Historical perspectives on long distance transport of animals.

Since Roman Antiquity, domestic and wild animals have been transported over long distances for purposes as different as improvement of livestock production, food supply, scientific interest, public entertainment, war and numerous other purposes. This long distance transportation was originally limited to the Mediterranean area but, during the Middle Ages extended to the rest of Europe. The conquest of the New World was the first major occasion to transport large numbers of horses and other livestock across the oceans.

[Contribution to the history of avian plagues].

Avian influenza is a contagious disease of birds widely spread in wild fowl (namely ducks) and most feared in domestic birds, which may be infected with the highly pathogenic strains of the virus (HPAI). Some mammals, including human beings, may also be affected and die. Specific tools for the diagnosis of HPAI were not available before 1955, but since then more than 25 outbreaks were reported throughout the world, with an unusual incidence in Asia and Europe after 2003.

[Have we defeated the principal zoonoses?].

Following an overview of some successful campaigns against zoonoses, this paper examines other zoonotic diseases that are likely to be brought under control in industrialized countries, such as brucellosis, tuberculosis and canine or wildlife rabies. The author goes on to explain the reasons for the failure to eradicate some other zoonoses in developing countries, and concludes by examining reasons for optimism or pessimism, taking into account new methods of prevention and control.

["Avian pests" and their very long history].

Avian influenza is a contagious disease of birds widely spread in wild fowl (namely ducks) and most feared in domestic birds, which may be infected with the highly pathogenic strains of the virus (HPAI). Some mammals, including human beings, may also be affected and die. Specific tools for the diagnosis of HPAI were not available before 1955, but since then more than 25 outbreaks were reported throughout the world, with an unusual incidence in Asia and Europe after 2003.

Emerging or re-emerging bacterial zoonoses: factors of emergence, surveillance and control.

Surveillance and control of emerging bacterial zoonoses is essential in order to prevent both human and animal deaths and to avoid potential economic disorders created by trade barriers or a ban on free circulation of human or animal populations. An increased risk of exposition to zoonotic agents, the breakdown of the host's defenses, the emergence of bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics and their widespread distribution as well as conjunctural causes associated with the action or inaction of man have been identified as the main factors leading to the emergence or re-emergence of bacterial zoonoses. After an in-depth review of these various factors, the present manuscript reviews the main components of detection and surveillance of emerging or re-emerging bacterial zoonoses.

Dog distemper: imported into Europe from South America?

According to Charles Frédéric Heusinger (1853), dog distemper had been imported from Peru into Spain in the course of the 17th century. The disease was well described in 1746 by Ulloa in his work Relación histórica del viaje a la América meridional. During the course of the 1760s, the disease was reported in Spain, followed by England, Italy (1764) and Russia (1770).

Bioterrorism and infectious animal diseases.

After a brief historical introduction, the authors describe a list of pathogens likely to be used by bioterrorists to adversely affect animal health and production, and eventually human health in case of zoonotic agents. The selection criteria for these numerous pathogens as well as the means available for their procurement, manipulation and dispersal are discussed. The potential consequences of this bioterrorism are evaluated mainly in economic terms.

History of the control of foot and mouth disease.

From the many existing documents on the history of foot and mouth disease, it is possible to describe the practical measures adopted for disease surveillance and control from ancient times until the 20th century. Surveillance was based on diagnosis or post-mortem examination, and also on knowledge of the conditions under which infection occurred: aetiology, pathogenesis, mode of infection, susceptible species, virulent material, etc. The historical facts are assembled and compared, with comments on each of these points.