Seroprevalence

Since its detection in 1999 in New York, WNV spread westward across the continent, and was first detected in California in 2003 in Imperial County. In California and in many states, birds, especially corvids, are used as sentinel animals to detect WNV activity. Recent seroprevalence studies have shown WNV activity in different wild mammalian species; in the United States, WNV sero-prevalence in some studies in raccoons has ranged from 34–46%. In addition, it has been shown that after experimental infection, raccoons can attain high viral titers and shed WNV in their saliva and feces. Given their peridomestic nature, we investigated the feasibility of their use as sentinels for early warning of WNV and as indicators of WNV activity as a strategy to better localize WNV transmission foci in guiding vector control efforts.

Objective

To investigate the potential of utilizing raccoons as sentinels for West Nile Virus (WNV) in an effort to guide public health surveillance, prevention, and control efforts.

Zoonotic diseases are an important cause of human morbidity and mortality; around 75% of recently emerging human infectious diseases are zoonoses. Herein we report the first seroprevalence study to include a range of emerging or re-emerging zoonotic pathogens of economic concern (including: Bacillus anthracis, Coxiella burnetii, Francisella spp., Brucella spp., and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV)) affecting domestic animals (e.g., cattle, sheep, goat, and dog) in Georgia.

Objective

The purpose of this research was to study the seroprevalence of zoonotic diseases among farm animals in the Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia.

Rubella virus causes -“German measles,” also known as “three-day measles.” This is usually a milder disease than red measles. Red/Hard measles or just measles is caused by Rubeola virus. The result of acute infection of the virus is a benign systematic rash which is significantly pathogenic to humans. This virus is a, positive-strand RNA virus that replicates in the cytoplasm of the infected cell. (Brooks et al., 2007). If placental infection of the virus spread during 8-10 weeks gestation it causes a chronic infection of the fetus leading to the development of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) (Matthews et al., 2011) The effect of the infection of the several organ systems which include the eyes, ears, heart, brain, and endocrine system is known as congenital rubella infection (CRI) (Chantler et, al.,2001) Rubella is endemic in Nigeria. Studies among women of child bearing age in Nigeria put seroprevalence at 66.6% in Imo, 77% in Lagos and 93.5% in Oyo (8-10). Thus as part of the control measure, the availability of an effective vaccine to prevent Rubella infection and therefore CRS, is necessary to evaluate the burden of disease in a country where MMR vaccine is not covered in the immunization schedule or in vaccination strategy.

Objective

To determine the IgM and IgG antibodies of rubella virus circulating among pregnant women in Kaduna State Nigeria.

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.