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Animal tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic disease caused by acid-fast bacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). Both animals and humans are susceptible to infection by the MTBC. Interspecies transmission is also possible, including to livestock and humans. In the years 1997–2013, many tuberculosis cases were recorded in European bison in the Bieszczady Mountains; more alarmingly, TB was also recorded in wild boar in the years 2013–2020.

This article presents the principles of legal protection of animals that were in force in Poland in years 1918–1939. Our country, that after 123 years regained independance in 1918, had an unique chance of unifying and creating modern, new legislation. Among the numerous ordinances of the President, issued with the force of law, there was the 1928 Ordinance on the Protection of Animals, which for the next sixty-nine years constituted the country’s primary legislation in this regard. We have analyzed the provisions of the regulation and its amendments. Reference was also made to the Law on the Protection of Animals, comparing its provisions with the Ordinance, which it repealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeated incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5 subtype of Gs/GD lineage pose a serious threat to poultry worldwide. We provide a detailed analysis of the spatio-temporal spread and genetic characteristics of HPAIV Gs/GD H5N8 from the 2019/20 epidemic in Poland.

Coronaviruses are extremely susceptible to genetic changes due to the characteristic features of the genome structure, life cycle and environmental pressure. Their remarkable variability means that they can infect many different species of animals and cause different disease symptoms. Moreover, in some situations, coronaviruses might be transmitted across species. Although they are commonly found in farm, companion and wild animals, causing clinical and sometimes serious signs resulting in significant economic losses, not all of them have been classified by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as hazardous and included on the list of notifiable diseases. Currently, only three diseases caused by coronaviruses are on the OIE list of notifiable terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases. However, none of these three entails any administrative measures. The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 infections that have caused the COVID-19 pandemic in humans has proved that the occurrence and variability of coronaviruses is highly underestimated in the animal reservoir and reminded us of the critical importance of the One Health approach. Therefore, domestic and wild animals should be intensively monitored, both to broaden our knowledge of the viruses circulating among them and to understand the mechanisms of the emergence of viruses of relevance to animal and human health.

In Polish veterinary law, the epizootic investigation has been known since, at least, 1920s. It was also described in details in the Act on the Protection of Animal Health and on Combating Animal Infectious Diseases, from 11 March 2004. This has implemented into national law the EU veterinary law, concerning the eradication of infectious animal diseases, what resulted from Poland accession to European Union. With the entry into force of the Animal Health Law, with effect from April 21, 2021, also a new definition of an epidemiological investigation was given. In 2020 the guidelines of the Chief Veterinary Officer regarding the conduction of epizootic investigations were introduced in Poland. These guidelines standardized the procedures and methodology of the Veterinary Inspection’s activities in this area. This article aims at presenting the ongoing changes on the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has rarely been detected in bears (Ursidae). We describe detection of MTBC genetic material using a single-tube, high-multiplex PCR and fluorescence-based detection system in a throat swab collected from a free-living, problem individual during immobilization and telemetry collar deployment. Mycobacterial culture was negative in all samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to present and explain the principles of combating highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), according to the Animal Health Law and national regulations. Considering the significant increase in the number of HPAI outbreaks in Europe and Poland over the last five years, it is worth summarizing the significant threats and indicate the directions of the European Union legal framework, national regulations, and the rules adopted in 2021, including the national strategy in Poland, for the control of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild life, particularly game animals in Poland. Meat juice collected during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 hunting seasons from 552 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 367 wild boars (Sus scrofa) and 92 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was tested for T. gondii antibodies using the multi-species ID Screen Toxoplasmosis Indirect kit (IDvet, Montpellier, France). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 24.1% of red deer (95% CI: 20.7%, 27.8%), 37.6% of wild boar (95% CI: 32.8%, 42.7%) and 30.4% of roe deer (95% CI: 22.0%, 40.5%). To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first epidemiological report of T. gondii prevalence in red deer, roe deer and wild boars in Poland. T. gondii is present in wildlife animal tissues and consumption of the game may be a potential source of infection for humans.

Antimicrobials are essential and widely used in veterinary practice. Their use undergoes numerous national and European regulations, but should also meet the criteria of recommendations and statements of veterinary associations and other professional structures. Currently, multidrug resistance is recognized as one of the largest threats to both human and animal health, widely discussed internationally. Horses are unique domestic animal species, due to their dual role as either food- or non-food-producing animals and this fact further complicates the everyday equine veterinary practice. The aim of this study is to introduce the problem of antimicrobial therapy in horses in the context of the legislation and the general principles of good veterinary practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present the current social, economic and organizing aspects of African swine fever (ASF). ASF became endemic in wild boar populations in several European countries and continues to expand its range in Europe, causing very serious concerns in pig industry. The first case of ASF was noted in the Eastern Poland at the mid of 2014, and then it has moved to the Western Poland. Until 18th August 2020, 8811 cases of ASF in wild boar and 313 outbreaks of ASF in pig populations were noticed in Poland. ASF causes economic, social and also political problems. Controlling this disease in our country, one of the largest pork producers, is a very challenging task for the veterinary service, given complexity of disease epidemiology, lack of previous experience and vaccines, unprecedented geographical scope of the problem and its transboundary and multi-sectoral nature. All costs related to disease control and animals elimination, are covered by the state budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In contrast to animals, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) causes a severe disease in humans with a high mortality rate. The etiological agent, CCHF virus (CCHFV), can be transmitted by argasid and ixodid ticks, but arachnids of the genus Hyalomma, followed by Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor serve as the major vectors of this virus. The goal of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of CCHFV infection in cattle in south-east Poland, and survey for potential tick vector species. A total of 592 bovine blood samples from animals located in the southernmost region in Poland were tested by IgG sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ticks (n = 993) from south-east Poland were collected from dogs, cats, cattle, and horses and tested by RT-PCR. All 592 serum samples were negative for IgG antibodies to CCHFV. Of the ticks collected, 125 were Dermacentor reticulatus and 868 represented Ixodes ricinus, both species are regarded as potential vectors of CCHFV. All tick samples were negative for the presence of CCHFV. Considering the zoonotic nature, public health importance, and the virus increasing spread, it was prudent to assess the seroprevalence of CCHFV in the south-east area of Poland, bordering with CCHFV endemic areas. It seems unlikely that CCHFV infection will suddenly spread in Poland, but considering the multiple possibilities of the virus introduction, serosurveys and vector biosurveillance should be conducted at regular intervals.