Detection and molecular characterization of porcine kobuvirus in piglets in 2009–2013 in northern Thailand

Tropical Animal Health and Production - A total of 636 fecal samples collected from piglets with and without diarrhea during 2009 to 2013 were tested for porcine kobuvirus by RT-PCR. From a total...     

Vaccination coverage and epidemiological parameters of the owned-dog population in Thungsong District, Thailand

Canine rabies vaccination is delivered in Thungsong District, Thailand, as an annual campaign between March 1 and 31, and also at other times through private veterinary clinics, para-veterinarians and health-care staff residing in the villages. The current questionnaire-interview survey was conducted between June 23 and July 18, 2002 to determine: rabies-vaccination coverage amongst the owned-dog population; basic dog-population information; and community awareness about rabies. The modified expand programme on immunization cluster-survey method was used to collect information about dog demography and management characteristics. Household knowledge about rabies and sources of rabies information were assessed. Vaccinated dogs were identified from vaccine certificates or owner reports confirmed by vaccinators. Seventy percent (95%CI 62-78) of 364 eligible owned dogs were vaccinated within the 6 months prior to data collection. Of these 255 vaccinated dogs, 44, 21, 13, 17 and 5% were vaccinated through the annual vaccination campaign, veterinary clinics, para-veterinarians, other vaccinators and owners, respectively. Fifty-four percent of households owned dogs. The sex ratio in dogs was 2 males per female; the dog: human ratio was 1: 4.6 with an average of 0.9 dogs per household (1.7 dogs per dog-owning household). Most dogs roamed freely and these were less likely to be vaccinated compared to dogs being kept on premises or on a leash. Almost all households were aware of rabies and the need for dog rabies vaccination as a control method. Seventy-six percent believed that rabies only occurred in summer. There was little awareness about cat rabies amongst households. Vaccination coverage in the total dog population clearly has not yet reached the 80% target level set by Thailand's official rabies-control programme. Improved effectiveness of the owned-dog rabies-vaccination campaigns in each community is needed-perhaps by more community education about dog management or by better management of ownerless dogs.     

Can fishing communities escape marginalisation? Comparing overfishing,environmental pressures and adaptation in Thailand and the Philippines

In this article, we compare four fishing‐based areas in Thailand and the Philippines to examine if and how small‐scale fishing communities are able to escape marginalisation. Three questions guide our inquiry: (i) How have fishing communities been affected by overfishing, climate change and other pressures? (ii) What adaptive strategies have these communities employed to mitigate socio‐economic and environmental challenges? (iii) What has been the impact of these strategies on (escaping) marginalisation? Through a survey of 393 fishing‐based households and semi‐structured interviews with 59 key informants we find an uneven mixture of drivers, strategies and impacts. Respondents varyingly attribute declining fish catch to illegal fishing, overfishing, population increase, climate change and pollution. The case studies illustrate various degrees of adaptive successes that result from integration of top‐down and bottom‐up initiatives, and availability and access to livelihood strategies. However, the impact of adaptive strategies on overcoming marginalisation remains meagre and constrained by, among others, the power of illegal and commercial fishing and the absence of integrated spatial planning. We call for policy interventions and further research that takes into account the integration of top‐down and bottom‐up institutions, and the multiple dimensions and spaces of the drivers that shape fisherfolk marginalisation.     

Genetic diversity and novel combinations of G4P[19] and G9P[19] porcine rotavirus strains in Thailand

Several epidemiological studies reported the detection of rotavirus strains bearing unusual combinations of genetic background of human and porcine rotaviruses. This observation supports the hypothesis of interspecies transmission of rotaviruses in humans and pigs. The aims of this study were to investigate the genotypes and molecular characteristics of rotaviruses in piglets with diarrhea in several farms from two provinces in Thailand. A total of 207 fecal specimens collected from diarrheic piglets were screened for the presence of groups A, B, and C rotaviruses. Group A rotaviruses were detected in 41 out of 207 (19.8%) fecal specimens tested. A wide variety of G-P combination rotavirus strains were detected in this study. The G4P[6] was identified as the most prevalent genotype (39.0%), followed by G4P[23] (12.2%), G3P[23] (7.3%), G4P[19] (7.3%), G3P[6] (4.9%), G3P[13] (4.9%), G3P[19] (4.9%), G9P[13] (4.9%), G9P[19] (4.9%), G5P[6], and G5P[13] each of 2.4%. Furthermore, G5 and G9 in combinations with P-nontypeable strains were also found at each consisting of 2.4% (n = 1) of the collection. It was interesting to note that among diversified porcine rotavirus strains, novel combinations of G4P[19] and G9P[19] strains were detected for the first time in this study. Nucleotide sequences of VP4 and VP7 of these strains were closely related to human rotaviruses reported previously. The data implies that these porcine rotaviruses were probably generated in nature from the reassortment between the viruses of human and porcine origin. This study provides valuable epidemiological information and molecular characteristics of porcine rotaviruses circulating in piglets with diarrhea in northern Thailand.     

Assessing soil conservation strategies for upland cropping in Northeast Thailand with the WaNuLCAS model

Soil conservation approaches and agroforestry systems can play an important role in controlling erosion from tropical hillside cropping systems. Experimental testing of their potential application domain and design, however, is costly and time consuming. We, therefore, tested the ability of the Water, Nutrient and Light Capture in Agroforestry Systems (WaNuLCAS) model. The specific objectives of the study were: (i) to evaluate the WaNuLCAS model for predicting water induced erosion under different soil conservation strategies, (ii) to use the model for a better understanding of various soil conservation measures in controlling erosion, and (iii) to assess the magnitude and dynamics of key processes influencing the efficiency of soil conservation measures. A 3-year-data set (2003–2005) from a field experiment from the Loei province in Northeast Thailand on the impact of soil conservation (Leucaena hedgerow, Jack bean relay cropping) under minimum tillage on runoff and soil loss was tested. Results indicated that WaNuLCAS was able to predict soil loss and runoff well at the test site; i.e. R ² = 0.80 and 0.82, respectively. In the calibration procedure a sub data set was used, where adjusting crop development parameters was an important step for improving simulated soil loss (R ² = 0.75) and runoff (R ² = 0.89). Soil conservation measures such as Leucaena hedges were effective techniques to control runoff and soil loss. Implementing a dynamic soil structure module in combination with minimum tillage reduced runoff and soil loss via an increase in available macropores and hence drainage over time which improved simulation results. Relay cropping with Jack bean played an important role in the control treatment in reducing soil loss during the third year due to its additional soil cover and positive impact on soil fertility as suggested by the model. Hence, the WaNuLCAS model is a valuable tool to study and understand processes and to explore management options for improving tropical hillside cropping threatened by soil degradation.