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Chapter 5. This chapter outlines the key environmental and metabolic pathways of radionuclides relevant for animals and animal products after NREs. The different methods used to quantify the transfer of radionuclides between relevant environmental pathways are also described. Detailed information is provided for the most important radionuclides that contaminate animals and animal products, namely radiocaesium, radioiodine and radiostrontium. Observed effects on agricultural and game animals after two NREs are also briefly described.

Progressive control pathways (PCPs) are stepwise approaches for the reduction, elimination, and eradication of human and animal diseases. They provide systematic frameworks for planning and evaluating interventions. Here we outline a PCP for tsetse-transmitted animal trypanosomosis, the scourge of poor livestock keepers in tropical Africa. Initial PCP stages focus on the establishment of national coordination structures, engagement of stakeholders, development of technical capacities, data collection and management, and pilot field interventions. The intermediate stage aims at a sustainable and economically profitable reduction of disease burden, while higher stages target elimination. The mixed-record of success and failure in past efforts against African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) makes the development of this PCP a high priority. Trends: Whilst great strides are being made in the elimination of tsetse-transmitted human African trypanosomosis (HAT or sleeping sickness), progress in the control of African animal trypanosomosis (AAT or nagana) is patchy at best. Progressive pathways (or stepwise, staged approaches) are increasingly used for the control of a number of human and animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, peste des petits ruminants, brucellosis, and rabies. A range of tools are coming of age, which enable an evidence-based prioritization, planning, and monitoring of interventions against AAT, including geographic information systems (GIS), species distribution models, and population genetics. Whilst the development of novel drugs against AAT lags behind, the array of techniques for vector control has broadened, and knowledge on their optimal field of application has improved. Among growing concerns on the capacity of sub-Saharan Africa to feed itself in the coming decades, removing the constraints posed by AAT appears more urgent than ever.

Background: Progressive Control Pathways (PCP) and the related implementation roadmaps are used in the control and elimination of a number of human and animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, peste des petits ruminants, brucellosis and rabies. International organizations such as FAO, OIE and WHO, rely on PCP frameworks for planning, implementing and evaluating interventions against diseases. Flexible, stepwise PCPs enable to structure the road to disease freedom through a series of achievable, discrete stages. Here we outline a novel PCP for the control and elimination of tsetse-transmitted African animal trypanosomosis (AAT), the bane of poor livestock keepers in sub-Saharan Africa. Methodology/Results: The PCP for AAT is structured along five stages and a pre-entry level, i.e. "below Stage 1" (Figure). A regular step-wise progression is the rule (i.e. from Stage N to Stage N + 1) but fast-tracking is possible in specific circumstances. In order to move from one stage to the next, the set goals for the ongoing stage must have been achieved, and a plan for the following stage must be prepared. Independent validation is required. Key requirements for a country to enter the PCP (i.e. to move to 'Stage 1') include political and financial commitment for the progressive control and elimination of AAT, and the existence of a functioning Specialized National Structure having core capacities and mandate to deal with tsetse and AAT. When in Stage 1, affected countries have to develop technical capacities, and gain a sufficient understanding of AAT distribution, risk and impact for an evidence-based planning of subsequent activities; pilot field interventions are also conducted. Larger scale field activities are implemented in Stage 2 and beyond, within the priority areas identified in Stage 1. Stage 2 aims at a sustainable reduction of the AAT burden, and the intervention strategy hinges on the integrated control of AAT (a community/farmer based approach). The foc

Background: Progressive Control Pathways (PCP) and the related implementation roadmaps are used in the control and elimination of a number of human and animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, peste des petits ruminants, brucellosis and rabies. International organizations such as FAO, OIE and WHO, rely on PCP frameworks for planning, implementing and evaluating interventions against diseases. Flexible, stepwise PCPs enable to structure the road to disease freedom through a series of achievable, discrete stages. Here we outline a novel PCP for the control and elimination of tsetse-transmitted African animal trypanosomosis (AAT), the bane of poor livestock keepers in sub-Saharan Africa. Methodology/Results: The PCP for AAT is structured along five stages and a pre-entry level, i.e. "below Stage 1" (Figure). A regular step-wise progression is the rule (i.e. from Stage N to Stage N + 1) but fast-tracking is possible in specific circumstances. In order to move from one stage to the next, the set goals for the ongoing stage must have been achieved, and a plan for the following stage must be prepared. Independent validation is required. Key requirements for a country to enter the PCP (i.e. to move to 'Stage 1') include political and financial commitment for the progressive control and elimination of AAT, and the existence of a functioning Specialized National Structure having core capacities and mandate to deal with tsetse and AAT. When in Stage 1, affected countries have to develop technical capacities, and gain a sufficient understanding of AAT distribution, risk and impact for an evidence-based planning of subsequent activities; pilot field interventions are also conducted. Larger scale field activities are implemented in Stage 2 and beyond, within the priority areas identified in Stage 1. Stage 2 aims at a sustainable reduction of the AAT burden, and the intervention strategy hinges on the integrated control of AAT (a community/farmer based approach). The foc

Progressive control pathways (PCPs) are stepwise approaches for the reduction, elimination, and eradication of human and animal diseases. They provide systematic frameworks for planning and evaluating interventions. Here we outline a PCP for tsetse-transmitted animal trypanosomosis, the scourge of poor livestock keepers in tropical Africa. Initial PCP stages focus on the establishment of national coordination structures, engagement of stakeholders, development of technical capacities, data collection and management, and pilot field interventions. The intermediate stage aims at a sustainable and economically profitable reduction of disease burden, while higher stages target elimination. The mixed-record of success and failure in past efforts against African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) makes the development of this PCP a high priority. Trends: Whilst great strides are being made in the elimination of tsetse-transmitted human African trypanosomosis (HAT or sleeping sickness), progress in the control of African animal trypanosomosis (AAT or nagana) is patchy at best. Progressive pathways (or stepwise, staged approaches) are increasingly used for the control of a number of human and animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, peste des petits ruminants, brucellosis, and rabies. A range of tools are coming of age, which enable an evidence-based prioritization, planning, and monitoring of interventions against AAT, including geographic information systems (GIS), species distribution models, and population genetics. Whilst the development of novel drugs against AAT lags behind, the array of techniques for vector control has broadened, and knowledge on their optimal field of application has improved. Among growing concerns on the capacity of sub-Saharan Africa to feed itself in the coming decades, removing the constraints posed by AAT appears more urgent than ever.

The world goat population is approximately 1.0 billion with more than half of them present in Asia. The Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture initiated a programme to characterize goat genetic resources of Asia. Nine Asian countries viz. Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Myanmar and India were supported to conduct breed surveys, evaluate production environments and assess phenotypic and genetic characteristics of indigenous breeds/populations. This paper reports genetic diversity of 57 goat breeds of Asia located in nine countries and genetic relationship/population structure of 43 breeds located in seven countries. The level of genetic variability among goat breeds/populations across Asia was consistent with the history of domestication, variability being higher near the center of domestication and a decreasing gradient while moving away from this center. Positive directional selection was observed at one or a few microsatellite loci in goat populations of at least four Asian countries including Sri Lanka, India, Iran and Myanmar. Genetic differentiation among goat breeds/populations within different countries varied from 1.9% (Myanmar goats) to 12.6% (Indonesian goats) with a global FSTof 12.7%. Genetic differentiation among local goats within countries was limited, an indication of high gene flow across breeds/populations. The microsatellite based phylogeny showed two major clades: the Chinese goats clustered distinctly while the goat breeds from other countries clustered separately in a single clade. Weak genetic structure was observed in Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Myanmar goats, moderately strong genetic structure was observed in Pakistani goats while strong genetic structure was observed in Indonesian, Iranian, Vietnamese and Chinese goats. Model based cluster analysis of metadata broadly grouped Asian goats into two major geographical clusters (Chinese and West Asian) which can be partitioned fu

The early and rapid detection and characterization of specific nucleic acids of medico-veterinary pathogens have proven invaluable for diagnostic purposes. The integration of amplification and signal detection systems, including online real-time devices, have increased speed and sensitivity and greatly facilitated the quantification of target nucleic acids. They have also allowed for sequence characterization using melting or hybridization curves. The newer-generation molecular diagnostic technologies offer, hitherto, unparalleled detection and discrimination methodologies, which are vital for the positive detection and identification of pathogenic agents, as well as the effects of the pathogens on the production of antibodies. The development phase of the novel technologies entails a thorough understanding of accurate diagnosis and discrimination of present and emerging diseases. The development of novel technologies can only be successful if they are transferred and used in the field with a sustainable quality-assured application to allow for the optimal detection and effective control of diseases. The aim of these new tools is to detect the presence of a pathogen agent before the onset of disease. This manuscript focuses mainly on the experiences of two World Organisation for Animal Health collaborating centers in context to molecular diagnosis and molecular epidemiology of transboundary and endemic animal diseases of viral origin, food safety and zoonoses.