ARCC Journals’ Post

https://lnkd.in/eQ2_cH5g New study out on the interface of wildlife populations in South Texas (Nilgai) and related animal health impacts of Fever Ticks on the domestic cattle industry. #animalhealth #cattle #livestock #sustainability #beef #veterinary #epidemiology

As we commemorate #WorldZoonosesDay on July 6, I re-share this much-downloaded blog by Ana Cristina Canales, Tahira Syed and myself making the case that the time of fragmented operations in which animals and humans are siloed, and environment is a bystander, must be over. The time for preventive investment is now: with the global economy having just recovered from the disruptive COVID experience, the next #pandemic may only be a blink away if we don’t continue to build surveillance and response capacities, including efforts to build knowledge and public awareness. #OneHealth #livestock

A collection of improvements Is the standard of new innovations

In Isiolo County, Kenya, a groundbreaking project led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is taking the fight against zoonotic diseases to a new level. Co-infection with Rift Valley fever virus, Brucella spp., and Coxiella burnetii in humans and animals is a complex challenge, and it requires a multidisciplinary approach. With the involvement of experts from ILRI, national health, and livestock ministries, the County Government of Isiolo, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya Wildlife Service, and Washington State University, this project focuses on understanding how diseases like Brucellosis, Rift Valley fever, and Q fever spread in pastoral communities where people and animals coexist closely. One of the key aspects of the project is community engagement. The team has worked hand in hand with the local community, involving community elders and Borana-speaking staff to ensure open communication. Over the past year, they have monitored 140 households and their livestock, conducting quarterly blood tests to assess exposure to the three targeted pathogens and related syndromes. The project's findings are not only providing control options but also dispelling myths about zoonotic diseases. For example, it's important to understand that boiling milk doesn't affect animals' milk production and nutritional value. The project promotes scientific research-based methods for treating brucellosis, rather than traditional practices. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eW7KzgPX #ZoonoticDiseases #CommunityEngagement #ILRIResearch #Health #Livestock

The interfaces between wildlife, livestock, and humans are critical areas where the transmission of viruses can occur, leading to the emergence of zoonotic diseases. These interfaces, often referred to as “interface zones” or “interface areas,” are places where these three groups come into close contact, creating opportunities for the exchange of pathogens. Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted between animals and humans. The dynamics at these interfaces create opportunities for the spillover of viruses from animals to humans or vice versa. Here are some key points to consider: Zoonotic Transmission: Many infectious diseases that affect humans have their origins in animals, particularly wildlife. These zoonotic diseases can be transmitted directly from animals to humans or indirectly through intermediate hosts. Wildlife-Livestock Interface: Interactions between wildlife and livestock can lead to the exchange of viruses. For example, a virus may circulate in a wild animal population and then infect livestock that come into contact with the wildlife. This can act as a bridge for the virus to enter the human population. Wildlife-Human Interface: Direct or indirect contact between wildlife and humans can result in the transmission of viruses. This can happen through consumption of wildlife, contact with their bodily fluids, or exposure to contaminated environments. Livestock-Human Interface: Livestock are often in close proximity to humans, especially in agricultural settings. Viruses circulating in livestock may have the potential to infect humans, particularly if there are inadequate biosecurity measures in place. Livestock as Amplifiers: Livestock can play a crucial role in the transmission of viruses between wildlife and humans. They may serve as amplifying hosts, allowing viruses to adapt and potentially become more transmissible to humans. Factors Influencing Transmission: Direct Contact: Close contact between wildlife, livestock, and humans increases the risk of virus transmission. This can occur through hunting, farming, or when animals share common habitats. Indirect Contact: Interactions may also occur indirectly through shared environments, water sources, or vectors (e.g., mosquitoes or ticks) that move between different host species. Pathogen Exchange: The close proximity of wildlife, livestock, and human populations facilitates the exchange of pathogens. Viruses may jump from one species to another, either through mutation or recombination, leading to novel strains that can infect multiple hosts. Livestock Farming: Intensive farming practices can create conditions conducive to the transmission of viruses. Crowded conditions, stress, and the use of antibiotics can weaken immune responses in livestock, making them more susceptible to infections that may then spill over to humans. Wildlife Reservoirs: Some viruses have natural reservoirs in wildlife populations. These reservoirs may not exhibit symptoms of

Pandemic prevention requires that we take a significantly greater focus on the role of ecological damage from myriad pollution. We are not going to prevent a pandemic, by expanding the exposure of humans and animals to immune system harming toxicants like PFAS, plastics and pesticides. Yet we are continuing to expand the use of all of these. Makes you ask- are we really interested in pandemic prevention if we are unwilling to regulate appropriately? Indeed, behaviour will need to change.

Nilgai, a non-native antelope species roaming Southern Texas and Northeastern Mexico, were found to appear not to be susceptible to infection following exposure to Babesia bovis, one of two species of protozoa responsible for the disease known as cattle fever. This research significantly contributes to nationwide efforts to better understand the role of wildlife in the epidemiology of bovine babesiosis. This virulent tick-borne disease, with an up to 90% mortality rate in cattle, has plagued the U.S. cattle industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Nilgai are a particular wildlife species of concern because of their capacity to spread ticks over a large range. The study yielded no clinical signs of infection in nilgai groups after inoculation. The implication for management is that nilgai will not move infected ticks around the landscape. Continue reading about the critical research at tx.ag/NilgaiTicks -- Texas A&M AgriLife Research | Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service | Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management

The increased capacity of viruses bering able to jump across species scares me more than any other thing in the world. We had a small taste of this during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The intensive poultry farming is bad at a global scale. I don't agree with how this article singles out China's intensive poultry farming industry. The US intensive poultry farming industry is as bad as any at a global scale. Any intensive poultry farming industry needs to be monitored. Even more frightening is the melting of permafrost. We have no idea what is awakening from deep tundras. Ecological scale immune systems have not seen these viruses and microbes in over 5000 years. The WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme emergency response systems has to work better than they did for the COVID-19 pandemic. #WHO #virus #pandemicpreparedness

Chronic Wasting Disease: An Urgent Call to Action Last updated on February 13, 2024 Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has emerged as a significant threat to cervid populations in British Columbia. Recent confirmations of CWD in two deer samples from the Kootenay Region have prompted immediate action and heightened awareness within the hunting community. MANDATORY TESTING REQUIREMENT Effective immediately, hunters are mandated to submit harvested white-tailed and mule deer for CWD testing if obtained within specific Management Units (MUs). These include MUs 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4, 4-5, 4-6, 4-7, 4-8, 4-23, 4-24, and 4-25. Testing must occur within one week of harvest. Detailed submission instructions can be found on our CWD Surveillance & Testing page. UNDERSTANDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CWD is a fatal neurological infection affecting cervids such as mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and caribou. The disease's confirmation in the Kootenay Region has triggered a coordinated response led by the Provincial Wildlife Veterinarian in conjunction with the CWD Advisory Committee and Regional Working Groups. This collaborative effort includes input from First Nations, stakeholders, CWD experts, and other partners. LATEST NEWS AND RESOURCES Stay informed with the latest updates and resources concerning Chronic Wasting Disease. We encourage you to share this vital information within your networks to raise awareness and promote proactive measures.

📣 Dairy News Australia highlights the vital importance of biosecurity in the dairy industry. It's essential for protecting our businesses and livestock from threats like lumpy skin disease and foot and mouth disease. 💪 The article discusses the Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria and the proactive measures being taken in the southwest region. 🔗 Learn more about safeguarding the dairy industry: https://bit.ly/49kkA5C #DairyFarming #Biosecurity #Livestock #Agriculture #Australia #Victoria #AusAg