Echinococcus canadensis G8 Tapeworm Infection in a Sheep, China, 2018.

We report a sheep infected with Echinococcus canadensis G8 tapeworm in China in 2018. This pathogen was previously detected in moose, elk, muskox, and mule deer in Europe and North America; our findings suggest a wider host range and geographic distribution. Surveillance for the G8 tapeworm should be conducted in China.

DNA typing of ancient parasite eggs from environmental samples identifies human and animal worm infections in Viking-age settlement.

Ancient parasite eggs were recovered from environmental samples collected at a Viking-age settlement in Viborg, Denmark, dated 1018-1030 A.D. Morphological examination identified Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., and Fasciola sp. eggs, but size and shape did not allow species identification. By carefully selecting genetic markers, PCR amplification and sequencing of ancient DNA (aDNA) isolates resulted in identification of: the human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura , using SSUrRNA sequence homology; Ascaris sp. with 100% homology to cox1 haplotype 07; and Fasciola hepatica using ITS1 sequence homology. The identification of T. trichiura eggs indicates that human fecal material is present and, hence, that the Ascaris sp. haplotype 07 was most likely a human variant in Viking-age Denmark. The location of the F. hepatica finding suggests that sheep or cattle are the most likely hosts. Further, we sequenced the Ascaris sp. 18S rRNA gene in recent isolates from humans and pigs of global distribution and show that this is not a suited marker for species-specific identification. Finally, we discuss ancient parasitism in Denmark and the implementation of aDNA analysis methods in paleoparasitological studies. We argue that when employing species-specific identification, soil samples offer excellent opportunities for studies of human parasite infections and of human and animal interactions of the past.

A historical synopsis of farm animal disease and public policy in twentieth century Britain.

The diseases suffered by British livestock, and the ways in which they were perceived and managed by farmers, vets and the state, changed considerably over the course of the twentieth century. This paper documents and analyses these changes in relation to the development of public policy. It reveals that scientific knowledge and disease demographics cannot by themselves explain the shifting boundaries of state responsibility for animal health, the diseases targeted and the preferred modes of intervention. Policies were shaped also by concerns over food security and the public's health, the state of the national and livestock economy, the interests and expertise of the veterinary profession, and prevailing agricultural policy. This paper demonstrates how, by precipitating changes to farming and trading practices, public policy could sometimes actually undermine farm animal health. Animal disease can therefore be viewed both as a stimulus to, and a consequence of, twentieth century public policy.

Bluetongue: history, global epidemiology, and pathogenesis.

Bluetongue is an arthropod-transmitted viral disease of ruminants and certain other animals that was recognized and described more than 100 years ago in southern Africa. Bluetongue virus (BTV) infection of ruminants and vector Culicoides insects is enzootic throughout tropical and temperate regions of the world; however, there have been drastic recent regional alterations in the global distribution of BTV infection, particularly in Europe since 1998. Multiple novel BTV serotypes also have been detected since 1998 in the south-eastern United States, apparently encroaching from the adjacent Caribbean ecosystem, and novel serotypes of BTV have been identified recently in other historically enzootic regions of the world, including the Middle East and Australia. It has been proposed, but certainly not proven, that global climate change is responsible for these events. BTV infection of ruminants is often subclinical, but outbreaks of severe disease occur with regular frequency especially at the upper and lower limits of the virus' global range where infection is highly seasonal - occurring in the late summer and autumn. Bluetongue disease results from vascular injury, likely through a process analogous to that of human hemorrhagic viral fevers in which production of vasoactive mediators from virus-infected macrophages and dendritic cells results in enhanced endothelial paracellular permeability with subsequent vascular leakage and hypovolemic shock.

A short history of sheep scab.

The history of sheep scab is briefly discussed since it was first mentioned in 180 BC. It was probably introduced to South Africa by the early settlers and was mentioned as a problem by Simon van der Stel, although its cause was only discovered in 1809. Various measures taken over the centuries to control or eradicate the disease, which has always been of considerable economic importance, are discussed, as well as the failures and reasons why it is still with us today.

The plague of the Philistines and other pestilences in the Ancient World: exploring relations between the religious-literary tradition, artistic evidence and scientific proof.

In ancient times the term pestilence referred not only to infectious disease caused by Yersinia pestis, but also to several different epidemics. We explore the relations between references in the Bible and recent scientific evidence concerning some infectious diseases, especially the so-called Plague of the Philistines and leprosy. In addition, some considerations regarding possible connections among likely infectious epidemic diseases and the Ten Plagues of Egypt are reported. Evidence suggesting the presence of the rat in the Nile Valley in the II millennium BC is shown; a possible role of the rat in the plague spreading already in this historical period should be confirmed by these data. While the biblical tale in the Book of Samuel may well report an epidemic event resembling the plague, as to date this infectious disease remains unknown, it is not conceivable to confirm the presence of leprosy in the same age, because the little palaeopathologic evidence of the latter disease, in the geographic area corresponding to Egypt and Palestine, is late, dating back only to the II century AD.

Animal health and disease control in the Usangu Wetland of Southwestern Tanzania.

The Usangu Wetland in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania has always been a major livestock production area. This paper describes the physical and social enviroment of these Plains before presenting a short history of the veterinary services in the area. The main part of the paper examines, through historical records and interviews with livestock owners and administrative officials, the history of the major diseases affecting livestock.

[Anthrax and carbuncle: two sides of the same coin]. / Antrace e Carbonchio: due facce della stessa medaglia.

The disease caused by Bacillus anthracis is one of the most critical concerns to the general public and public health authorities due both to the anthrax cases caused by the intentional release of the germ in the USA at the close of 2001 when letters and packages were contaminated with anthrax spores, and the current threat of biological warfare. After a brief excursus on the history of the terms Anthrax and Carbuncle, we survey the main evidence of anthrax found in the ancient literature, and deal with the identification of the pathogenic agent responsible for the disease and the subsequent discovery of the first anthrax vaccine and its use in order to control the spread of the disease in the cattle. Finally, we examine some of the most important episodes of occupational exposure to the Bacillus anthracis that occurred in the past two centuries and the preventive measures applied both to employees and the workplace.

The squatters and the blowflies.

Cutaneous myiasis in Australian sheep became an increasing problem in the early years of the 20th century after the import of the wrinkly Vermont Merinos and the introduction of Lucillia cuprina. WE Abbott, a successful pastoralist in New South Wales at that time, wrote a little-known and unusual description of early methods of control: a parody based on an episode in Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. The plight of struck sheep and the lives and times of Abbott, several other pastoralists and the entomologists of the New South Wales Department of Agriculture are illuminated as the Walrus and the Carpenter walk again across the hills and pastures of New South Wales.

Landscape with dead sheep: what they did to Gruinard Island.

In the context of intensified international concern about biological weapons (BW), this article looks at the pioneering British research in this field during the Second World War, which caused the long-term contamination of Gruinard Island in north-west Scotland. Public Record Office documents have been examined to show how scientists reported on the experiments at the time and what they thought about their (top secret) work, as well as how politicians directed their efforts and used their results, leading to continued BW research post-war. In the 1960s the contamination became known and discussed in the media and was eventually the subject of a public announcement. Decontamination was not regarded as a practical proposition until the 1980s and was undertaken in 1986 in two areas of the island, which was declared safe in 1990. Some doubts remain locally about the extent and effectiveness of the clean-up process, along with a legacy of bitterness.

Dutch paratuberculosis programme history, principles and development.

Organised disease control started in the Netherlands in the 18th century with governmental attempts to eradicate cattle plague. At the beginning of the 20th century, the dairy industry and cattle breeding organisations initiated a programme to control infectious diseases by means of a complex system of rewards and penalties. This was also the reason for establishing the Animal Health Service in Friesland in 1919. The history of programmes to control paratuberculosis in sheep, goats, and cattle in various countries is described. The vaccination of young animals seems to be an effective measure in the prevention of clinical paratuberculosis, although changes in management and hygiene practices are also important. A control programme for infectious cattle diseases has a number of phases (a lifecycle) and different components. Two components are essential for success, namely: open and regular communication with farmers, veterinary practitioners, and other people involved and a good registration and identification system for cattle, herds, and veterinary practitioners. The Dutch paratuberculosis programme has 10 herd status levels: 5-10 for non-suspect herds and 1-4 for infected herds or herds of unknown status. The higher the status, the greater the chance that a herd is free of paratuberculosis. An outline is given of the Dutch paratuberculosis programme including its objectives, basic principles for eradication, communication plan, legal action, logistic considerations, and complementary research programme.