Detection of polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins in Belgian cattle and estimation of the maximal potential exposure in humans through diets of bovine origin.

The methodology used to detect a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)/dioxin contamination in a Belgian cattle population that was not exposed to the PCB/dioxin incident in 1999 is presented. This population is directly or indirectly destined for human consumption. The methodology consisted in the systematic sampling of all calf-fattening stations and groups of cattle destined for export, and in the random sampling of slaughter cattle.

Prevalence of paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) in the Belgian cattle population.

The national bovine paratuberculosis (PTB) seroprevalence (apparent prevalence) in the Belgian cattle population was determined by a serological survey that was conducted from December 1997 to March 1998. In a random sample of herds (N=556, 9.5%), all adult cattle of 24 months of age or older (N=13,317, 0.

Prevalence of bovine herpesvirus-1 in the Belgian cattle population.

The national bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) seroprevalence (apparent prevalence) in the Belgian cattle population was determined by a serological survey that was conducted from December 1997 to March 1998. In a random sample of herds (N=556), all cattle (N=28478) were tested for the presence of antibodies to glycoprotein B of BHV-1. No differentiation could be made between vaccinated and infected animals, because the exclusive use of marker vaccines was imposed by law only in 1997 by the Belgian Veterinary Authorities.

Evaluation of parenteral vaccination methods with glycoproteins against Aujeszky's disease in pigs.

A comparative evaluation of vaccination methods with glycoproteins for the induction of immune responses and protection of the pig against Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) was performed. Different vaccination routes (intradermal (i.d.

Inhibition of virus replication in the tonsils of pigs previously vaccinated with a Chinese strain vaccine and challenged oronasally with a virulent strain of classical swine fever virus.

After an oronasal (O.N.) infection with classical swine fever (C.