Factors associated with small ruminant lentivirus infection in goat herds from Pernambuco state, Northeast region of Brazil.

Serum samples (n = 1532) were collected between May 2011 to April 2012 from goats from 76 herds (49 from dairy farms and 27 herds for genetic improvement) from three geographical regions from the state of Pernambuco, Brazil: Zona da Mata, Agreste, and Sertão. Samples were processed using agar gel immunodiffusion test, with p28 CAEV antigen. The objective was to determine the risk factors for small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) in dairy goats and goats with high genetic value. Overall, seroprevalence was 13.7% (210/1532) [95% CI: 12-15.4%] in animals and 67.1% (51/76) [95% CI: 56.5%- 77.7%] in herds. In dairy farms the seroprevalence was 73.5% (36/49) [95% CI: 61.1%- 85.8%], and in properties with animals of high genetic value it was 55.6% (15/27) [95% CI: 36.8%- 74.3%]. Robust Poisson regression analysis adjusted by the random effect of the herd showed that risk factors were: importing bucks from another Brazilian state (prevalence ratio [PR] = 4.73 [95% CI: 2.05; 10.88]), not isolating sick animals (PR = 3.27 [95% CI: 2.24; 4.76]), and participating in fairs/animal crowding (PR = 1.52 [95% CI: 1.09; 2.11]). Prevalence results show that SRLV is present in caprine herds in the state of Pernambuco and identified risk factors are strongly related to animal transit. Considering the epidemiological situation, the first step for mitigating the consequences of this disease would be controlling animal transit.

Assessment of the foot-and-mouth disease surveillance system in Brazil.

In 2021, the 88th General Session of the World Assembly of National Delegates to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recognized the estates of Acre, Paraná, the Rio Grande do Sul, and Rondônia as being free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination. The certification was also extended to some cities in Amazonas and Mato Grosso. The new national strategic plan for 2026, which focuses on creating and maintaining sustainable conditions to expand FMD-free zones without vaccination, imposes new challenges and requires continuous evaluation of the FMD surveillance system. The objective of this research was to evaluate the FMD surveillance system in Brazil using quantitative models through Bayesian network approaches. The research was conducted using the Continental Surveillance and Information System (SivCont) database for Official Veterinary Services in Brazil, which refers to notified vesicular syndromes. The data on states, reported diseases, source of notification, disease confirmation, and timeliness (TL in days) of the delay by owners in notifying (TL.1) after a suspected case of the disease, and the response of Brazilian Veterinary Services after being notified (TL.2), were analysed. The collected data were analysed using Bayesian networks. It was observed that diseases with symptoms identical to FMD are the most notified events. TL.1 was long (mean of 18.96, CI: 18.33-19.59), and a low number of notifications was observed throughout the study period, which increases the chances of disseminating FMD in the population. Meanwhile, TL.2 suggests appropriate effectiveness of the Veterinary Services responding to suspected cases of FMD with interventions in less than 24 h (mean of 1, CI: 0.68-1.31). This study evaluated the performance of Brazilian Veterinary Services facing the report of vesicular diseases in the period 2004-2018. The results can help the states improve the surveillance system and the transition to the vaccination stop. Furthermore, the analytical method presented in the paper could serve as a model for other countries to evaluate the effectiveness of FMD surveillance systems.

Timeliness of vesicular disease notification system in Brazilian foot-and-mouth disease surveillance programme.

Animal health surveillance programmes should be reliable and informative to ensure their effective implementation. As such, the regular assessment of those aiming to demonstrate the absence of disease, as well as the ability to detect outbreaks on time, is of vital importance. Several criteria make it possible to assess the performance of surveillance systems, including timeliness, which represents the speed between steps in a surveillance system. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the variability in the timeliness, within and between states, of the surveillance programme of the Brazilian Veterinary Services (BVS) for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), for the notification of vesicular disease. A total of 14 years (2004-2017) of data relating to vesicular syndromes from the Brazilian Continental Information and Surveillance System (SivCont) were included. A categorical variable was created with four classes to group the notified vesicular processes in the SivCont, according to two criteria, the similarity of the symptoms of the diseases reported with FMD and aetiology (viral, bacterial, fungal and non-infectious). The three timeliness values (TL-1, TL-2 and TL-3) related to different portions of the FMD surveillance system were analysed as a response in a generalized linear model in which the states of Brazil were the explanatory variables. The analyses were performed separately for each notification class (FMD, vesicular stomatitis, similar symptoms and similar non-infectious symptoms) and included comparisons within and between states. The study results provide an understanding and evaluation of the timeliness of the Brazilian FMD surveillance system, thereby providing a base of knowledge from which involved agents and decision-makers can evaluate BVS and reinforce surveillance measures in the states with poorer timeliness than permitted.

Survey of bovine brucellosis on the island of Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil / Investigação sobre brucelose bovina na Ilha de Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brasil

Considering the lack of information about livestock diseases on Brazilian oceanic islands, the occurrence of bovine brucellosis was investigated on the island of Fernando de Noronha, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Serum samples were collected in October 2009, from all the 105 cows raised on the island at that time. These were examined concurrently using the Rose Bengal test and the Complement Fixation Test. All the samples were negative in both tests, indicating that the cows on the island were likely free from infection by smooth forms of Brucella. These results can partly be explained by the prohibition of introduction and importation of both small and large-sized animals that had been implemented through District Decree 19 of February 28, 2004.(AU)

Tendo em vista a inexistência de informações sobre a ocorrência da brucelose bovina em ilhas oceânicas brasileiras, investigou-se a presença da infecção na ilha de Fernando de Noronha, Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Soros de todas as 105 fêmeas bovinas existentes, colhidos em outubro de 2009, foram examinados concomitantemente pelo teste do Antígeno Acidificado Tamponado e pela Reação de Fixação de Complemento. Todas as amostras foram negativas em ambos os testes, indicando que provavelmente os animais presentes na ilha encontravam-se livres da infecção por Brucella. Estes resultados podem ser explicados, em partes, pela proibição da introdução e importação de grandes e pequenos animais, implementada pelo Decreto Distrital 19, de 28 de fevereiro de 2004.(AU)

Livestock markets play an important role in the cattle movement network in Pernambuco, Brazil / Feiras de gado desempenham papel importante na rede de trânsito de bovinos em Pernambuco, Brasil

The animal trade is an important risk factor that affects the spread of diseases among animals and herds. The goal of the present study was to characterize the cattle movement network in Pernambuco, Brazil, based on the animal movement permits (Guias de Trânsito Animal; GTAs) from 2012 to 2013, and identify the intensity of the commercial relationship between farm premises. A total of 737,950 GTAs were issued, and the movement of 3,481,185 cattle (1,688,585 in 2012 and 1,792,600 in 2013) was analyzed. Of the moved animals analyzed, 52.57% (1,829,907/3,481,185) were involved in the movement of cattle in or out of livestock markets, indicating that livestock markets played a major role in the network. Approximately 20% of the more-connected premises were responsible for approximately 87% of the movement related to sales and 95% of the movement related to purchases. Considering the important role of livestock markets and the intense cattle trade between farm premises, surveillance, and control measures could be more efficient if targeted to livestock markets and highly connected premises to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.(AU)

O comércio de animais é um importante fator de risco para a disseminação de doenças entre animais e rebanhos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi caracterizar a rede de movimentação de bovinos em Pernambuco, com base nas guias de trânsito animal (GTAs) de 2012 a 2013, e identificar a intensidade da relação comercial entre os estabelecimentos. Foram analisadas 737.950 GTAs emitidas, e as movimentações de bovinos totalizaram 3.481.185 animais (1.688.585 em 2012 e 1.792.600 em 2013). Um percentual de 52,57% (1.829.907/3.481.185) das movimentações de bovinos envolveu entrada ou saída de feiras de gado, indicando que as feiras desempenharam um papel importante na rede. Aproximadamente 20% dos estabelecimentos mais conectados foram responsáveis por aproximadamente 87% das movimentações relacionadas às vendas, e 95% das movimentações, relacionadas às compras. Considerando o importante papel das feiras e o intenso comércio de bovinos entre as propriedades, medidas de vigilância e controle podem ser mais eficientes se aplicadas em feiras e estabelecimentos altamente conectados, para prevenir a propagação de doenças infecciosas.(AU)

Soroprevalência da infecção por lentivírus de pequenos ruminantes em abatedouros do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil / Seroprevalence small ruminant lentiviruses in the state of Pernambuco slaughterhouses, Brazil

A soroprevalência da infecção por lentivírus de pequenos ruminantes (LVPR) foi determinada em amostras de soros sanguíneos de caprinos e ovinos de aptidão cárnea provenientes de abatedouros de dez municípios do estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. O diagnóstico sorológico ocorreu por meio da imunodifusão em gel de agarose (micro-IDGA) com antígenos dos vírus artrite encefalite caprina (CAE)/Maedi-Visna. Entre as 369 amostras de caprinos, 7(1,89%) (0,8-3,9%) eram soropositivas, e, entre as 383 de ovinos, 1 (0,26%) (0,0-1,4%) estava infectada. Os 7 caprinos soropositivos procederam dos abatedouros públicos dos municípios de Gravatá (n=2), Sertânia (n=4) e Timbaúba (n=1), e o ovino soropositivo veio do abatedouro público de Serra Talhada. A soroprevalência da infecção por LVPR em pequenos ruminantes oriundos de abatedouros do estado de Pernambuco, de 1,06% (8/752), é considerada baixa.(AU)

The prevalence of lentivirus infection of small ruminants (LVPR) was determined in samples of serum from goats and sheep in slaughterhouses from ten districts of Pernambuco State. The serological test was used in agarose gel immunodiffusion (AGID) with antigen caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus (CAE)/Maedi Visna virus. Among the 369 blood serum samples of goats examined, seven (1.89%) (0.8-3.9%) were seropositive, and among the 383 sheep samples examined, just one (0.26%) (0.0-1.4%) was infected. The seven seropositive goats came from public slaughterhouses from Gravatá (n=2), Sertânia (n=4) and Timbaúba (n=1), and the soropositive sheep was from a public slaughterhouse of Serra Talhada. The soroprevalence of LVPR infection in small ruminants from Pernambuco's slaughterhouses, of 1.06% (8/752), is considered low.(AU)