Current and potential use of animal disease data by stakeholders in the global south and north.

What cannot be measured will not be managed. The Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) will generate information on animal disease burdens by species, production system, type and gender of farmer and consumer, geographical region, and time period. To understand the demand for burden of animal disease (BAD) data and how end-users might benefit from this, we reviewed the literature on animal diseases prioritisation processes (ADPP) and conducted a survey of BAD information users. The survey covered their current use of data and prioritizations as well as their needs for different, more, and better information. We identified representative (geography, sector, species) BAD experts from the authors' networks and publicly available documents and e-mailed 1485 experts. Of 791 experts successfully contacted, 271 responded (34% response rate), and 185 complete and valid responses were obtained. Most respondents came from the public sector followed by academia/research, and most were affiliated to institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Of the six ADPPs commonly featured in literature, only three were recognised by more than 40% of experts. An additional 23 ADPPs were used. Awareness of ADDPs varied significantly by respondents. Respondents ranked animal disease priorities. We used exploded logit to combine first, second and third disease priorities to better understand prioritzation and their determinants. Expert priorities differed significantly from priorities identified by the ADDPs, and also from the priorities stated veterinary services as reported in a survey for a World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) technical item. Respondents identified 15 different uses of BAD data. The most common use was presenting evidence (publications, official reports, followed by disease management, policy development and proposal writing). Few used disease data for prioritzation or resource allocation, fewer routinely used economic data for decision making, and less than half were aware of the use of decision support tools (DSTs). Nearly all respondents considered current BAD metrics inadequate, most considered animal health information insufficiently available and not evidence-based, and most expressed concerns that decision-making processes related to animal health lacked transparency and fairness. Cluster analysis suggested three clusters of BAD users and will inform DSTs to help them better meet their specific objectives. We conclude that there is a lack of satisfaction with current BAD information, and with existing ADDPs, contributing to sub-optimal decision making. Improved BAD data would have multiple uses by different stakeholders leading to better evidenced decisions and policies; moreover, clients will need support (including DSTs) to optimally use BAD information.

Adoption of veterinary vaccines, determining factors, and barriers in Southwest Ethiopia: Implications for livestock health and disease management strategies.

In Ethiopia, the use of veterinary vaccines to control animal diseases is an effective strategy. A study conducted in Southwest Ethiopia from October 2020 to October 2021 aimed to determine the adoption level of veterinary vaccines and factors affecting their use. The study used multistage random sampling to select districts and interviewed 476 farmers who had either adopted or not adopted the vaccines. The study found that certain diseases should be prioritized for vaccination to safeguard the health of cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. These include anthrax (19.12 %), blackleg (17.65 %), foot and mouth disease (10.50 %), and lumpy skin disease (8.82 %) in cattle, and pasteurellosis (18.07 %), contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (15.97 %), peste des petits ruminants (14.15 %), and Orf (13.45 %) in sheep and goats. Newcastle disease (21.85 %), infectious bursal disease (19.33 %), and coccidiosis (17.02 %) were identified as high-priority diseases for flock health. Overall, 30.7 % of farmers were adopters of veterinary vaccines, while 69.3 % were non-adopters. The study identified several factors that influence the likelihood of adopting veterinary vaccines, including breed type (OR = 9.1, p < 0.0001), production size (OR = 9.7, p < 0.0001), production type (OR = 2.7, p < 0.0001), and farm location (OR = 9.8, p = 0.001). Common barriers to vaccination included a lack of disease knowledge, high vaccine costs, limited vaccine availability, and administration difficulties. Insights from the study can guide strategies for promoting veterinary vaccine adoption in Ethiopia. Stakeholders should pay attention to these findings since vaccine use is crucial for controlling animal diseases, enhancing animal health, and preventing economic losses. Further research is needed to investigate factors affecting enhanced veterinary vaccine adoption.

Status, evaluation, and influencing factors of biosecurity levels in pig farms in China.

BACKGROUND: Animal diseases have always been a serious threat to livestock breeding, and the establishment of a biosecurity barrier is important for disease prevention and control. Based on the investigations conducted in seven provinces located farms, this study aimed to explore the current biosecurity levels of farms in China, construct a biosecurity evaluation system, calculate the biosecurity levels of farms using the rank sum ratio comprehensive evaluation method, and develop an empirical analysis of the factors influencing biosecurity levels. RESULTS: The results show that the greater the cost of biosecurity invested, the greater the level of biosecurity. Male farmers, educational attainment and participation in technical training had a significant positive effect on biosecurity levels. In addition, biosecurity levels first decreased and then increased as the scale of farming increased. The study also found that the more people in the household engaged in farming, the higher the biosecurity level of the farm. And farms that joined cooperatives had higher levels of biosecurity. CONCLUSION: The rank sum ratio method can evaluate the index system, so as to obtain a comprehensive index RSR value that can be compared, and the operation steps are simple and effective. By taking measures such as improving the comprehensive quality of farmers and increasing the investment in human, material and financial resources for biosecurity, the biosecurity level of farms can be effectively improved and animal diseases can be effectively prevented and controlled.

The World Animal Health Information System as a tool to support decision-making and research in animal health.

The World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) collects and publishes a wealth of information gathered by individual countries' Veterinary Services, including detailed country-specific information on outbreaks of diseases listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE), including emerging diseases, in domestic animals and wildlife, and non-listed diseases in wildlife. The data set is one of the most comprehensive in the world, with 182 Members obliged to report this information to WOAH in a timely manner. As such, the data provide invaluable input for Veterinary Services, animal health researchers and stakeholders to gain insight into risk from infectious diseases, for example through the development of predictive models and risk assessments to address the risk from trade of animal products, globalisation, or movement of wildlife or vectors across country borders. This paper reviews previous analyses that have been conducted using WAHIS data and outlines ways in which these data can be used for preparedness and risk assessment.

Le Système mondial d'information zoosanitaire (WAHIS) collecte et publie une grande quantité d'informations recueillies auprès des Services vétérinaires nationaux, parmi lesquelles des données détaillées spécifiques aux pays sur les foyers de maladies listées par l'Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OMSA, fondée en tant qu'OIE), dont les maladies émergentes, chez les animaux domestiques et dans la faune sauvage, ainsi que de maladies non listées affectant la faune sauvage. Cet ensemble de données est l'un des plus exhaustifs du monde puisque les 182 Membres de l'OMSA ont l'obligation de lui faire remonter ces informations dans WAHIS dans des délais spécifiés. Ces données sont précieuses pour les Services vétérinaires, les chercheurs travaillant dans le domaine de la santé animale et les parties prenantes car elles permettent de mieux comprendre les risques relatifs aux maladies infectieuses, notamment grâce aux modèles prédictifs et aux évaluations de risques pour traiter le risque lié au commerce de produits d'origine animale, à la mondialisation, aux mouvements de la faune sauvage ou aux vecteurs entre les pays. Les auteurs font le point sur des analyses antérieures qui ont été menées en utilisant les données de WAHIS et soulignent comment ces données peuvent être utilisées dans le cadre d'un travail de préparation et d'évaluation des risques.

El Sistema Mundial de Información Zoosanitaria (WAHIS) colecta y publica una gran cantidad de datos recogidos por los Servicios Veterinarios de cada país, en particular detallada información sobre brotes de enfermedades listadas por la Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OMSA, fundada como OIE), incluidas las enfermedades emergentes, que hayan afectado a los animales domésticos o la fauna silvestre, así como enfermedades no listadas que afectan a la fauna silvestre. Se trata de uno de los conjuntos de datos más completos del mundo, ya que los 182 Miembros tienen la obligación de comunicar esta información a la OMSA dentro de plazos determinados. Estos datos son una fuente de información de gran utilidad para los Servicios Veterinarios, los investigadores que trabajan en sanidad animal y demás partes interesadas porque permiten mejorar la comprensión de los riesgos derivados de las enfermedades infecciosas, por ejemplo elaborando modelos predictivos y evaluaciones de riesgo que ayuden a manejar los riesgos ligados al comercio de productos de origen animal, la globalización o al movimiento transfronterizo de animales salvajes o vectores de enfermedad. Los autores repasan una serie de análisis previamente realizados con datos de WAHIS y explican en síntesis cómo pueden utilizarse estos datos con fines de preparación y evaluación de riesgos.

Informatics progress of the Global Burden of Animal Diseases programme towards data for One Health.

The Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) programme will provide data-driven evidence that policy-makers can use to evaluate options, inform decisions, and measure the success of animal health and welfare interventions. The GBADs' Informatics team is developing a transparent process for identifying, analysing, visualising and sharing data to calculate livestock disease burdens and drive models and dashboards. These data can be combined with data on other global burdens (human health, crop loss, foodborne diseases) to provide a comprehensive range of information on One Health, required to address such issues as antimicrobial resistance and climate change. The programme began by gathering open data from international organisations (which are undergoing their own digital transformations). Efforts to achieve an accurate estimate of livestock numbers revealed problems in finding, accessing and reconciling data from different sources over time. Ontologies and graph databases are being developed to bridge data silos and improve the findability and interoperability of data. Dashboards, data stories, a documentation website and a Data Governance Handbook explain GBADs data, now available through an application programming interface. Sharing data quality assessments builds trust in such data, encouraging their application to livestock and One Health issues. Animal welfare data present a particular challenge, as much of this information is held privately and discussions continue regarding which data are the most relevant. Accurate livestock numbers are an essential input for calculating biomass, which subsequently feeds into calculations of antimicrobial use and climate change. The GBADs data are also essential to at least eight of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Le programme " Impact mondial des maladies animales " (GBADs) a pour but de réunir des éléments probants axés sur des données, qui soient exploitables par les décideurs politiques pour évaluer les solutions envisagées, fonder leurs décisions et mesurer le succès des interventions dans les domaines de la santé et du bien-être des animaux. L'équipe informatique du GBADs a conçu un processus transparent pour l'identification, l'analyse, la visualisation et le partage des données, grâce auquel il sera possible d'estimer l'impact des maladies du bétail et de réaliser des modèles et des tableaux de bord sur le sujet. Les données ainsi réunies peuvent être combinées avec celles couvrant d'autres problématiques ayant un impact mondial (santé humaine, pertes de récoltes, maladies d'origine alimentaire) afin de fournir l'éventail complet d'informations Une seule santé requis pour faire face à des enjeux tels que la résistance aux agents antimicrobiens ou le changement climatique. La première phase du programme a consisté à recueillir des données ouvertes auprès de diverses organisations internationales (qui procèdent également à leur propre transformation numérique). Les efforts déployés pour parvenir à une estimation précise des effectifs des cheptels ont mis en lumière les difficultés à trouver les données détenues par différentes sources, à y accéder et à les recouper au fil du temps. Des ontologies et des bases de données graphiques sont en cours d'élaboration pour résoudre le problème des silos de données et pour améliorer la facilité de recherche et l'interopérabilité des données. Les données du GBADs sont désormais expliquées sous forme de tableaux de bord, de récits construits à partir des données, ainsi que dans un site web documentaire et un Manuel de gouvernance des données, tous disponibles via une interface de programmation d'applications. Le partage des évaluations de la qualité des données renforce la confiance dans ces dernières et encourage à les appliquer pour traiter les problématiques affectant l'élevage ou relevant de l'approche Une seule santé. Les données relatives au bien-être animal présentent une difficulté particulière : elles sont, pour l'essentiel, détenues à titre privé et la question de savoir quelles sont les données les plus pertinentes est toujours en discussion. Les effectifs des cheptels doivent avoir été déterminés de manière précise afin de calculer la biomasse animale, élément qui entre par la suite dans le calcul des quantités d'agents antimicrobiens utilisés et des indicateurs du changement climatique. Les données du programme GBADs sont également essentielles au regard d'au moins huit des objectifs de développement durable des Nations Unies.

El programa sobre el Impacto Global de las Enfermedades Animales (GBADs) proporcionará información contrastada y basada en el uso de datos de la que luego puedan servirse los planificadores de políticas para valorar distintas opciones, decidir con conocimiento de causa y medir la eficacia de una u otra intervención en materia de sanidad y bienestar animales. El equipo informático encargado del GBADs está preparando un proceso transparente destinado a seleccionar, analizar, visualizar y poner en común datos que ayuden a calcular la carga de enfermedades del ganado y a guiar la elaboración de modelos y paneles de control. Estos datos pueden ser combinados con datos referidos a otros grandes problemas planetarios (salud humana, pérdida de cultivos, enfermedades de transmisión alimentaria) para obtener el repertorio completo de información en clave de Una sola salud que se necesita para abordar problemáticas como la resistencia a los antimicrobianos o el cambio climático. El programa empezó por reunir datos abiertos procedentes de organizaciones internacionales (inmersas, por otra parte, en su propio proceso de transformación digital). La labor emprendida para estimar con exactitud las cifras de ejemplares del mundo pecuario reveló ciertos problemas a la hora de encontrar, obtener y conciliar datos de distintas fuentes a lo largo del tiempo. Ahora se están elaborando ontologías y bases de datos gráficos para crear conexiones entre los "silos de datos" y lograr que los datos sean a la vez más compatibles entre sí y más fáciles de localizar. Paneles de control, interpretaciones narrativas de los datos ("data stories"), un sitio web de documentación y un manual de gestión de datos ayudan a explicar y aprehender los datos del GBADs, accesibles ahora por medio de una interfaz de programación de aplicaciones. El hecho de poner en común las evaluaciones de la calidad de los datos genera mayor confianza en esta información, promoviendo con ello su aplicación en temas de ganadería y de Una sola salud. Los datos de bienestar animal plantean una particular dificultad, pues gran parte de esta información está en manos privadas y todavía no está claro cuáles son los datos de mayor interés. Disponer de cifras exactas sobre el número de cabezas de ganado es fundamental para efectuar los cálculos de biomasa que después se utilizan para hacer otros cómputos referidos al uso de antimicrobianos y al cambio climático. Los datos del GBADs son asimismo esenciales para al menos ocho de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas.

U.S. opens new high-security livestock laboratory.

Unease greets Kansas facility that will work with dangerous agricultural pathogens.

A risk-based mutual insurance premium framework for establishing indices of vulnerability to the intentional introduction of transboundary animal diseases.

Biological agents as weapons of agro-crime or agro-terrorism pose threats to peace and economic stability. Such agents pre-exist worldwide as hazards, adversely affecting animal health, as well as imposing substantial burdens on many nations. Few studies have quantified the global risks and vulnerabilities of countries and regions to potential terrorist or criminal operations targeting animal health. We present here a risk-based mutual insurance premium framework for animal health outcomes built upon the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) quantitative risk assessment paradigm. Our objective was to generate dimensionless and relative domain indices related to release and exposure for several biological factors, as well as to assess the preparedness and response ability of each country. We also considered disease-specific measures relating to pathogens, targeted animal populations, the ongoing disease situation, within- and among-country peace or conflict, disease-specific control measures, and the availability of technical tools and personnel for successful disease management. National economic, political, and research and development competencies were used to assess each WOAH Member's potential for resilience. We formulated indices of vulnerability for 25 WOAH Members selected from five worldwide regions; initially, against four transboundary infectious animal diseases that target diverse animal species. We developed these indices using variables obtained from public databases arising from multiple intergovernmental organizations. Subsequently, we compared the relative vulnerability indices among countries for each given disease using three different index building methods: arithmetic mean, distance matrix, and principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA-based approach provided the greatest ability to discriminate among the components and among countries and regions. Due to its transparency and reliance on publicly available datasets, the risk premium framework proposed herein may readily be adjusted by policymakers and agencies and utilized to improve risk management strategies against agro-crime or agro-terror events, as well as for unintentional disease introductions.

The World Organisation for Animal Health - current and potential roles in safe international trade of bees and other insects.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) is the recognised intergovernmental standard-setting organisation for animal health and welfare. The WOAH mandate is to support its members in the prevention of the spread of animal diseases of concern, as listed in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (Terrestrial Code). Once a disease, infection or infestation is listed, national Veterinary Authorities have the obligation regularly to notify WOAH of the presence or absence of the listed disease. In regard to insects, the scope of the Terrestrial Code limits its recommendations to preserving the health of bees (species of the genus Apis, extended to the genus Bombus and to the stingless bees for one disease). However, it does not include standards to mitigate the potential animal health risks associated with the international trade of other insects. A description of the standard-setting process and a review of the history of the standards for bee health highlight the resources and requirements to expand the scope of the Terrestrial Code to include recommendations for animal health risk mitigation measures for the safety of international trade in insects. Any initiative to develop guidance on insect trade should include WOAH in its role as the sole global standard-setting organisation on animal health and welfare matters. This aligns with the WOAH commitment to a One Health approach.

L'Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OMSA, fondée en tant qu'OIE) est l'organisation inter-gouvernementale reconnue pour l'élaboration de normes relatives à la santé et au bien-être des animaux. L'OMSA a pour mandat d'apporter un soutien à ses Membres afin de prévenir la propagation des maladies animales d'importance majeure listées dans le Code sanitaire pour les animaux terrestres (Code terrestre). Dès lors qu'une maladie, une infection ou une infestation figure sur cette liste, les Autorités vétérinaires ont l'obligation de notifier régulièrement à l'OMSA la présence ou l'absence de cette maladie sur leur territoire. S'agissant des insectes, le champ d'application du Code terrestre limite ses recommandations à la préservation de la santé des abeilles (espèces du genre Apis, avec l'inclusion du genre Bombus et des abeilles sans dard pour une maladie). Néanmoins, le Code terrestre ne contient pas de normes visant à atténuer les risques pour la santé animale associés aux échanges internationaux d'autres insectes. La description faite par les auteurs du processus d'élaboration des normes et leur aperçu rétrospectif de la mise au point des normes relatives à la santé des abeilles font ressortir les ressources et les conditions nécessaires pour élargir le champ d'application du Code terrestre afin d'y inclure des recommandations portant sur les mesures d'atténuation des risques pour la santé animale applicables à la sécurité sanitaire des échanges internationaux d'insectes. Toute initiative visant à fournir des orientations sur les échanges d'insectes devrait inclure l'OMSA dans son rôle d'unique organisation chargée de l'élaboration des normes internationales relatives à la santé animale et au bien-être des animaux. Cette exigence est en cohérence avec l'engagement de l'OMSA en faveur de l'approche Une seule santé.

La Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OMSA, fundada como OIE) es la organización intergubernamental facultada para ejercer funciones normativas en materia de sanidad y bienestar de los animales. La OMSA tiene por mandato ayudar a sus miembros a prevenir la propagación de una serie de enfermedades animales de importancia, recogidas en el Código Sanitario para los Animales Terrestres (Código Terrestre) de la OMSA. La inclusión de una enfermedad, infección o infestación en la lista de la OMSA obliga a las autoridades veterinarias nacionales a dar cuenta periódicamente a la OMSA de la presencia o ausencia de esa patología en su territorio. Por lo que respecta a los insectos, en el Código Terrestre solo se formulan una serie de recomendaciones para proteger la salud de las abejas (categoría que corresponde a las especies del género Apis, extensible también al género Bombus y, en el caso de una enfermedad, a las abejas sin aguijón). El Código Terrestre, sin embargo, no contiene norma alguna destinada a mitigar los posibles riesgos zoosanitarios ligados al comercio internacional de otros insectos. Los autores describen el proceso normativo y repasan la historia de las normas relativas a la sanidad de las abejas, con lo que ponen de relieve los recursos y demás elementos necesarios para conferir mayor alcance al Código Terrestre incluyendo en él recomendaciones sobre medidas de mitigación del riesgo zoosanitario para un comercio seguro de insectos a escala internacional. Toda iniciativa encaminada a marcar pautas sobre el comercio de insectos debería incluir a la OMSA, única organización con potestad normativa mundial sobre temas de sanidad y bienestar de los animales, lo que además se encuadra en el compromiso de la OMSA con los planteamientos de «Una sola salud¼.

Comparison of individual hive and apiary-level sample types for spores of Paenibacillus larvae in Saskatchewan honey bee operations.

Three commercial honey bee operations in Saskatchewan, Canada, with outbreaks of American foulbrood (AFB) and recent or ongoing metaphylactic antibiotic use were intensively sampled to detect spores of Paenibacillus larvae during the summer of 2019. Here, we compared spore concentrations in different sample types within individual hives, assessed the surrogacy potential of honey collected from honey supers in place of brood chamber honey or adult bees within hives, and evaluated the ability of pooled, extracted honey to predict the degree of spore contamination identified through individual hive testing. Samples of honey and bees from hives within apiaries with a recent, confirmed case of AFB in a single hive (index apiaries) and apiaries without clinical evidence of AFB (unaffected apiaries), as well as pooled, apiary-level honey samples from end-of-season extraction, were collected and cultured to detect and enumerate spores. Only a few hives were heavily contaminated by spores in any given apiary. All operations were different from one another with regard to both the overall degree of spore contamination across apiaries and the distribution of spores between index apiaries and unaffected apiaries. Within operations, individual hive spore concentrations in unaffected apiaries were significantly different from index apiaries in the brood chamber (BC) honey, honey super (HS) honey, and BC bees of one of three operations. Across all operations, BC honey was best for discriminating index apiaries from unaffected apiaries (p = 0.001), followed by HS honey (p = 0.06), and BC bees (p = 0.398). HS honey positively correlated with both BC honey (rs = 0.76, p < 0.0001) and bees (rs = 0.50, p < 0.0001) and may be useful as a surrogate for either. Spore concentrations in pooled, extracted honey seem to have predictive potential for overall spore contamination within each operation and may have prognostic value in assessing the risk of future AFB outbreaks at the apiary (or operation) level.

Quantifying the effectiveness of betaherpesvirus-vectored transmissible vaccines.

Transmissible vaccines have the potential to revolutionize how zoonotic pathogens are controlled within wildlife reservoirs. A key challenge that must be overcome is identifying viral vectors that can rapidly spread immunity through a reservoir population. Because they are broadly distributed taxonomically, species specific, and stable to genetic manipulation, betaherpesviruses are leading candidates for use as transmissible vaccine vectors. Here we evaluate the likely effectiveness of betaherpesvirus-vectored transmissible vaccines by developing and parameterizing a mathematical model using data from captive and free-living mouse populations infected with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Simulations of our parameterized model demonstrate rapid and effective control for a range of pathogens, with pathogen elimination frequently occurring within a year of vaccine introduction. Our results also suggest, however, that the effectiveness of transmissible vaccines may vary across reservoir populations and with respect to the specific vector strain used to construct the vaccine.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Use of High and Maximum Biocontainment Facilities in Developing and Licensing Risk Group 3 and Risk Group 4 Agent Veterinary Vaccines.

New solutions are necessary for the singular global health security threat formed by endemic, epidemic, and emerging/re-emerging zoonoses, coupled with epizootic and enzootic transboundary animal diseases (TADs). This One Health issue is related to the daily interactions between wildlife, domesticated and indigenous livestock, and humans primarily associated with global trade, transboundary co-movement of humans and diverse livestock/livestock products, and agriculture production intensification and penetration into previously uninhabited areas. The World Health Organization defines Risk Group 3 (RG-3) and RG-4 pathogens as mainly viruses but also bacteria that serve as the foundation for approximately 60% of emerging infectious diseases that are zoonoses. The World Organisation for Animal Health defines trade-notifiable TADs, and subsets of these are zoonotic. Livestock vaccination policies mainly focus on TADs that are promulgated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and government agriculture agencies. The development, licensure, and product manufacturing of next-generation molecular-based RG-3 and RG-4 veterinary vaccines largely ignored by the global animal health biopharmaceutical sector can have an important positive impact on food security and One Health. There have been sharp increases in the global demand for livestock meat and milk products, especially in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia. This relatively recent market driver-coupled with scientific advances in human EID and zoonotic disease vaccine platform technologies and increases in the number of high (US biosafety level 3 agriculture) and maximum (US animal biosafety level 4) biocontainment facilities with supporting workforce capabilities-offers new investment opportunities to the animal health biopharmaceutical sector. Moreover, a growing number of One Health public-private partnerships have moved the net present value calculus in favor of the financial feasibility of RG-3 and RG-4 veterinary vaccine product development and licensure. This article highlights the challenges and opportunities in the use of high and maximum biocontainment facilities in developing and licensing RG-3 and RG-4 veterinary vaccines that are safe and effective against epizootic and enzootic TADs and zoonotic diseases.

The role of wildlife in the epidemiology and control of Foot-and-mouth-disease And Similar Transboundary (FAST) animal diseases: A review.

Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) are notifiable diseases which are highly transmissible and have the potential for rapid spread regardless of national borders. Many TADs are shared between domestic animals and wildlife, with the potential to affect both livestock sector and wildlife conservation and eventually, public health in the case of zoonosis. The European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD), a commission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has grouped six TADs as 'Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) And Similar Transboundary animal diseases' (FAST diseases). FAST diseases are ruminant infections caused by viruses, for which vaccination is a control option. The EuFMD hold-FAST strategy aims primarily at addressing the threat represented by FAST diseases for Europe. Prevention and control of FAST diseases might benefit from assessing the role of wildlife. We reviewed the role of wildlife as indicators, victims, bridge hosts or maintenance hosts for the six TADs included in the EuFMD hold-FAST strategy: FMD, peste des petits ruminants, lumpy skin disease, sheep and goatpox, Rift Valley fever and bovine ephemeral fever. We observed that wildlife can act as indicator species. In addition, they are occasionally victims of disease outbreaks, and they are often relevant for disease management as either bridge or maintenance hosts. Wildlife deserves to become a key component of future integrated surveillance and disease control strategies in an ever-changing world. It is advisable to increase our knowledge on wildlife roles in relevant TADs to improve our preparedness in case of an outbreak in previously disease-free regions, where wildlife may be significant for disease surveillance and control.

Immunoglobulin Glycosylation - An Unexploited Potential for Immunomodulatory Strategies in Farm Animals.

The function of antibodies, namely the identification and neutralization of pathogens, is mediated by their antigen binding site (Fab). In contrast, the subsequent signal transduction for activation of the immune system is mediated by the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region, which interacts with receptors or other components of the immune system, such as the complement system. This aspect of binding and interaction is more precise, readjusted by covalently attached glycan structures close to the hinge region of immunoglobulins (Ig). This fine-tuning of Ig and its actual state of knowledge is the topic of this review. It describes the function of glycosylation at Ig in general and the associated changes due to corresponding glycan structures. We discuss the functionality of IgG glycosylation during different physiological statuses, like aging, lactation and pathophysiological processes. Further, we point out what is known to date about Ig glycosylation in farm animals and how new achievements in vaccination may contribute to improved animal welfare.

Exchange of C-Terminal Variable Sequences within Morbillivirus Nucleocapsid Protein Are Tolerated: Development and Evaluation of Two Marker (DIVA) Vaccines (Sungri/96 DIVA, Nigeria/75/1 DIVA) against PPR.

Across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) places a huge disease burden on agriculture, affecting, in particular, small ruminant production. The recent PPR outbreaks in Northern Africa, the European part of Turkey, and Bulgaria represent a significant threat to mainland Europe, as a source of disease. Although two safe and efficacious live attenuated vaccines (Sungri/96 and Nigeria/75/1) are available for the control of PPR, current serological tests do not enable the differentiation between naturally infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA). The vaccinated animals develop a full range of immune responses to viral proteins and, therefore, cannot be distinguished serologically from those that have recovered from a natural infection. This poses a serious problem for the post-vaccinal sero-surveillance during the ongoing PPR eradication program. Furthermore, during the latter stages of any eradication program, vaccination is only possible if the vaccine used is fully DIVA compliant. Using reverse genetics, we have developed two live attenuated PPR DIVA vaccines (Sungri/96 DIVA and Nigeria/75/1 DIVA), in which the C-terminal variable region of the PPRV N-protein has been replaced with dolphin morbillivirus (DMV). As a proof of principle, both the DIVA vaccines were evaluated in goats in pilot studies for safety and efficacy, and all the animals were clinically protected against the intranasal virulent virus challenge, similar to the parent vaccines. Furthermore, it is possible to differentiate between infected animals and vaccinated animals using two newly developed ELISAs. Therefore, these DIVA vaccines and associated tests can facilitate the sero-monitoring process and speed up the implementation of global PPR eradication through vaccination.

Effects of dietary quercetin on the innate immune response and resistance to white spot syndrome virus in Procambarusclarkii.

In recent years, the use of natural products with immune-stimulating and antimicrobial properties has attracted increasing attention in aquaculture researches. In our study, the effect of diet supplemented with quercetin, a flavonoid commonly found in some types of plants substance on the innate immune response and disease resistance in crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is reported. It was found that dietary 40 mg/kg quercetin significantly reduced the mortality of crayfish and WSSV copy number after WSSV challenge. Dietary quercetin increased catalase (CAT), and lysozyme (LZM) activity in crayfish. Dietary quercetin increased the expression of NF-κB, anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF) and toll-like receptor (TLR) genes in crayfish. The apoptosis rate of hemocyte was increased by quercetin supplement in crayfish. Our results suggest that dietary quercetin may affect the innate immunity of crayfish and protect crayfish from WSSV infection.

Recommended Health Care and Disease-Prevention Programs for Herds/Flocks of Exotic Animals.

Preventative health care is an essential part of the ownership and veterinary management of exotic animals. This article provides an overview of the current recommendations for health care and disease-prevention programs for herds or flocks of exotic animals, specifically companion and aviary birds, backyard poultry; snakes, lizards, chelonians, and amphibians; rabbits, ferrets, and common exotic small mammals. Husbandry practices, disease screening suggestions and techniques, and vaccination strategies, where appropriate, are reviewed.