Animal Health

Rabies is an infectious disease which was and remains to be one of the most serious diseases of all species of hematothermal animals and humans, in many regions of the world. The epizootic situation on rabies in the Republic of Azerbaijan has been unfavorable for many years, which is confirmed by scientific data and the veterinary cases reporting in the EIDSS system. This system was introduced in the country in 2009 and is the electronic System of disease control. The program allows to provide monitoring and prevention of diseases within the concept “One World - One Health System” by integration of systems of observation of animal diseases, human diseases, and disease carriers.

Objective

to show the instability of an epizootic situation on rabies cases of animals in the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the example of the cases analysis in Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System (EIDSS) electronic reporting system

Rabies is endemic in Tanzania and has circulated on Pemba Island since the late 1990s. In 2010, an elimination programme was initiated in Southern Tanzania to demonstrate that human rabies deaths can be eliminated through mass dog vaccinations. We used active surveillance approaches to investigate the dynamics of rabies across the area where this programme was implemented.

Objective

Using active surveillance approaches to investigate the transmission dynamics of rabies on Pemba Island and across Southern Tanzania, whilst a large-scale dog vaccination program was underway, to gain a greater understanding of the dynamics of infection as the disease is driven towards elimination.

Rabies is endemic in Georgia with up to 100 confirmed cases in animals per year. There is an estimated 350,000 domestic and stray dogs/cats in Georgia. The prophylactic vaccination of domestic animals against rabies was reestablished in Georgia in 2013. Each year since 2013, coverage has increased aiming to cover approximately 70% of the total population of dogs/cats in Georgia.

Objective

The objective of this survey was to study vaccination coverage and quality in dogs in Georgia through the detection of post-vaccination antibodies.

Newcastle disease (ND) is the most important infectious viral disease of poultry. The world-wide economic loss from it is 2-3 billion USD per year. ND is reportable to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). ND is caused by virulent strains of avian Paramyxoviruses belonging to type 1. Industrial poultry farming is rapidly developing in Ukraine. Ornithological fauna of Ukraine includes about four hundred species of birds, 207 of which nest within its borders. The territory of Ukraine transits 3 out of 14 transcontinental global migration flows. The wild birds are the main natural reservoir of ND agents. It is necessary to control the intensity of post-vaccination immunity in poultry and the timing of revaccinations. OIE recommends enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and HI test for these purposes. However, it should be noted that HI test, possessing high specificity and sensitivity, is much cheaper. Therefore, it is the excellent means for ND timely surveillance.

Objective

A test kit for the detection of antibodies to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) based on haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay has been developed and introduced into practice for the first time in Ukraine.

Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonosis in the world. Only 17 countries informed WHO that their territory is free from brucellosis. About 500 thousand cases of brucellosis in humans are registered in the world each year. The problem of brucellosis has remained actual to agriculture and health care for many years. Almost all agricultural animals are highly susceptible to brucellosis. Socio-economic significance of brucellosis problem is determined by peculiarities of the course of the disease and the main contingent that can be infected, namely the working population that is connected with both professional factors and social reasons. Brucellosis is a chronic infectious disease. The disease in animals has the following signs: abortions and retention of secundines, orchitis, unviable litter and sterility. Brucellosis is included to the list of quarantine diseases due to its social threat. 

Objective

Analysis of brucellosis monitoring in agricultural animals in Ukraine to control epizootic situation and prevent possible brucellosis in humans. 

Domestic swine have been viewed as important for the adaptation and spillover of IA from birds into human populations as they are sensitive to both avian and mammalian (including human) influenza viruses [1]. However, in much of Eurasia and North America wild swine are geographically widespread, abundant and often come in close contact with humans in rural and agricultural settings. Until recently, little attention has been paid to this as an alternate route for IA transmission to human and domestic populations and its significance is not clear.

Therefore, the monitoring of the exposure of wild mammals to IA was viewed as essential as potential vectors impacting domestic animals and public health.

Objective

A preliminary serological survey was carried out to assess the likelihood of Influenza A (IA) infection in wild boars and begin to characterize the role of wild boars in the epidemiology of the IA virus.

Since the majority of emerging infectious diseases over the past several decades have been zoonotic, animal health surveillance is now recognized as a key element in predicting public health risks. Surveillance of animal populations can provide important early warnings of emerging threats to human populations from bioterrorism or naturally occurring infectious disease epidemics. This study investigated current animal data collection and surveillance systems, isolated major gaps in state and national surveillance capabilities, and provided recommendations to fill those gaps.

Objective

To identify gaps in current U.S. animal data collection and surveillance systems, describe how surveillance of animal populations can provide important early warnings of emerging threats to human populations from infectious disease epidemics, and explain the benefits of integrating human and animal surveillance data into a common linked system.

Aquatic birds are the main reservoirs of influenza viruses, however, pigs represent an essential host in virus ecology as they are susceptible to both avian and human influenza viruses. Circulating zoonotic influenza (A/H7N9, A/H5N1, and A/H3N2v) viruses could mutate into forms easily transmissible from human-to-human and become a public health concern. Georgia is located along routes used by migrating birds where different species of aquatic birds are found. In 2006, highly pathogenic influenza virus A/H5N1 was detected in two wild swans in Adjara (western Georgia). Moreover, in the frame of wild bird surveillance, various subtypes of influenza A viruses were detected in mallard and gulls in Georgia (Lewis, 2013). Thus domestic animals in Georgia have a potential chance to contract influenza viruses from wild birds. 

Objective

The purpose of this study was to identify zoonotic influenza viruses in swine and poultry populations in Georgia and to define their pandemic potential. 

An active syndromic surveillance system was designed to collect cattle health information from a sample of Texas cattle market sales. Texas Animal Health Commission livestock inspectors record the total number of animals observed along with the total number displaying clinical signs of interest grouped into body system categories (e.g. respiratory, neurologic, etc.). Inspection reports are submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services (VS) Risk Identification Team for monitoring. 

Objective

Implement a mobile technology platform to capture and transmit syndromic cattle data collected at Texas market sales. 

Influenza is a serious problem for the health of people, animals and birds. Therefore, comprehensive study of influenza virus, its natural reservoir, pathogenesis and immune response will provide further opportunity to ensure protection for animals, birds and people from this infection. 

Objective

To study the immune response in chicken on the administration of LPAIV isolated from the natural reservoir.