assaya’s Post

💡 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 [𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟭 𝗼𝗳 𝟮]   Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗼-𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲, 𝘇𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 disease. Endemic in Africa and in the Arabian Peninsula, RVF affects 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀, including ruminants, camelids and humans. 𝗜𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗱𝘀, RVF can be asymptomatic. 𝗜𝗻 𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, the infection is characterized by abortions. 𝗜𝗻 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀, symptoms range from mild flu-like syndrome to severe hemorrhagic illness.    RVF is mainly 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘃𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 (𝘈𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘴 and 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘹 spp.). Direct, iatrogenic, or 𝘪𝘯 𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰 transmission have also been described.   RVF outbreaks have 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 at many levels: producers, livestock industry, agri-food industry, and public health, with economic impacts estimated at several millions of dollars.   Disease epidemiology and 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 are influenced by 4 main parameters: ▶️ Population density and movements ▶️ Emergence of vectors ▶️ Climate change / climate events like El Niño ▶️ Interaction between animals / vectors / humans and epidemiological parameters   𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲, a comprehensive range of 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 is available. 🔜 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 for the next post with more details about these tests!   #RVFV #RiftValleyFever #Zoonosis #Serology #IDvet #InnovativeDiagnostics 

The latest issue of Nature Journal features a concerning article about cow milk contamination with the Avian flu H5N1 virus. Some experts believe that up to 20% of the cow milk consumed by the public may be affected. While the USDA and the FDA aim to avoid causing panic, the presence of a highly polygenic variant of avian flu in the public is deeply troubling. In light of the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this news serves as a stark reminder that we are ill-prepared to handle another health crisis amidst the current one. Let’s hope public health agencies take this threat seriously and act swiftly to mitigate any potential impact. Almost Always Heaven, WV! https://lnkd.in/ezdJXfdh

📢Call for papers | IJAA One-Health Special Issue The deadline to submit papers for the next special issue in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (IJAA) is fast approaching. One-Health Special Issue Guest Editors: Dr Reema Singh and Prof. Yonghong Xiao Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant and pressing global threat that arises from the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in humans, plants, food animals, and the environment. The development of AMR is further exacerbated by the circulation of resistant organisms within healthcare environments. To effectively address the issue of AMR, it is essential to adopt a comprehensive and collaborative approach that emphasises the interconnectedness of the environment, animals, and humans. This approach is commonly referred to as the “One-Health” approach. The International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents is currently accepting submissions for a special issue that focuses on AMR in a One-Health context. This issue will cover multiple disciplines, and we invite contributions from experts in both academia and industry. We are seeking original research, review articles, and short communications for this virtual special issue. The following areas are of particular interest: • AMR in human and animal disease-causing pathogens; • Epidemiology and transmission of resistant pathogens in the environment (i.,e soil, water, air); • One-health integrated surveillance and management of AMR; • One-health interventions to control AMR. Deadline: 10 August 2024 Find out more on the website⬇ https://lnkd.in/epsr5nYE #Onehealth #clinicalmicro #healthcare #antibioticresistance #antibiotics #antimicrobialstewardship #antimicrobialresistance #antimicrobials #clinicalmicrobiology #globalhealth #publichealth #viralinfection #Zoonoses #agriculture #livestock #aquaculture #environmental #wastewater

Innovative genetic surveillance of wastewater provides a cost-effective and rapid method for early detection of H5N1 avian influenza. This approach can quickly pinpoint communities where the virus may be circulating, assess the timing of potential outbreaks, and estimate their magnitude. For an in-depth analysis, read more here: #wastewatertreatment #innovation

"May the 4th be with us". H5N1 bird flu has now been found in dairy cattle in 13 US states as shown by latest sequence data submitted to GISAID today, with the number of virus genomes available for this outbreak tripled. Why does this matter? Avian influenza is optimized to infect birds and whenever it is found in mammals it could also potentially infect humans more easily. It seems to be spreading fast between farms although the mode of transmission is not yet understood. The virus RNA is also found in raw milk and cats and racoons around farms are getting infected too. Should we worry? Not so fast. FDA says pasteurized milk is safe. So far one farm worker was found infected and had only mild symptoms, specifically eye infection, eyes are a possible entry point for avian influenza. The good news is that from earlier studies on H5N1 and H7N9 avian influenza we know which mutations could facilitate sustained human-human transmission and genomic surveillance together with tools such as the FluSurver developed by our A*STAR team on the GISAID platform show that the current cattle outbreak sequences lack the markers for human adaptation and we are paying careful attention on every new incoming sequence. For latest news and phylogenetic trees, please see: https://lnkd.in/ggP8PyYi #H5N1 #birdflu #dairy #cattle USDA The GISAID Initiative World Health Organization A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research A*STAR Research

How concerned should we be about the avian flu? Stanford University School of Medicine's michele barry lays out the facts as this fluid situation plays out within our dairy farms. As she told Jamie Hansen, APR: 'This virus has the potential to seriously disrupt our agricultural supplies and also jump from other mammals to humans and become an epidemic or even a pandemic.' In other words, stay closely tuned and on alert. (How about this illustration by Emily Moskal?)

I’m glad to share our recent contribution to knowledge '‘Occurrence and molecular characterization of Giardia spp. in snakes from China.’' Snakes are increasingly becoming household pets in recent times, with a high dregree of overlap between snake pets and human habitats. However, snakes harbour zoonotic pathogens which could be harmful to humans. Among these parasites are Gardia spp. Giardia intestinalis is a flagellated protozoan that colonizes the proximal small intestine (duodenum and jejunum) of more than 40 mammalian species, and is one of the species within the Giardia genus that is responsible for mammals, including humans, pets and livestock infection. Giardia intestinalis which causes giardiasis is one of the major parasitic causes of diarrhea with 190 million symptomatic infections per year in humans worldwide. In this study, we identified Giardia spp in snakes. The highlights of our study are: · This study is the first large-scale investigation of Giardia in snakes in China. · There were slight impacts on the infection rates of Giardia spp. in sex, species, age, and living conditions. · Odds ratios analysis revealed that the Corn snake exhibited a significantly higher risk of Giardia spp. infection. For the full article, below is the link (Note: Limited access to the full article) https://lnkd.in/dvX-cig6 #veterinaryparasites #petshops #parasitesjournal #molecularbiology #publichealth

If you've seen recent news of avian flu spreading among cows and would like to know more about what this means for our food systems and human health — and how health officials can mitigate the risk — check out this interview with michele barry, Director of the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health. ⬇

A recent serosurvey suggest that the CCHFV virus (CCHFV) circulation in rural population of Gabon. However, to definitively confirm this, researchers must find evidence of the virus in sick people or infected ticks. Given that the CCHFV IgG has been detected in humans, public health officials should establish a monitoring system to track the virus, as it could pose a danger to the public. Furthermore, investigating potential carriers of the virus, like insects, could help determine how CCHFV spreads among people. CCHFV is a dangerous tick-borne arbovirus with a case fatality rate of up to 50% and has been listed as priority pathogen by the WHO. During recent years CCHFV circulation expended to new regions due to climate change and increase in livestock trading. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e9uP2Hfn #CCHF_Virus #CCHF #Tick_Borne_Virus

📢The CDC is keeping an eye on the H5N1 outbreaks in livestock with the most recent transmission from infected dairy cows to human case occurring this week. The Nationwide Wastewater Surveillance Network (NWSS) has added an Influenza A dashboard to stay ahead of this threat.   GT Molecular has just released PCR assays with predicted detection of the current H5N1 outbreak affecting humans, cattle, and chickens! For more information and to see our assays see: https://lnkd.in/gx-GZABc   GT Molecular is at the forefront of wastewater monitoring, providing pathogen PCR assays and testing services with over 30 targets developed with the CDC available now! How do we get ahead of the next serious illness affecting our communities? 🤒 By being proactive, being prepared, and testing regularly! 👩🔬 #Influenza #H5N1 #GTMolecular #CDC #GenomeWeb #WastewaterSurveillance #WastewaterBasedEpidemiology #DigtialPCR #WastewaterTesting