Search

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an infectious viral transboundary disease of even-toed animals, caused by the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The objective of this paper is to provide reviewed data on the epidemiology, risks, control and the existing gaps on FMD in Cameroon from 1990 to 2021 to support its progressive control. Relevant and available documents (n = 45) on FMD in Cameroon such as peer-reviewed papers (n = 27), dissertations (n = 11), conferences (n = 5) and technical reports (n = 2) were used. Studies on the molecular and serological epidemiology, the role of carrier/mobile animals, the evaluation of immune-cross protection between serotypes and the quantification of serotype-specific transmission parameters using mathematical models have been discussed. The environmental drivers of FMD in cattle markets, abattoir and herd-level, as well as risk factors such as husbandry practices, communal grazing, regional/international livestock trading system, transhumance and fomites, are presented. As international borders remain porous with poor FMD monitoring infrastructure at veterinary checkpoints in a country with no candidate vaccine, vaccination program and commercial vaccines available, farmers are left with no option other than to manage the disease with traditional formulations and veterinary pharmaceuticals mostly antibiotics. Tri-Solfen® (TS), a wound dressing formulation was efficient in managing FMD in Cameroon. The current gaps in FMD knowledge in Cameroon are presented. There is a need for a comprehensive epidemiological study in the major cattle rearing regions of Cameroon. A regional study to identify all the risk factors for the transmission of FMD is required. A socio-economic impact study of FMD is required in Cameroon.

The contamination with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses occurs via the digestive tract following the ingestion of water or food contaminated with droppings of asymptomatic carriers or sick birds. Regarding the local practice of the use of poultry manure as an agricultural fertilizer, this study focuses on the risk of spread of the HPAI through the manure trade pathway in Côte d'Ivoire. For this purpose, epidemiological data and 96 poultry droppings samples were collected from 18 farms. The droppings samples were tested using the real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The qualitative risk assessment (QRA) took into account event patterns by integrating all the pathways involved in the spread of HPAI. From the diagnostic test, all the 96 samples tested negative. Further investigations revealed that 74% of the Agnibilékrou farms experienced HPAI outbreaks in the past two years. The main risk factors identified were the movement of people, animals and fomites from one infected area to another. Additionally, the duration of storage of droppings and the distance between stockpiles and farms were potential risk factors. The QRA identified two levels of risk: moderate to high (60%) and low to negligible (40%). The estimated high risk occurs when the dropping is fresh and is low after an optimal period of storage. It is therefore necessary to make storage systematic and mandatory as a measure of treatment before the adoption of other complex measures such as composting and industrial processing.

Recently, a wound dressing formulation, (Tri‐Solfen®, Medical Ethics Pty Ltd, Australia; TS) registered for use in ruminant husbandry in Australia, was registered for Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease (FMD) therapy in large ruminants in Laos, following clinical observations of improved welfare and healing following treatment of FMD lesions. In November 2019, an FMD outbreak in Cameroon provided an opportunity for a field trial, comparing clinical responses and recoveries to treatments on a sample of cattle (n = 36) comprising three equal groups of animals (n = 12), comparing responses to three treatments: (i) the application to lesions of TS, (ii) the administration of parenteral oxytetraycline commonly used for FMD in Cameroon; and (iii) an untreated control group (C). Appetite scores, lesion healing scores, and changes in dimensions of lesions, were recorded over a 15‐day study period. Cattle treated with TS achieved both superior appetite and lesion healing scores with more rapid reduction in dimensions of lesions than other groups. Farmer observations indicated the TS treatment group had a more rapid return to eating with cessation of excessive salivation, and more rapid return of mobility (walking) with absence of overt lameness. The findings indicate that although mortality is usually low in FMD outbreaks, the disease is a debilitating and painful disorder with negative animal welfare impacts that should be addressed. All farmers expressed their desire that the product be made available for use in their region and modelling indicates that TS therapy imposes no additional financial burden on farmers, with the treatment likely to be provided at a similar or reduced cost to current treatment choices. As use of antibiotics for treatment of a viral disease potentially increases pressures for development of antimicrobial resistance and residues in the food chain, TS as an alternative non‐antimicrobial therapy should be promoted for wider use in FMD outbreaks.

Background: Parasitic diseases are threat to the development of Ivorian Pig industry. Zoonotic diseases such as Echinococcosis have a significant impact on animal health and production. Little is known about Echinococcosis in Co te d’Ivoire. Aim: For these reasons, a cross section study was conducted at SIVAC in Yopougon, on pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus), in order to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Echinococcosis. Method: Paraclinical examinations of pig organs (kidneys, lungs, and liver) were conducted from 5th September to 30th December 2019 in order to report infection with this parasite. Results: Out of the 2425 slaughtered pigs, 63 of them were Echi-nococcosis positive, resulting in overall infection prevalence of 2.6% (95% CI: 1.9% - 3.22%). The kidneys (2.35%) were most infected, followed by lungs (0.21%), and liver (0.04%). Recommendations: A more in-depth study on the molecular epidemiology of Echinococcosis in the different regions of Co te d’Ivoire is underway. Also, capacity building of community livestock actors (Veterinarians, health inspectors, breeders and butchers) and sensitization of the population on this disease is necessary in order to improve its diagnosis at the abattoir level and to set up strategies to combat it.

Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonosis in the world. It is caused by Brucella species and is an infectious and contagious disease transmissible to humans and to several animal species. This disease remains one of the neglected diseases in several countries and represents a real public health problem. A cross sectional study was conducted at the Port-Bouët abattoir in order to determine the seroprevalence as well as to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of workers. Three hundred and eighty-seven (387) cattle blood samples collected from January 5 to March 30 2019 were diagnosed using the Rose Bengal and indirect Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (i-ELISA) techniques. The seroprevalence was 0.52% (95% CI: 0.06265-1.8542) for i-ELISA and Rose Bengal. Regarding seroprevalence with sex, males recorded 0.3% (95 CI: 0.00776-1.6617), while females had 1.85% (95% CI: 0.04687-9.8991) for both Rose Bengal and i-ELISA tests with no statistically significant difference (X2=2; df=1; p=0.157). Animals >3years old recorded a higher seroprevalence rate eventhough with no statistically significant difference (X2=3; df=2; p=0.223). Also, our findings established that the potential risk of contracting brucellosis at the abattoir by workers is high due to the handling of animal tissues without the use of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs). This baseline information indicates the neccesity for a more in-depth study on the traceability of animals coming to the abattoir as well as study the occurrence of brucellosis in animals and among abattoir workers following a one health approach in order to contribute to the development of a sub-regional integrated programme for the control of brucellosis. This collective approach will minimize the risk of contamination with brucellosis by workers.

To embark on an anti-vectorial fight against mechanical vectors of animal trypanosomosis, investigations were undertaken in order to determine the abundance, species diversity and daily activity of tabanids in a cattle ranch in Gabon. The nzi and vavoua traps were used to catch tabanids in three divisions of this ranch. In this study, 616 tabanids were captured: 349 (56.66%) in Division 1, 226 (36.69%) in Division 2 and 41 (6.66%) in Division 3. In the first Division, T. taeniola was the most abundant species with an Apparent Density (ADT) of 2.2, followed by H. pluvialis (ADT = 1.05). In the second Division, H. pluvialis was most abundant with ADT of 1.6, followed by T. taeniola (ADT = 0.38). In the last Division, the most abundant species was H. pluvialis (ADT = 0.15). Comparing the relative abundance of catches with sites (Divisions), we realized that there was no statistically significant difference in catches with trapping sites. It was noticed that Division 3 recorded the highest diversity index values. We realized that the nzi trap recorded higher tabanid catches than the vavoua trap. The diurnal activity rhythm of the most frequent species encountered slightly differed with prospection sites.

The aim of the study was to determine the abundance and diurnal activity rhythm of Stomoxyinae at the Ivindo National park and its environs, 14 Vavoua traps were set-up during the rainy season (25th Sept-5th Oct and 21st Oct-9th Nov 2018), in two habitats: the forest, a part of the Ivindo National Park (INP) and village-Town. In the Village-Town habitat, 62141 Stomoxys were caught and regrouped under five species notably 36502 S. omega (58.74%), 24045 S. n. niger (38.69%), 1312 S. xanthomelas (2.11%), 265 S. n. bilineatus (0.43%) and 17 S. calcitrans (0.03%). At the INP, 4645 Stomoxys were caught and regrouped under four species notably 2364 S. n. niger (50.89%), 2153 S. omega (46.35%), 114 S. xanthomelas (2.45%) and 14 S. n. bilineatus (0.30%). Stomoxys were more abundant in the village (517.84 s/t/d) as compared to the INP (44.24 s/t/d). There was a statistically significant difference (P

The abundance, species diversity and diurnal activity rhythm of hematophagous glossineswere evaluated by trapping using 15 Vavoua traps, during the rainy season (25th Sept-5th Oct to 21st Oct-9th Nov 2018), in two habitats: secondary forest and Anthropised milieu, in the biosphere reserve Ipassa-IRET Makokou in Gabon. In total, 489 glossines were caught with 245 collected from Village-Town site and regrouped under 4 species [G.p.palpalis (32.17%), G. frezili (36.23%), G. nashi (29.57%) and G. f. fuscipes (2.03%)] while 244 were collected from forest and regrouped under 3 species [G.p.palpalis (61.48%), G. nashi (28.69%) and G. frezili (0.84%)]. The abundance of glossines was higher in the Village-Town milieu (2.88 g/t/d) as compared to the forest (2.34 g/t/d) with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Glossines showed a unimodal diurnal activity rhythm with peak between 10h-12h in the two milieu and was dominated by females.

An entomological prospection to show the species composition and diurnal activity of tabanids was carried out using 15 Vavoua traps, during the rainy season (25th Sept-5th Oct and 21st Oct-9th Nov 2018), in the secondary forest [Ivindo National Park (INP)] and Village-Town sites in and around the biosphere reserve Ipassa-IRET Makokou in Gabon. In total, 839 tabanids were caught with 747 recorded at INP and regrouped under 11 species of the genus Tabanus [T. taeniola (57.76%), T. ricardae (26.32%), T. par (5.54%), T. ruficrus (3.74%), T. socius (3.74%), T. disjunctus (2.49%), T. marmorosus (0.28%) and T. obscurehirtus (0.14%)]. However, two species of the genus Chrysops [C. dimidiatus (70.83%) and C. silaceus (29.17%)] and one species of the genus Haematopota [H. pluvialis (100%)] were only identified at INP. While in the Village-Town sites, 92 tabanids were caught and regrouped under five species of the genus Tabanus [T. ruficrus (14.13%), T. taeniola (9.78%), T. ricardae (73.91%), T. par (1.09%), and T. marmorosus (1.09%)]. Tabanids were more abundant in the forest (7.12 tabanid/trap/day) as compared to the Village-Town (0.77 t/t/d) with a statistically significant difference (P

In recent years, an upsurge of vector-borne diseases has been reported in several parts of the world. Among these is dengue fever, the first arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes of the genusAedes. After the detection of the dengue virus serological types (type 1, 2, and 3) in the health district of Cocody-Bingerville in Ivory Coast, entomological investigations were carried out in the city of Cocody (host of most cases) to evaluate the risk of transmission of the disease in view of an effective vector control. Larval prospection together with the pitching of emergence traps was carried out in Caféier 5, Sideci-Coteau, Danga, Ecole de police, Gobelet village, Laurier 9, Lemania, Perles, 7èmetranche, and 12èmearrondissement. Entomological prospections revealed the predominance ofAedes aegypti(97.38%) as the main vector species of dengue viruses in Cocody. The Kruskall-Wallis test showed no statistically significant difference (KW = 1.8, p = 0.407) in the proportions of the vector species collected from the sampled sites. The risk of an outbreak of dengue fever in Cocody and other municipalities in the city of Abidjan is very certain insofar as the larval epidemic risk indices (Habitat Index, HI = 70.9; Container Index, CI = 40.26; and Breteau Index, BI= 21.3) reflect a very high epidemic risk (4 to 9) on the WHO density scale. The occurrence ofAedes aegyptiin Cocody indicates the risk of transmission of the Dengue fever virus.

The study aimed at detecting the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) RNA in Stomoxys niger niger and cattle. Flies were collected using a Vavoua trap pitched 50m from the center of the herd and by net-catches on clinically sick (n=5) and symptomless cattle (n=5). Vesicular Epithelia Tissues (VETs) from sick cattle were analyzed by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rt RT PCR) and serum from randomly selected animals without clinical signs was examined by serological test (NSP-ELISA Kit) for the presence of FMDV antibodies. Of a total of 568 Stomoxys trapped using the Vavoua trap, two species were identified namely 196 S. niger niger (34.51 %, 9. 33 Snn/t/d), 101 S. omega (17.78%, 4.80 so/t/d) and 271 non-biting Musca sp. (47.71%, 12.90 m/vavoua and day). The dissected mouth and legs of each fly caught were screened for FMDV using the rt RT PCR. FMDV RNA was found in the epithelial vesicles of all clinically sick animals (n=5, with mean Ct of 27.98456) and 3 out of 5 were serologically positive in the clinically in-apparent cattle group. The overall S. n. niger (most abundant species) contamination rate with the FMDV irrespective of collection method was 40.3 % with females (49.0 %) being slightly more contaminated than males (21.7%) (OR =0.45, P= 0.1506) and legs being more often positive than mouth-parts (P=0.02002). Flies were contaminated less frequently on animals without clinical signs than those on animals with clinical signs, but this difference was not significant (P=0.69680).

Stable flies (Stomoxys spp.) are common pests of livestock in the peri-urban rangelands of Vina Division of the Adamawa Plateau. No documented information is available on their diurnal dynamics in relation to physiological age and landscape. The main aim of this study was to determine the trap apparent density (ADT) of Stomoxys and associate it to their diurnal activity rhythm and landscape. Vavoua traps (n=12) were used for Stomoxys collection. Trapping was carried out for seven days i.e. three days consecutively in August and four days consecutively in October, 2016. Three traps were pitched in each of the three biotopes (river, cattle corral and gallery forest) of the four study sites (Galim, Mbidjoro, Velambai and Soukourwo). All female Stomoxys captured underwent ovarian dissection for the determination of their physiological ages (parous or nulliparous). A total of 218 Stomoxys were caught and identified into four species (S. niger niger, S. omega, S. calcitrans, and S. xanthomelas) with an overall ADT of 2.59 flies per trap per day and Stomoxys niger niger (1.13 s.n.n. per trap per day) recorded the highest ADT. Species richness was study site dependent. Higher catches of females 113 (51.83%) were made than that of their male 105 (48.17%) counterparts. Galim recorded the highest Stomoxys apparent density (4.90) as compared to other sites with a statistically significant difference (P

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma spp. In the Central African context, faecal schistosomiasis is mainly caused by Schistosoma mansoni...

There is need for a simple, cheap and efficient collection and control tool for the different stable fly-species in hyper-infested foci. The efficacy of a modified unbaited Vavoua trap (MVT) was compared with an unbaited Nzi as a standard. Each trap model was pitched either inside or outside the cattle overnight pen with rotation taking place after four days for eight days in September 2018 in Ngaoundere. Fly collection was made every 24 hours and sorted using standard identification keys. In total, 2105 hematophagous flies were caught and constituted of 1417 S. niger (89 S.n/t/d), 124 S. calcitrans (8 S.c/t/d), 562 Musca spp. (25m/t/d) and 2 Chrysops distinctipennis (0.1 Cd/t/d). The overall mean catches with the MVT (50.96±57.16) was higher than with the Nzi (27.43±27.73), with no statistically significant difference (t=0.9, df=46.0, P=0.37). Higher mean catches were recorded outside the overnight cattle pen (47.79±55.27) than inside (39.83±55.40) with no statistically significant difference (t=0.5, df=46.0, P=0.62). Stable flies and tabanids were mostly caught outside the overnight stable, while Musca spp. were highly caught inside. Humidity and wind speed were the main drivers of the abundance of the flies caught and from the Pearson’s correlation test, there was a negative and significant correlation between the two meteorological parameters (r=-0.29, P=0.04). The MVT can serve as a simple and efficient tool for the survey and control of stable flies in the Adamawa plateau and elsewhere.

The rangelands of the Vina Division on the Adamawa Plateau are densely infested with Stomoxyinae, but little is known about their species composition and ecology. A trap-transect survey was carried out in three villages: Galim, Mbidjoro, and Velambai, using Nzi (n = 3), Vavoua (n = 3), and Biconical (n = 3) traps, all baited with octenol. Three traps of each trap type were set in each of the study villages, and collections were carried out daily. In total, 3,762 Stomoxys spp. were collected from October 2016 to June 2017 and identified using standard keys into five species: Stomoxys niger niger, S. calcitrans, S. niger bilineatus, S. omega, and S. xanthomelas. Galim recorded the highest apparent density of stomoxyines (30 stomoxyines/trap/day) with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The Vavoua trap was an ideal tool for Stomoxyinae collection. Stomoxyines abundantly occurred at the end of the dry season (March 2017) and beginning of the rainy season (May 2017). The monthly rainfall positively influenced monthly ADTs of Stomoxyinae. Their diurnal biting activity was bimodal in the rainy season and unimodal in the dry season. The daily activity peak was between 14 h and 16 h with a mean temperature of 31°C, a mean wind speed of 1.5 m/s, and a mean humidity of 50%. The daily trap catch was positively influenced by temperature and wind speed but negatively influenced by rainfall and air humidity. Weather variables influenced Stomoxys spp. monthly and daily ADTs.

Bovine trypanosomiasis is a major threat to the livestock sector of Cameroon. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomes and vectors in the SODEPA Ranch of Ndokayo. A cross sectional parasitological survey was carried out in the late dry season, where blood was collected through the jugular vein of 390 cattle. The trypanosome detection in cattle blood was carried out using the buffy coat technique (BCT). An entomological prospection was carried out in the late dry season and early rainy season using two unbaited trap types notably Nzi (n = 4) and Vavoua (n = 4). The overall bovine trypanosomiasis prevalence was 2.82% and species specific prevalence included: Trypanosoma congolense (63.6%), Trypanosoma brucei (18.2%) and mixed species infections (T. congolense + T. brucei and T. brucei + T. vivax) (18.2%). Sixteen (16) species of flies were identified and grouped under six genera: Stomoxys, Ancala, Tabanus, Chrysops, Hematopota and Glossina. The overall trap apparent density (ADT) was 3.92 flies/trap/day, with a higher ADT in early rainy season than in the late dry season. The highest species richness was noticed with the genus Tabanus, while the highest ADT was found in Stomoxyini. The Nzi trap recorded a higher mean ADT for most fly vectors than Vavoua, except for Stomoxyini that rather recorded a higher ADT with the Vavoua trap. The present findings will instruct fly control authorities of Cameroon to better manage trypanosomiasis and vectors in Ndokayo.

Public health awareness of concurrent malaria and typhoid prevalence situation in poor-resource communities such as Fondonera in the West region of Cameroon is scanty. A retroprospective study was designed to determine malaria, typhoid and their association (malaria + typhoid) prevalence’s. The SD Bioline malaria Ag Pf/Pan 05FK60 rapid diagnostic test kit was used for pre-testing and Giemsa thick and thin smear staining technique was used as a confirmatory test. The widal agglutination test was used for typhoid fever diagnosis and haemoglobin concentration determined using the haemoglobin color scale method. Concurrent malaria and typhoid infection prevalence was 3.31%. Malaria prevalence (10.92%) alone was greater than typhoid prevalence (7.28%) alone. Infection prevalence for both typhoid and malaria was high in patients with haemoglobin concentration

In order to circumscribe the breeding sites of stomoxes in the Makokou region, eight potentially favorable environments were sampled from January to June 2007 in three habitats: primary and secondary forest (natural environments) and the anthropic environment (artificial or disturbed areas). In the primary forest, three types of substrates were collected: litter, elephant dung and Cephalophus droppings. In the secondary forest, two types of substrates: litter and monkey droppings. In villages or cities, three substrates constituting of: decaying plant material, organic waste from garbage in villages and cow dung were also collected. These materials were placed in emergence cages while awaiting the emergence of adult arthropods. In total, 14517 arthropods emerged, including 11726 stomoxes and 2791 other arthropod specimens. Seven Stomoxys spp were observed and included: S. transvittatus with 8221 (70%) emerged individuals, S. niger niger with 1679 (14%) observed individuals. However, S. omega (8%); S. inornatus (4%); S. calcitrans (2%); S. niger bilineatus (1.9%); and finally S. xanthomelas (0.1%) emerged in minor proportions. The results obtained in this study indicate that stomoxes can lay their eggs on several types of substrates hence colonizing many areas