Profiling, monitoring and conserving caterpillar fungus in the Himalayan region using anchored hybrid enrichment markers.

The collection of caterpillar fungus accounts for 50-70% of the household income of thousands of Himalayan communities and has an estimated market value of $5-11 billion across Asia. However, Himalayan collectors are at multiple economic disadvantages compared with collectors on the Tibetan Plateau because their product is not legally recognized. Using a customized hybrid-enrichment probe set and market-grade caterpillar fungus (with samples up to 30 years old) from 94 production zones across Asia, we uncovered clear geography-based signatures of historical dispersal and significant isolation-by-distance among caterpillar fungus hosts. This high-throughput approach can readily distinguish samples from major production zones with definitive geographical resolution, especially for samples from the Himalayan region that form monophyletic clades in our analysis. Based on these results, we propose a two-step procedure to help local communities authenticate their produce and improve this multi-national trade-route without creating opportunities for illegal exports and other forms of economic exploitation. We argue that policymakers and conservation practitioners must encourage the fair trade of caterpillar fungus in addition to sustainable harvesting to support a trans-boundary conservation effort that is much needed for this natural commodity in the Himalayan region.

Lead and Mercury Exposure and Related Health Problems in Metal Artisan Workplaces and High-Risk Household Contacts in Thimphu, Bhutan.

BACKGROUND: Metal artisans have been using lead and mercury in their settings for centuries. Exposure to these toxic heavy metals causes adverse health effects. We assessed the occupational exposure of metal artisans and their high-risk household contacts at Thimphu, Bhutan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in which 134 metal artisan center employees and 48 high-risk household contacts were tested for blood lead and mercury levels. Sociodemographic data, occupational exposure risk factors, and clinical syndrome related to lead and mercury exposure were further obtained and analyzed using EpiInfo 7.0. RESULTS: The mean age of the metal artisan center employees was 36.02 ± 10.3. The prevalence of elevated blood lead and mercury level was 38.4% and 51.9%, respectively. Significantly higher prevalence of mercury level was observed among the artisans compared to nonartisans (66.97 vs, 16.0). Among three centers, the goldsmith section of the Department of National Properties had the highest (94.1%). Profession as an artisan, mold designing, performing gold amalgamation, working for >8 hours a day, working for >5 years, and working at home were significant risk factors associated with elevated blood mercury level. Significant association was observed between elevated mercury level and complaints of burning or watery eyes (p=0.001), anxiety, nervousness, irritability, severe shyness (p=0.001), anxiety, nervousness, irritability, severe shyness (p=0.001), anxiety, nervousness, irritability, severe shyness (p=0.001), anxiety, nervousness, irritability, severe shyness (p=0.029), muscle aches (p=0.019), and stomach cramps or pain (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of elevated blood mercury level is concerning among the artisans. Advocacy, proper usage of personal protective equipment, awareness on chemical safety, and hazard associated with lead and mercury usage are needed to minimize the exposure.

Investigation and control of anthrax outbreak at the human-animal interface, Bhutan, 2010.

In 2010, we investigated anthrax outbreak in Bhutan. A total of 43 domestic animals died, and cutaneous anthrax developed in 9 persons, and 1 died. All affected persons had contact with the carcasses of infected animals. Comprehensive preparedness and response guidelines are needed to increase public awareness of anthrax in Bhutan.

Assessment of exposure to pesticides and the knowledge, attitude and practice among farmers of western Bhutan.

An estimated 69% of the population of Bhutan is engaged in agriculture. Farmers are exposed to a wide variety of pesticides during the preparation, transport, storage, mixing and application of pesticides posing a significant health risk. A controlled cross-sectional study of farmers in selected sites of Bhutan was conducted to characterize the level of exposure to pesticides and assess their knowledge attitude and practice on the safe handling of pesticides. A total of 399 participants were enrolled in the study comprising of 295 exposed farmers and 104 healthy and unexposed controls. A structured investigator administered questionaries was used to assess their Knowledge, Attitude and practice, and their blood samples were taken for measuring Acetyl Cholinesterase enzyme activity level. There was a significant difference between the Acetyl Cholinesterase enzyme inhibition of exposed and non-exposed control groups observed in the study (P < 0.001). Of the total of 295 farmers, 62 (21.01%) had severe enzyme inhibition of >30% as compared to the unexposed group. Safety practices of handling pesticides were low. The most common symptoms self-reported were headache (OR 1.08, 0.60-1.93) and neurological problems like forgetfulness, lack of concentration (OR 1.12, 0.50-2.48) and increased tiredness (OR 1.075, 0.52-2.19) that were significantly associated with the enzyme inhibition. In addition, we record a very low level of knowledge (17.0%), a fair attitude (63.0%) and poor practice (35.0%) on the safe handling and management of pesticides. This pilot study provides indication of exposure to pesticides in the selected sites of the country. Furthermore, it provides evidence for public health interventions by identifying the exposure patterns and pathways of individuals most at risk in the farming communities of the country. Surveillance and bio-monitoring programs are deemed necessary.

The Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) of Bhutan.

Twenty-five species of Tortricidae from Bhutan are discussed, 14 of which are recorded for the first time: Acleris perfundana Kuznetsov, 1962, Archips limatus Razowski, 1977, Chirapsina expleta (Meyrick, 1923), Clepsis humana (Meyrick, 1912), Adoxophyes privatana (Walker, 1863), Lumaria probolias (Meyrick, 1907), Meridemis bathymorpha Diakonoff, 1976, Isodemis illiberalis Meyrick, 1918, Lobesia ambigua Diakonoff, 1954, Metendothenia ordospina Jirasuttayaporn Pinkeaw, 2018, Gibberifera glaciata (Meyrick, 1907), Crocidosema plebejana Zeller, 1847, Lepteucosma charassuncus Razowski, 2006, and Microsarotis bicincta Diakonoff, 1976. Females of Chirapsina expleta and Epiblema charadrias Diakonoff, 1977 are described and illustrated for the first time. Nine new species are described: Eupoecilia jakarana, sp. nov., E. gedui, sp. nov., Lumaria phuntschona, sp. nov., Borneogena trashiyana, sp. nov., Bactra cophinana, sp. nov., Penthostola subnigrantis, sp. nov., M. brunnofasciana, sp. nov., Peridaedala nigrifasciana, sp. nov., and Epiblema albulusana, sp. nov. Adults and their genitalia are illustrated.