Recent Outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Type Asia 1 in China

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus is the aetiological agent of an important disease of livestock and has a great global impact. The outbreak of FMD type Asia 1 in China was first confirmed at the beginning of May 2005. Subsequent outbreaks occurred in 10 areas in different provinces of China.     

Recent Outbreaks of Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease Type Asia 1 in China

Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) virus is the aetiological agent of an important disease of livestock and has a great global impact. The outbreak of FMD type Asia 1 in China was first confirmed at the beginning of May 2005. Subsequent outbreaks occurred in 10 areas in different provinces of China.     

Recurring histomonosis on an organic farm

This report describes outbreaks of histomonosis, a severe disease caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis, which occurred over a period of 3 yr on an organic farm in southern Germany. Among other species, the farm houses layers, broilers, and turkeys. In August 2005 one group of turkeys was naturally infected with H. meleagridis. The strain causing infection was typed by C-profiling as genotype B. A second outbreak occurred 3 yr later. Again, a group of turkeys was naturally infected. The strain causing the infection belonged to genotype A. Two months later one group of broilers became infected with H. meleagridis type B and a group of turkeys with H. meleagridis type A. Four weeks later two further groups of broilers showed symptoms. DNA of H. meleagridis was detected but genotyping was not possible. In conclusion, genotyping of the histomonal strains causing the disease showed that at least two different histomonal strains caused the outbreaks and that the strains circulated on the farm at the same time.     

Newcastle disease outbreaks in fowl in Great Britain during 1984

During February to July 1984, 23 outbreaks of Newcastle disease were confirmed in chickens in Great Britain. Use of available mouse monoclonal antibodies enabled unequivocal identification of the virus responsible for 22 of the outbreaks as similar to the avian paramyxovirus type 1 (A/PMV-1) virus causing neurotropic disease in pigeons during 1983 and 1984. Epidemiological investigations presented evidence that 19 of these outbreaks occurred either directly or indirectly as a result of spread from diseased pigeons infesting food stores at Liverpool docks. Virus was isolated from carcases of pigeons found among the food and samples of the food itself. The remaining outbreak was shown to involve a virus unrelated to the virus infecting pigeons.     

Global situation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)--a short review

This article reviews the actual world FMD situation. In 2000, fifty nine countries officially reported outbreaks of FMD. The disease occurred in Europe (Greece), Asia (Russia, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, in Caucasian region--Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan), Africa (Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and in South America (Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela). In 2001, FMD was still spreading throughout the endemic regions and appeared in some of the west European countries--Great Britain, The Netherlands, France and Ireland. In South America, FMD occurred in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia. In Asia the FMD spread in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iran, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan. The FMD situation in Africa was unclear, but probably most countries in West, East and South Africa were affected. The most recent data of the OIE from May 2002 confirmed FMD outbreaks in population of pigs in Republic of Korea.     

Classic fowl plague--a review

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) represents a severe form of generalized avian influenza which is characterized by a rapid and severe course of disease and a very high mortality. All poultry species are susceptible. Turkeys and chickens are most vulnerable. There are no pathognomonic symptoms or specific pathological alterations. The disease is caused by avian influenza virus strains of the subtypes H5 or H7. These viruses arise spontaneously from apathogenic progenitors by insertional mutation in the HA gene. Until recently, outbreaks of HPAI were rare events, however, they have been found to cause increasing losses over the past few years. Since 2003, a widespread occurrence of HPAI has been registered in southeast Asia, and some countries are endemically infected with HPAIV strain H5N1. In six countries this virus has also caused fatal human infections. This has sparked fears that this agent may be the progenitor of a new pandemic influenza virus. During summer 2005 the disease has slowly spread westward. Isolated outbreaks have been reported from Kazakhstan, Russia, Romania, Turkey, Croatia and Ukraine. Migratory birds have been tentatively accused for spreading the infection along their flyways.     

草食偶蹄动物魏氏梭菌病及预防

为探讨国内野生和家养动物魏氏梭菌病发生的特点与规律,收集了近32 a间的文献资料,设立魏氏梭菌病发生的时间、区域、动物种类、细菌血清型等因素,统计分析流行病特征。结果：①魏氏梭菌病每隔4 a左右就会有高发病出现,各种血清型发病高峰的年际不一样,野生动物和家养动物高发病的年际、血清型有差别。②魏氏梭菌病在一年四季中均可发生,各季节的发生率不同,春季是高发季节,家养动物尤为明显,秋季野生动物的发病较为明显。4个季节中,D型菌引起的发病较多,在春季和夏季中D型菌发病尤为明显,在秋季中仅A型菌和D型菌有发病记录,冬季中都不突出。③魏氏梭菌病在1 a 12个月中均可发生,3、4月是高发病时期,6、11月的发病比率次之。3月西部区域发病较多,4月黄河与长江之间区域发病为多,6月长江以南区域发病高,11月则是黄河以北区域发病较多。野生动物发病多集中在6月和11月,家养动物4月发病较突出。2月C型菌引起的发病较明显,11月A型菌发生的比率明显高于其他血清型,D型菌则全年发生的较多。④黄河以北、黄河与长江之间、西部区域发病主要集中在春季,长江以南则主要在夏季发病。黄河以北区域D型菌最高,A型菌其次,C型菌最低。黄河与长江之间区域A型菌落高于D型菌,C型菌仍是最低。长江以南区域D型菌为主,A型菌其次,没有C型菌发病。西部区域则是D型菌明显高于A型菌和C型菌。结论：魏氏梭菌病的发生有一定的规律,每间隔4 a左右会有高发病出现。不同区域,魏氏梭菌病发生的时间有差别。野生动物和家养动物发病的时间和致病血清型有区别。疫苗接种预防是有效的,综合措施是较好的预防措施。预防时慎用磺胺嘧啶和多黏菌素类抗生素。兽医诊断水平亟待提高。     

Confirmed Exposure to Tick‐Borne Encephalitis Virus and Probable Human Cases of Tick‐Borne Encephalitis in Central/Northern Anatolia,Turkey

Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the aetiological agent of tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE), a potentially fatal central nervous system infection of humans. TBE is endemic in many areas of Europe and Asia; however, very scarce data on TBEV activity are available from Turkey. We aimed to identify TBEV exposure in healthy blood donors and the impact of TBEV in central nervous system infections in Central/Northern Anatolia. Two‐thousand four hundred and fifty four sera, collected from blood donors at Ankara, Konya, Eski?ehir and Zonguldak branches of the Turkish Red Crescent Middle Anatolia Regional Blood Center, were analysed for TBEV serosurveillance. Paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples from 108 patients with the diagnosis of aseptic meningitis/encephalitis of unknown aetiology were also evaluated to identify TBE and neuroborreliosis cases. Commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays and indirect immunofluorescence tests were employed for antibody detection. Forty‐seven donor samples (1.9%) were reactive for TBEV IgG. In 25 persons with IgG reactivity (53.1%), risk factors for tick‐borne infections were revealed. One sample from Zonguldak province (1/198; 0.5%) in the Black Sea region of Turkey was confirmed to possess neutralizing antibodies via plaque reduction neutralization test. TBEV IgM was detected in 9.2% (8/108) of the patients. IgM was accompanied by IgG reactivity in two persons where, in one, recent history of a tick bite was also identified. Intrathecal antibody production for TBEV could not be demonstrated. No evidence for Borrelia infections could be found. Confirmed exposure to TBEV and/or an antigenically similar tick‐borne flavivirus is documented for the first time in blood donors in Zonguldak in Northern Anatolia. Probable cases of TBE have also been identified from Central Anatolia. The epidemiology of TBEV activity in Turkey needs to be assessed and benefits of vaccination for general population, risk groups or travellers must be considered.     

The Situation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Outbreaks in Turkey

The first avian influenza (AI) outbreak occurred on 5 October, 2005, in north-west Turkey. On 13 October 2005, the virus was confirmed as H5N1 in Weybridge CVL, AI-NDV Reference Laboratory. Based on genetic analysis of the NA gene, the virus showed a close similarity to A7 Great Black Headed Gull/Qinghai/1/05 (99.6 % identity). Therefore, there is a direct relationship between the recent central Asian and Turkey isolates. The HA gene of the Turkish isolate was most similar to A/Grebe/Novosbirsk/05 (98.7% identity), and the Turkish isolate has therefore direct relationship with recent Russia, Mongolia and China isolates. The second outbreak of AI in Turkey occurred on 26 December 2005 in Igdir, close to the Iranian and Armenian border. The second outbreak was also due to H5N1 and it exhibited a significant spreading potential within the eastern region of the country. A total of 2 246 954 susceptible animals in the protection zone were culled with compensation.     

The Domestic Livestock Resources of Turkey: Status,Use and Some Physical Characteristics of Mules

Mules are known to have been used as carriage and riding animals in Mesopotamia and Anatolia as early as the beginning of the second millennium BC but may have been first bred in Anatolia in the Third Century BC. They have thus contributed to Turkey’s cultural, social and economic heritage for more than 4,000 years and were an ancient component of its guild of domestic animals and overall biodiversity. Once bred country-wide most mules are now introduced “illegally” to the southeast and east from Iraq and Iran. Mules are now bred only in one small area in north-central Turkey close to the Black Sea. The major role as a pack animal has been usurped since the mid-twentieth century by increasing use of motor transport and numbers have declined rapidly since the early 1980s. In 2009 about 51,500 mules remained in Turkey, mainly distributed in discrete areas in the extreme southeast, the centre-south, the northwest and the centre-north. In the southeast the main role is in cross-border trade (much of it described as smuggling) whereas in other areas mules are used in support of pastoral and farming operations. Mules in Turkey are of various colours but are generally large and strong compared to those found in many other countries. Pressure on numbers will continue and will exert a negative effect on a part of Turkey’s national heritage and domestic animal biodiversity.     

Avian paramyxovirus type 1 infection of racing pigeons: 5. Continued spread in 1984

The neurotropic disease of pigeons caused by a variant avian paramyxovirus type 1 virus was confirmed in 866 lofts in Great Britain during 1984, in comparison with 192 lofts during July to December 1983. The 1984 outbreaks were spread over 48 counties in England and Wales and three regions in Scotland. The main methods of spread of disease in the 1984 outbreaks appeared to be similar to 1983 with 574 of 866 probably resulting from contact with infected birds at, or travelling to, races or shows. In 791 of 866 (92.5 per cent) outbreaks in 1984 disease was seen only in unvaccinated birds. A further 61 (7 per cent) occurred in inadequately vaccinated birds or birds vaccinated after clinical signs appeared.     

A serologic investigation of blue tongue virus (BTV) in cattle,sheep and gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa in southeastern turkey

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants disseminated in the tropic and sub-tropic zone of the world. It is also an important problem in the Middle East. Three serotypes (4–9–16) of the virus have been isolated so far in Turkey. Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa (Goitred Gazella) is native species of Anatolia. Due to risk of extinction, captured Gazelles have been taken under protection in a restricted area at Ceylanpinar state farm. In this study, the presence of Bluetongue virus (BTV) was investigated serologically in 82 Goitred Gazella, 684 sheep and 100 cattle. Seropositivity rates in Gazella, sheep and cattle were detected as 40.2%, 295% and 88%, respectively.     

Association between outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 and migratory waterfowl (family Anatidae) populations

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 threatens poultry production and human health. Understanding the role that migratory waterfowl play in introducing and maintaining this infection is critical to control the outbreaks. A study was conducted to determine if the occurrence of HPAI subtype H5N1 outbreaks in village poultry in Romania, 2005-2006, was associated with proximity to populations of migratory waterfowl. Reported outbreaks--which could be grouped into three epidemic phases--and migratory waterfowl sites were mapped. The migratory waterfowl site closest to each outbreak was identified. The distances between outbreaks occurring in phase 1 and 2 of the epidemic and the closest migratory waterfowl site were significantly (P<0.001) less than in phase 3, but these distances were only useful in predicting when outbreaks occurred during phase 1 (October-December, 2005) of the epidemic. A spatial lag (rho=0.408, P=0.041) model best fit the data, using distance and [distance]*[distance] as predictors (R2=0.425). The correlation between when outbreaks were predicted to occur and when they were observed to occur was 0.55 (P=0.006). Results support the hypothesis that HPAI virus subtype H5N1 infections of village poultry in Romania during the autumn of 2005 might have occurred via exposure to migratory populations of waterfowl.     

Estimating the risk of importation of foot-and-mouth disease into Europe

The opinions of a number of recognised world experts on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) were sought in order to answer key questions relating to the importation of the disease into European countries from countries outside Europe. In addition, their opinions were sought on where in Europe a primary outbreak of FMD was most likely to occur and the number of outbreaks likely to occur within European countries in the next five years. The Balkans group of countries was considered to be the most likely group within Europe to have a primary outbreak of FMD and also most likely to have the highest number of primary outbreaks. Turkey was considered to be the country outside Europe which was most likely to be the source of an outbreak within Europe as a whole, and the illegal importation of livestock was considered to be the most likely route of introduction of FMD into Europe. Results specific to the Islands group of countries, which included the UK and Ireland, suggested that this group was likely to have a mean of one primary outbreak of FMD in the five years from September 2000, and that the importation of foodstuffs by people entering those countries from Turkey was the most likely source of an outbreak.     

Cross-border molecular tracing of brucellosis in Europe

To assess the general impact of endemic countries on the re-emergence of brucellosis in non-endemic regions of the European Union, the genetic fingerprints of Brucella melitensis strains imported to Germany were compared to ovine strains from Turkey in a molecular epidemiological study. Genotyping of 66 Brucella strains (based on Multiple Locus of Variable number of tandem repeats Analysis) isolated from German travellers and Turkish immigrants living in Germany revealed epidemiological concordance with 20 sheep isolates originating from Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. In summary, cross-border molecular tracing confirmed brucellosis being a zoonosis of concern for European public health.     

Molecular epidemiology of avian influenza viruses circulating among healthy poultry flocks in farms in northern Vietnam

Repeated epizootics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1 were reported from 2003 to 2005 among poultry in Vietnam. More than 200 million birds were killed to control the spread of the disease. Human cases of H5N1 infection have been sporadically reported in an area where repeated H5N1 outbreaks among birds had occurred. Subtype H5N1 strains are established as endemic among poultry in Vietnam, however, insights into how avian influenza viruses including the H5N1 subtype are maintained in endemic areas is not clear. In order to determine the prevalence of different avian influenza viruses (AIVs), including H5N1 circulating among poultry in northern Vietnam, surveillance was conducted during the years 2006-2009. A subtype H5N1 strain was isolated from an apparently healthy duck reared on a farm in northern Vietnam in 2008 and was identified as an HPAI. Although only one H5N1 virus was isolated, it supports the view that healthy domestic ducks play a pivotal role in maintaining and transmitting H5N1 viruses which cause disease outbreaks in northern Vietnam. In addition, a total of 26 AIVs with low pathogenicity were isolated from poultry and phylogenetic analysis of all the eight gene segments revealed their diverse genetical backgrounds, implying that reassortments have occurred frequently among strains in northern Vietnam. It is, therefore, important to monitor the prevalence of influenza viruses among healthy poultry between epidemics in an area where AIVs are endemic.     

Patterns of condemnation rates in swine from a federally inspected abattoir in relation to disease outbreak information in Ontario (2005-2007)

Strong correlations between clinical signs on farms and the presence of lesions at slaughter have been reported. The objective of this study was to determine if changes in condemnation rates provide a data source for surveillance of disease outbreaks in pigs. The data were obtained from 1 abattoir in Ontario (2005-2007). The epidemiological relevance of the results was based on an outbreak of porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVAD) in Ontario in 2005. The total condemnations and condemnations due to arthritis and pneumonia patterns reflected the field infection of PCVAD in 2005 followed by the widespread use of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) vaccine in 2007. In contrast, increased rates of nephritis and enteritis suggested areas for enhanced surveillance for unexplained changes in disease patterns not identified through traditional passive surveillance. Further studies looking at the benefits of using abattoir data should compare condemnation patterns with multiple sources of swine health data.     

Pork and pork products as a source for human salmonellosis in Germany

Pork and pork products are increasingly recognized as an important source of human salmonellosis. In the present study, we describe the characteristics of recent German salmonellosis outbreaks related to pork, and discuss legal efforts for Salmonella control. From 2001 to 2005,five large salmonellosis outbreaks were reported in Germany for which pork was the probable vehicle of infection. Evidence came from epidemiologic studies, microbiologic testing, and trace back investigations. All outbreaks showed disperse spatial distribution, affecting multiple federal states. A full trace back of implicated food items was not possible in three of these outbreaks. In two outbreaks, international trade in pigs appears to have played a role. To prevent further human disease from contaminated pork and pork products, an integrated programme for the reduction of Salmonella on all steps of the production chain is warranted. In addition, close collaboration between epidemiologists and microbiologists from both the human and the veterinary side should be further strengthened.     

Outbreaks of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in alpine chamois and ibex in Switzerland between 2001 and 2003

Five outbreaks of infectious keratoconjunctivitis (ikc) affecting alpine chamois and ibex in the western and central Swiss Alps were recorded in 2001 to 2003. Mycoplasma conjunctivae was identified from conjunctival swabs by means of a nested pcr in 27 of the 28 chamois tested. The outbreaks occurred in an area covering 1590 km(2). Deep valleys acted as a barrier to the spread of the disease. A total of 409 chamois and 33 ibex with clinical signs of ikc were reported. Most of the chamois were shot, primarily because they were blind or in poor general body condition. Almost a quarter were observed alive, and 16.9 per cent died as a result of ikc. Many of the affected animals were juveniles, and more females than males died of ikc. The disease was more common during the summer and autumn. The chamois affected by ikc were found at altitudes between 550 and 3200 m. The estimated overall mortality was less than 5 per cent, but more than 20 per cent may have died locally. Ibex affected by ikc were recorded in only two outbreaks. In six places, ibex with clinical signs of ikc were found before the first affected chamois appeared in the same area.     

Titration of Marek's disease cell-associated vaccine virus (CVI 988) of reconstituted vaccine and vaccine ampoules from Dutch hatcheries

Thirty-one outbreaks of Marek's disease (MD) were reported in the Netherlands and retrospectively analyzed. The outbreaks occurred mostly in vaccinated commercial layer and a few breeder flocks of several breeds; however, the cause of the outbreaks could not be established. Therefore, in a prospective study, the occurrence of true vaccine failures was assessed onfive hatcheries. The plaque-forming units (PFU) of MD vaccine per chicken dose were determined through in vitro assays on vacine ampoules (2 to 5 per hatchery) and samples of reconstituted vaccine (approximately 22 per hatchery). All forty reconstituted vaccine samples of hatcheries 1 and 4 showed PFU doses <10(3). In hatchery 4, 14 samples showed extreme low PFU (< or = 10 PFU). In hatcheries 2, 3, and 5, the numbers of MD vaccine suspensions with a titer > or = 10(3) PFU, which is the standard required, were 1 (5%), 17 (77%), and 3 (14%), respectively. Some vaccine ampoules showed < 10(3) PFU per chicken dose. This study shows the usefulness to assess the PFU per chicken dose of reconstituted MD vaccine and vaccine ampoules to unravel true vaccine failures, which could result in disease outbreaks in the field.