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Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a vector-borne viral disease widespread in Africa. The primary cycle involves mosquitoes, and wild and domestic ruminant hosts. Humans are usually contaminated after contact with infected ruminants. As many environmental, agricultural, epidemiological and anthropogenic factors are implicated in RVF spread, the multidisciplinary One Health approach was needed to identify the drivers of RVF epidemics in Madagascar. We examined the environmental patterns associated with these epidemics, comparing human and ruminant serological data with environmental and cattle-trade data. In contrast to East Africa, environmental drivers did not trigger the epidemics: they only modulated local RVFV transmission in ruminants. Instead, RVFV was introduced through ruminant trade and subsequent movement of cattle between trade hubs caused its long-distance spread within the country. Contact with cattle brought in from infected districts was associated with higher infection risk in slaughterhouse workers. The finding that anthropogenic rather than environmental factors are the main drivers of RVF infection in humans can be used to design better prevention and early detection in case of RVF resurgence in the region.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters (Mechler et al. 2010) that impact the socio-economic development of nations worldwide, including those in the Caribbean, a region particularly vulnerable to natural perils (Macpherson and Akpinar-Elci, 2013). Global changes and climate change are also expected to have a significant impact on animal and human health, especially distribution and impact of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases which are considered particularly sensitive to climatic variables (Harvell et al. 2002). An integrated approach of disaster risk reduction (DDR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) has been suggested to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts and to improve program effectiveness (Dwirahmadi et al. 2013). Consistent with the call of the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE), for reinforcing the role of veterinary authorities at national levels for disaster risk reduction (OIE and World Bank, 2007), a similar strategy is needed at the regional level in the Caribbean. In the Caribbean, veterinary services, agricultural and veterinary universities, research institutes, and regional and international institutions in agriculture and health have garnered efforts to create a regional animal health network (CaribVET) in 2006 to assist in decision making and to advise on best management practices to mitigate the impact of animal diseases on livestock production and health, human health and welfare. Since 2012, the Epidemiology working group of CaribVET works on DRR in close collaboration with CENSA, which is the OIE collaborating center on DRR in animal health in Cuba (Gongora et al. 2012). According to CENSA’s expertise, prevention and preparedness are the key components of the DRR cycle towards which CaribVET’s efforts should be oriented. In this paper, we propose a model that explains the economic rationale behind an animal health regional network as CaribVET. Then, the role of CaribVET in the improvement of knowledge on animal diseases, the development of tools that facilitates the provision of animal health, and the capacity development in the region is explained and associated to the well-known concepts of comparative advantages and economies of scale. We explain the role of CaribVET in DRR and the challenges to a regional approach on the deliverance of animal health services and DRR are discussed.

Les facteurs de variation de la distribution des cas de mammite clinique entre les quartiers arrière et avant de la mamelle des vaches laitières ont été étudiés à l'aide des données d'une enquête longitudinale de 4 ans dans des exploitations laitières privées de l'Ouest de la France. L'étude a porté sur 844 cas de mammite ayant affecté 597 lactations chez 500 vaches de race Française Frisonne dans 44 troupeaux. Les facteurs de risque ont été recherchés parmi certaines caractéristiques de la lactation, de la conformation de la mamelle et des pratiques d'élevage. La distribution a été modélisée par une régression logistique hiérarchique. Les mammites étaient localisées sur les quartiers arrière dans 61,9 % des cas. Le seul facteur de risque statistiquement significatif était la parité de la vache : les mammites des quartiers arrière étaient plus fréquents chez les primipares que chez les multipares. Dans cette étude rétrospective, la conformation de la mammelle n'a pas semblé influer la distribution des mammites. Aucun paramètre de surdispersion n'a été observé, indiquant que les différents cas de mammite pouvaient être considérés comme des événements indépendants.

3 tables 1 graph.; International audience; Factors related to the distribution of clinical bovine mastitis between rear and front quarters were studied using data from a 4 year survey of commercial dairy herds in western France. The study involved 844 mastitis cases affecting 597 lactations of 500 French Friesian cows from 44 herds. Risk factor hypotheses were related to certain aspects of lactation, udder conformation and management practices. Distribution was modelled using a hierarchical logistic regression. Rear quarters were affected in 61.9% of cases. The only significant risk factor was the cow's parity; rear quarter clinical mastitis was more frequent in primiparous than in multiparous cows. In this retrospective study, udder conformation did not seem to play a significant role in mastitis distribution. No overdispersion parameter was observed, indicating that each mastitis case could be considered as an independent event.

Un suivi de troupeaux caprins et une enquête écopathologique sur les pneumopathies ont été entrepris au Tchad. Le suivi a indiqué une puberté tardive et une mortalité élevée. La pathologie était fréquente et saisonnièrement variable. L’enquête écopathologique a révélé peu de facteurs de risque des pneumopathies. La mortalité était associée à 3 facteurs parasitaires et infectieux. Les priorités sont la diminution de la mortalité et l’abaissement de l’âge à la puberté. Les moyens de lutte sont connus et, pour une bonne appropriation par les éleveurs, doivent être appliqués dans le cadre d’un programme de développement, en interaction avec la recherche, A goat herd follow-up and an ecopathological survey on respiratory diseases were undertaken in Chad. Late puberty and high mortality were highlighted by the follow-up. Diseases were frequent and depended on the season. Few risk factors of respiratory diseases were shown by the ecopathological survey. Mortality was connected with 3 parasitic and infectious factors. Decreasing the age at puberty and the mortality rate are priorities. Measures to achieve these aims are well known. They must be set up within a development program, in interaction with research, for a good use by the goat farmer.

International audience; The authors describe the methodology used in an ecopathological survey of goat pneumopathies in periurban area of N'Djamena (Chad) during the dry, cold season of 1991-1992. The choice of farms was made after a typology survey. A total of 3,500 small ruminants (85% of goats) belonging to 60 farms were identified and the performance and health of the animals examined from August 1991. The protocol used for collecting information and the strategy applied to the analysis of data were based on conceptual pre-models of analysis corresponding to the 3 observations scales used, i.e. goat, concession flock, day flock. The survey took place from December 1991 to March 1992. The difficulties of the statistical interpretation of the data, are emphasized. The biological significance of the risk factors is discussed. Measures for obtaining improvements should take into account the cost/profit ratio and the technical and financial possibilities of the farmers.