Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus detection in Thailand during 2005–2010 in relation to clinical problems, pig types, regions, and seasons

The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in Thailand between 2005 and 2010. The study was conducted by retrospectively investigating the detection of PRRSV from different pig types including boars, sows, piglets, nursery pigs, and fattening pigs from six regions of Thailand, i.e., the northern, eastern, northeastern, central, western, and southern parts. The data were obtained from cases submitted to the Chulalongkorn University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for PRRSV detection between 2005 and 2010. Frequency analyses and generalized linear models were used to evaluate the prevalence of PRRSV in relation to various factors. In total, 2,273 tissues (n?=?636), semen (n?=?210) and serum (n?=?1,427) samples were included. PRRSV was detected in 32.6 % (740/2,273) of the pigs. The virus was found in 43.1 %, 15.7 %, and 30.3 % in the tissues, semen, and serum samples, respectively (P?<?0.001). The prevalence of PRRSV was highest in 2005 (43.6 %) and lowest in 2009 (23.6 %) (P?<?0.001). The prevalence of PRRSV was highest in nursery pigs (43.7 %) and lowest in boars (15.4 %) (P?<?0.001). The prevalence of PRRSV in the hot season (34.9 %) was higher than that found in the cool season (28.1 %, P?=?0.018) but did not differ significantly compared to rainy season (34.0 %, P?=?0.486). The strain of PRRSV isolated in the present study was genotype 2 (54.5 %), genotype 1 (31.0 %), and mixed genotypes (14.5 %). It can be concluded that PRRSV was detected in the tissue samples more frequently than the semen and serum samples. The prevalence of PRRSV was high in the nursery pigs. A high prevalence of PRRSV was found in the hot season, indicating that climatic factors may also contribute to the prevalence of PRRSV in Thailand. Of all the PRRSV detected, 31.0 %, 54.5 %, and 14.5 % belonged to genotype 1, genotype 2, and mixed genotypes, respectively.     

A criteria and indicator prognosis for sustainable forest management assessments: Concepts and optional policy baskets for the high forest zone in Ghana

ABSTRACT

This article establishes principles conveyed by criteria and indicators as a useful tool for measuring progress made toward sustainable forest management (SFM). Pedagogically, the conceptual construction raises questions on the following topics: (a) the various management practices and policies that exist in the high forest zone, (b) how criteria and indicators for assessments are selected, and (c) how progress made toward SFM is measured. Performance scores are established for indicators identified within the three sectors (forest ecosystems, forest communities, and the economy) for sustainability assessment. Measuring progress toward SFM operations are quantitatively performed with estimated maximum and minimum thresholds levels at which resource-use would be sustained using the Measure of Forest Resource-Use Sustainability Scale (MoFRUSS). The outcome of the measurement operations, as depicted by MoFRUSS, reveals the actual extent to which stakeholder’s initiatives toward sustainable forest management has progressed and in which direction it is moving. It also offers optional policy baskets for resource management interventions from which the socio-eco economic bundle is recommended if the forestry sector of Ghana’s Vision 2020 (sustainable development) is to be achieved with improved societal well-being, improved environmental health and vitality, and improved economic growth and development.