Veterinary

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.

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. 

Coccidioidomycosis, commonly referred to as Valley Fever, is caused by the soil-borne saprophytic fungus C. immitis and posadasii. These species have historically been found in the desert southwest and Mexico; however, in 2010 there were three coccidioidomycosis cases identified in central Washington. Colonization of soils by C. immitis has been confirmed at exposure sites associated with these cases. Multiple studies have identified a relationship between environmental conditions and C. immitis growth areas, but these relationships have not been evaluated in Washington. The Washington State Department of Health has been conducting environmental surveillance in an effort to understand the geographic distribution of C. immitis in central Washington and the associated risk to humans and animals. Here we describe our environmental surveillance efforts and present preliminary findings related to environmental conditions of C. immitis growth areas in central Washington.

Objective

Our objective is to describe the environmental conditions associated with confirmed Coccidioides immitis growth and accumulation sites in south central Washington in an effort to understand the ecology and identify additional potential sites across this emerging endemic zone.