poultry species and categories should be considered.

Effect of Calf Diseases on Mortality during Transport for Slaughter

The aim of this study was to determine the general effect of calf diseases on the mortality rate in connection with a journey distance and, furthermore, to determine the tendency of development in this field. During the period of 1997 - 2004 inspectors of the State Veterinary Administration in the Czech Republic recorded the number of healthy calves transported for standard slaughter and numbers of calves that died in connection with this transport; furthermore, they recorded numbers of diseased calves transported for emergency slaughter and numbers of calves that died in connection with this transport. The calf mortality rate in connection with transport for standard slaughter and in connection with transport for emergency slaughter was 0.026% (29/113144) and 3.266% (2260/69207), respectively. The mortality rate during transport for emergency slaughter is considerably higher, an expression in the form of a ratio index is 127.4. The total number of calf deaths during transport for slaughter significantly increased (p &lt; 0.01) due to calf diseases. The effect of the journey distance on calf mortality in connection with transport was manifested as follows: during transport up to 50 km the recorded mortality rate was 0.019% for standard slaughter and 3.029% for an emergency one. In case of a longer journey distance, up to 200 km, a higher mortality rate was detected, namely 0.110% for standard slaughter and 5.177% for an emergency one. Due to diseases the number of calf deaths during transport up to 50, 100 and 200 km significantly increased (p &lt; 0.01). A long-term tendency concerning increase or decrease of calf disease effect on the mortality rate in calves during transport for slaughter depending on individual years of the period monitored was not proved. Calf disease significantly decreases calf welfare during their transport for slaughter and considerably increases number of calves that died in connection with transport for slaughter.

Protection of Animals against Cruelty: Transport of Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Pigs

Dousek J., V. Veaerek, O. Valcl, P. Chloupek, V. Pi‰tukova: Protection of Animals against Cruelty: Transport of Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Pigs. Acta Vet. Brno 2002, 71: 555-562. The inspections carried out by the officers of the State Veterinary Administration (SVA) within the framework of surveillance of animal transport revealed that cases of violation of the principles of animal protection may and do occur. Therefore evaluation was made of transport in selected groups of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs in the Czech Republic during the period of 1996 to 2001. Each inspection was assessed using the following scale: (1) animal protection requirements fulfilled, (2) animal protection requirements partially fulfilled and veterinary measures for the improvement of animal protection imposed, (3) failure to fulfil animal protection requirements. The proportion of the situations of when animal protection requirements were partially met and veterinary measures were imposed to improve the level of protection in cattle varied between 0.00% and 1.35% of the total number of the inspections carried out. In sheep and goats this situation occurred only sporadically. In pigs the proportion was 0.22% to 2.22% of the total number of the inspections carried out. The proportion of the situations when failure to fulfil animal protection requirements in cattle occurred varied between 0.00% and 0.83% of the total number of the inspections carried out. In sheep this situation occurred in a single case only and in goats no such situation was recorded. In pigs the same proportion varied between 0.00% and 3.31%. We compared the results of the period 1996 to 1998 with the period of 1999 to 2001. The proportion of the situations with partial fulfilment of animal protection requirements and subsequent necessity to impose veterinary measures increased in cattle from 0.53% to 0.82% and in pigs from 0.65% to 1.09%. The proportion of the situations of failure to fulfil animal protection requirements increased in cattle from 0.00% to 0.37%, and in pigs from 0.33% to 1.33% showing a significant trend towards deterioration of these conditions (P = 0.0406). The results obtained by this detailed analysis show that animal protection has not improved in the interval under study. Our evaluation further shows that it is inevitable to continue the supervisory activities by SVA inspectors and to improve all aspects of animal protection as well as amend the standing legislation. Cattle, pigs, transport, animal protection, surveillance Loading, transport and unloading of animals cause unusual stress for them. The animals are forced to move, often by means of various painful stimulations, the structure of animal groups is changed and the animals are exposed to considerable physical and emotional stress due to unusual circumstances of the environment (visual perceptions, noise, smells, changes in temperature, humidity and other components of microclimate, changes of the properties of floor, movements of the vehicle, changes in the centre of gravity, vibrations, changes in feed and water supply and other unusual circumstances). This leads to changes in behaviour and in physiological indices including biochemical and physiological changes which can be observed and which also influence animal products. Therefore the conditions of animal transport are controlled by legal regulations which are based on scientific knowledge and experience. Thus the most prominent forms of cruelty, suffering and injury of the animals are limited as well as the cases of death during transport (Grandin 2000). However, the fulfilment of the legal regulations has to be inspected and enforced if necessary. According to T exdorf (1993) the systematic surveillance of animal protection should be guaranteed

Geographic Information Systems in Epidemiology – Ecology of Common Vole and Distribution of Natural Foci of Tularaemia

Pikula J., F. Treml, M. Beklova, Z. Hole‰ovska, J. Pikulova: Geographic Information Systems in Epidemiology ‐ Ecology of Common Vole and Distribution of Natural Foci of Tularaemia.Acta Vet. Brno 2002, 71: 379-387. KORMAP geographic information system (GIS) was used to analyse the distribution and selected environmental factors related to population levels of Microtus arvalis (a potential reservoir host of F. tularensis) in the Czech Republic and the relation between M. arvalis populations and natural foci of tularaemia in the European hare. Maximum population levels of M. arvalis were in areas from 200 to 399 m above sea, of 40 to 60 days of snow cover annually and of 10 °C of mean annual air temperature. Warm and moderately warm climatic regions differed in the mean M. arvalis population level with high statistical significance (t = 4.97, P = 0.01). M. arvalis did not occur in the cold climatic region and areas of less than 4 °C of mean annual air temperature. The highest and lowest population densities were found in geographic areas of 1800 to 2000 h and up to 1600 h of annual sunshine duration, respectively. M. arvalis population density correlates with high statistical significance with the elevation above sea, annual sunshine duration and mean annual air temperature. It was, however, found that there is no correlation between M. arvalis levels and numbers of natural foci of tularaemia in the European hare (r = 0.0765, n = 396, t = 1.5228). In other words, tularaemia seems to be independent of M. arvalis population density. GIS are suitable for the State Veterinary Administration and they are becoming part of decision-making as knowledge on the geographical aspects of diseases including the distribution of reservoir hosts is essential for disease control. Microtus arvalis, geography of occurrence, population levels, environmental factors, Czech Republic, tularaemia