Reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay for H5 subtype avian influenza virus.

Background: The H5 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) has caused huge economic losses to the poultry industry and is a threat to human health. A rapid and simple test is needed to confirm infection in suspected cases during disease outbreaks.

Methods: In this study, we developed a reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) assay for the detection of H5 subtype AIV.

Benefit-cost analysis of a H7N9 vaccination program in poultry in Guangxi, China.

China launched a H7N9 vaccination program in poultry, starting from the Guangxi and Guangdong provinces in July 2017, followed by other provinces in September 2017, as a response to a steep increase of H7N9 influenza human infections from September 2016. Since then, H5-H7 bivalent vaccine has been used in the nationwide avian influenza compulsory vaccination program to replace the existing H5N1 vaccine. However, the economic returns of the H7N9 vaccination program in China have never been adequately assessed.

Cross-sectional study on risk factors associated with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus infection in pig farms in Junan county, China.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a highly contagious, intestinal infectious disease in pigs, characterized by severe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. PED is widely epidemic in China as well as in many eastern Asian and America countries, causing tremendous losses in pig industry. However, little was known about the disease frequency and the associated risk factors of PED in pig farms.

Analysis of the movement of live broilers in Guangxi, China and implications for avian influenza control.

Most Chinese provinces have a daily-updated database of live animal movements; however, the data are not efficiently utilized to support interventions to control H7N9 and other avian influenzas. Based on official records, this study assessed the spatio-temporal patterns of live broilers moved out of and within Guangxi in 2017. The yearly and monthly networks were analyzed for inter- and intra-provincial movements, respectively.

Data-driven dynamical modelling of the transmission of African swine fever in a few places in China.

Since the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Shengyang, it has continued spreading in China. In the early stage of the epidemic, multi-point and concentrated outbreaks were mainly in the swill feeding areas. In this paper, we developed compartmental models to investigate the transmission of ASF in several raising units including Guquan, Jinba and Liancheng.

Traceable surveillance and genetic diversity analysis of coronaviruses in poultry from China in 2019.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first reported in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread throughout the world. This newly emerging pathogen is highly transmittable and can cause fatal disease. More than 35 million cases have been confirmed, with a fatality rate of about 2.

A mixed methods study of stakeholders' practices and attitudes on avian influenza H7N9 vaccination for the yellow broiler industry in Guangxi, China.

In response to a sudden increase in H7N9 human infections, China introduced an H5/H7 bivalent inactivated vaccine for poultry in Guangxi and Guangdong provinces in July 2017, which subsequently became integrated into the existing compulsory national H5N1 vaccination programme from September 2017. Although the vaccination programme effectively reduced H7N9 infections in humans and poultry, there are ongoing arguments against continuing this long-term vaccination. These discussions have drawn policymakers to think about the possibility of stopping routine vaccination for H7N9 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in China; however, they have not considered the poultry industry stakeholders' practices on and attitudes towards this vaccination.

Characterization and influencing factors of the pig movement network in Hunan Province, China.

In terms of pig production in China, Hunan was the third largest province where the number of hogs accounted for 9.0 % of the national number of hogs in 2017. To propose the precise strategy for supervision of pig movements in Hunan Province, a weighted directed one-mode network was constructed using the data from the electronic animal health certificate platform in 2017.

Modeling the outbreak and control of African swine fever virus in large-scale pig farms.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) leads to a highly contagious, lethal and economically devastating disease among pigs. Since no effective treatment for the disease, it is crucial to investigate its transmission mechanism and control strategies in large-scale pig farms. We first established a toy model to explore ASFV spread in one pig unit.

Value chain analysis of yellow broiler industry in Guangxi, China to inform H7N9 influenza control strategies.

Yellow broilers are the primary source of poultry consumption in China and the predominant trade of live poultry. However, knowledge of the value chain is limited, which is vital evidence for the effective control of H7N9 and other zoonotic avian influenzas. The aim of the study was to map the yellow broiler value chain in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China and investigate its governance structure and practices relevant to the risk of H7N9 transmission.

Infection and risk factors of human and avian influenza in pigs in south China.

The coinfection of swine influenza (SI) strains and avian/human-source influenza strains in piggeries can contribute to the evolution of new influenza viruses with pandemic potential. This study analyzed surveillance data on SI in south China and explored the spatial predictor variables associated with different influenza infection scenarios in counties within the study area. Blood samples were collected from 7670 pigs from 534 pig farms from 2015 to 2017 and tested for evidence of infection with influenza strains from swine, human and avian sources.

Epidemic situation and control measures of African Swine Fever Outbreaks in China 2018-2020.

As of 21 April 2020, 176 ASF outbreaks have occurred in China. For each outbreak, an investigation was conducted, including historical data retrieval and traceability of potential contacts. The purpose of this study is to conduct a preliminary analysis of the data obtained from the outbreak investigations, including an investigation of the possible contributing factors of the spread of ASF in China.

Assessment of regional vulnerability to Africa swine fever in China during 2018/8-2019/7 based on data envelopment analysis method.

In this study, we introduce a vulnerability index to measure the regional ASF epidemic and present the ASF severity ratings of the 31 provinces of mainland China. The index is defined based on the data from the investigation, national statistical yearbook and reports. The data to be used include pig breeding, financial resources, human resources, epidemic information of ASF and price fluctuation from the 31 provinces.

Geographical variation in the risk of H7N9 human infections in China: implications for risk-based surveillance.

The influenza A (H7N9) subtype remains a public health problem in China affecting individuals in contact with live poultry, particularly at live bird markets. Despite enhanced surveillance and biosecurity at LBMs H7N9 viruses are now more widespread in China. This study aims to quantify the temporal relationship between poultry surveillance results and the onset of human H7N9 infections during 2013-2017 and to estimate risk factors associated with geographical risk of H7N9 human infections in counties in Southeast China.

Risk of zoonotic transmission of swine influenza at the human-pig interface in Guangdong Province, China.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2015 to 2018 to assess the risk of zoonotic influenza to humans at the human-pig interface in Guangdong Province, south China. One hundred and fifty-three pig farmers, 21 pig traders and 16 pig trade workers were recruited using convenience sampling and surveyed at local pig farms, live pig markets and slaughterhouses, respectively. Questionnaires were administered to collect information on the biosecurity and trading practices adopted and their knowledge and beliefs about swine influenza (SI).

African Swine Fever in a commercial pig farm: Outbreak investigation and an approach for identifying the source of infection.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a contagious disease of domestic and wild pigs caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV). The disease has spread globally in recent years with serious economic consequences to pork production. This report describes an ASF outbreak that occurred in a large-scale Chinese commercial pig farm.

Pig trade networks through live pig markets in Guangdong Province, China.

This study used social network analysis to investigate the indirect contact network between counties through the movement of live pigs through four wholesale live pig markets in Guangdong Province, China. All 14,118 trade records for January and June 2016 were collected from the markets and the patterns of pig trade in these markets analysed. Maps were developed to show the movement pathways.

Reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay for H7 subtype avian influenza virus.

H7 subtype avian influenza virus infection is an emerging zoonosis in some Asian countries and an important avian disease worldwide. A rapid and simple test is needed to confirm infection in suspected cases during disease outbreaks. In this study, we developed a reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay for the detection of H7 subtype avian influenza virus.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Senecavirus A Isolate from an Asymptomatic Pig in China.

Senecavirus A (SVA) is the single member of the genus of the family Here, we report a complete genome sequence of SVA strain GX2018-92, which was isolated from an asymptomatic piglet in China. This virus genome consists of 7,280 nucleotides and will be available to further study the epidemiology of porcine SVA.

Status and influencing factors of farmers' private investment in the prevention and control of sheep brucellosis in China: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonoses worldwide, causing direct losses to the livestock industry and threatening human health. Little is known about the status and factors affecting farmers' private investment in the prevention and control of sheep brucellosis in China.

Methodology/principal Findings: From April to October 2017, a cross-sectional, house-based study was conducted in 7 Chinese provinces.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with avian influenza along the live chicken market chains in Eastern China: A cross-sectional survey in Shanghai, Anhui, and Jiangsu.

The avian influenza (AI) virus of the H7N9 subtype emerged in China in 2013. Live bird markets (LBMs) selling live meat chickens were indicated to present a high-risk of the virus dissemination. This study aimed to quantify the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on AI and to measure the associated risk factors among different actors along the live chicken market chain within H7N9-affected Eastern provinces in China.

Viral infection detection using metagenomics technology in six poultry farms of eastern China.

With rapidly increasing animal pathogen surveillance requirements, new technologies are needed for a comprehensive understanding of the roles of pathogens in the occurrence and development of animal diseases. We applied metagenomic technology to avian virus surveillance to study the main viruses infecting six poultry farms in two provinces in eastern China. Cloacal/throat double swabs were collected from 60 birds at each farm according to a random sampling method.

Infection of African swine fever in wild boar, China, 2018.

On 16 November 2018, a wild boar infected with African swine fever was reported in China. The phylogenetic analysis showed that its causative strain belonged to the p72 genotype II, CD2v serogroup 8 and contained no additional tandem repeat sequences between the I73R and the I329L protein genes, which was different from previously reported strains in China.

Closure of live bird markets leads to the spread of H7N9 influenza in China.

Following the emergence of H7N9 influenza in March 2013, local animal and public health authorities in China have been closing live bird markets as a measure to try to control the H7N9 influenza epidemic. The role of live bird market (LBM) closure on the spread of N7N9 influenza following the closure of LBMs during March to May 2013 (the first wave) and October 2013 to March 2014 (the second wave) is described in this paper. Different provinces implemented closure actions at different times, and intensive media reports on H7N9 in different provinces started at different times.