African swine fever in Mozambique: review, risk factors and considerations for control.

African swine fever (ASF) is the most important disease that constrains pig production in Mozambique. Until 1994 it was apparently restricted to the central and northern provinces, but since 1994 outbreaks have been experienced throughout the country. ASF causes severe economic losses both in the small commercial sector and among the large numbers of small-scale producers in the family sector in rural and peri-urban areas. The history of ASF in Mozambique since its first confirmation in 1960 is briefly reviewed, recent outbreaks are reported, and the available information on the virus genotypes that have been responsible for some of the outbreaks is presented. Epidemiological factors that contribute to ASF outbreaks and strategies for limiting the negative effects of the disease in the different pig farming sectors in Mozambique, including raising farmer and community awareness, are discussed.

Heartwater (Cowdria ruminantium infection) as a cause of postrestocking mortality of goats in Mozambique.

A serological survey in Mozambique to detect antibodies to Cowdria ruminantium, the etiologic agent of heartwater, revealed a seroprevalence of 8.1% (n = 332) for goats in the northern province of Tete and of 65.6% (n = 326) for goats in the southern provinces. Translocation of 10 serologically negative goats from Tete to farms in the south resulted in two clinical cases of heartwater that were fatal. In addition, four goats seroconverted within the study period of 5 weeks. One goat showed no symptoms. Two goats died of other causes, whereas the remaining goat went missing after 1 week. Experimental needle infections of goats and sheep were conducted to confirm results and to isolate different strains of C. ruminantium. These data indicate that translocation of goats from the north to the south of Mozambique bears a high risk of C. ruminantium infection, which can cause fatal disease.

Use of the dry chemistry "Reflotron" blood analyzer under outdoor-field conditions in veterinary medicine.

Adapting the concept of "bed-side" patient analysis, the Boehringer-Mannheim Reflotron was evaluated for its possible use in veterinary medicine under outdoor-field conditions. Horse blood was analysed with the Cobas Bio analyzer, and indoor and outdoor analyses were also performed with the Reflotron. All values showed close agreement with no significant differences. Good correlation coefficients (r values around 0.9000) were also seen between all methods used. The Reflotron was operated under outdoor-field conditions by using, whenever available, an on-farm electricity source, or a gas operated generator. The data supports the proposal to adapt the Reflotron (or any other proved system) for outdoor-field, patient-side blood analysis, thus providing the veterinary clinician with values for blood quantities, and enabling an improved and more complete diagnosis.