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The primary objective of this study was to identify associations between the prepartum teat apex microbiome and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infections (IMI) in primiparous cows during the first 5 weeks after calving. We performed a case-control study using shotgun metagenomics of the teat apex and culture-based milk data collected longitudinally from 710 primiparous cows on five organic dairy farms. Cases had higher odds of having S. aureus metagenomic DNA on the teat apex prior to parturition compared to controls (OR = 38.9, 95% CI: 14.84-102.21). Differential abundance analysis confirmed this association, with cases having a 23.8 higher log fold change (LFC) in the abundance of S. aureus in their samples compared to controls. Of the most prevalent microorganisms in controls, those associated with a lower risk of post-calving S. aureus IMI included Microbacterium phage Min 1 (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.25-0.53), Corynebacterium efficiens (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.30-0.94), Kocuria polaris (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.35-0.82), Micrococcus terreus (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.44-0.93), and Dietzia alimentaria (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.26-0.75). Genes encoding for Microcin B17 AMPs were the most prevalent on the teat apex of cases and controls (99.7% in both groups). The predicted abundance of genes encoding for Microcin B17 was also higher in cases compared to controls (LFC 0.26). IMPORTANCE Intramammary infections (IMI) caused by Staphylococcus aureus remain an important problem for the dairy industry. The microbiome on the external skin of the teat apex may play a role in mitigating S. aureus IMI risk, in particular the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) by commensal microbes. However, current studies of the teat apex microbiome utilize a 16S approach, which precludes the detection of genomic features such as genes that encode for AMPs. Therefore, further research using a shotgun metagenomic approach is needed to understand what role prepartum teat apex microbiome dynamics play in IMI risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the pre-purchase examination for horses was significantly influenced by the development of the military veterinary system. The success and fame of the Roman Empire depended largely on a well-equipped and functioning military for which horses were essential. Excellently trained military veterinarians were therefore also needed. The fall of the Roman Empire had an extremely negative impact on the military veterinary system. In modern times, the high number of wars in which horses were used and devastating animal epidemics in Europe led to the need to create veterinary training centers. From then on, the course was set for the development of a veterinary profession through well-founded and structured training. Commissions for the purchase of horses for the purpose of remounting were set up in all countries, whereby the supply of replacement horses for the army formed the military system. Following the introduction of mounted "police units" to protect against and combat crime, commissions for the purchase of police horses were set up along the lines of the horse purchase commissions for military service. The development of diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and methods, especially in the 19th century, was of considerable importance for the progress of veterinary examination measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to protect endangered prey, ecologists suggest introducing parasites into predators which have achieved the expected goal in practice. Then how to explain the inherent mechanism and validate the effectiveness of this approach theoretically? In response to this question, we propose an eco-epidemiological system with the standard incidence rate and the anti-predator behavior in this paper, where the predator population is infected by parasites. We show the existence and local stability of equilibria for the system, and verify the occurrence of Hopf bifurcation. Theoretical and numerical results suggest that the fear effect reduces the density of the predator population but has no effect on the density of prey population. In addition, the cost of fear may not only break the stability of the equilibrium of the system, but also induce the equilibrium to change from unstable to stable. Based on the theoretical analysis, we confirm that introducing parasites into the predator population is an effective method to protect endangered prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid intensification of poultry production raises important concerns about the associated risks of zoonotic infections. Here, we introduce EPINEST (EPIdemic NEtwork Simulation in poultry Transportation systems): an agent-based modelling framework designed to simulate pathogen transmission within realistic poultry production and distribution networks. We provide example applications to broiler production in Bangladesh, but the modular structure of the model allows for easy parameterization to suit specific countries and system configurations. Moreover, the framework enables the replication of a wide range of eco-epidemiological scenarios by incorporating diverse pathogen life-history traits, modes of transmission and interactions between multiple strains and/or pathogens. EPINEST was developed in the context of an interdisciplinary multi-centre study conducted in Bangladesh, India, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, and will facilitate the investigation of the spreading patterns of various health hazards such as avian influenza, Campylobacter, Salmonella and antimicrobial resistance in these countries. Furthermore, this modelling framework holds potential for broader application in veterinary epidemiology and One Health research, extending its relevance beyond poultry to encompass other livestock species and disease systems. Author summary: Poultry meat is important for improving nutrition in developing countries. However, the rapid growth of poultry production raises concerns about the risks of diseases that can be passed from animals to humans and cause outbreaks. To understand and manage these risks, we developed EPINEST, an agent-based modelling framework that allows investigating how diseases can spread within the networks of poultry farms, markets and their associated transportation systems. EPINEST can be adjusted to match the way in which poultry are raised and traded in specific countries. It considers different traits of pathogens, how they are transmitted, and how different strains or pathogen types can interact. While EPINEST was primarily developed to simulate the transmission of zoonotic pathogens (namely avian influenza, Campylobacter, Salmonella and other bacteria carrying resistance genes) in poultry populations in South and Southeast Asia, this modelling framework can also be useful for studying the transmission of other pathogens in other livestock species. EPINEST will help understand how poultry farming and trading shape pathogen spread, maintenance and evolution, and support decision-making to make poultry production safer and more sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human brucellosis continues to be a great threat to human health in China. The present study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of human brucellosis in China from 2004 to 2019, to analyze the socioeconomic factors, meteorological factors and seasonal effect affecting human brucellosis incidence in different geographical regions with the help of spatial panel model, and to provide a scientific basis for local health authorities to improve the prevention of human brucellosis. Methods: The monthly reported number and incidence of human brucellosis in China from January 2004 to December 2019 were obtained from the Data Center for China Public Health Science. Monthly average air temperature and monthly average relative humidity of 31 provincial-level administrative units (22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 4 municipalities directly under the central government) in China from October 2003 to December 2019 were obtained from the National Meteorological Science Data Centre. The inventory of cattle, the inventory of sheep, beef yield, mutton yield, wool yield, milk yield and gross pastoral product of 31 provincial-level administrative units in China from 2004 to 2019 were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics of China. The temporal and geographical distribution of human brucellosis was displayed with Microsoft Excel and ArcMap software. The spatial autocorrelation and hotspot analysis was used to describe the association among different areas. Spatial panel model was constructed to explore the combined effects on the incidence of human brucellosis in China. Results: A total of 569,016 cases of human brucellosis were reported in the 31 provincial-level administrative units in China from January 2004 to December 2019. Human brucellosis cases were concentrated between March and July, with a peak in May, showing a clear seasonal increase. The incidence of human brucellosis in China from 2004 to 2019 showed significant spatial correlations, and hotspot analysis indicated that the high incidence of human brucellosis was mainly in the northern China, particularly in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and Heilongjiang. The results from spatial panel model suggested that the inventory of cattle, the inventory of sheep, beef yield, mutton yield, wool yield, milk yield, gross pastoral product, average air temperature (the same month, 2-month lagged and 3-month lagged), average relative humidity (the same month) and season variability were significantly associated with human brucellosis incidence in China. Conclusions: The epidemic area of human brucellosis in China has been expanding and the spatial clustering has been observed. Inner Mongolia and adjacent provinces or autonomous regions are the high-risk areas of human brucellosis. The inventory of cattle and sheep, beef yield, mutton yield, wool yield, milk yield, gross pastoral product, average air temperature, average relative humidity and season variability played a significant role in the progression of human brucellosis. The present study strengthens the understanding of the relationship between socioeconomic, meteorological factors and the spatial heterogeneity of human brucellosis in China, through which 'One Health'-based strategies and countermeasures can be provided for the government to tackle the brucellosis menace. Author summary: Human brucellosis continues to be a great threat to human health in China. It was reported that human brucellosis incidence in China was 4.95/100,000 in 2021, surging from 16th place in 2000 to 5th place in 2021. The present study was designed to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of human brucellosis in China from 2004 to 2019, to analyze the socioeconomic factors, meteorological factors, and seasonal effect affecting human brucellosis incidence in different geographical regions. The clear seasonal increase of reported human brucellosis cases between March and July, the spatial clustering situation and the spread of epidemic area from northern to the southern coast and southwestern regions were identified. The inventory of cattle and sheep, beef yield, mutton yield, wool yield, milk yield, gross pastoral product, average air temperature (the same month, 2-month lagged and 3-month lagged), average relative humidity (the same month) and season variability played a significant role in the progression of human brucellosis. Spatial panel model was found to have good applicability and interpretability. As each factor plays a different role in different geographical regions, a comprehensive surveillance system for human brucellosis should be established in conjunction with the relevant risk factors to provide early warning of human and animal epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the promotion of "One Health," the health of animals and their impact on the environment have become major concerns recently. Widely distributed in China, the whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) and black swans (Cygnus atratus) are not only important to the ecological environment, but they may also potentially influence public health security. The metagenomic approach was adopted to uncover the impacts of the gut microbiota of swans on host and public health. Results: In this study, the intestinal microbiome and resistome of migratory whooper swans and captive-bred black swans were identified. The results revealed similar gut microbes and functional compositions in whooper and black swans. Interestingly, different bacteria and probiotics were enriched by overwintering whooper swans. We also found that Acinetobacter and Escherichia were significantly enriched in early wintering period swans and that clinically important pathogens were more abundant in black swans. Whooper swans and black swans are potential reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and novel ARGs, and the abundance of novel ARGs in whooper swans was significantly higher than that in black swans. Metagenomic assembly–based host tracking revealed that most ARG-carrying contigs originated from Proteobacteria (mainly Gammaproteobacteria). Conclusions: The results revealed spatiotemporal changes in microbiome and resistome in swans, providing a reference for safeguarding public health security and preventing animal epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several countries are currently evaluating the potential health impacts of climate change (CC), particularly in relation to the complex connections between CC-induced weather fluctuations. China, heavily affected by CC, provides clear evidence of its effects. Previous research in animal sciences indicates that factors like temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed can affect animal epidemics. In China, a major global hub for animal husbandry, these factors pose significant challenges, warranting further investigation into their quantitative relationship with disease outbreaks. This study investigates the influence of these climatic conditions on epizootic diseases in China. In the current study, using data from 278 village-level surveys and daily meteorological data spanning 2012 to 2018, we used a fixed-effect model for analysis. The findings reveal that increasing temperatures and wind speeds exacerbate disease development, while the precipitation anomaly index negatively impacts animal epidemics, with humidity showing minimal influence. Addressing CC's potential impact on animal disease, governments, organizations, and farmers need to pay more attention to the impacts of climate change on animal diseases and work together to better cope with the impacts through policies, measures, and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: African swine fever (ASF) has a significant impact on the pig industry, leading to drastic fluctuations in the supply and price of live pigs on the market, leading to substantial economic losses for farmers. As China enters the 'post-ASF' era of regular epidemic prevention and control, the behavior of farmers becomes crucial for effectively preventing and controlling major animal epidemics. To analyze the current situation and factors influencing farmers' epidemic prevention and control behaviors, survey data were empirically analyzed. The findings indicate that the overall level of biosecurity in pig farms is low. Additionally, factors such as technical training, farm size, income share, production organization, and government inspection significantly influence farmers' adoption of biosecurity measures. Effective biosecurity measures are crucial in controlling and preventing major pig diseases, ultimately ensuring farm income and social stability. This study extracted data from 205 farmer surveys in Sichuan Province, China, to construct a biosecurity index system for pig farms. The biosecurity levels of pig farms were evaluated using a projection pursuit method to identify weak areas. The Tobit model was then utilized to determine the factors that influenced the biosecurity levels. The results indicated that the overall biosecurity levels of the pig farms were low. The study found that the average biosecurity score among farms was 0.61, with a minimum score of 0.37 and a maximum score of 0.89 (on a scale of 0 to 1). These results suggest that there are significant differences in biosecurity levels among the farms. The study also found that the scores for first-level indicators related to breeding environment management, as well as second-level indicators related to personnel management and awareness of African swine fever prevention and control, were significantly lower than scores for other indicators in the farmers' biosecurity systems. This study investigated the factors influencing biosecurity on farms and found that technical training, farm size, income share, production organization, and government inspections had a significant impact on the level of biosecurity implemented. This study emphasizes the significance of biosecurity in enhancing pig farm biosecurity and its role in improving farm resilience to major animal diseases like African swine fever. It also provides valuable insights for policymakers to make informed decisions regarding related policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The occurrence of African swine fever has restricted the sustainable and healthy development of the hog industry and its ability to enhance the supply of pork, thus negatively impacting China's economic and social development. During 2018–2021, the resilience of China's hog industry improved due to the adjustments to the prevention and control mechanisms in African swine fever policy and the subsequent recovery of hog breeding and pork production. There are differences among the key factors influencing the resilience of the hog industry across different provinces and periods. These factors include the slaughter rate, carcass weight, mortality rate, culling rate, economic level, industrial structure, per capita consumption, scale level, resource carrying, etc. The aim of this study is to provide guidance for better prevention and mitigation of epidemic risks, thus promoting the high-quality development of the hog industry and meeting the nutritional needs of residents. African swine fever has damaged the foundation of China's hog industry, caused a serious decline in hog production, highlighted the contradiction between supply and demand in the pork market, and led to major economic and social impacts. The industrial resilience of 31 Chinese provinces to African swine fever shock and its spatial and temporal differentiation characteristics from 2018 to 2021 were measured in this study from the two dimensions of resistance and recoverability. Using Geodetector, the key factors influencing the resilience of China's hog industry were explored. The results showed that 2018–2019 and 2020–2021 represented the resistance and recovery periods of the hog industry under African swine fever shock, respectively, with poor resilience characterizing the resistance period and improved resilience characterizing the recovery period. At the early stages of the African swine fever outbreak, the hog industries in Tianjin, Shanxi, Guangxi, and Yunnan had robust resistance due to the slaughter rate, economic level, mortality rate, carcass weight, and culling rate in those areas. At the most severe stage of the outbreak, resistance was generally poor in all provinces due to the slaughter rate, per capita consumption, and scale level at the time. During the period of rapid recovery in hog production, the recoverability of each province was very strong due to the industrial structure, culling rate, economic level, and resource carrying capacity at that time. During the reasonable adjustment period of hog production capacity, the recoverability based on the breeding sow inventory in 13 provinces, including Henan, Shandong, and other large hog-breeding provinces, was negative due to the scale level, slaughter rate, per capita consumption, and resource carrying at that time. Taking measures to enhance the resilience of the hog industry, strengthen the prevention and control of hog epidemics, improve the monitoring and early warning mechanisms, and enhance the ability of the hog industry to cope with major animal epidemics is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an important pathogen that causes diseases in the gastro-intestinal, respiratory, and reproductive systems. It also leads to a decrease in reproductive performance and consequently continuous economic losses in cattle management. The presence of BVD virus in bull testes was investigated in this study using indirect immunofluorescence (IF), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Reverse Transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. The tissue distribution of BVDV was examined pathologically and virologically in 100 bull testis tissue samples. For this purpose, IF, IHC, and RT-PCR methods were employed. Positive IF staining was detected in 21 (21%) testis samples using the indirect IF method. In IHC staining, 16 (16%) samples were found to be positive. In RT-PCR, 13 (13%) samples tested positive. The results of the presented study demonstrate that BVDV can infect different cell types in bull testes and that the virus can primarily be transmitted through natural or artificial insemination. Therefore, bulls are an important epidemiological factor in the transmission of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If we are, to paraphrase Lachenal ([10]:671), to "emancipate" our understanding of disease reservoirs from a set of "narrative tropes cemented by centuries of intertextuality", we need to begin by reflecting on the spatial imaginaries sedimented in the intersection between epidemiological reasoning and pandemic imaginaries about disease maintenance. To take the example of plague during the third plague pandemic (1894-1959), configuring the disease's reservoirs was a thoroughly spatial process of epidemiological reasoning, which involved the "becoming-reservoir" of different spaces across different epidemic contexts. This is surprising as disease reservoirs have played an important role in the ways in which diseases have been invested with a catastrophic potential since at least the 1890s, and as they have been more recently systematically mediatized through pandemic apocalypse films (Lynteris [11]). Disease reservoirs, as the contributions to this multidisciplinary special issue show, form heterogeneous epistemic objects related to disease maintenance, which have attracted an array of epidemiological concerns, biopolitical interventions, and metaphorical investments over the past 150 years. [Extracted from the article]

Haemoparasitic infections persist as one of the major challenges in companion animal health. Despite the increased incidence, studies on tick-borne apicomplexan haemoparasites infecting domestic cats are comparatively fewer. These vector-borne diseases are emerging problems in cats across the globe. Feline haemoparasites include Hepatozoon spp. such as H. felis, H. canis and H. silvestris, Piroplasm-causing organisms such as Cytauxzoon felis, Babesia felis, B. cati, B. herpailuri and B. pantherae and haemoflagellates such as Trypanosoma evansi. Ticks have the major role in the transmission of hepatozoonosis, cytauxzoonosis and babesiosis. Haematophagous insects including Tabanus, Stomoxys and Lyperosia act as vectors for trypanosomosis. Routine diagnosis of infection is based on microscopic identification of parasites in blood smears or tissues. Application of molecular diagnostic techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid diagnosis and epidemiological studies will enhance the potential of veterinary services. Knowledge on occurrence and clinical manifestations of haemoparasitic infections will aid in improving the health of cats and facilitate the development of an efficient disease control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data-driven research is a very important component of One Health. As the core part of the global One Health index (GOHI), the global One Health Intrinsic Drivers index (IDI) is a framework for evaluating the baseline conditions of human-animal-environment health. This study aims to assess the global performance in terms of GOH-IDI, compare it across different World Bank regions, and analyze the relationships between GOH-IDI and national economic levels. Methods: The raw data among 146 countries were collected from authoritative databases and official reports in November 2021. Descriptive statistical analysis, data visualization and manipulation, Shapiro normality test and ridge maps were used to evaluate and identify the spatial and classificatory distribution of GOH-IDI. This paper uses the World Bank regional classification and the World Bank income groups to analyse the relationship between GOH-IDI and regional economic levels, and completes the case studies of representative countries. Results: The performance of One Health Intrinsic Driver in 146 countries was evaluated. The mean (standard deviation, SD) score of GOH-IDI is 54.05 (4.95). The values (mean SD) of different regions are North America (60.44, 2.36), Europe and Central Asia (57.73, 3.29), Middle East and North Africa (57.02, 2.56), East Asia and Pacific (53.87, 5.22), Latin America and the Caribbean (53.75, 2.20), South Asia (52.45, 2.61) and sub-Saharan Africa (48.27, 2.48). Gross national income per capita was moderately correlated with GOH-IDI (R2 = 0.651, Deviance explained = 66.6%, P < 0.005). Low income countries have the best performance in some secondary indicators, including Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health and Health risks. Five indicators are not statistically different at each economic level, including Animal Epidemic Disease, Animal Biodiversity, Air Quality and Climate Change, Land Resources and Environmental Biodiversity. Conclusions: The GOH-IDI is a crucial tool to evaluate the situation of One Health. There are inter-regional differences in GOH-IDI significantly at the worldwide level. The best performing region for GOH-IDI was North America and the worst was sub-Saharan Africa. There is a positive correlation between the GOH-IDI and country economic status, with high-income countries performing well in most indicators. GOH-IDI facilitates researchers' understanding of the multidimensional situation in each country and invests more attention in scientific questions that need to be addressed urgently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Toxocara vitulorum is a common parasitic nematode of cattle and buffalos, and represents a severe health threat and economic burden on both populations. Poor understanding the epidemiology, population genetics, and molecular ecology of this nematode negative affects the prevention and control of T. vitulorum, and the mitogenome can yield a foundation for studying these areas. Herein, the first whole mitogenome of T. vitulorum was sequenced and characterized with bioinformatic pipeline analyses. Comparative mitogenomics and phylogenies defined a novel sister-species relationship of T. vitulorum with the congeneric species in the Toxocaridae, and supported nad4 and nad6 genes as new genetic markers for phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of the Ascaridida species. These results should contribute to a better understanding of phylogenetic relationships of Toxocaridae species, and also provide the resource of markers for population genetics, systematics, and epidemiology of this bovine nematode. Toxocara vitulorum (Ascaridida: Nematoda) is one of the most common intestinal nematodes of cattle and buffalos and, therefore, represents a serious threat to their populations worldwide. Despite its significance in veterinary health the epidemiology, population genetics, and molecular ecology of this nematode remain poorly understood. The mitogenome can yield a foundation for studying these areas and assist in the surveillance and control of T. vitulorum. Herein, the first whole mitogenome of T. vitulorum was sequenced utilizing Illumina technology and characterized with bioinformatic pipeline analyses. The entire genome of T. vitulorum was 15,045 bp in length and contained 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). The gene arrangement (GA) of T. vitulorum was similar to those of other Toxocara species under GA3. The whole genome showed significant levels of AT and GC skew. Comparative mitogenomics including sequence identities, Ka/Ks, and sliding window analysis, indicated a purifying selection of 12 PCGs with cox1 and nad6 having the lowest and highest evolutionary rate, respectively. Whole amino acid sequence-based phylogenetic analysis supported a novel sister-species relationship of T. vitulorum with the congeneric species Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, and Toxocara malaysiensis in the family Toxocaridae. Further, 12 (PCGs) single gene-based phylogenies suggested that nad4 and nad6 genes shared same topological trees with that of the whole genome, suggesting that these genes were suitable as novel genetic markers for phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of Ascaridida species. This complete mitogenome of T. vitulorum refined phylogenetic relationships in Toxocaridae and provided the resource of markers for population genetics, systematics, and epidemiology of this bovine nematode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics were unequivocally regarded as the pinnacle of the twentieth century’s ‘wonder drugs,’ capable of transforming mortally dreadful bacterial infections into treatable conditions. The dawn of the antibiotic era not only heralded a period of relief for people who had been tormented by infections, but also enabled nations to prosper and reshaped the view of health as a moral obligation. However, the superiority of antibiotics over the potential infectious agents were rather brief. Antibiotic resistance has emerged as an international public health crisis of the twenty first century. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) arises when antimicrobials exert selection pressure on microorganisms, causing them to mutate or adapt in ways that allow them to withstand antimicrobials. It is a natural phenomenon that is exacerbated by the imprudent use of antimicrobials in humans, animals and agriculture, as well as by global connection through travel and trade. ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: WILL THERE BE A SOLUTION? Vijayakumar K.*1 and Krupa Rose Jose2 1Dean, 2Ph.D scholar 2Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University *Corresponding author: vijayakumar@kvasu.ac.in It is estimated that about 700,000 people die each year as a result of AMR. Without action, the death toll may grow to as many as ten million fatalities per year by 2050, resulting in a 3.8 percent drop in annual gross domestic product (GDP), according to a 2017 World Bank estimate. In an era of widespread resistance and a relatively dry pipeline for new antibiotic development, the therapeutic toolkit for most infections has reached its limit. Hence, in the present scenario of increasing antimicrobial resistance, novel strategies against multidrug resistant and persistent microorganisms, as well as methods to retain the efficacy of existing antimicrobials, their mechanism of action and challenges and prospects for their widespread translation into clinical practice are being discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: With the worldwide spread of COVID-19, and given the zoonotic nature of this virus, it is necessary to monitor companion animals in epidemic areas. Dogs and cats visiting local animal hospitals and animal shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic were randomly selected for inclusion in this survey. Although testing is recommended only for animals from a COVID-19-confirmed family showing clinical symptoms, this investigation was carried out in view of the highly contagious nature of the virus. Of the 1018 pets tested, we found 2 cats with the SARS-CoV-2 antigen, 16 dogs (2.38%) and 18 cats (5.20%) carrying antibodies, and 14 dogs (2.08%) and 17 cats (4.91%) carrying virus-neutralizing antibodies. Even in animal shelters, which were thought to be relatively safe from the virus, with contact with confirmed human cases being blocked due to strict self-quarantine measures, antigens and antibody positivity were detected. Since antigens or antibodies were detected in the investigated animals regardless of whether the companion family was infected, their presence may cause continuous viral circulation between humans and animals, and the disease that started with zoonosis may cause reverse zoonosis. Considering the high transmissibility of COVID-19, continuous monitoring in animals is required. The COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the zoonotic SARS-CoV-2. A variety of animals involved in human life worldwide have been investigated for infection. As the degree of infection increased, extensive monitoring in animals became necessary to determine the degree of infection in animals. The study was conducted on a sample of dogs and cats, which were randomly sampled according to the number of confirmed cases in the region. Animals from both COVID-19-confirmed households and generally disease-negative families and animal shelters were included. Tests included real-time qPCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 antigens, ELISA for antibodies, and plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT) for neutralizing antibodies. As a result, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in 2 cats out of 1018 pets (672 dogs and 346 cats). A total of 16 dogs (2.38%) and 18 cats (5.20%) tested positive using ELISA, and 14 dogs (2.08%) and 17 cats (4.91%) tested positive using PRNT. Antigens of- and/or antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in the animals regardless of whether the companion family was infected; this was the case even in animal shelters, which have been regarded as relatively safe from transmission. In conclusion, continuous viral circulation between humans and animals is inevitable; therefore, continuous monitoring in animals is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine deltacoronavirus is a newly emergent enteric pathogen affecting swine farms worldwide. It has been detected in several countries in Europe, Asia and North America; yet, it has not been reported in South America. In November 2019, an enteric disease outbreak in a pig farm located in San Martin, Peru, was reported along with submission of three intestinal samples from pigs who succumbed to the disease. Samples were processed for molecular detection by qRT‐PCR, viral isolation and further sequencing analysis. A taqman‐based RT‐PCR was performed to differentiate among the most relevant swine enteric coronaviruses described to date. All samples were positive to porcine deltacoronavirus with a cycle threshold (Ct) value between 9 and 14, revealing a high viral load, while testing negative to porcine epidemic diarrhea and transmissible gastroenteritis viruses. Following detection, viral isolation was performed using PK‐15 and Vero cell lines. After 5 days of inoculation, no cytopathic effect was observed. A second blind passage allowed the observation of cytopathic effect on PK‐15 cells, while it remained absent in Vero cells. A fluorescence test using an anti‐N monoclonal antibody confirmed viral replication. One sample was processed for whole genome sequencing (WGS). In short, raw reads were imported into CLC genomics and assembled de novo. Out of 479k reads generated from the sample, 436k assembled into a 25,501 bp contig which was 99.5% identical to a reference porcine deltacoronavirus strain from the USA within the North American phylogroup. Yet, there are relevant differences at the nucleotide and amino acid levels compared with previously described porcine deltacoronavirus strains. Altogether, our findings represent the first report of porcine deltacoronavirus in South America, which provides information of its evolutionary origin. Thus, this study offers new insights into the molecular epidemiology of porcine deltacoronavirus infections in the swine industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation models are useful tools to predict and elucidate the effects of factors influencing the occurrence and spread of epidemics in animal populations, evaluate the effectiveness of different control strategies and ultimately inform decision‐makers about mitigations to reduce risk. There is a paucity of simulation models to study waterborne transmission of viral and bacterial pathogens in marine environments. We developed a stochastic, spatiotemporal hybrid simulation model (DTU‐DADS‐Aqua) that incorporates a compartmental model for infection spread within net‐pens, an agent‐based model for infection spread between net‐pens within and between sites and uses seaway distance to inform farm‐site hydroconnectivity. The model includes processes to simulate infection transmission and control over surveillance, detection and depopulation measures. Different what‐if scenarios can be explored according to the input data provided and user‐defined parameter values, such as daily surveillance and depopulation capacities or increased animal mortality that triggers diagnostic testing to detect infection. The latter can be easily defined in a software application, in which results are summarized after each simulation. To demonstrate capabilities of the model, we simulated the spread of infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAv) for realistic scenarios in a transboundary population of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in New Brunswick, Canada and Maine, United States. We assessed the progression of infection in the different simulated outbreak scenarios, allowing for variation in the control strategies adopted for ISAv. Model results showed that improved disease detection, coupled with increasing surveillance visits to farm‐sites and increased culling capacity for depopulation of infected net‐pens reduced the number of infected net‐pens and outbreak duration but the number of ISA‐infected farm sites was minimally affected. DTU‐DADS‐Aqua is a flexible modelling framework, which can be applied to study different infectious diseases in the aquatic environment, allowing the incorporation of alternative transmission and control dynamics. The framework is open‐source and available at https://github.com/upei‐aqua/DTU‐DADS‐Aqua. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has recently developed a Wildlife Health Framework to respond to the need of members to manage the risk from emerging diseases at the animal–human–ecosystem interface. One of its objectives is to improve surveillance systems, early detection and notification of wildlife diseases. Members share information on disease occurrence by reporting through the OIE World Animal Health Information System (OIE‐WAHIS—formerly known as 'WAHIS'). To evaluate the capacity of a surveillance system to detect disease events, it is important to quantify the gap between all known events and those officially notified to the OIE. This study used capture–recapture analysis to estimate the sensitivity of the OIE‐WAHIS system for a OIE‐listed wildlife disease by comparing information from publicly available sources to identify undetected events. This article presents a case study of the occurrence of tularemia in lagomorphs among selected North American and European countries during the period 2014–2019. First, an analysis using three data sources (OIE‐WAHIS, ProMED, WHO‐EIOS [Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources]) was conducted. Subsequent analysis then explored the model integrating information from a fourth source (scientific literature collected in PubMed). Two models were built to evaluate both the sensitivity of the OIE‐WAHIS using media reports (ProMED and WHO‐EIOS), which is likely to represent current closer to real‐time events, and published scientific data, which is more useful for retrospective analysis. Using the three‐source approach, the predicted number of tularemia events was 93 (95% CI: 75–114), with an OIE‐WAHIS sensitivity of 90%. In the four‐source approach, the number of predicted events increased to 120 (95% CI: 99–143), dropping the sensitivity of the OIE‐WAHIS to 70%. The results indicate a good sensitivity of the OIE‐WAHIS system using the three‐source approach, but lower sensitivity when including information from the scientific literature. Further analysis should be undertaken to identify diseases and regions for which international reporting presents a low sensitivity. This will enable evaluation and prioritization of underreported OIE‐listed wildlife diseases and identify areas of focus as part of the Wildlife Health Framework. This study also highlights the need for stronger collaborations between academia and National Veterinary Services to enhance surveillance systems for notifiable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease with multiple serogroups that infects wildlife and humans alike. Several studies have detected the presence of leptospiral antibodies in captive Neotropical primates, suggesting that they are asymptomatic carriers. However, the presence of antibodies in free-ranging primates and their potential role as reservoirs for this pathogen is not known. In this study, we used the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) to screen two species of free-ranging tamarins for the presence of Leptospira antibodies using a panel of 21 serogroups. A total of 56 primates (26 Leontocebus weddelli and 30 Saguinus imperator) were screened at the Estación Biológica Río Los Amigos in Madre de Dios, Peru. MAT results with titres of =100 in single samples were considered seropositive. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated for age group, sex and host species identity. Overall, 51.8% (29/56) of animals were reactive for at least one Leptospira serogroup. Serogroups were distributed as follows: Iquitos (41.1%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (14.3%), Sejroe (3.6%), Autumnalis (1.8%) and Bataviae (1.8%). No significant differences (p > .05) were found for seropositivity frequencies among categories within assessed variables. These results suggest that free-ranging L. weddelli and S. imperator might serve as reservoirs for pathogenic Leptospira serogroups. Given increasing human-wildlife contact, future studies that test for active infection are required to determine potential transmission risks to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonhuman animals are often abandoned and killed during non-epidemic and epidemic emergencies. However, the study of public attitudes toward animals during an epidemic outbreak and their antecedents and consequences is rare. The present study aimed to determine the individual and psychological variables associated with attitudes toward animals during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. Two groups of 990 adults completed an online survey: one group from the epicenter of the epidemic (Hubei Province); the other from other provinces in China. Attitudes toward animals were assessed by four scales: general attitudes toward animal protection, belief in animal mind, human–animal continuity, and psychological closeness between animals and self-concept. Results demonstrated that after the effects of demographics were controlled for, contact with companion animals positively predicted all aspects of the attitudes toward animals in both groups. The above associations tended to be weaker in the epicenter than the non-epicenter group, suggesting the potential modulating role of the localized severity of the epidemic. In addition, perceived continuity between humans and animals negatively predicted the prejudicial attribution to animals of causing the outbreak. The findings provide evidence for the importance of positive interactions with companion animals and people's attitudes toward animals to prevent mistreatment of other species when emergencies occur. The findings also expand the limited empirical research on human–animal relations in non-Western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent breakthroughs in gene-editing technologies that can render individual animals fully resistant to infections may offer unprecedented opportunities for controlling future epidemics in farm animals. Yet, their potential for reducing disease spread is poorly understood as the necessary theoretical framework for estimating epidemiological effects arising from gene-editing applications is currently lacking. Here, we develop semistochastic modeling approaches to investigate how the adoption of gene editing may affect infectious disease prevalence in farmed animal populations and the prospects and time scale for disease elimination. We apply our models to the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), one of the most persistent global livestock diseases to date. Whereas extensive control efforts have shown limited success, recent production of gene-edited pigs that are fully resistant to the PRRS virus have raised expectations for eliminating this deadly disease. Our models predict that disease elimination on a national scale would be difficult to achieve if gene editing was used as the only disease control. However, from a purely epidemiological perspective, disease elimination may be achievable within 3 to 6 y, if gene editing were complemented with widespread and sufficiently effective vaccination. Besides strategic distribution of genetically resistant animals, several other key determinants underpinning the epidemiological impact of gene editing were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to explain animal population cycles often invoke consumer-resource theory, which has shown that consumer-resource interactions alone can drive population cycles. Eco-evo theory instead argues that population cycles are partly driven by fluctuating selection for resistance in the resource, but support for eco-evo theory has come almost entirely from laboratory microcosms. Here we ask, Can eco-evo theory explain population cycles in the field? We compared the ability of eco-evo models and classical "eco-only" models to explain data on cycles in the insect Lymantria dispar , in which outbreaks of the insect are terminated by a fatal baculovirus. We carried out a statistical comparison of the ability of eco-only and eco-evo models to explain combined data from L. dispar outbreak cycles and baculovirus epizootics (epidemics in animals). Both models require high host variation in resistance to explain the epizootic data, but high host variation in the eco-evo model leads to consistently accurate predictions of outbreak cycles, whereas in the presence of high host variation the eco-only model can explain outbreak cycles only by invoking high levels of stochasticity, which leads to highly variable and often inaccurate predictions of outbreak cycles. Our work provides statistically robust evidence that eco-evo models can explain population cycles in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found that Shar Pei dogs in the UK commonly suffer from in-turned eyelids and ear disorders due to their loose, thickened, and folded skin. This study emphasizes the need for urgent action to discourage the demand for dogs with extreme body shapes that threaten their welfare. The research also suggests breeding Shar Pei dogs with thinner, flattened skin to reduce future welfare issues. The study was conducted by the RVC's VetCompass Programme and analyzed the health of 1,913 Shar Pei dogs in the UK. [Extracted from the article]

Antecedentes: los parásitos de la familia Paramphistomidae (Trematoda: Plagiorchiida) corresponden a gusanos ruminales de rumiantes de los cuales se ha indicado la presencia en Colombia de Paramphistomum cervi y de Cotylophoron cotylophorum‚ de los cuales no existe mayor información sobre su distribución y ciclos biológicos‚ particularmente hábitats y caracoles huéspedes intermediarios. El hallazgo de este tipo de gusanos en examen post mortem en bovinos de Caquetá es frecuente y sus huevos no difieren. Objetivo: comparar sensibilidad (Se)‚ especificidad (Es) y fiabilidad diagnóstica de dos pruebas coprológicas para el diagnóstico coprológico de Paramphistomosis en bovinos del Caquetá. Métodos: el trabajo se desarrolló en el frigorífico de COFEMA S.A. ubicado en Florencia‚ Caquetá. Se examinaron 400 animales que llegaron a sacrificio (50 por semana)‚ los que se evaluaron para la presencia del trematodo en el rumen y se usaron dos técnicas para la detección de huevos en las heces; la sedimentación (Método de Dennis) y la filtración diferencial‚ usando filtros de tamaño (Mesh size) 120‚ 200 y 270. Se evaluó la precisión de cada prueba usando los programas TAGS y WinEpi. Resultados: se detectaron parásitos en el rumen de 31/400 (7‚8 %) animales examinados. En el examen coprológico la prueba de Sedimentación detectó 93 animales positivos (23‚3 %) y la filtración 110/400 (27‚5 %). Considerando como prueba estándar de oro la presencia de trematodos en el rumen‚ la prueba de Dennis arrojó Se = 38‚7 %; Es = 78‚1 % y Fiabilidad = 75 %; la filtración diferencial indicó: Se = 61‚3‚0 %; Se = 75‚3 % y Fiabilidad = 74‚3 %. Valores predictivos negativos fueron superiores en ambas pruebas. La concordancia entre ambas pruebas fue de 75‚8 % (Kappa = 0‚361). Conclusiones: la infección por trematodos del rumen es frecuente en bovinos que llegan a sacrificio en el departamento del Caquetá‚ con una frecuencia en animales de matadero del 31 %. La técnica de elección para el diagnóstico coprológico es la filtración diferencial. Se requiere de estudios epidemiológicos para mejorar el conocimiento sobre esta parasitosis en el departamento. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italian and international outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly in densely populated poultry areas (DPPAs), have increased over the past few decades. These emerging risks, which endanger both human and animal health and the entire poultry industry, can be effectively limited by biosecurity measures implemented at human-animal food chain interfaces. Some problems, however, persist in the application of these measures on the part of poultry farmers, prompting the need to explore those aspects and causes that limit their implementation. A qualitative approach was selected for the study and a semi-structured interview technique was applied to collect data among turkey farmers (n = 29) working in the north-east of Italy. The aim of this technique was to gather data on farms in order to understand the biosecurity practices adopted and the reasons for and impediments to farmer implementation, or lack thereof. This article presents and discusses the main data collected. The study revealed that farmers were familiar with the biosecurity measures necessary to contain avian influenza (AI) and other poultry diseases; personal disinfection and animal isolation practices were particularly prominent. Based on the reported procedures, managerial, economic, and psychosocial factors were among the barriers behind the failure to implement biosecurity measures. These obstacles were variously intertwined and associated with the different action settings. In particular management factors, such as lack of time to apply the rules and difficulties contingent on the farm's structural characteristics, mediate the application of biosecurity measures. In terms of communication channels, the company, particularly its technicians, proved to be the primary source of information for farmers in case of emergencies, as well as the primary source of information on the application of biosecurity measures. However, other sources of information were indicated, such as word of mouth among farmers or other non-institutional figures (relatives and acquaintances). What emerged, was the need to improve not only the biosecurity management skills, but also to implement forms of cooperation among the various key stakeholders in the poultry sector. The information presented in this pilot study needs to be discussed among competent authorities, public and company veterinarians, company technicians, and farmers. Furthermore, this information will help in participatory co-planning of risk prevention and communication strategies to implement a long-term, sustainable, effective approach to address future epidemic emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dr. George Perry has been awarded the 2024 IETS Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the field of veterinary science. He has had a diverse career, starting as a mixed practice veterinarian in outback New South Wales before transitioning to roles in veterinary epidemiology and import risk analysis. Throughout his career, Dr. Perry has been involved in managing and eradicating disease outbreaks in poultry, foot-and-mouth disease, and equine influenza. He has also played a significant role in the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS), chairing committees and contributing to the development of the IETS Manual. Currently, Dr. Perry is working on collaborations with other organizations to enhance the international reputation of the IETS. [Extracted from the article]

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects all mammals. It causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths worldwide annually. Dogs are the main reservoir and transmitter of rabies to human in Sri Lanka. Prevention and control measures include the mass vaccination of dogs and human post‐exposure treatment. While these measures appear to be homogeneous across the country, there is a need to identify community‐level gaps due to the decentralization of regional health and veterinary services in conducting such activities. A community‐based questionnaire survey was conducted to identify potential risk factors and gaps related to knowledge, attitudes and practices on rabies prevention and control in the rural regions of Sri Lanka. Lower knowledge scores were associated with respondents between 18 and 38 years old, had no experience of being bitten, and own semi‐independent dogs. Despite associated fear of stray dogs with health issues, some communities provide shelter and/or food for the stray dogs. Uptake of population control and vaccination of dogs across the grama niladhari divisions (GNDs), which are the smallest administrative units, differed. More than 80% of dogs were not desexed and community knowledge on vaccination delivery, booster and vaccination schedules were also variable. Even though 69% of respondents identified stray/community dogs as potential carriers' owners allow their dogs to roam the neighbourhood. Most of the respondents were able to identify the need for post‐exposure treatment after a dog bite. However, post‐exposure prophylaxis uptake by the local victims ranged between 83.00% and 87.50%. Low participation was reported in health education in the communities. Lack of knowledge on other potential carriers was similar to previous survey studies in the last decade. Collaborations between local communities, veterinary and medical services are necessary to scale up the control programme in order to achieve the global target of zero rabies deaths by 2030. Further community‐level studies are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As of 21 April 2020, 176 ASF outbreaks have occurred in China. For each outbreak, an investigation was conducted, including historical data retrieval and traceability of potential contacts. The purpose of this study is to conduct a preliminary analysis of the data obtained from the outbreak investigations, including an investigation of the possible contributing factors of the spread of ASF in China. Based on the epidemic situation and the policies issued, the entire epidemic can be divided into three phases. 71 outbreaks were reported between 3 August 2018 and 17 November 2018; 44 outbreaks between 19 November 2018 and 30 March 2019; and 61 outbreaks between 4 April 2019 and 12 April 2020. Based on the reported outbreaks, the proportional rate of outbreaks in small farms (livestock ≤ 500, 127/168) is significantly higher than that of medium (501 ≤ livestock < 2,000, 14/168; 2001 ≤ livestock ≤ 5,000, 9/168) and large farms (livestock ≥ 5,001, 18/168). The odds of infection related to swill feeding (OR = 2.5, 95% CI, 1.5–4.3) and the mechanical dissemination of vehicles and personnel (OR = 2.7, 95% CI, 1.6–4.5) are significantly higher than those of pigs and pig production transportation. Swill feeding is the major contributing factor for small farms while mechanical dissemination of vehicles and personnel is the major contributing factor for large farms. The average duration from the beginning of the infection to the official outbreak report is gradually decreasing, which means that response speed of industry entities and the animal husbandry and veterinary departments from the beginning of the infection to the outbreak report is gradually increasing. Based on the analysis for ASF outbreaks, some policies and suggestions were put forward, such as improving the biosecurity level of the farms, as well as strengthening the supervision of breeding, transportation and slaughter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles were proposed in 2016 to set a path towards reusability of research datasets. In this systematic review, we assessed the FAIRness of datasets associated with peer-reviewed articles in veterinary epidemiology research published since 2017, specifically looking at salmonids and dairy cattle. We considered the differences in practices between molecular epidemiology, the branch of epidemiology using genetic sequences of pathogens and hosts to describe disease patterns, and non-molecular epidemiology. Results: A total of 152 articles were included in the assessment. Consistent with previous assessments conducted in other disciplines, our results showed that most datasets used in non-molecular epidemiological studies were not available (i.e., neither findable nor accessible). Data availability was much higher for molecular epidemiology papers, in line with a strong repository base available to scientists in this discipline. The available data objects generally scored favourably for Findable, Accessible and Reusable indicators, but Interoperability was more problematic. Conclusions: None of the datasets assessed in this study met all the requirements set by the FAIR principles. Interoperability, in particular, requires specific skills in data management which may not yet be broadly available in the epidemiology community. In the discussion, we present recommendations on how veterinary research could move towards greater reusability according to FAIR principles. Overall, although many initiatives to improve data access have been started in the research community, their impact on the availability of datasets underlying published articles remains unclear to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the in-depth development of China's market economy, animal husbandry has become an important industr. that affects China's economic form. In order to effectively promote the healthy development of animat husbandry, attention should be paid te the prevention of animat diseases. This paper made a detiled analysis from the main problems encountered in the process oO animal epidemic prevention work as an entry point, and put forward some effective measures foe stengtheniny animat epinemio prevention work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The former albéitares and veterinarians of the Army, 250 years ago already in Spain, collaborated in the control and eradication of epidemic diseases of cattle (epizootics), not only in animals property of the Army itself but also in animals of the population in general. We present the activity carried out by two major marshals, D. Francisco González, major marshal and master albéitar, and D. Ramón Martín, major marshal and veterinarian, in their activity against glanders epizootics in Aragon and Mallorca, at the end from the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is one of the crucial swine viral pathogens, caused porcine circovirus associated diseases (PCVAD). Shandong province is one of the most important pork producing areas and bears a considerable economic loss due to PCVAD. However, there is limited information on epidemiology and coinfection rate of PCV2 with other critical swine diseases in this area, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), Pseudorabies virus (PRV), and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Results: Overall, 89.59% serum samples and 36.98% tissue samples were positive for PCV2 specified ELISA and PCR positive for PCV2, respectively. The coinfection rates of PCV2 with PRRSV, PRV, CSFV, and PEDV were 26.73%, 18.37%, 13.06%, and 3.47%, respectively. Moreover, genetic characteristic of PCV2 were analyzed based on the cap genes showing that PCV2d is the dominant sub-genotype circulating in the province. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that PCV2d, as the dominant strain, is prevailing in pig farms in Shandong province at high levels. There was a high frequency of coinfection of PCV2 and PRRSV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Effective control of avian diseases in domestic populations requires understanding of the transmission dynamics facilitating viral emergence and spread. In 2016–17, Italy experienced a significant avian influenza epidemic caused by a highly pathogenic A(H5N8) virus, which affected domestic premises housing around 2.7 million birds, primarily in the north‐eastern regions with the highest density of poultry farms (Lombardy, Emilia‐Romagna and Veneto). We perform integrated analyses of genetic, spatiotemporal and host data within a Bayesian phylogenetic framework. Using continuous and discrete phylogeography, we estimate the locations of movements responsible for the spread and persistence of the epidemic. The information derived from these analyses on rates of transmission between regions through time can be used to assess the success of control measures. Using an approach based on phylogenetic–temporal distances between domestic cases, we infer the presence of cryptic wild bird‐mediated transmission, information that can be used to complement existing epidemiological methods for distinguishing transmission within the domestic population from incursions across the wildlife–domestic interface, a common challenge in veterinary epidemiology. Spatiotemporal reconstruction of the epidemic reveals a highly skewed distribution of virus movements with a high proportion of shorter distance local movements interspersed with occasional long‐distance dispersal events associated with wild birds. We also show how such inference be used to identify possible instances of human‐mediated movements where distances between phylogenetically linked domestic cases are unusually high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the modern way of life, the global exchange of goods, more frequent contacts, and the closer life with pets, domestic and exotic animal species, different species are also more often exposed to various coronaviruses (CoVs). Most CoVs are species-specific and are not transmitted between different species. Many CoVs have been found to spread very rapidly after introduction into the susceptible population and have remained endemic despite vaccination attempts and other measures to prevent their spread. The majority of animal CoV are present in susceptible population and can cause from mild to a severe clinical picture of the disease, including high mortality. Very rarely strains of animal CoVs are transmitted to humans and then spread rapidly among humans like severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV-2 (SARS CoV-2). The epizootiological characteristics of coronavirus infections are a consequence of their unique characteristics that can be classified into three basic epizootiological determinants. First of all, the virus itself has its own characteristics in terms of genetic characteristics and sustainability in the environment. In relation to the second epizootiological determinant, the macro-organism, it is necessary to emphasize that coronaviruses, more often than other families of viruses, adapt to primary species o even to a new species of animal in nature. This, so-called "jumping" the species barriers, is primarily conditioned by the biology of the virus, which often changes the antigenic composition and thus not only avoids the host's immune response but also finds new species in nature for its maintenance. For thousands of years, the environment greatly contributes to the fact that coronaviruses are a companion of populations of many animal species since there are certain characteristics of the environment (third epizootiological determinant) as sharing the same ecological niche by different species of animals (and humans). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on updates from various veterinary associations' meetings and officials' appointments. Topics include the American Association of Industry Veterinarians (AAIV) business meeting, the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM) annual diplomate meeting, and the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society's (AVES) name change to American Veterinary One Health Society (AVOHS), along with other associations' events and new officials.

Integrated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance programmes require regular evaluation to ensure they are fit for purpose and that all actors understand their responsibilities. This will strengthen their relevance for the clinical setting, which depends heavily on continued access to effective treatment options. Several evaluation tools addressing different surveillance aspects are available. The aim was to understand the strengths and weaknesses of three evaluation tools, and to improve guidance on how to choose a fit-for-purpose tool. Three tools were assessed: (a) AMR-PMP—the Progressive Management Pathway tool on AMR developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, (b) NEOH developed by the EU COST Action 'Network for Evaluation of One Health' and (c) SURVTOOLS developed in an FP7-EU project 'RISKSUR'. Each tool was assessed with regard to contents, required evaluation processes including stakeholder engagement and resource demands, integration coverage across relevant sectors and applicability. They were compared using a predefined scoring scheme and a strengths–weaknesses–opportunities–threats (SWOT)-like format for commenting. All three tools address multiple decision-making levels and aspects of stakeholder engagement. NEOH focuses on system features, learning, sharing, leadership and infrastructure, and requires a description of the underlying system in which AMR develops. AMR-PMP focuses on four areas: awareness, evidence, governance and practices and assesses the implementation degree of pre-chosen aspects within these areas. This requires less of the evaluator, but warrants participation of multiple stakeholders. SURVTOOL provides information and references on how to evaluate effectiveness, process and comprehensiveness of surveillance programmes. All three tools require veterinary epidemiology expertise and varying levels of evaluation methodology training to use appropriately. The tools covered AMR surveillance and One Health aspects to varying degrees. This study provides guidance on aspects to consider when choosing between available tools and embarking on an evaluation of integrated surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronaviruses (CoV) have caused a number of major epidemics in humans and animals, including the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has brought a renewed focus on the evolution and interspecies transmission of coronaviruses. Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADSCoV), which was recently identified in piglets in southern China, is an alphacoronavirus that originates from the same genus of horseshoe bats as severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV) and that was reported to be capable of infecting cells from a broad range of species, suggesting a considerable potential for interspecies transmission. Given the importance of the coronavirus spike (S) glycoprotein in host range determination and viral entry, we report a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the SADS-CoV S trimer in the prefusion conformation at a 3.55-Å resolution. Our structure reveals that the SADS-CoV S trimer assumes an intrasubunit quaternary packing mode in which the S1 subunit N-terminal domain (S1- NTD) and the S1 subunit C-terminal domain (S1-CTD) of the same protomer pack together by facing each other in the lying-down state. SADS-CoV S has several distinctive structural features that may facilitate immune escape, such as a relatively compact architecture of the S trimer and epitope masking by glycan shielding. Comparison of SADS-CoV S with the spike proteins of the other coronavirus genera suggested that the structural features of SADS-CoV S are evolutionarily related to those of the spike proteins of the other genera rather than to the spike protein of a typical alphacoronavirus. These data provide new insights into the evolutionary relationship between spike glycoproteins of SADS-CoV and those of other coronaviruses and extend our understanding of their structural and functional diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High mortality events due to Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (Streptococcus zooepidemicus) in swine have not previously been reported in the United States. In September and October 2019, outbreaks with swine mortality up to 50% due to S. zooepidemicus septicaemia were reported in Ohio and Tennessee. Genomic epidemiological analysis revealed that the eight outbreak isolates were clustered together with ATCC 35246, a Chinese strain caused outbreaks with high mortality, also closely related to three isolates from human cases from Virginia, but significantly different from an outbreak‐unrelated swine isolate from Arizona and most isolates from other animal species. Comparative genomic analysis on two outbreak isolates and another outbreak‐unrelated isolate identified several genomic islands and virulence genes specifically in the outbreak isolates only, which are likely associated with the high mortality observed in the swine population. These findings have implications for understanding, tracking and possibly preventing diseases caused by S. zooepidemicus in swine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a contagious disease of domestic and wild pigs caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV). The disease has spread globally in recent years with serious economic consequences to pork production. This report describes an ASF outbreak that occurred in a large‐scale Chinese commercial pig farm. The outbreak started in 2018 and presents the spatial and temporal spread of infection in an intensive pig farm. Pig houses adjacent to exit rooms had a higher risk of infection (Odds ratio = 14.4, 95%CI: 1.5–140). Introduction of disease is presumed to have occurred through a contaminated vehicle used in the sale of pigs with poor productivity. This investigation shows the process of ASFV infection and spread in a facility with presumed adequate biosecurity measures. These findings may benefit others in the control of ASF in large‐scale pig farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudorabies (PR) is a highly contagious disease affecting a wide range of animals, which annually causes great economic losses in China. In this study, a total number of 18,815 serum samples and 1,589 tissue samples were collected from 311 intensive pig farms (≥350 sows) located in eight cities in Heilongjiang province, and tested by ELISA and PCR. Overall, the serum positive rates of gE and gB protein were 16.3% and 84.5%, respectively. The PCR-positive rate of PR virus (PRV) in tissue samples was 17.8%. The coinfection rates of PRV with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) were also measured. The rate of PRV coinfected with PRRSV was 36.0% followed by 12.9% with PCV2 and 1.8% with CSFV, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate PRV prevalence and its coinfection rate in Heilongjiang province, indicating high PR endemic in pig farms in this region. This study provides data for further epidemiological investigations and a reference for developing PRV control strategies in this region and in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vestibular disease (VD), central or peripheral, can be a dramatic primary‐care presentation. Current literature describes mostly dogs examined in referral centers. Hypothesis/Objectives: Describe the prevalence, presentation, clinical management, and outcomes of VD in dogs under primary veterinary care at UK practices participating in VetCompass. Animals Seven hundred and fifty‐nine vestibular cases identified out of 905 544 study dogs. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Potential VD cases clinically examined during 2016 were verified by reviewing clinical records for signalment, presenting clinical signs, treatments, and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with VD. Results: The overall prevalence of VD was 8 per 10 000 dogs (95% CI = 7‐9). Median age at first diagnosis was 12.68 years (interquartile range [IQR], 11.28‐14.64). Compared with crossbreeds, breeds with the highest odds of VD diagnosis included French Bulldogs (odds ratio [OR] = 9.25, 95% CI = 4.81‐17.76, P <.001), Bulldogs (OR = 6.53, 95% CI = 2.66‐16.15, P <.001), King Charles Spaniels (OR = 4.96, 95% CI = 2.52‐9.78, P <.001), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (OR = 3.56, 95% CI = 2.50‐5.06, P <.001), and Springer Spaniels (OR = 3.37, 95% CI = 2.52‐4.52, P <.001). The most common presenting signs were head tilt (69.8%), nystagmus (68.1%), and ataxia (64.5%). The most frequently used treatments were antiemetics (43.2%), systemic glucocorticoids (33.1%), antimicrobials (25%), and propentofylline (23.25%). There were 3.6% of cases referred. Improvement was recorded in 41.8% cases after a median of 4 days (IQR, 2‐10.25). Conclusions: Our study identifies strong breed predispositions for VD. The low referral rates suggest that primary‐care data sources offer more generalizable information for benchmarking to help clinicians review their own clinical activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, cases of autochthonous hepatitis E (HE) have sharply increased in European countries where foodborne transmission is considered the main route of HE virus (HEV) transmission. Although rabbits are considered the main reservoir of the zoonotic HEV‐3ra subtype, information on the role of wild lagomorphs in the epidemiology of HEV remains scarce. The aim of this study therefore was to assess the circulation of HEV in European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis), the most important lagomorph species in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems. Liver samples from 372 wild rabbits and 78 Iberian hares were analysed using a broad‐spectrum RT‐PCR that detects HEV genotypes 1–8. None of the 450 lagomorphs tested were positive for HEV infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess HEV circulation in wild rabbits in Spain and the first to evaluate HEV infection in Iberian hares. Our results indicate absence of HEV circulation in wild rabbits and Iberian hares in southern Spain during the study period, which suggests that the risk of transmission of HEV from wild lagomorphs to other species, including humans, is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus haemolyticus is widespread in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to characterize S. haemolyticus isolates from sick and healthy cats according to their antibiotic properties and biofilm formation. A total of 80 S. haemolyticus isolates from 36 healthy and 20 sick cats were investigated. All the isolates from the sick as well as from the healthy animals were multidrug resistant at the genetic level, whereas 82.5% showed phenotypic resistance. Almost all the isolates were methicillin-resistant S. haemolyticus (MRSH) at the genotypic and phenotypic levels of 98.75 and 96.25%, respectively. Moreover, the most frequently observed phenotypic resistances were those for erythromycin (87.5%) and penicillin (93.75%), and the isolates harboured genes involved in resistance to penicillin -- blaZ (97.5%), aminoglycosides -- aac(6')Ie-aph(2")Ia (92.5%), macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin -- ermB (98.75%) and ermC (72.5%), and tetracyclines -- tet(K) (98.75%) and tet(M) (100%). The percentage of biofilm-positive strains in healthy and sick cats amounted to 92.68 and 97.44% for the microtiter plate test (P=0.4962) and 71.17 and 56.41% for the Congo red agar assay (P=0.5164), respectively. Statistically significant associations were observed when the owner's occupation was connected with healthcare, both human or veterinary, there was previous hospitalization of the owner, or cats were kept with other animals in the household. MRSH strains isolated from companion animals were frequently multidrug resistant, although they remained susceptible to antibiotics used in mainly human medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are vectors of viruses affecting animal and human health. In Iran, the prevalence of mosquito-borne viruses remains poorly investigated. Once infected, mosquito females are infected for all their life making virus detections possible at early steps before infections are reported in vertebrate hosts. In this study, we used a recently developed high-throughput chip based on the BioMark Dynamic arrays system capable of detecting more than 50 arboviruses in a single experiment. A total of 1,212 mosquitoes collected in Mazandaran, North-Khorasan, and Fars provinces of Iran were analyzed. Eighteen species were identified, belonging to five genera; the most prevalent species were Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (42.41%), Culex pipiens (19.39%), An. superpictus (11.72%), and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (10.64%). We detected chikungunya virus (CHIKV) of the Asian genotype in six mosquito pools collected in North Khorasan and Mazandaran provinces. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mosquitoes infected with CHIKV in Iran. Our high-throughput screening method can be proposed as a novel epidemiological surveillance tool to identify circulating arboviruses and to support preparedness to an epidemic in animals and humans. Author summary: Mosquito-borne viruses pose a serious threat to public health worldwide. For an efficient preparedness to future emergences, an early detection of arboviruses in vector populations would be wise before animal/human cases arise. Here, we used a recently developed high-throughput chip based on the BioMark Dynamic arrays system, capable of screening various arboviruses in a single experiment. By examining 1,212 mosquitoes collected in Iran, we provide evidence that chikungunya virus was circulating in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is a leading cause of gastroenteritis and bacteraemia worldwide, and a model organism for the study of host-pathogen interactions. Two S. Typhimurium strains (SL1344 and ATCC14028) are widely used to study host-pathogen interactions, yet genotypic variation results in strains with diverse host range, pathogenicity and risk to food safety. The population structure of diverse strains of S. Typhimurium revealed a major phylogroup of predominantly sequence type 19 (ST19) and minor of ST36. The major phylogroup had a population structure with two high order clades (α and β) and multiple subclades on extended internal branches, that exhibited distinct signatures of host adaptation and anthropogenic selection. Clade α contained a number of subclades composed of strains from well characterized epidemics in domesticated animals, while clade β contained multiple subclades associated with wild avian species. The contrasting epidemiology of strains in clade α and β was reflected by the distinct distribution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, accumulation of hypothetically disrupted coding sequences (HDCS), and signatures of functional diversification. These observations were consistent with elevated anthropogenic selection of clade α lineages from adaptation to circulation in populations of domesticated livestock, and the predisposition of clade β lineages to undergo adaptation to an invasive lifestyle by a process of convergent evolution with of host adapted Salmonella serotypes. Gene flux was predominantly driven by acquisition and recombination of prophage and associated cargo genes, with only occasional loss of these elements. The acquisition of large chromosomally-encoded genetic islands was limited, but notably, a feature of two recent pandemic clones (DT104 and monophasic S. Typhimurium ST34) of clade α (SGI-1 and SGI-4). Author summary: Salmonella Typhimurium is a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide. Our current understanding of the biology of Salmonella is largely based on studies using just two laboratory strains of S. Typhimurium, with similar characteristics. Yet this pathogen exhibits a remarkable diversity in host range, outcome of infection, and risk to human health. To investigate the genetic basis of this diversity, we have explored the genetic relationship of a collection of isolates that represent a substantial portion of the diversity of S. Typhimurium, using whole genome sequencing. S. Typhimurium evolved forming two major groups that differ in their distribution in livestock and wild avian species. The livestock-associated group contained isolates commonly affecting human health and were often drug resistant, while the wild avian-associated group was rarely associated with drug resistance and less frequently associated with human infection. We report distinct evolutionary processes acting on subgroups of S. Typhimurium including loss of information content of genomes, and gain or loss of genes predicted to affect functions such as antimicrobial resistance, disease potential, and environmental survival, and functional diversification. This study provides a framework in which to understand the epidemiology of Salmonella and improve assessment of its risk to animal and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used social network analysis to investigate the indirect contact network between counties through the movement of live pigs through four wholesale live pig markets in Guangdong Province, China. All 14,118 trade records for January and June 2016 were collected from the markets and the patterns of pig trade in these markets analysed. Maps were developed to show the movement pathways. Evaluating the network between source counties was the primary objective of this study. A 1‐mode network was developed. Characteristics of the trading network were explored, and the degree, betweenness and closeness were calculated for each source county. Models were developed to compare the impacts of different disease control strategies on the potential magnitude of an epidemic spreading through this network. The results show that pigs from 151 counties were delivered to the four wholesale live pig markets in January and/or June 2016. More batches (truckloads of pigs sourced from one or more piggeries) were traded in these markets in January (8,001) than in June 2016 (6,117). The pigs were predominantly sourced from counties inside Guangdong Province (90%), along with counties in Hunan, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Fujian and Henan provinces. The major source counties (46 in total) contributed 94% of the total batches during the two‐month study period. Pigs were sourced from piggeries located 10 to 1,417 km from the markets. The distribution of the nodes' degrees in both January and June indicates a free‐scale network property, and the network in January had a higher clustering coefficient (0.54 vs. 0.39) and a shorter average pathway length (1.91 vs. 2.06) than that in June. The most connected counties of the network were in the central, northern and western regions of Guangdong Province. Compared with randomly removing counties from the network, eliminating counties with higher betweenness, degree or closeness resulted in a greater reduction of the magnitude of a potential epidemic. The findings of this study can be used to inform targeted control interventions for disease spread through this live pig market trade network in south China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous surveillance for foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) in endemic settings such as West Africa is imperative to support improved local and regional control plans, with the long‐term goal of regional eradication. This paper describes the genetic characterization of FMD viruses (FMDV) obtained from outbreaks in Nigeria (n = 45) and Cameroon (n = 15) during 2016 and from archival samples (n = 3) retrieved from a 2014 outbreak in Nigeria. These viruses were analysed in the context of previously published FMDV sequences from the region. Four FMDV serotypes: O, A, SAT1 and SAT2, were detected. Phylogenetic analyses of the VP1 coding sequences indicate the continuity of FMDV serotype O East Africa‐3 (O/EA‐3), serotype A AFRICA genotype G‐IV (A/AFRICA/G‐IV) and serotype South African Territories (SAT) 2 lineage VII (SAT2/VII). The FMDV SAT1 topotype X (SAT1/X), which emerged in Nigeria in 2015, continued to be associated with outbreaks in the region during 2016, and SAT1 is reported for the first time from Cameroon. Additionally, a re‐emergence or re‐introduction of the serotype O West Africa (O/WA) topotype in Nigeria is described herein. Our findings indicate a consistent, pan‐serotypic relationship between FMDV strains detected in Cameroon and Nigeria. Additionally, FMDV strains from West Africa obtained in this study were genetically related to those occurring in East and North Africa. These phylogenetic relationships suggest that animal movements (pastoralism and/or trade) are important factors for virus spread across the African continent. These data provide critical baselines which are a necessary component of Stages 0 and 1 of the Progressive Control Pathway of FMD (PCP‐FMD). Specifically, characterizing the existing virus strains (risk) provides the basis for the comprehensive risk‐based control plan which is the requisite criteria for Nigeria's transition to Stage 2 of PCP‐FMD, and for coordinated regional control of FMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Bayezid, a city located on the transit route between Trabzon and Iran, as well as the areas surrounding the city suffered not only from Russian invasion but also from a number of epidemics such as plague, cholera, measles, typhoid fever, fever, and variola. These epidemics affected a large area including the center of Bayezid, as well as the districts and villages of Zor, Eleşkird, and Karakilise. Those affected by these epidemics were not limited to local civilians; they also hit the military units positioned in the area. The famine that occurred in the city and the surrounding areas caused people to emigrate from the region. The attacks by Kurdish and Armenian bandits also had a negative effect on the region. Animals also died due to animal epidemics also witnessed in the city. In response, the Ottoman Empire took certain measures to handle the problems which caused suffering in the city. First of all, physicians were appointed to help control the epidemics, and a quarantine was put into place in the area. Inspectors were assigned to check the efficiency of the quarantine procedures. The Ottoman Empire also took military measures to prevent banditry in the area, along with further appointments of veterinarians to control animal diseases observed in the city. Istanbul government demanded regular reporting of the measures taken in the area. The present study made extensive use of the documents in the Ottoman Archives section of the State Archives of the Presidency, along with books, articles and dissertations about the region, in order to get a better understanding of the epidemics, public order problems, animal epidemics and the measures taken in and around Bayezid in the 19th and early 20th centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]