Bioterrorism and infectious animal diseases

After a brief historical introduction, the authors describe a list of pathogens likely to be used by bioterrorists to adversely affect animal health and production, and eventually human health in case of zoonotic agents. The selection criteria for these numerous pathogens as well as the means available for their procurement, manipulation and dispersal are discussed. The potential consequences of this bioterrorism are evaluated mainly in economic terms. The authors conclude that the threat of bioterrorism is serious and suggest appropriate measures to prevent it or to limit its consequences.     

Control and prevention of emerging zoonoses

Emerging and re-emerging zoonoses are zoonotic diseases caused by either totally new or partially new agents or by microorganisms previously known but now occurring in places or in species where the disease was previously unknown. Zoonotic diseases account for the majority of all emerging infectious diseases. Several factors have led to the emergence of these infections, including human demographics, the industrialization of food production, globalization, international travel and commerce, land use, microbial adaptation, and changes and breakdown in public health measures. Several zoonotic agents are also potential agents that could be used as biological weapons. The recent use of anthrax spores in tainted mall in the US underlines our need for preparedness against bioterrorism. Prevention and control of these emerging zoonotic diseases is based on recognition, investigation, and collaboration, the development of advanced diagnosis and surveillance tools, the use of applied epidemiology and molecular biology methods, as well as education, information, communication, and technology transfer.     

Animal Biowarfare Research: Historical Perspective and Potential Future Attacks

A biological attack on livestock or poultry could result in the loss of valuable animals, costs related to the containment of outbreaks and the disposal of carcasses, lost trade and other economic effects involving suppliers, transporters, distributors and restaurants; however, it is not possible to secure all livestock, and livestock are much less well guarded than human targets. Thus, the vulnerability of the livestock industry to the introduction of biological agents varies for the following reasons: (i) the majority of lethal and contagious biological agents are environmentally resilient, endemic in foreign countries and harmless to humans, making it easier for terrorists to acquire, handle and deploy these pathogens, (ii) with animals concentrated in fewer production facilities and frequently transported between these facilities, a single pathogen introduction could cause widespread infection and (iii) the extent of human travel around the globe makes it difficult to exclude exotic animal diseases as possible biological agents. Historically, many governments have developed and planned to use biological agents for direct attacks on livestock or poultry. In the past, developed nations have actively developed biological weapons to target animals. The potential spectrum of bioterrorism ranges from isolated acts against individuals by individuals to tactical and strategic military attacks and state‐sponsored international terrorism intended to cause mass casualties in animals, humans or both. This review provides an overview of the past development and use of biological weapons and describes potential future attacks.     

Perceptions of state public health officers and state veterinarians regarding risks of bioterrorism in the United States

OBJECTIVE:To assess perceptions of state public health officers and state veterinarians in the United States regarding the risks of bioterrorism and determine the degree of support provided for activities related to bioterrorism. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: State public health officers and state veterinarians. PROCEDURE: A questionnaire was sent between April and June 2001 to the state public health officer and state veterinarian in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. RESULTS: Perceptions of the risk of bioterrorism attacks were similar for state public health officers and state veterinarians. Veterinarians perceived the risks associated with foot-and-mouth disease and Newcastle disease to be higher than did physicians. State veterinarians perceived the risks associated with an anthrax hoax, brucellosis, and ricin toxicosis to be lower than did state public health officers. Risk posed by agents that affected animals exclusively was perceived to be higher than risk posed by agents that affected humans exclusively and zoonotic agents. Number of full-time-equivalent positions devoted to bioterrorism surveillance and percentage of the budget devoted to bioterrorism activities were significantly lower for offices run by state veterinarians than for offices run by state public health officers. State veterinarians were significantly less likely to have knowledge of bioterrorism incidents within their state or district than were state public health officers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Provision of additional resources to state veterinarians and explicit integration of their expertise and surveillance capabilities may be important to effectively mitigate the risk of bioterrorism.     

Assessing bioterrorism preparedness and response of rural veterinarians: experiences and training needs

Veterinarians play a unique role in emergency preparedness and response, and federal agencies and academic institutions therefore allocate considerable resources to provide training to enhance their readiness. However, the level of preparedness of veterinarians in many rural regions is yet to be improved. This article reports an assessment of the bioterrorism preparedness, specifically the experience and training needs, of rural veterinarians in North Texas. The study employed a cross-sectional design with a study population that included all veterinarians (N = 352) in the 37 counties within Texas Department of State Health Services Regions 2 and 3. Data on veterinarians practicing or residing in the target region were obtained from the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. The response rate was 35% (n = 121). Results indicate that chemical exposure was the condition most frequently seen and treated, followed by botulism and anthrax. The majority (80%) of respondents indicated that they had not previously participated in training related to bioterrorism preparedness, and many (41%) also indicated a willingness to participate in a state health department-initiated bioterrorism response plan. However, only 18% were confident in their ability to diagnose and treat bioterrorism cases. These results suggest that many North Texas veterinarians practicing in rural regions could benefit from additional training in bioterrorism preparedness and response. An area in particular need of further training is the diagnosis and treatment of Category A agents. Federal, state, and local health agencies are urged to increase training opportunities and to make additional efforts to involve veterinarians in bioterrorism preparedness and response.     

The foot-and-mouth disease epidemic of 2001 in the UK: implications for the USA and the "war on terror"

While there is no evidence to suggest that the recent epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease (Fmd) in the Uk and its subsequent spread to continental Europe were caused by bioterrorism, the extent of the epidemic shows that Fmd could be a very powerful weapon for a bioterrorist wishing to cause widespread disease in livestock and economic disruption for the targeted country. This paper describes the epidemic. It then examines the contentious issues that arose through the use of extensive slaughter to control the epidemic and explores how, in turn, the concerns of society are being translated into a radical change in policy within the European Union with respect to the control of Fmd and other foreign animal diseases. The crisis generated by the Fmd epidemic in Europe in 2001 provides many lessons to be learned for the US and highlights the need for creative thinking in research and teaching within colleges of veterinary medicine to more effectively address the threat of epidemic diseases under the "new world order." There is general agreement that the veterinary profession in the US plays a unique role in protecting the nation against epidemic livestock diseases, whether caused naturally or through bioterrorism. The profession also has a significant role in protecting the public's health, since several epidemic diseases of animals, such as rift valley fever, are zoonotic. However, improved financial support at the federal and state levels is urgently needed to support epidemic-diseases research and teaching in colleges of veterinary medicine.     

Criminal acts against horses--phenomenology and psychosocial construct

Since 1993 increasing numbers of violent crimes against horses were recorded in Germany. Meanwhile "Horse Ripping" is accepted as a new criminal phenomenon. It is defined as destructive acts with the aim to harm a horse or the acceptance of a possible injury of a horse, especially killing, maltreatment, mutilation and sexual abuse in sadomasochistic context. The study includes a complete situation report from 1993 to 2000, especially the development of the crime. Criminal events (N = 1035) were analysed about modus operandi, especially the specification of the injuries and regional distribution. The victims were selected of sexual differences in modus operandi and regional distribution. RESULTS: The perpetrators injure the horses systematically. 25% of the injuries are situated at the genitals and another quarter of the victims are injured at the neck or the head. There is a victim preference for female individuals, which are treated as rape. The injuries are mostly stabs or cuts. The used weapons are knives or spears. First interviews with horse rippers point out that the fixation of the victim horse is not stable. Horses could be just representative victims and the act of horse ripping just a step in a criminal career of violent crimes.     

Bioterrorism: the role of veterinarians in detection and prevention

The fear of terrorist attacks has increased since the events of 11 September 2001 in New York. In the weeks following the terrorist attack, letters containing anthrax spores were received at various locations in the USA. This shows that bioterrorism is possible and that is necessary to be prepared for the potential release of biological agents. Such agents can be distributed not only via the air and drinking water but also via household pets. The aim of terrorist attacks, namely, the disruption of society and daily life, can be achieved in three ways, ways which are of importance to practising veterinarians, namely, via pets, via contamination of pet foods of animal origin, and by the spread of infectious animal diseases that have far-reaching economic consequences. These ways are discussed in this article, together with possible ways in which veterinarians can act to diminish the consequences of such an event.     

Poxviruses as vaccine vectors

The discovery of Jenner in 1798 founded the science of immunology and eventually led to smallpox eradication from the earth in 1980 after a world-wide vaccination campaign with vaccinia virus (another poxvirus) and paradoxically, despite the eradication of smallpox, there has been an explosion of interest in vaccinia virus in the eighties. This interest has stemmed in part from the application of molecular genetics to clone and express foreign genes from recombinant vaccinia viruses. Vaccinia is also gaining renewed interest due to bioterrorism.

These recombinant viruses have multiple applications in research and vaccinology and led to the development of vectored vaccines, such as the recombinant vaccinia rabies vaccine used to eliminate rabies in Western Europe and, more recently, in the United States. Secondly, alternative poxvirus vectors, such as avipox viruses, were proved to be even safer and efficacious non-replicating vectors (suiciole vectors) when used in non-avian species.     

Neuroanesthesia: A Review of the Effects of Anesthetic Agents on Cerebral Blood Flow and Intracranial Pressure in the Dog

Successful anesthetic management of dogs with reduced intracranial compliance requires a knowledge of the effects of various anesthetic agents on cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure. The major physiologic factors that influence cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure (ICP) include the cerebrovascular autoregulatory mechanism, intracranial compliance, blood pressure, and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide. Intravenous and inhalation anesthetic agents alter cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure in the dog. These alterations can have profound effects in dogs with reduced intracranial compliance, necessitating proper anesthetic management. Suggested guidelines for neuroleptanesthetic and inhalation anesthesia regimens in dogs with reduced intracranial compliance include thorough presurgical evaluation, minimal patient stress during induction, use of an anesthetic protocol that minimizes ICP effects, and hyperventilation to maintain a Pco₂ within a range of 25 to 35 mm Hg.     

Fire as a Land Management Tool: Rural Sector Perceptions of Burn-off Practice in New Zealand

Fire has long been used as a tool to remove pests and disease, regenerate land, and remove unwanted vegetation buildup. Although traditionally used as a widespread land management tool in the past, its continued use could be under threat due to public perceptions pertaining to risks from burns getting out of control, as well as the impacts of smoke pollution and ecological damage. To determine the attitudes of rural practitioners and residents toward use of fire as a land management tool, this paper reports the results, analysis, and interpretation to a survey question: “Do you feel fire is a good option for managing rural land?”, along with an analysis of key attitudes toward the use of fire as a land management tool. The survey was undertaken with 696 respondents consisting of (rural land managers, rural populace, and rural fire personnel) within New Zealand. The survey identified differing perceptions about the suitability of prescribed fire use by land-based sectors. Five constructs explained the attitudes toward use of fire as a land management tool: benefits of fire use, the tradition of fire as a tool, regulations and liabilities, smoke impacts from fire, and the risks from knowledge loss and changing land use. Results showed that a person’s high agreement with the construct concerning negative smoke impacts resulted in less agreement that fire was a good option for use in rural land management in New Zealand. Main demographics influencing a positive attitude toward the use of fire included gender (male), their current use of fire, and larger land area managed. For prescribed fire to continue to be a useful tool, an improved understanding of current management practices and clear guidelines around best practice in using fire in New Zealand to manage land are required, with particular emphasis on limiting smoke impacts.     

Review of two viral agents of economic importance to the equine industry (equine herpesvirus-1, and equine arteritis virus)

Equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) and equine arteritis virus (EAV) are infectious agents that cause serious health risks to horse populations and are disbursed worldwide, which can lead to significant financial losses. In addition to being responsible for abortion and neonatal death, these viruses are associated with respiratory illness. Although previous research and reviews have been written on these viruses, both viruses still affect horse populations around the world and the vaccines currently available are not completely protective, especially against EHV-1 and equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Moreover, EAV is considered a threat to the $102 billion equine industry in the United States. As a result, these viruses represent a huge threat to the horse industry and efforts geared towards preventing the outbreak of the disease are strongly encouraged. For this reason, updates about these viruses are necessary and require more and more discussion on the nature and characteristics of these viruses to know how to overcome them. Prevention and control of abortion and neonatal foal death caused by each of the two viruses depend on appropriate management strategies coupled with prophylactic vaccination. This review presents the latest detailed information on EHV-1 and EAV from several aspects such as transmission, clinical signs, pathogenesis, latest developments on the treatment of the diseases, vaccination, and finally challenges and future perspectives. The information presented herein will be useful in understanding EHV-1 and EAV and formulating policies that can help to limit the spread of these viruses within horse populations.     

Foot-and-mouth disease: an assessment of the risks facing New Zealand

Although New Zealand has never had a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the threat that this disease poses to the economy of this country has long been recognised. The unprecedented global spread of FMD caused by the type-O PanAsia strain, culminating in the outbreak that occurred in the United Kingdom in early 2001, has refocussed the concerns of biosecurity agencies worldwide. The 3 lines of defence against exotic disease incursions in this country are border controls, surveillance and incursion response capability. This article reviews the pathogenesis, virus survival, routes of infection and methods of spread of FMD virus, and in the light of recent international developments, presents a summary of the major risks of introduction and dissemination of FMD virus and the risk-management measures in place for this country.     

试论宁夏肉羊产业的发展方向

针对宁夏养羊业存在的主要问题，通过分析入世后宁夏养羊业面临的机遇与挑战，认为宁夏发展肉羊业必须实现四个转变，同时，提出了宁夏肉羊业的发展思路和对策。     

A review of the interaction of Bacillus anthracis with cells of the innate immune response

Bacillus anthracis spores cause natural infections and can be used as biological weapons.The innate immune response is the first line of defence against invading pathogens and is likely to play a central role in this acute infection.To date the immune evasion mechanisms of B. anthracis are not well understood. Infection by inhalation with B. anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax, is almost always lethal, yet cutaneous infections usually remain localized and resolve spontaneously in the majority of cases. Neutrophils are typically recruited to cutaneous but seldom to other forms of anthrax infections, raising the possibility that neutrophils kill B. anthracis. This is an overview of the interaction of B. anthracis with innate immune cells which also focuses on recent data on the role neutrophils play in anthrax pathogenesis. These data suggest that the timely recruitment of neutrophils can control the cutaneous and possibly other forms of B. anthracis infections and that the neutrophil granule proteins, a-defensins, play an important role in the potent anti-B. anthracis activity of neutrophils.     

Thrombolytic Therapy in Dogs and Cats

Objective: To review the thrombolytic agents most commonly used in humans, their mechanisms of action, potential uses, adverse effects, and reports of their use in dogs and cats.
Human data synthesis: Thrombolytic agents avaliable in human medicine include streptokinase, urokinase, tissueplasminogen activator (t-PA), single-chain urokinase plasma activator (scu-PA) and anisoylated plasminogen-strep-tokinase activator complex (APSAC). These agents were originally used for the management of proximal deep vein thrombosis and severe pulmonary embolism but more recently, use of these drugs has been extended to include the treatment of acute peripheral arterial disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke) and acute coronary thrombosis. The most predictable side effect associated with the use of thrombolytic therapy is hemorrhage.
Veterinary data synthesis: Clinical experience with thrombolytic agents in small animals is limited to streptokinase and t-PA. It is possible, that as in humans, canine and feline patients with PTE and right ventricular dysfunction may benefit from thrombolytic therapy but there are no veterinary studies to support this theory to date. Successful use of streptokinase has been documented in a small number of canine patients with systemic thromboembolism. ⁶³ Thrombolytic therapy is relatively efficacious in cats with aortic thromboemboli but is associated with a high mortality rate. ^59,60,64 With regard to use of t-PA in veterinary medicine, the small number of animals treated with varying protocols makes it impossible to provide safe and effective dose recommendations at this time.
Conclusions: Future goals for thrombolytic therapy in veterinary medicine include determination of more specific clinical indications, as well as design of effective protocols that minimize mortality and morbidity.     

The Heroine in British and American Literature

<正>There are full of self-consciousness in British and American Literature.It developed quickly to begin with the idealism.The Heroine in literature is almost kind,loyal and wholehearted.But they are not the victims of the feudalism any more.They become to be a fighter.They are strong,brave and progressive such as Scarlet O'Hara and Jane Eyre.They are both the famous heroines in the British and American Literature.     

论高校动物实验室的生物安全问题

 作为高等学校人才培养的重要环节,实验室因其锻炼学生实际操作能力而越来越受到重视。由于实验中存在许多不可知因素,对操作者有可能造成人身威胁,因此对于高校实验室而言安全管理显得甚为重要。论文从生物安全管理存在的问题及对策阐述了在高校动物实验教学中的措施,以期在符合科学目的前提下通过采用更为合理的手段为教学科研服务。     

Other potentially useful new injectable anesthetic agents.

Ultrashort barbiturates are not ideal injectable anesthetic agents, and new agents continue to be released as investigators pursue the goal of finding a more ideal agent. Of the new injectable agents discussed, propofol seems to be the most promising drug. Propofol should find a place in veterinary practice as an outpatient anesthetic agent because it has a rapid, smooth, and complete recovery even after repeated or continuous administration. Midazolam does not induce anesthesia in healthy, small animals and, as such, can only be used in combination with other injectable agents, such as ketamine or the thiobarbiturates. In our practice, Telazol has found a place in the anesthetic management of feral cats and aggressive dogs, where it is used for heavy sedation or to induce anesthesia. The role of flumazenil, as a reversal agent, in veterinary practice remains to be determined; however, the role in small domestic animals is unlikely to be significant.     

A Review of the Factors Affecting the Survival of Donkeys in Semi-arid Regions of Sub-Saharan Africa

German Dahlem Red chickens with three different major genes of tropical interest: Nana- (naked neck), Ff- (frizzled) and dw- (dwarf), respectively, were tested for serum haemolytic complement, which is essential in innate host defence against infectious agents. Eight different combinations of genes for body size and feather coverage were evaluated. Significant differences both for both the calcium-dependent (classical, CPW) and the calcium-independent (alternative, APW) complement titres were found between the phenotypes. Phenotype nanaffDw- showed the highest complement status. The frizzled (Ff-) gene had a negative influence on APW titres, whereas the dwarf (dw-) gene had a negative influence on CPW titres. The naked neck (Nana-) gene had various influences on the haemolytic complement status. All tested hens had MHC (B) 21 haplotypes, whereas the gene for dwarfism appeared to be linked with the B19 haplotype. It was concluded that introducing major genes (Nana-, dw-, Ff-) to conquer environmental stress in hot climates can have a negative impact on certain aspects of the innate immunity of poultry.