Development of core competencies for field veterinary epidemiology training programs.

A workforce with the adequate field epidemiology knowledge, skills and abilities is the foundation of a strong and effective animal health system. Field epidemiology training is conducted in several countries to meet the increased global demand for such a workforce. However, core competencies for field veterinary epidemiology have not been identified and agreed upon globally, leading to the development of different training curricula.

Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance of Pigs and Chickens in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, 2018-2021.

The use of antimicrobials in the livestock sector has been identified as a driver for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and AMR has become a growing public health and economic threat in the Lao PDR. We conducted surveillance for AMR in five provinces of the Lao PDR, in order to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of and spp. isolated from caecal samples from slaughtered pigs at slaughterhouses and from slaughtered chickens at markets during two different time periods: 2018/2019 and 2020/2021.

Spatio-temporal distribution of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 in Vietnam, 2015- 2018.

Despite strong commitments of the central and provincial veterinary authorities in Vietnam to control highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (HPAI-H5N1) in poultry and to diminish the risk of human infection, outbreaks continue to occur in poultry. This study describes the spatio-temporal distribution of HPAI-H5N1 outbreaks in Vietnam for the period December 2014-April 2018 using the space-time K-function and the space-time scan statistic. The space-time K-function analyses showed statistically significant spatio-temporal clustering of HPAI-H5N1 outbreaks in poultry during the study period of up to 50 days and 60 kilometres.

Prevalence and distribution of avian influenza a(H5N1) virus clade variants in live bird markets of Vietnam, 2011-2013.

Active surveillance for avian influenza (Al) viruses in poultry sold at live bird markets (LBMs) was conducted in 44 of 63 provinces throughout Vietnam over two periods from September 2011 to February 2012 and October 2012 to June 2013. The study objectives were to assess the prevalence of avian influenza type A, H5, and H5N1 subtype viruses and characterize the geographical and temporal distribution of H5N1 virus genetic variants across the country. Monthly sampling was conducted in 394 LBMs located in 372 communes.

Identifying risk factors of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 subtype) in Indonesia.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1, was first officially reported in Indonesia in 2004. Since then the disease has spread and is now endemic in large parts of the country. This study investigated the statistical relationship between a set of risk factors and the presence or absence of HPAI in Indonesia during 2006 and 2007.

Molecular characterization of foot-and-mouth disease virus: implications for disease control in Bangladesh.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Bangladesh, and to implement an effective FMD control programme, it is essential to understand the complex epidemiology of the disease. Here, we report on the characterization of FMD virus (FMDV) recovered from FMD outbreaks in Bangladesh in late 2009. All isolated viruses belonged to the FMDV serotype O.

Flying over an infected landscape: distribution of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 risk in South Asia and satellite tracking of wild waterfowl.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus persists in Asia, posing a threat to poultry, wild birds, and humans. Previous work in Southeast Asia demonstrated that HPAI H5N1 risk is related to domestic ducks and people. Other studies discussed the role of migratory birds in the long distance spread of HPAI H5N1.

Environmental sampling for avian influenza virus A (H5N1) in live-bird markets, Indonesia.

To identify environmental sites commonly contaminated by avian influenza virus A (H5N1) in live-bird markets in Indonesia, we investigated 83 markets in 3 provinces in Indonesia. At each market, samples were collected from up to 27 poultry-related sites to assess the extent of contamination. Samples were tested by using real-time reverse transcription-PCR and virus isolation.

Risk factors and clusters of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 outbreaks in Bangladesh.

Between March 2007 and July 2009, 325 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI, subtype H5N1) outbreaks in poultry were reported in 154 out of a total of 486 sub-districts in Bangladesh. This study analyzed the temporal and spatial patterns of HPAI H5N1 outbreaks and quantified the relationship between several spatial risk factors and HPAI outbreaks in sub-districts in Bangladesh. We assessed spatial autocorrelation and spatial dependence, and identified clustering sub-districts with disease statistically similar to or dissimilar from their neighbors.

Evaluation of two avian influenza type A rapid antigen tests under Indonesian field conditions.

The current study evaluated the test characteristics of 2 commercially available rapid antigen tests for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Diagnostic specimens were collected from free-ranging village chickens in Indonesia. A total of 174 healthy, sick, and dead birds were included in the study.

Economic issues in vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza in developing countries.

We consider the use of vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in three contexts: as part of a stamping-out programme, as a government-led action for disease prevention and as private insurance by farmers. Poultry systems in developing countries cover all four of the poultry sectors defined by FAO and the OIE, each with particular economic aspects that might motivate farmers to take part in vaccination programmes or to initiate and finance them. Outbreaks in flocks of different types have different potential impacts in terms of disease spread and economic effects, which influence the potential benefits of vaccination as a means to prevent or control outbreaks.

Non-systemic erosive stomatitis of unknown aetiology in a dairy cow herd in New Zealand.

Case History: Veterinarians from the Investigation and Diagnostic Centre (IDC), Wallaceville, New Zealand, investigated a novel vesicular disease in a 397-cow dairy herd, characterised by erosive stomatitis.

Clinical And Pathological Findings: The investigation commenced with a report of erosive stomatitis in four dairy cows. The herd was examined that day and 30/397 (8%) adult cows were found to be affected.

An international inter-laboratory ring trial to evaluate a real-time PCR assay for the detection of bovine herpesvirus 1 in extended bovine semen.

Six laboratories participated in a ring trial to evaluate the reliability of a real-time PCR assay for the detection of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) from extended bovine semen. Sets of coded samples were prepared and distributed to each of the laboratories. The sample panel contained semen from naturally and artificially infected bulls, serial dilutions of positive semen with negative semen, semen from uninfected seronegative bulls, negative semen spiked with virus, as well as serial dilutions of reference virus.

Validation of a real-time PCR assay for the detection of bovine herpesvirus 1 in bovine semen.

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for detection of the presence of bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) in extended bovine semen. The assay detects a region encoding a highly conserved glycoprotein B gene. The real-time PCR assay was validated for specificity, sensitivity and repeatability using spiked semen and semen from naturally infected animals.

A finite-element model of tracheal collapse.

The trachea has been approximated by an appropriate finite-element model. The three-dimensional equilibrium problems set by the tracheal deformation under various stresses have been solved using a convenient augmented Lagrangian functional. The dimensions were obtained from human tracheae.