Virus Detection in Questing Ticks is not a Sensitive Indicator for Risk Assessment of Tick‐Borne Encephalitis in Humans

Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most important tick‐transmitted arbovirus causing human disease in Europe, but information on its endemic occurrence varies between countries because of differences in surveillance systems. Objective data are necessary to ascertain the disease risk for vaccination recommendations and other public health interventions. In two independent, separately planned projects, we used real‐time RT‐PCR to detect TBE virus in questing ticks. In Poland, 32 sampling sites were selected in 10 administrative districts located in regions where sporadic TBE cases were reported. In Germany, 18 sampling sites were selected in two districts located in a region with high TBE incidence. Altogether, >16 000 ticks were tested by real‐time RT‐PCR, with no sample testing positive for TBEV. A systematic search for published studies on TBEV prevalence in ticks in Poland and Germany also suggested that testing large numbers of collected ticks could not consistently assure virus detection in known endemic foci. Although assignment of results to administrative regions is essential for TBE risk mapping, this was possible in only 10 (investigating 22 417 ticks) of 15 published studies (>50 000 ticks) identified. We conclude that the collection and screening of ticks by real‐time RT‐PCR cannot be recommended for assessment of human TBE risk. Alternative methods of environmental TBEV monitoring should be considered, such as serological monitoring of rodents or other wildlife.     

A serological survey of cattle in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand for antibodies to Ross River virus

AIM: To determine if cattle exposed to the southern saltmarsh mosquito (SSM), Aedes camptorhynchus, in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand had been exposed to Ross River virus (RRV).

METHODS: A purposive sampling design was used to test cattle from seven farms located in close proximity to four sites infested with A. camptorhynchus in the Thames-Coromandel district. Sera from 207 cattle were tested for antibodies to RRV, using an ELISA and confi rmatory virus neutralisation test (VNT) as the gold standard.

RESULTS: All 207 cattle tested negative for antibodies to RRV using the ELISA and VNT.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found no evidence of exposure to RRV in cattle in locations in the Thames-Coromandel district of New Zealand where populations of SSM were present.     

La Crosse encephalitis surveillance using single versus paired serologic testing

We evaluated the validity of single versus paired serologic testing for La Crosse virus (LACV) encephalitis surveillance. Compared with paired serology, a single positive IgG or IgM immunoflourescent antibody titre appears useful for LACV encephalitis surveillance with sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 98%; positive predictive value, 95%; and overall test efficiency 92%.     

Anticipating the species jump: surveillance for emerging viral threats

Zoonotic disease surveillance is typically triggered after animal pathogens have already infected humans. Are there ways to identify high‐risk viruses before they emerge in humans? If so, then how and where can identifications be made and by what methods? These were the fundamental questions driving a workshop to examine the future of predictive surveillance for viruses that might jump from animals to infect humans. Virologists, ecologists and computational biologists from academia, federal government and non‐governmental organizations discussed opportunities as well as obstacles to the prediction of species jumps using genetic and ecological data from viruses and their hosts, vectors and reservoirs. This workshop marked an important first step towards envisioning both scientific and organizational frameworks for this future capability. Canine parvoviruses as well as seasonal H3N2 and pandemic H1N1 influenza viruses are discussed as exemplars that suggest what to look for in anticipating species jumps. To answer the question of where to look, prospects for discovering emerging viruses among wildlife, bats, rodents, arthropod vectors and occupationally exposed humans are discussed. Finally, opportunities and obstacles are identified and accompanied by suggestions for how to look for species jumps. Taken together, these findings constitute the beginnings of a conceptual framework for achieving a virus surveillance capability that could predict future species jumps.     

2010-2011年中国部分地区禽坦布苏病毒感染调查及分子变异分析

为了解中国目前禽坦布苏病毒在家禽中的流行状况及病毒分子演化特征,对2010-2011年采集自中国沿海及周边的9个省的439份疑似家禽坦布苏病毒感染的临床样品进行了鉴定,并进行了分离毒株NS5基因的分子遗传进化分析。结果表明,2010年采集的187份家禽病料中检测出42份阳性样品,阳性率为21．6％,而2011年采集的252份样品中检测出37份阳性样品,阳性率为13．9％。对部分毒株的NS5基因测序表明,本研究分离的禽坦布苏病毒与已发布的同时期分离的禽坦布苏病毒NS5基因同源性在98％以上,与2010年前分离的鸡源及蚊媒坦布苏病毒的同源性介于83．8％-85．8％之间;所有2010年后分离的禽坦布苏病毒毒株在系统进化上共同构成了一个进化分支。结果表明,2011年禽坦布苏病毒仍在中国沿海及周边的9个省的家禽中流行,病毒NS5基因的测序分析表明,到目前为止在家禽中流行的禽坦布苏病毒未出现明显的分子变异。     

视频监控系统在消防指挥调度中的作用

视频监控系统以其覆盖广、传输快、清晰度高等特点,广泛应用于城市预警、交通、城市管理、安防监控等诸多领域。本文主要介绍了视频监控系统在消防调度指挥中起到的辅助决策作用,可以更方便地为调度指挥提供丰富的即时信息,大大提高了出警速度,给领导辅助决策提供了帮助。     

Methods to detect a vian influenza virus for food safety surveillance

Avian influenza(AI),caused by the influenza A virus,has been a global concern for public health. AI outbreaks not only impact the p oultry production,but also give rise to a risk in food safety caused by viral contamination of poultry products in the food supply chain. Distinctions in AI outbreak between strains H5N1 and H7N9 indicate that early detection of the AI virus in poultry is crucial for the effective warning and control of AI to ensure food safety. Therefore,t he establishment of a poultry surveillance system for food safety by early detection is urgent and critical. In this article,methods to detect AI virus,including current methods recommended by the World Health Organization(WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health(Office International des Epizooties,OIE) and novel techniques not commonly used or commercialized are reviewed and evaluated for feasibility of use in the poultry surveillance system. Conventional methods usually applied for the purpose of AI diagnosis face some practical challenges to establishing a comprehensive poultry surveillance program in the poultry supply chain. Diverse development of new technologies can meet the specific requirements of AI virus detection in various stages or scenarios throughout the poultry supply chain where onsite,rapid and ultrasensitive methods are emphasized. Sy stematic approaches or integrated methods ought to be employed according to the application scenarios at every stage of the poultry supply chain to prevent AI outbreaks.     

构建舆情监测信息系统是网络舆情监测的必由之路

网络舆情错综复杂,现有的手工方式已无法满足互联网舆情实时监测与分析的要求,构建网络舆情监测信息系统是及时了解民意、掌握热点、发现与化解社会问题的必由之路;网络舆情监测系统就是运用信息自动发现与搜集、智能识别与处理等多种技术,能够满足指定主题自动发现与跟踪、舆情统计分析与热点趋势预测、正面言论回复与积极舆论引导等功能要求,是网络信息预警的重要组成部分。     

Detection and Control of a Nosocomial Outbreak Caused by Salmonella Newport at a Large Animal Hospital

Background: Nosocomial salmonellosis is often assumed to occur because infection control and surveillance practices are inadequate, but published evidence is lacking to support the related contention that rigorous application of these practices can impact the severity of outbreaks. Objective: Describe active surveillance, early recognition, and intensive mitigation efforts used in an effort to control an outbreak of nosocomial Salmonella enterica serotype Newport infections without hospital closure. Animals: Large animals hospitalized at a referral hospital. Methods: This prospective outbreak investigation was initiated when Salmonella Newport infections were detected among hospitalized animals by active surveillance. Data were analyzed to identify temporal and spatial patterns for epidemic spread of Salmonella in the hospital. Mitigation efforts were aggressively adjusted in response to surveillance data. Genetic relatedness of isolates was investigated by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis. Results: Of 145 large animals sampled, 8 (5.6%) were infected with the Salmonella strain associated with this outbreak, and all but 1 shed Salmonella in the absence of or before the onset of disease. This strain was recovered from 14.2% (42/295) of environmental samples (ENV samples), indicating that widespread environmental contamination had occurred. Isolates of Salmonella Newport obtained from infected animals and the environment were genetically indistinguishable, confirming clonal dissemination. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Active surveillance allowed early detection of nosocomial Salmonella transmission and hospital contamination. Use of aggressive interventions was followed by cessation of transmission. Active surveillance can allow earlier recognition and mitigation compared with programs by only sampling of clinically affected animals.