Perceptions of livestock value chain actors (VCAs) on the risk of acquiring zoonotic diseases from their livestock in the central dry zone of Myanmar.

Objectives: The Central Dry Zone (CDZ) is one of the most important livestock production areas of Myanmar. However, there is an eminent lack of information on the attitudes and traditional beliefs of local farmers and livestock supply chain actors in CDZ of Myanmar on the public health implications. A modified data collection instrument of the Health Belief model was developed to investigate attitudes, beliefs and barriers to the application of recommended zoonotic disease prevention.

Discerning risk and uncertainty with "better insurance" - How animal health interventions for village chickens influence farmers' perceptions on the prevention of poultry diseases.

High mortality in young chicks and deaths from Newcastle disease (ND) are the two major constraints to village chicken production in low-and middle-income countries. A 12-month intervention study was conducted across 174 households in two townships of Central Myanmar, to reduce these chicken mortalities. Interventions included ND vaccinations of village chickens and improved chick management.

How can we compare multispecies livestock rearing households? - an analysis of the impact of health and production parameters on multispecies livestock rearing outcomes.

Background: The Central Dry Zone (CDZ) of Myanmar is a critical region of livestock production. This region supports 10 million people whose livelihoods depend on small-scale, dry-land agriculture, but it is also one of the poorest regions of Myanmar. Little is known about the constraints to animal health in multi-species livestock farms in this region or the relationships between husbandry practices and measures of the success of livestock rearing such as income, and successful health management.

What drives small-scale farmers to vaccinate their multiple livestock species animals against common infectious diseases in Myanmar?

Livestock rearing is an important income source for small-scale farmers in Myanmar, but Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Newcastle disease (ND) are major constraints to livestock production. A study was conducted to identify perceptions of farmers about FMD and ND disease risks and perceptions about vaccination practices by using the modified health belief model. The majority of livestock farmers (>70%) reported that they were aware of the risk and impact of FMD and ND and were willing to vaccinate their livestock (>60%).

Using longitudinal syndromic surveillance to describe small ruminant health in village production systems in Myanmar.

A novel syndromic surveillance approach was used to describe small ruminant health in Myanmar, to help overcome limitations in disease diagnosis common in many parts of the world, especially in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Observations were made from July 2015 to June 2016 of ten clinical syndromes in 12 goat herds and sheep flocks owned by smallholders in the Central Dry Zone. Strengths and weaknesses to using syndromic surveillance in a village setting were identified using a formal surveillance evaluation framework, 'SERVAL'.

Characteristics of Livestock Husbandry and Management Practice in the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar.

The central dry zone of Myanmar is the area with the highest density of small-scale livestock farmers under harsh environmental condition. In this study, we describe and quantify ownership patterns for various livestock species and characterised management and husbandry practices of small-scale farmers. In addition, we identify the husbandry factors associated with selected outcome indicators, 'herd or flock size' and 'purpose of rearing'.

Influenza A(H9N2) Virus, Myanmar, 2014-2015.

Routine surveillance of influenza A virus was conducted in Myanmar during 2014-2015. Influenza A(H9N2) virus was isolated in Shan State, upper Myanmar. Whole-genome sequencing showed that H9N2 virus from Myanmar was closely related to H9N2 virus of clade 4.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Isolates from Chicken Carcasses in Retail Markets in Yangon, Myanmar.

A cross-sectional investigation was conducted concerning prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, multidrug resistance patterns, and serovar diversity of Salmonella in chicken meat sold at retail in Yangon, Myanmar. The 141 chicken meat samples were collected at 141 retail markets in the Yangon Region, Myanmar, 1 November 2014 to 31 March 2015. Information on hygienic practices (potential risk factors) was retrieved via checklists.