June

Philippines: PRRS virus kills 700 pigs in 15 Pampanga towns
22 Jun 2009
Business Mirror [edited] [FSNet]
Some 60 barangays in 15 towns of Pampanga were affected by the Porcine Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) virus that killed at least 700 pigs out of the 3,138 animals in the province and affected 170 farmers.

Israel- Bluetongue, Ovine
4 Jun 2009
OIE, WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database), weekly disease information Vol. 22, No. 23, 4 Jun 2009 [edited][ProMed]
Summary
Report type: Immediate notification
Start date: 15 Mar 2009
Date of 1st confirmation of the event: 15 May 2009
Report date: 29 May 2009
Date submitted to OIE: 29 May 2009
Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence: December 2008
Manifestation of disease: Clinical disease
Causal agent: Bluetongue virus
Serotype: 24
Nature of diagnosis: Suspicion, Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy
This event pertains to the whole country
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1 (EN HAZEVA) EN HAZEVA, Hadarom, HADAROM
Date of start of the outbreak: 15 Mar 2009
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Village
Affected animals
Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Destroyed / Slaughtered
Sheep / 1000 / 300 / 240 / 0 / 0
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Outbreak statistics
Species / Apparent morbidity rate / Apparent mortality rate /
Apparent case fatality rate / Proportion susceptible animals lost
Sheep / 30.00 percent / 24.00 percent /80.00 percent /24.00 percent
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: Unknown or inconclusive; Vectors
Epidemiological comments: The last (and only) time serotype 24 of the bluetongue virus was diagnosed in Israel was in November 2008 in 6 different villages. Most of those cases were in the south of the country, as in this outbreak.
Control measures
Measures applied: Control of arthropods; No vaccination; No treatment of affected animals.
Measures to be applied: No other measures
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

Oman: Bluetongue
18 Jun 2009
OIE, WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database), weekly disease information Vol. 22, No. 25, 18 Jun 2009 [edited][ProMed]
Summary
Report type: Immediate notification (Final report)
Start date: 21 Feb 2009
Date of 1st confirmation of the event: 15 May 2009
Report date: 16 Jun 2009
Date submitted to OIE: 17 Jun 2009
Date event resolved: 17 Jun 2009
Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed disease Date of previous occurrence: 2001
Manifestation of disease: Clinical disease
Causal agent: Bluetongue virus
Serotype: Other
Nature of diagnosis: Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1: Sohar, Sohar, AL BATINAH
Date of start of the outbreak 21 Feb 2009
Outbreak status Resolved (17 Jun 2009)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals
Species/ Susceptible/ Cases/ Deaths/ Destroyed/ Slaughtered
Cervidae/ 69/ 6/ 6/ 0/ 0
Sheep/ 62/ 9/ 9/ 0/ 0
Affected population: farmed gazelles and sheep
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: Introduction of new live animals; Vectors.
Control measures
Measures applied: Control of arthropods, Quarantine, Screening, Dipping/Spraying, No vaccination, No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied: Vaccination in response to the outbreak (s)

Kazakhstan- Brucellosis, Livestock
15 Jun 2009
Meatinfo.ru [in Russian, trans.Mod.NP, edited][ProMed]
In the West Kazakhstan region, more than 10,000 cattle have been infected by brucellosis. Ural meat processing plants are in strengthened mode. Peasants are handing over large numbers of infected cattle. To process large quantity of meat, meat-packing plants work in the strengthened mode also, but the price for sausage in shops has not decreased.
In comparison with the last [several] years, the quantity of infected cattle has increased repeatedly. More than 230,000 heads of cattle have been examined. The greatest quantity of infected heads of cattle has been revealed in Dzhangalinsky, Akzhaiksky, Dzhanibeksky districts. But, according to experts of regional territorial inspection of the Ministry of Agriculture, it is not an epidemic. Simply since this year [2009] more exact technique of revealing brucellosis has begun to be applied. However conditions remain extremely serious. An expanded meeting devoted to brucellosis, took place in regional administration. The problem of recycling of sick cattle became rather actual. Sanitary meat can be used after thermal processing for manufacture of sausages and canned meat. In order to avoid the further distribution of a dangerous infection of sick cows it is necessary to slaughter animals, but not all peasants hurry to cull the animals who support them. According to the main expert of territorial inspection, not in all districts the work for reception and sending on meat-packing plants is led at an appropriate level of sanitation.
Nevertheless, at meat-packing plants with which have been concluded agreements for processing of infected meat, an intense situation already has developed in connection with shortage of industrial resources. But at such surplus of raw materials, the price for sausage in shops, breaking all laws of economy, remain stably high.
In total in the region for last months 9 persons have already been infected by brucellosis. In Uralsk there is a real danger to catch this disease, buying milk on numerous, uncontrollable spontaneous points of trade or from travelling milkmen.

Nigeria- African Swine Fever
10 Jun 2009
Next [edited][ProMed]
The Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed the report that African swine flu has been discovered in a certain part of Delta state. The Ministry, in a report by the special assistant on communication to the minister of health, said the presence of the disease has been confirmed after consultation with the Delta State Ministries of Health and Agriculture.
The ministry, however, said that African swine fever (ASF) affects only pigs and that it does not affect humans in any way. It said also that it is not in any way related to the H1N1 influenza strain, otherwise known as swine fever which has been ravaging the health world.
The Delta State Ministry of Agriculture has quarantined the affected piggery and has started culling the affected pigs to prevent the disease from spreading to other pigs.
African swine fever (ASF) is, however, a highly contagious, generalized disease of pigs caused by an iridovirus that exhibits varying virulence between strains, although different serotypes cannot be identified.
Experts say that the virus resists inactivation and can persist in meat up to 15 weeks, processed ham up to 6 months and up to one month in contaminated pens. It is endemic in most of southern Africa.
Treatment and vaccine have not been discovered to date. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits the importation of live hogs and uncooked pork from any country where ASF exists except if the products are commercially canned, hermetically sealed, and fully sterilized so they remain shelf stable without refrigeration, and the processes used have been proven to inactivate the virus.

India- Pacific white shrimp is susceptible to viral diseases
03 Jun 2009
Down to Earth [edited]
An outbreak of white spot disease wiped out 40-60 percent of Kerala’s ready-to-harvest shrimp in the first week of May.
Just three months ago, the Union agriculture ministry allowed import and cultivation of a new shrimp variety, which, aquaculture experts say, is susceptible to the viral disease. There is no known cure for the disease.
The Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), native to eastern Pacific countries, could also bring in newdiseases like taura syndrome and yellow head to India, they warned. In the past decade several countries have suffered heavy losses from white spot and taura outbreaks following introduction of the variety.
Shrimp account for 60 per cent of India’s seafood exports. Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) has been the mainstay of India’s seafood trade. But over the past few years the industry has been under pressure due to growing demand for white shrimp.
In the risk assessment report, the institute said introducing white shrimp was a high-risk proposition, but could be done if there are safeguards in place. The agriculture ministry is preparing guidelines that call for stringent measures like washing of cages and equipment between batches of shrimp seedlings and treatment of wastewater. It has asked the Marine Products Export Development Authority to set up a quarantine centre. All white shrimp seedlings will be quarantined for 24 days at this centre in Chennai to observe disease symptoms upon entry into the country. Only disease-free shrimp will be allowed for farming, said an official.

United Kingdom- Bracyspira spirochete infections in UK laying poultry flocks
02 Jun 2009
Sunflower Health UK [edited] [FSNet]
It is now two decades since the discovery that a spirochaete infection in pullets was associated with poor growth rates, immaturity and delayed onset of egg production. The recent discovery of various Brachyspira species on laying farms in Britain, and the observation that their presence was often associated with poor egg production and increased mortality had led a team of researchers from the UK Veterinary Laboratories Agency, working with collaborators, to carry out an extensive survey of poultry farms to determine the prevalence of Brachyspira [a family of spirochaete bacteria] infections. The group has primarily studied laying flocks. These flocks included free range birds and birds caged with both deep-pit and belt-clean systems, but also included were some breeding flocks and rearing pullets.
Brachyspira species were commonly found in this survey of layer flocks [76% in cages, 91% free range, 86% free range organic] but no Brachyspira species were found in in-rear flocks prior to placement, although infections were found following placement. Free-range laying flocks could be found to be fully infected as early as 22 weeks of age and caged flocks generally later by 36 weeks. Free-range flocks were significantly associated with poor performance in comparison with caged flocks. B. innocens was significantly associated with below target egg production in free-range flocks and, similarly, B. intermedia in caged flocks. Conversely, B. intermedia was associated with increased production in free-range flocks and this may have been due to prior treatment of these flocks.

May

Israel- Bluetongue, bovine
29 May 2009
OIE, WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database), weekly disease information 2009; 22(23) [edited][ProMed]
Summary
Report type: immediate notification (final report)
Start date: 19 Nov 2008
Date of 1st confirmation of the event: 27 May 2009
Date submitted to OIE: 29 May 2009
Date event resolved: 10 Dec 2008
Reason for notification: new strain of a listed disease
Manifestation of disease: clinical disease
Causal agent: bluetongue virus
Serotype: 8
Nature of diagnosis: suspicion, clinical, laboratory (basic and advanced), necropsy
This event pertains to the whole country
New outbreaks
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Outbreak Location: Hazafon [North] (Kefar Rosh Haniqra. Acco)
Affected population: the cow positive to serotype 8 was 3 years old. It was euthanized; its spleen was sent for virus isolation.
Total animals affected:
Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Destroyed / Slaughtered
Cattle / 250 / 80 / 12 / 0 / 0
Outbreak statistics
Species: cattle
Apparent morbidity rate 32 percent
Apparent mortality rate 4.8 percent
Apparent case fatality rate 15 percent
Proportion susceptible animals lost 4.8 percent
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive; airborne spread.
Epidemiological comments: this outbreak was already notified to have a positive result for serotype 16 of bluetongue virus (published in the immediate notification report dated 29 January 2009). New samples were sent to the OIE Reference Laboratory in Pirbright (United Kingdom) and, in the spleen of another cow, serotype 8 was found.
Control measures
Measures applied
- control of arthropods
- screening
- no vaccination
- no treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied: no other measures
Future reporting
The event is resolved. No more reports will be submitted.

Greece- Bluetongue
29 May 2009
OIE, WAHID (World Animal Health Information Database), weekly disease information 2008; 22(13) [edited] [ProMed]
Summary
Report type: immediate notification
Start date: 3 Nov 2008
Date of first confirmation of the event: 27 Feb 2009
Date submitted to OIE: 23 Mar 2009
Reason for notification: new strain of a listed disease
Manifestation of disease: clinical disease
Causal agent: bluetongue virus
Serotype: 8
Nature of diagnosis: suspicion, clinical, laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country.
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 3
Total animals affected
Species / susceptible / cases / deaths / destroyed / slaughtered
Sheep / 413 / 11 / 4 / 0 / 0
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive

West Africa Veterinary and Epidemiologists meet on zoonotic diseases
27 May 2009
[edited] [EatSafeGhana]
Madam Salamatu Abdul-Salam, Chief Director of the Ministry of Health on Wednesday was quoted as saying the success in efforts to build capacity for African countries to deal with emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases depended on the political will of governments. She said adequate financing and a responsive capacity building based on a thorough situational analysis of the resources needed to address inequalities in health and gaps in both animal and human healthcare were also dependable areas for the success of the capacity. Speaking at the opening of a three-day international workshop for stakeholders in the promotion on Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTP) in West Africa, the Chief Director said the government of Ghana was determined to commit some resources to assist the FELTP to control zoonotic diseases plaguing Africa.
Dr. Anthony Akunzule, Principal Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture was quoted as saying as a result of globalization, climatic change, unstable food security and persistence poverty, the world was facing an unprecedented worldwide impact of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic and other Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (TADs) He said the African Field and Epidemiology and Laboratory Network was established in 2005 with an overall goal to strengthen capacity of countries in surveillance, outbreak investigation and response, and had been dedicated to helping Ministries of Health in Africa build a strong, effective and sustainable program and capacity to improve public systems.
Dr Akunzule called for the need to accelerate the preparedness of all African countries to meet the threat of pandemic such as the Avian Influenza and the recent Swine Influenza, which had increased the urgency in strengthening FELTPs in the area of training of multidisciplinary teams.
He was of the view that combating communicable diseases depended on surveillance preventive measures and where appropriate outbreak investigation and institution of control measures. He said there was therefore the need to periodically assess surveillance and response systems, so that they continued to reflect national and regional priorities, improve efficiency and take advantage of new methods and techniques to strengthen surveillance.

United Kingdom- Infectious salmon anemia
22 May 2009
The Scottish Government, news release [edited] [ProMed]
The presence of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) has been confirmed on a 5th salmon farm within the existing ISA control zone in the south west of Shetland. The farm is close to the farms confirmed as being infected earlier in the year [2009].
In line with the Scottish Government's objective of eradication of outbreaks of ISA, the farm will be depopulated as soon as practicable. This will be done by the farm owners under the supervision of Marine Scotland's Fish Health Inspectors to prevent the spread of the virus.
The controls to contain ISA within the zones established in southwest
Shetland on 2 Jan 2009 will remain to provide protection for this and other areas of Shetland. As ISA does not affect humans there is no risk to human health, but it can cause serious damage to stocks of farmed Atlantic salmon in seawater.
Statutory movement restrictions have been placed on all sites in the control zone centered on the infected farms and in a wider surveillance zone. Other control measures include restrictions on movement of dead fish from sites and to killing stations, for all sites in the control and surveillance zone; and restrictions on movement of personnel and equipment to, from, and at sites where there has been a confirmed or suspected case of ISA.
Related stories
22 May 2009- Infectious Salmon Anemia
The Scottish Government [edited] [FSNet]

The Netherlands- Q Fever
06 May 2009
Dutch News [edited][ProMed]
The number of cases of Q fever reported among humans in the Netherlands has risen 'explosively' over the past few weeks, the Volkskrant reports on Wednesday [6 May 2009]. The paper says over 200 cases have been reported in recent days, half of them in Noord-Brabant province.
Q fever was rarely known among humans in the Netherlands until 2007, when 168 cases were reported. In 2008, there were more than 1000 infections in the Netherlands.
The infection is spread by livestock, which shed the bacteria in urine, feces, birth products, and milk. The bacteria can reach humans after feces and dirty straw are used as fertilizer and blown about, the Volkskrant says. The disease, which leads to spontaneous abortion in sheep and goats, causes flu-like symptoms in humans but can lead to lung infections.
Related Stories
09 May 2009 Q Fever, Update, Animal Vaccination
EC DG Health and Consumers Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH), Section, Animal Health & Animal Welfare [extracted, edited] [ProMed]
a. [History Q fever in animals, Netherlands]
1. 2005: Coxiella burnetii was 1st identified as the cause of abortion on 2 dairy-goat farms in the Netherlands.
2. 2006: Q-fever outbreaks diagnosed on 6 dairy-goat farms and one dairy-sheep farm
3. 2007: Q-fever outbreaks diagnosed on 7 dairy-goat farms
4. 2008: Q-fever outbreaks diagnosed on 7 dairy-goat farms and one dairy-sheep farm.
b. [History Q fever in humans, Netherlands]
1. Period 1997-2006: N=93.
2. Period 1 Jan 2007-4 Mar 2009
2007: N=192; 2008: N=958, 2009: N=3
Experts believe there is a connection between the outbreaks on goat and sheep dairy farms and the human outbreak, [since] large amounts of Coxiella burnetii are spread by infected animals mainly via feces and in case of abortions.
c. Measures taken in 2008:
1. Notification obligation for goat and sheep farms in case of high abortion rates:
- For farms with less than 100 animals: 3 abortions within 30 days
- For larger farms: greater than 5 percent abortion of pregnant animals within 30 days
2. Restrictions for infected farms:
- No visitors allowed in the stable for 3 months
- No manure may be removed from the stable for 3 months
d. Vaccination of animals:
1. 2008 - voluntary, applied vaccine "Q-fever vaccine Coxevac," Produced by CEVA (already in large scale use in France; not authorized, but application has been submitted).
2. Technical details: Inactivated, no adjuvants; 100 g/mL antigen.
e. Measures that will be taken in 2009:
1. Notification obligation for goat and sheep farms in case of high abortion rates (same as in 2008)
2. Compulsory vaccination of "high risk" goat and sheep farms of the Netherlands: Large dairy-goat and dairy-sheep farms (at least 50 animals), and Goat/sheep farms with a public function (e.g. children's petting farms)
3. Voluntary vaccination in the rest of the Netherlands
4. Hygiene protocol, which is in part mandatory
5. Extra research

United Kingdom: Scientists discover key carrier link behind fish disease
04 May 2009
Fis [edited] [iFSN]
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) researchers have discovered that fish can carry and spread proliferative kidney disease (PKD), which can infect and kill large amounts of fish, particularly in fish farms. The finding opens the door for research on more specific treatments for the disease.
PKD provokes a severe inflammation of the fish kidneys, and is known to especially affect fish recently introduced to infected farms. The estimated annual cost of the disease's impact on the UK trout industry alone is GBP 2.5 million (EUR 2.8 million).
Although the condition’s impact on the industry has been serious and widespread, research on the PKD has been sparse until now. Scientists had previously discovered the parasite in freshwater bryozoa, which are colony-forming animals that feed on algae. Some bryozoa species can fragment to form new colonies with the potential to spread the disease to fish.
The research team has also constructed a working model for studying the parasite’s lifecycle, information that will be imperative in developing measures to fight off PKD.
Research suggests that brown trout can host PKD despite not being particularly vulnerable to it, while UK rainbow trout can die from the disease.
It appears that PKD has affected wild salmon in Europe and North America, suggesting it is a budding threat to these central fisheries.

April

France- Bluetongue- The viral circulation has recommenced
30 Apr 2009
French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries [edited] [ProMed]
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced (Thu 30 Apr 2009) the 1st French outbreak of the bluetongue virus - serotype 1 (BTV-1) in 2009. It concerns a breeding establishment of alpacas situated in a farm atLavigney in the Department of Haute-Saone. The result causes a modification in the regulated zones; only vaccinated animals may leave the zone.

Vietnam – Blue ear pig disease
15 Apr 2009
Viet Nam News [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, several cases of blue-ear pig disease have been discovered at a breeding centre in Gia Lai Province's Pleiku City. It had been reported that the group of pigs had been vaccinated against the disease last month [March 2009]. The incident is under investigation.

United Kingdom – Scrapie in British sheep
14 Apr 2009
Farmers Guardian [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the prevalence of scrapie in British sheep has declined by 40 percent over 4 years, according to new research. The researchers say the decline is probably due to the success of policies like the Ram Genotyping Scheme and the Compulsory Scrapie Flocks Scheme, introduced in 2001 and 2004, respectively. The story goes on by explaining that analysis by the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) has provided evidence that the prevalence of scrapie in sheep in Great Britain was "approximately constant" to 2003, before declining by around 40 percent between 2003 and 2007.
The findings from the Defra-funded research have just been published in the journal Epidemiology and Infection. Scrapie -- one of a number of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) -- has been recognized in British sheep flocks since 1732. The disease is being studied closely, because TSEs are potentially transmissible to humans. Allied to this are concerns that scrapie could be masking BSE in sheep. However, there is no evidence to date that scrapie could be transmissible to humans or that natural infection of sheep with BSE has occurred.

Russia – African Swine Fever - Romanovka
10 Apr 2009
Official Web site of Rosselkhoznadzor -- Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance [in English, edited] [Promed]
Local Outbreak of African Swine Fever Eradicated in a Settlement of Rostovskaya Oblast Mortality in pigs was reported on the pig farm "Romanovka" in the Salsky Rayon of the Rostovskaya Oblast. Lesions of internal organs typical of African swine fever (ASF) were detected in dead animals after autopsy.
Laboratory analysis of pathological material detected African swine fever virus. All pigs in the settlement of Romanovka (1875 animals on the farm OOO "Romanovka" and 268 animals in private backyards) were subject to bloodless destruction and incineration. All roads in the settlement were disinfected, quarantine was imposed; veterinary and police posts were established along the roads of the rayon, disinfection barriers were imposed, earth roads leading to the settlement were turned over.

Israel - Classical swine fever
3 Apr 2009
Defra, Global Animal Health (GAH) -- International Disease Monitoring> Preliminary Outbreak Assessment Reference: VITT 1200/CSF-ISRAEL, 4 Mar 2009 [edited] [Promed]
Disease report
Israel reported an outbreak of classical swine fever in both domestic pigs and wild boar in Hazafon region. The pigs were in the same ownership but placed in 2 locations, 70 m (230 ft) apart. Pigs on one location showed clinical signs. The infected farm is located 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from the Lebanese border, which is open to wild boar movement. Eleven wild boars were found dead within a 4 km (2.5 mi) radius of the farm.
Preliminary tests indicate that they also may be positive for CSF. Final confirmation of the infection both in domestic pigs and wild boar is expected. Disease control measures were put in place.
This is the 1st reported incident of CSF in Israel. Recently, outbreaks of FMD in goats and sheep and BTV-4 in cattle were reported from the same region. It could be possible that CSF was detected due to increased monitoring for FMD.
Pozzi and others reported that pig farming is restricted to only 24 premises in the Northern part of Israel. Approximately 170,000 pigs a year are produced for slaughter. These 24 farms appear to e interconnected and may share access.
Preliminary genotype studies show the virus isolated from domestic pigs had high sequence similarity to virus isolates from China in 2002 and Germany in 1997. At this stage, information on which strain may be present is pending further laboratory tests. There are no CSF serotypes currently held in the CSF reference laboratory database for this region. No outbreaks of CSF have ever been reported from the Near East. Therefore, these findings represent an important epidemiological development. At this stage, it remains uncertain how the disease may have been introduced into Israel.
Israel is not on the EU list of approved countries for import of live pigs and fresh pig meat. Processed products (that is, canned pig meat, pet food rendered fats, pig bristles, blood products, by-products for pharmaceutical use) are permitted subject to official certification. Available data from TRACES (the EU electronic notification system) show no imports of any of these processed products from Israel to the UK for the past 6 months.
Preliminary testing of 11 dead wild boars suggests that they may have been infected with CSF. Should this be confirmed, this would also be a significant epidemiological finding, which may suggest that the disease has been present in this region for a longer period of time.
Wild boars are known to be distributed across a large area of Europe and Asia. The disease report mentions those wild boars are free to roam in the area and therefore may be responsible for introducing disease to domestic pigs.
Currently, we consider that there would be negligible likelihood of the introduction of CSF into the UK pig population through legal trade from Israel. Once again, this finding highlights the importance of prompt disease reporting of suspected CSF cases, and maintaining appropriate biosecurity and compliance with the ban on swill feeding in the UK. We continue to monitor and review the situation.

Russia – Trichinellosis (Krasnoyarsk)
2 Apr 2009
Interfax [edited] [Promed]
Slaughtered pigs infected with Trichinella have been confiscated from a businessman in Severo-Eniseysk (Krasnoyarskiy kray).City police informed Interfax-Sibir that they confiscated 9 pigs. However, several residents had already bought and consumed the pork. Infected people have been identified and are under medical observation.

March

Philippines - Ebola Reston in pigs and humans - WHO Update
31 Mar 2009
World Health Organisation, EPR, Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
On 16 Feb 2009, the Government of Philippines announced that a slaughterhouse worker who has daily contact with pigs tested positive for antibodies against the Ebola Reston virus. This brings to 6, out of a total of 141 people, those who have tested positive for Ebola Reston antibodies in the Philippines since testing began in December 2008. All 6 people who were antibody-positive reported occupational exposure to pigs.
The Philippine Department of Health has said that all 6 people who tested positive appear to be in good health. Pig-to-human transmission is believed to be the most likely source of infection.
To date, since the 1st human to develop antibodies against Ebola Reston was reported in 1989, no significant human illness has been reported in association with Ebola Reston infection. However only a very small number of humans with Ebola Reston antibodies have ever been detected, and all were healthy adult males. The threat to human health is likely to be low for healthy adults but is unknown for all other population groups, such as immuno-compromised persons, persons with underlying medical conditions, pregnant women and children. More studies are needed to better understand the public health implications of Ebola Reston in humans and efforts should be made to reduce the risk of human infection.
Ebola Reston virus species belongs to the genus Ebola in the family Filoviridae, a genus that comprises several Ebola species that are known to be highly pathogenic for humans. All members of the family Filoviridae are only handled in laboratories with the highest level of biosecurity [Biosafety Level 4].
Recent cases in the Philippines mark the 1st time that Ebola Reston virus has been found in pigs, and the 1st time that suspected transmission from pigs to humans has occurred.

South – Africa Corridor disease in bovine (Kwazulu Natal)
30 Mar 2009
The Witness (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, an outbreak of corridor disease [aka Theileriosis, East Coast fever - Mod.Promed] has been blamed for the death of cows in the Pongolo area. The KZN MEC (KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council) for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs said the department does not know the actual number of deaths, but suspects it could be in excess of 20.
A statement released by the department said the MEC has put together a team of scientists to establish the exact cause of the deaths and to find an immediate solution. All the symptoms are pointing to corridor disease, the department said.
It is believed the cows could have contracted the disease after grazing in the same fields as some buffalo from the Ithala Game Reserve. The department said it has taken immediate steps to try and stop more deaths from occurring by ordering that all buffalo at Ithala be moved away from areas close to the human settlements to avoid the infection of livestock.
It is reported that the department said it has sent an order to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to increase the number of security personnel that guard against mixed grazing and that it will be introducing a public education program targeted at all communities bordering nature reserves to ensure that they understand the dangers of mixing wildlife with domesticated stock.

Netherland – Q fever
30 Mar 2009
DutchNews [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a goat farm in the southern province of Limburg has been quarantined following an outbreak of the flu-like disease Q fever, news agency ANP reports on Monday [30 Mar 2009]. The farm, which has 1000 animals, is the 2nd where Q fever has been found this year [2009.

Spain - Mad cow expert may have died from disease
29 Mar 2009
CNN - Per Nyberg [edited][iFSN]
According to this story, a Spanish pathologist who specialized in a human strain of "mad cow" disease has died, and officials said Sunday they suspect the disease played a role in his death.
The doctor was head of the anatomy pathology section at the University Hospital Principe de Asturias in Alcala de Henares. Several samples have been sent off for testing, the health ministry said, but results are expected to take a month.

Philippines – City veterinarians warn of killer virus from goats
28 Mar 2009
The Manila Times [edited] [Promed]
Officials in Santos City expressed apprehension over the spread of a virus in locally bred goats that could possibly infect local residents. The City Veterinary Office has directed port authorities to quarantine all imported goats for blood testing following information that the virus came from imported goats from the United States.
In a regular city council meeting Thursday [26 Mar 2009], Councilor Minardo Avila said animals that were exposed to goats that died due to encephalitis should undergo blood testing and those that are found infected must immediately be burned, he said.
Experts said caprine encephalitis is a viral infection among goats, which can cause encephalitis in their kids and chronic joint disease among adult goats.
City Veterinarian Dr. Antonio Marin said an extensive information campaign has been conducted in villages adjacent to goat farms that were found infected. "We found that one huge goat farm in the locality was already infected and this should alarm our local goat raisers," Marin told reporters.
The most direct infection route is from mother goat to its kid through infected colostrum, body fluids, and milk.
Marin also sternly advised the public not to eat any animal suspected of having the disease, as he directed veterinarian personnel posted at the Makar Port to check all incoming imported goats. Martin clarified that only big goat farms have been reported with infected goats and not small backyard breeders.

Germany – Undiagnosed disease and deaths in bovine
27 Mar 2009
Spiegel On-Line International [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a mysterious illness is causing calves to bleed to death on German farms. Veterinarians are stumped over what is causing the deaths: vaccines, genetically modified feed or perhaps even the 1st mother's milk? What can a cattle farmer do when he sees blood running from his calves like water, when they become lethargic and febrile and, by the next morning, are lying dead on the floor, their coats covered in blood?
The unexplained illness has farmers deeply worried. Many farmers blame the "blood sweating" on a controversial vaccine against bluetongue disease, which became mandatory for cattle in Germany in April of last year [2008]. It is reported that the veterinarians, on the other hand, are trying to find a scientific explanation. The vaccination against bluetongue disease is not responsible for the blood sweaters, says expert Distl, who notes: "Calves of mothers that were not vaccinated have also contracted the illness." The scientists also believe that genetic defects are unlikely as a cause, because the problem has affected calves from 3 different breeds. They have also ruled out a viral or bacterial infection, because the animals are not infecting each other.
Pesticides or genetically modified feed are not the cause, says Distl, explaining that "the distribution of cases simply does not bear this out."
But other observations are striking. For example, there have been strange clusters of "up to more than 40" sick calves at individual farms, says Klee. Besides, all animals Klee has examined came from farms that vaccinate against Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD). That ailment can cause symptoms similar to those of the mysterious blood sweating, but calves are not even immunized against BVD. The scientists now plan to pursue one lead more intensively. In their 1st few hours of life, calves drink their 1st mother's milk, known as breastings. Scientists believe that this initial breast milk, which is so important for the young animals, could contain antibodies that attack and destroy the bone marrow. "The symptoms always occur after the calves have received their 1st breastings," says Distl.
The story goes on by explaining that there is still no proof of this hypothesis, and scientists continue to search for possible causes. Beginning in April [2009], the Bavarian State Office of Health and Food Safety will systematically test milk and blood. Veterinarian Klee plans to survey fellow veterinarians throughout Germany to learn about their experiences. A meeting at the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection in Berlin is scheduled for the end of the month. "The government must make the problem a high priority," says Distl.
Veterinarians have at least seen some success, and a few calves have survived the grim bloodletting after being given blood transfusions.
The vets have also started treating concomitant disorders, like pneumonia and diarrhea.

Philippines – Ebola Reston
26 Mar 2009
Business Mirror [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the swine industry of this southern port city [Zamboanga City] is free from the Ebola-Reston virus. The Mayor declared so, citing that tests were negative for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), pseudo rabies virus (PRV) and swine influenza virus (H1N1).
The test results that arrived this week were certified by the Philippine Animal Center of the Bureau of Animal Industry, which also conducted the tests on serum samples from dead swine sent by the Office of the City Veterinarian here. The samples were taken from 12 pigs that died early this month [March 2009] in Vitali barangay [village] , 72 km east of this city. The situation caused undue alarm that it was an outbreak of the Ebola-Reston virus. The mayor disclosed that 5 of the 8 samples sent tested positive for classical swine fever, or hog cholera, a highly contagious disease of pigs that usually results in the death of the animal 15 days after it is infected.
Related stories
14 Mar 2009 – Ebola Reston in pigs
BusinessWorld online [edited] [Promed]
Animal and public health experts will test fruit bats for Ebola Reston [virus infection] in June [2009] to determine the source of a non-lethal virus that was transmitted to hogs, an Agriculture official said on Friday [14 Mar 2009]. The government expects authorities of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (also known by its French acronym OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to return [at the] end of May 2009 and conduct the tests.
Early this year [2009], international public and animal health experts conducted a joint risk assessment on the virus outbreak and collected blood and tissue samples from hogs in the towns of Pandi in Bulacan and Manaoag in Pangasinan, both north of Metro Manila and the virus's suspected source. In a separate interview, FAO country representative said tests on fruit bats are one of the recommendations of international experts after a 10-day mission to monitor government efforts to contain Ebola Reston [virus infection]. Ebola Reston, which is only found in the Philippines, had been confined to monkeys, and the latest detection is the first time it has jumped species. The country representative of the WHO, said earlier that they suspect fruit bats to be the carriers of the virus. He added that the Health, Agriculture and Environment departments would also study the virus's nature and habitat. The government last week completed the first large scale disease-related culling of some 6200 hogs in a Bulacan farm following a confirmed outbreak.

United Kingdom, Scotland – Infectious Salmon anemia
23 Mar 2009
The Fish Site [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the presence of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) virus has been confirmed on a 3rd salmon farm in the Burra area west of Shetland. This farm lies within the control zone that was established on 2 Jan 2009, when the 1st case of ISA was confirmed at a fish farm also in the Burra area west of Shetland. Scotland Fisheries Research (FRS) Service has announced that control zones were established around the confirmed infected sites and that a surveillance zone was set up around this control zone. It is reported that FRS Fish Health Inspectors are continuing to work in Shetland to investigate the affected sites. Investigations into the potential source and spread of ISA are continuing.
All of the fish farm sites have been inspected by staff from the FRS Fish Health Inspectorate, with further samples being taken from some of those sites to establish the current situation on each.

Russia - African swine fever strikes collective farm
19 Mar 2009
The Moscow Times [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, veterinary officials on Thursday [19 Mar 2009] confirmed an outbreak of African swine fever [ASF] at a collective farm in the southern Stavropol region, the 3rd such incident in the area since October [2008].
It is reported that a Moscow region lab confirmed that pigs at the Lenin kolkhoz [collective farm] were infected with the disease. A team of veterinarians, law enforcement officers and Emergency Situations Ministry officials were working in the quarantine zone, and police are guarding entrances to the farm, local news agencies reported.
The story goes on by explaining that the disease, which has largely been eradicated outside sub-Saharan Africa, has caused serious damage in the agricultural Stavropol region since an outbreak was confirmed there in October [2008]. More than 18,000 pigs there have been culled or died of the disease since, Rossiiskaya Gazeta said on its website Thursday [19 Mar 2009]. The Gazeta newspaper reported Thursday that officials were also trying to contain a suspected outbreak in South Ossetia.
A local Emergency Situations Ministry official said that about 50 pigs had died at the farm in the Kievka [Kiyevka] village, Interfax reported. Roughly 2700 pigs -- most of them at private farms – are within the quarantine zone, a local veterinary official told the news agency.
In February [2009], 4 workers at a Stavropol collective farm – also named after Lenin -- were found guilty of veterinary violations and fined RUB 50,000 to 60,000 [USD 1480-1770].

Namibia - Lumpy Skin Disease Spreads to Oshana, Oshikoto and Ohangwena
19 Mar 2009
New Era [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the lumpy skin disease (LSD), which has been tormenting livestock in the Kunene Region, has now spread to the regions of Oshana, Oshikoto and Ohangwena. The disease is spreading fast, to the extent that on Monday [16 Mar 2009] alone about 30 cattle owners here consulted the state veterinary office in Ondangwa.The farmers are now begging the Government to intervene because according to them, the Government has been quiet since the outbreak. Cattle owners claim that they cannot afford the vaccine for LSD, as it is too expensive. Other farmers are unable to reach pharmacies because of floods. A State veterinarian based at Ondangwa, said although the mortality due to the disease is very low, the spread of LSD it very high and worrying. Lumpy skin disease is transmitted and mechanically spread through insect bites of mosquitoes, biting flies and other biting insects.
The disease can also be transmitted through direct contact among cattle. The veterinarian said LSD spreads easily during the rainy season.

Philippines - Zamboanga pigs die of swine-flu virus
13 Mar 2009
Business Mirror [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the death of a dozen pigs last week [2-6 Mar 2008] in barangay Vitali, 72 km [44.7 miles] east of Zamboanga City, was caused by mainly swine flu and not the Ebola Reston virus as earlier feared by people in the city. This was the finding of a team of experts from the Department of Agriculture (DA), city veterinarian and city health offices that went to Vitali and conducted an on-site investigation.
Apart from swine flu, other possible causes of the death were Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, Classical Swine Fever, Actinobacillus Pleuropneumoniae, Salmonellosis Enzootic [?] and Heat Stroke, said the chief of the city veterinary office.
The City health officer also disclosed that the 5-year-old child who died at same time as the pigs suffered severe dehydration caused by infectious diarrhea, and not from eating pork infected by the virus as earlier feared by people in the city. The team also found out that the owner of the swine that died had sold the meat to the community and this caused diarrhea and other symptoms of one family and eventually led to the death of one child.
It is also reported that other findings showed that the water source of the family has high E. coli content that might have also led to diarrhea and severe dehydration and that the pigs that died belong to 3 households. The pigs were not vaccinated and consequently exhibited nasal discharges, fever, sudden weakness and death within 2 days.

Australia - Sheep producers warned of lupin disease
12 Mar 2009
ABC.news.au [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, sheep farmers are being urged to protect their livestock from a devastating lupin disease. The Department of Agriculture and Food says 5 cases of lupinosis have been reported in the great southern in the past fortnight, with one farmer losing 90 sheep.

Australia – Fascioliasis in bovine (New South Wales)
5 Mar 2009
ABC Rural [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the number of cases of cattle liver fluke has doubled on the New South Wales North Coast this season [2009] because of wet weather. It's estimated to be the highest number of cases in a decade, with numerous cattle deaths already.
The DPI [Department for Planning and Infrastructure] Regional Animal Health Leader says the past decade of drier weather has kept the number of cases down.

Philippines – Ebola Reston in pigs - Bulacan pig industry to recover from culling
5 Mar 2009
Pig Progress News [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the Bulacan Governor has offered optimism that the dying pig industry in the Philippine province will recover when the culling of the Ebola-Reston-infected pigs is completed. The Ebola-Reston scare sparked trouble in the local pig industry, bringing down the sales of pork by a massive 50 percent.
It is reported that meanwhile, the team conducting depopulation of hogs in Bulacan is back on track and is likely to meet the Friday [6 Mar 2009] deadline as almost 5000 or 73 percent of the 6500 pigs from an infected farm in Pandi town have been culled.
Related stories
1 Mar 2009 – Ebola-Reston virus
Agence France-Presse via ABS-CBN News [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, Philippine health and agriculture officials arrived at a farm in Pandi near Manila Sunday [1 Mar 2009] to begin slaughtering around 6000 pigs to prevent the spread of the Ebola-Reston virus. Security was tight, with police checkpoints set up in Bulacan province to prevent reporters from getting close to the farm where traces of the non-lethal virus had been detected. Even houses near the farm were being secured by police to keep outsiders away.
The head of the National Epidemiology Center, told reporters that an electric stun-gun would be used to kill the pigs, after which the carcasses would be burned and then buried. He said they expected to cull only about 500 pigs Sunday [1 Mar 2009] but hoped later to slaughter 1000 a day and to complete the process within a week.

Pakistan - Mysterious disease killing livestock
4 Mar 2009
The News (Pakistan) [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, d ozens of the livestock were killed here [Miram Shah, Federally Administered Tribal Areas] on daily basis owing to a mysterious disease of cattle, residents of the North Waziristan Tuesday [3 Mar 2009] said. The elders of the Muski tribesmen including Malik Rasul Khan, Muqarab Khan, and Aurangzeb told "The News" that so far 60 cattle head had been killed due to the unknown disease. They demanded of the relevant authorities to send teams of veterinary experts to the area, as livestock was the backbone of the rural economy in the area for the impoverished people.

Israel – Classical swine fever
4 Mar 2009
OIE-WAHID Weekly Disease Information Vol. 22 - No. 10, March
2009 [edited] [Promed]
Summary
Report type: Immediate notification
Start date: 15 Feb 2009
Date of first confirmation of the event: 2 Mar 2009
Report date: 4 Mar 2009
Manifestation of disease: Clinical disease
Causal agent: Classical swine fever virus
Nature of diagnosis: Suspicion, Clinical, Laboratory (basic),
Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy
This event pertains to the whole country
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1 (FASSUTA) FASSUTA, Acco, HAZAFON
Date of start of the outbreak: 15 Feb 2009
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals:
Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Destroyed / Slaughtered
Wild species / na / na / 11 / 1 / 0
Swine / 500 / 70 / 20 / 1 / 0
Affected population: The population of the pigs in the farm is divided into 2 premises 70 miles from each other. The affected animals were discovered only in one of the 2 premises where 500 pregnant sows and 6 males stay. Clinical signs were fever, anorexia, multifocal hyperemia and hemorrhagic lesions of the skin, vomiting, coughing, ataxia and death. Post-mortem investigation has revealed lesions that fit classical swine fever.
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection:
- Unknown or inconclusive
- Fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.)
- Contact with wild species
Epidemiological comments: The farm is located at about 3.5 km from the Lebanese border, through which wild boars can pass. 11 wild boars were found dead in a 4-km-radius area around the farm. Toxicological results were negative. Antigen detection has shown a positive result for classical swine fever and bovine viral diarrhea. Advanced laboratory tests (PCR) performed in the Kimron Veterinary Institute (Israel) has found the virus in domestic pigs. The PCR has shown 97 percent homology with the virus isolates from China (2002) and 98 percent homology with the virus isolates from Germany (1997).
The final diagnosis is still pending since it is the 1st time that the disease has been detected in Israel, and the results from the OIE reference laboratory in Germany (University of Veterinary Medicine - Hanover) are expected for confirmation.
Control measures
Measures applied
- Quarantine
- Movement control inside the country
- No vaccination
- No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied:
- Control of wildlife reservoirs
- Screening
- Vaccination in response to the outbreak (s)
- Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
- Modified stamping out

February

France - Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, Reunion (France)
28 Feb 2009
OIE WAHID Disease Information 2009; 22(9) [edited] [Promed]
Report type: Immediate notification
Start date 12 Jan 2009
Date of 1st confirmation of the event 16 Jan 2009
Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 15 Jan 2003
Manifestation of disease: Clinical disease
Causal agent: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus
Nature of diagnosis Clinical, Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1 Plaine des palmistes, Reunion
Date of start of the outbreak 12 Jan 2009
Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Species Cattle
Susceptible 31
Cases 1
Deaths 0
Destroyed 0
Slaughtered 0
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Species Cattle
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: Vectors, Endemic
Epidemiological comments This disease had already been diagnosed in cattle in 2003 in La Reunion with a similar epidemiology to the current episode.
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

Australia – First record of Tomato torrado virus in Australia
February 2009
European Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) Reporting Service 2/2009/031 [edited]
In October 2008, the presence of Tomato torrado virus was reported for the 1st time in Australia. The virus was detected in glasshouse tomatoes in the Northern Adelaide Plains of South Australia. Affected tomato plants showed leaf mottling, yellow spotting followed by necrosis at the base of leaflets and in some cases, stem necrosis.
But unlike reports from other parts of the world, no fruit symptoms were observed.

The Philippines -Manila to slaughter 6000 pigs to stop Ebola spread
23 Feb 2009
Reuters [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, the Philippines will slaughter 6000 pigs at a hog farm north of the capital Manila to prevent the spread of the Ebola-Reston virus, health and farm officials said on Monday [23 Feb 2009].
It is reported that the government has lifted a quarantine on a 2nd hog farm after tests by experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and Food and the Agriculture Organisation (FAO) showed no more signs of the disease.
The country has more than 13 million heads of swine and the discovery of Ebola-Reston on 2 hog farms north of Manila was isolated, the government said.
"There is ongoing viral transmission in Bulacan ... as a precautionary measure, depopulation will be carried out in the Bulacan farm,"the Health secretary told reporters, referring to the farm just north of Manila.
The story goes on by explaining that the government said 6000 pigs would be killed, burned, and buried as experts sought to determine the source of Ebola-Reston in pigs as well as pig-to-pig and from pig-to-human transmission. The Health Secretary said 147 human samples have been tested for Ebola, but only 6 have tested positive. But all 6 remain healthy, he added.
"Ebola-Reston poses a low risk to human health at this time," Duque said.
Related stories
3 Feb 2009 - Ebola Reston in pigs and humans
World Health Organisation (WHO), EPR, disease Outbreak News [edited] [Promed]
On 23 Jan 2009, the Government of the Philippines announced that a person thought to have come in contact with sick pigs had tested positive for Ebola Reston Virus (ERV) antibodies (IgG). On 30 Jan 2009 the Government announced that a further 4 individuals had been found positive for ERV antibodies: 2 farm workers in Bulacan and one farm worker in Pangasinan -- the 2 farms currently under quarantine in northern Luzon because of ERV infection was found in pigs – and one butcher from a slaughterhouse in Pangasinan. The person announced on 23 Jan 2009 to have tested positive for ERV antibodies is reported to be a backyard pig farmer from Valenzuela City, a neighborhood within Metro Manila.
The Philippine Department of Health has said that the people who tested positive appear to be in good health and have not suffered from any significant illnesses in the past 12 months. The investigation team reported that it was possible that all 5 individuals had been exposed to the virus as a result of direct contact with sick pigs. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is not common practice among these animal handlers.
From these observations and previous studies of ERV, the virus has shown it can be transmitted to humans, without resulting in illness. However, the evidence available relates only to healthy adults and it would be premature to conclude the health effects of the virus on all population groups. The threat to human health is likely to be low for healthy adults but is unknown for all other population groups, such as immuno-compromised persons, persons with underlying medical conditions, pregnant women and children.
The Philippine Government is conducting contact tracing in relation to the 5 individuals who tested positive for antibodies. In addition, testing is ongoing for other persons who could have come into contact with sick pigs on the 2 quarantined farms in the provinces of Bulacan and Pangasinan where pigs co-infected with the Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) and ERV were reported in 2008. The 2 farms remain under quarantine and the Philippine Government is maintaining its voluntary hold of exports of live pigs and fresh and frozen pork meat.
The Philippine Government has announced a combined Department of Health and Department of Agriculture strategy to limit the animal and human health risks of the Ebola Reston Virus and emphasized that local governments, the pig farming industry and the public will play a critical role in the strategy.
Along with its international partners, the WHO will continue to support the Philippine Government in its efforts to gain a better understanding of the Ebola Reston virus, its effects on humans, and the measures that need to be taken to reduce any risks to human health.

New Zealand –Scrapie atypical in ovine
18 Feb 2009
The Age (Australia) [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, New Zealand's sheep industry is on alert after the discovery of a "new" form of the brain disease scrapie in a research flock in Britain. Two cheviot sheep sent as part of a New Zealand flock and a ewe born to 2 cheviots in the "closed" flock developed atypical scrapie, a fatal degenerative disease that affects the nervous systems of sheep and goats. "A likely explanation for the 3 cases of atypical scrapie is that they arose spontaneously and were not infected from an exterior source," British researchers said.

Philippines - Numbers of infected hogs increase
11 Feb 2009
Cebu Daily News, Inquirer report [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the number of pigs in Eastern Visayas that contracted diseases since last January [2009] rose to nearly 1000 with about 250 deaths, after 178 new cases of infected hogs were reported during a meeting [in Tacloban City] on Monday [9 Feb 2009]. The regional executive director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), earlier disclosed that in late January [2009], nearly 700 pigs from the villages of Sta Rita, Samar, 60 from Daram, also in Samar, and 25 from 3 villages of Babatngon, Leyte were suspected of being infected with Salmonella.
The DA-Region 8 livestock coordinator, said his office has received reports of the additional cases through phone calls and text messages of hog disease occurrences in several other towns in Leyte, but lost of these are yet to be verified. The provincial veterinarian of Northern Samar, said 137 cases of disease occurrence on pigs with 77 deaths due to suspected bacterial infection were reported in 3 barangays (villages) of Lope de Vega town in Northern Samar early February [2009].He said they conducted an animal health mission and information drive in barangays Getigo, Poblacion, and Hibunawan on 5 Feb 2009 while the local government of Lope de Vega had set up checkpoints to prevent the spread of the disease
Related stories
9 Feb 2009 – Salmonella in pigs
ABS-CBN [edited] [Promed]
Department of Agriculture (DA) officials in the region said that it considers the cases of Salmonella infection of hogs in Sta Rita town in Samar province now "under control,". According to the Regional Livestock Coordinator: "There were no reports until this time of sick pigs from the area. We are optimistic that the cases are now controlled". Records have indicated that since December last year [2008], 84 pigs have died and almost 772 hogs were affected. 25 others were found to have been slaughtered by owners upon detection of the symptoms of the disease. The cases affected 7 barangays of Sta Rita. "We have been conducting a series of animal health missions in the municipality. So far, 334 pigs had been treated; 252 were given prophylaxis, and 87 were vaccinated," the Regional Livestock Coordinator disclosed. He said that based on their assessment, at least 90 per cent of the swine that were treated "have recovered".
"Cases of deaths could have been prevented if only suspected animals were reported at once and consequently given treatment. We encourage the hog raisers to immediately contact the nearest veterinary or agriculture office once they observe manifestations of the disease," he stressed. He said that after receiving reports of hog mortalities in barangay Manunca in Sta Rita last December [2008], "we immediately conducted an investigation in the area."
Laboratory tests of liver and tissue samples from the affected animals were found positive for Salmonella infection and not hog cholera. Hogs infected with Salmonella bacteria exhibit clinical signs such as loss of appetite, high fever, diarrhea, nasal discharge, and conjunctivitis.
"We implemented the so-called biosecurity measures in order to prevent the spread of the disease to non-affected areas; we recommended a 30 day strict quarantine regulation in Sta Rita. This means, in particular, that movement of hogs will be regulated through several checkpoints installed at strategic locations. Likewise, we proposed banning the slaughter of sick animals," he stated.
Through the Quick Response Team of DA and with the help of local officials, certain prevention and control measures were implemented to control the spread of the disease. "But until this time, we are intensifying our information campaign focused on proper management practices in backyard swine raising, observance of good hygiene and proper disposal of dead animals. We also advise residents, especially hog owners, that if they observe something wrong with their pigs to kindly report it immediately to the nearest municipal agriculturist officer for proper action," he added.
The infection among the hogs was detected December last year [2008], and by early January 2009, DA officials confirmed it as Salmonella infection and not hog cholera as was initially thought. Among factors that reportedly trigger the infection are feed contamination, changes in weather conditions, continuous rains, lack of proper housing and sanitation, and poor nutrition
2 Feb 2009 – Intensified drive vs Salmonella sought in Visayas
GMANEWS.TV [edited] [Promed]
1 Feb 2009 – Salmonella infection in pigs rises
Philippine Daily Inquirer [edited] [Promed]
Salmonella has recently infected more than 750 pigs in a town in Samar but agriculture officials said there was no cause for alarm. The executive regional director of the Department of Agriculture, said at a meeting that 84 pigs out of some 8900 pigs in Sta. Rita, a town in Samar 40 km [24.8 miles] away from Tacloban City, had died of Salmonella infection. Caneda said the Salmonella infection started in December last year [2008] but was reported to the DA only on 20 Jan 2009. Some mayors from Samar, government agriculturists and veterinarians attended the meeting in Tacloban City on Friday [30 Jan 2009]. The Daram municipal agriculturists, reported during the meeting that 10-15 pigs from each of 6 barangays in their town have manifested signs of Salmonella infection, such as loss of appetite, diarrhea and high fever. The Sta. Rita Mayor said sick pigs in his municipality were either stray animals or from backyard piggeries that don't observe proper hygiene and sanitation. The Tacloban City veterinarian, said the city government has also set up checkpoints in the city.

China - Pig deaths in North China province confirmed to be caused by blue-ear disease
10 Feb 2009
People's Daily Online, Xinhua News Agency report [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the death of 1056 pigs in Hongdong County in north China's Shanxi Province was caused by blue-ear disease, local authorities said on Monday [9 Feb 2009]. According to an official with the provincial agricultural bureau, who declined to be identified, experts went to the scene Saturday [7 Feb 2009] to conduct autopsies. The lab of the Shanxi provincial center for animal disease control and prevention reached its diagnosis on Monday. More than 1000 pigs were found dead in Wan'an Township, Hongdong. The animals belonged to 65 households in 10 villages. About 80 per cent of the dead animals were less than one month old, said the deputy head of Hongdong County. A thorough inspection was carried out in the county. According to the vice director of the Hongdong public security bureau, so far 637 pigs had been buried and 25 burned. In 7 slaughterhouses around the county, 30 sick pigs were found, said Jing Beiji, head of the Hongdong bureau of commerce.
Related stories
9 Feb 2009 - International Herald Tribune (IHT), Associated Press (AP) report [edited] [Promed]
A northern Chinese province has launched an investigation into the cause behind the recent deaths of more than 1000 pigs, state media reported on Monday [9 Feb 2009].

January

Philippines - More pig Ebola cases confirmed
31 Jan 2009
The Philippine Star online [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that a total of 4 more pig farm workers have tested positive for the Ebola Reston Virus (ERV. The Health Secretary said 4 were found positive out of 77 individuals suspected of being exposed to the virus. He assured the public there is no cause for alarm since the ERV poses no threat to human health. He said the total of 5 individuals found positive for the virus were workers of pig farms in Bulacan, Pangasinan, and Valenzuela City, while another worker was traced to a slaughterhouse in Pangasinan. He said all of them were males and have not been sick for the past 12 months. Based on initial findings, the 5 individuals got exposed by directly handling infected pigs. He said the presence of ERV antibodies in the 5 individuals showed they have effectively mounted a protective defense against the virus
A World Health Organization (WHO)-led UN team said all the men – who are aged between 22 and 52 -- are well and no longer carry the virus after being able to expel it from their systems. Health authorities traced the first case of ERV to a backyard farmer who had direct contact with sick pigs. To avert the possible spread of the virus, the health official said the Philippine government is closely working with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and WHO to determine the most likely source of the ERV and how it spreads in affected farms. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has maintained the quarantine on the farms in Bulacan and Pangasinan and the export ban on pork.
It is also reported that 1039 pig blood samples collected by the expert mission yielded negative results on antigen tests. "
The DA is also investigating reports of hog cholera [classical swine fever] and Salmonella in pigs in Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur, and hog cholera and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in pigs in Sta. Rita, Samar. Pig tissue samples were collected and will be tested for other pig pathogens, including the ERV.
DA will also enhance bio-security measures to prevent and contain any future outbreaks as the government's 2nd line of defense to the spread of the virus. The DA and the Department of Health further emphasized the need for all animal handlers in commercial and backyard farms to practice safe farming and biosecurity measures.
The Occupational Safety and Health Center of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will also come up with guidelines to ensure the occupational safety of all animal handlers as well as other recommendations on the proper use of personal protective equipment.
Related stories
23 Jan 2009 – Filipino tests positive for Ebola, experts worried
Thomson Reuters Foundation AlertNet [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, at least one person has tested positive for the Ebola-Reston virus in the Philippines, where the disease has broken out in pigs at 2 farms north of the capital, the government said on Friday [23 Jan 2009].It is reported that experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), all UN agencies, ended a 10-day field test at the 2 farms over the weekend after Ebola-Reston was found there last year [2008].
17 Jan 2009 - Ebola-infected farms still under quarantine
Tempo (Manila), [edited] [Promed]
Pending the final results conducted by CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, on the reported discovery of the Ebola Reston virus (ERV), the department of Agriculture secretary directed to maintain the quarantine in the 2 farms as well as the voluntary export ban of raw and processed swine products which he instituted in December [2008].
16 Jan 2009 – ¨ Blood samples from Philippines sent to US to check for Ebola
AFP via Morningstar [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that the blood samples from swine and farmhands in the Philippines have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States to test for the Ebola-Reston virus, the health secretary said on Friday [16 Jan 2009]. The samples were collected by a joint team from the Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO], the World Organisation for Animal Health [OIE], and the World Health Organization [WHO] from 2 pig farms where the Ebola-Reston virus had been detected. According to this story, as of December [2008], nearly 6000 pigs at the farms in Pandi and Talavera town outside Manila had tested positive for the virus, which is not known to be harmful to humans but could have a devastating impact on the pig industry.
14 Jan 2009 – Negros Occidental hogs found free from Ebola Reston virus
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) press release [edited] [Promed]
It is reported that veterinarians declared hogs in the province remain free from the Ebola Reston virus that hit hog farms in Luzon. Animal products going into the province have been strictly monitored since the reported outbreak of the virus late last year [2008] as other animal diseases, like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), are also on the watch list of banned items. The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has also been coordinating with the higher office in Manila to prepare the province for any eventualities and see to it that the provincial government is able respond to emergencies.
14 Jan 2009- UN experts test blood sample of 600 pigs
Philippine Information Agency press release [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, United Nations (UN) technical experts yesterday [Tue 13 Jan 2009] conducted microscopy of blood serum samples from 600 live pigs from a farm in Pandi, Bulacan, for further studies on the presence of Ebola Reston virus (ERV). The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) said preliminary results of the said laboratory test are expected to come out after a few weeks. Since this is the first case of ERV found outside monkeys, experts from the FAO, OIE, and WHO arrived in the country on 6 Jan 2009 to provide technical assistance through an investigation in the affected locations of Bulacan and Pangasinan. The team of UN experts is comprised of epidemiologists, laboratory specialists, veterinarians and food safety and public health and risk communication experts. At the same time, the international experts reiterated that eating pork is safe because the said virus is not contagious to humans. In a statement issued by them, they urged the consumers to purchase meat from National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) accredited outlets. Further, the pork should be properly handled and cooked at a minimum of 70 DEG C [158 DEG F] because most viruses, including ERV is quickly killed when heated.
Meanwhile, according to a provincial veterinarian, only a very small number of pigs from an estimated population of 4800 swines in Bulacan, were discovered to be affected. As a precautionary measure, he added that the farm has already been in quarantine since 10 Dec 2008 and local officials continue to monitor the developments to prevent the spread.

Tanzania - Peste des petits ruminants
29 Jan 2009
OIE's WAHID interface, Weekly Disease Information Vol. 22 - No. 5, 29 Jan 2009 [edited][Promed]
Summary
Report type: Immediate notification
Start date: 09 Dec 2008
Date of 1st confirmation of the event: 22 Jan 2008
Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease
Manifestation of disease: Clinical disease
Causal agent: Peste des petits ruminants virus
Nature of diagnosis: Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country
New outbreaks
Outbreak 1 Soitasambu, Ngorongoro, ARUSHA
Date of start of the outbreak: 09 Dec 2008
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Village
Affected animals
Species/ Susceptible/ Cases/ Deaths/ Destroyed/ Slaughtered
Sheep, goats/ 2500/ 230/ 70/ 0/ 0
Affected population: All age/sex groups were affected.
Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
- Legal movement of animals
- Illegal movement of animals
- Contact with infected animal(s) at grazing/watering
Control measures
Measures applied: Quarantine, Movement control inside the country, No vaccination, No treatment of affected animals Measures to be applied: Zoning, Vaccination in response to the outbreak(s).
Future Reporting
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

Germany – Undiagnosed disease and deaths in bovine
29 Jan 2009
Schweizerbauer (Switzerland) [German, trans. by communicator, edited] [Promed]
Since early 2008, cases of calves dying with the symptoms of so-called "blood sweating" disease are being notified to the animal health investigation institutes. The cause of the disease is still unclear. The disease occurs in different regions of Germany. In Bavaria, the Animal Health Service (TGD) has been informed of this disease in some 40 calves. The clinic for ruminants at the University of Munich also reported such cases. Mainly calves aged 2 to 3 weeks are affected, a report by Agrarheute.com states. After an usually normal parturition and development during the first weeks of life, sudden bleeding from different points on the body without any apparent injuries or damage to the skin is reported by concerned farmers. The bleeding can occur spontaneously, without apparent skin lesions and from body orifices. In connection with treatments such as injections or tagging (inserting ear tags), uncontrollable bleeding from the wounds is reported. Particularly striking is the progressive pallor of the muzzle and the mucous membranes. Death usually occurs between a few hours to days after observation of the 1st symptoms, according to the TGD. The pathological anatomic examination so far revealed in all affected calves massive bleeding of the subcutaneous tissue and the body cavities, the intestines and other organs. In all cases, severe damage of the bone marrow was diagnosed. Therefore, the observed bleeding can be explained as a result of a blood clotting disorder through the lack of replenishment of blood platelets from the damaged bone marrow. Still unexplained are the cause or the circumstances that led to the observed bone marrow damage. In all cases, clinical symptoms and results of post mortem examination are fairly similar. The cause of the condition is still under investigation.

Belize - Combating Newcastle disease
27 Jan 2009
7Newsbelize.com [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, virulent Newcastle disease continues to spread; it started in Spanish Lookout and has now been detected in other parts of Cayo, as well as Corozal, Stann Creek, and Toledo The Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries, Belize [<http://www.agriculture.gov.bz/>] was quoted as saying: "It has spread to Belize and the Stann Creek Districts and other areas in the Cayo Districts. We also now know that it is widespread in the Toledo District as well. It has affected all types of poultry; broilers, layers, breeders in chickens, as well as turkeys. It has a great social and economic impact and has caused concern for food safety, public health, and food security. Presently we have movement controls in place and our officers can stop motorists and request presentation of their movement permits. Backyard producers will be supported by vaccination campaigns administered by our Ministry, thus the reason for the participation of many existing staff who will be responsible for ensuring proper immunization in all communities in their districts, particularly in affected districts."The Ministry has also received assistance from PAHO [Pan American Health Organization], the USDA [US Department of Agriculture], and IICA [Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture].

Uganda - Cattle vaccines out of stock
25 Jan 2009
The New Vision (Uganda) [edited] [Promed]
The vaccination of cattle in the districts affected by foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] has stalled due to absence of vaccines, the agriculture ministry has said. "Until the finance ministry releases money, the suppliers cannot dispatch the vaccines," said the commissioner for livestock health and entomology. Sources in the agriculture ministry told The New Vision that the Government recently ordered 300,000 doses of FMD vaccines to control the disease in the northern and eastern districts. Towards the end of 2008 and early this year [2009], veterinary authorities in northern Uganda closed butcheries and livestock markets in the districts of Lira, Apac, Amuru, Amolatar, Pader, Dokolo, Abim, and Oyam [in the Northern region], and Katakwi and Kaberamaido [in the Eastern region]. This followed the outbreak of the disease, which left at least 300 head of cattle dead.

India – Undiagnosed deaths – Caprine (Uttaranchal)
23 Jan 2009
Samay Live [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, an undiagnosed viral disease in 4 subdivisions of Pithoragarh district, bordering Tibet, has killed more than 200 goats, creating anguish among sheep [or rather goats? - Mod. Promed] rearing farmers. The Chief district veterinary officer today said the disease was 1st reported from Munsiyari subdivision in the 1st week of the month [5-9 Jan 2009]. It later spread to Dharchula, Didihat and Berinag subdivisions. The sudden spread of the contagious disease is posing a serious threat to the livestock of 145,175 goats and 32,804 sheep in the district, he said. The Livestock department Deputy director (Kumaon region) said blood samples were sent to IVRL Laboratory at Mukteswar Nanital and Veterinary College of GB Pant University at Pant Nagar to be tested. The monetary loss, so far, has been estimated at Rs 3 lakh [USD 6113].

Kyrigyzstan – Brucellosis Epidemic overview 2008
22 Jan 2009
24.kg [trans. Corr.ATS, edited] [Promed]
[The following is from an interview with Jalalidin Gaybulinov, the head of the National Center for Quarantine and Particularly Dangerous Infections of MOH in Kyrgyzstan.]
There were 74.3 brucellosis cases per 100,000 population in Kyrgyzstan in 2008, which is slightly less than in 2007 (77.5 per 100,000). The most affected regions were Jalal-Abad, Talasskoe, Norinskoe [Naryn], and Issik Kulsoe, with incidence far exceeding [the national average].
Epidemiologists from [the national] center for quarantine and particularly dangerous infections conducted consultations and carried out seminars for the affected population. Additionally, patients' co-payments for treatment have been decreased to the minimum according to the program of governmental guarantees.
The morbidity among humans is directly associated with the morbidity among farm animals. There were 5127 brucellosis cases in cattle and 3509 cases in smaller livestock in 2008. Currently, farm animals are not documented, and there is uncontrolled traffic of animals both
cross-border and inter-province. Infected animals stay in private yards for months, thus spreading infection to humans and other animals. Another reason for high brucellosis incidence in farm animals is incomplete vaccine coverage.

Kyrigyzstan – Brucellosis Epidemic overview 2008
22 Jan 2009
24.kg [trans. Corr.ATS, edited] [Promed] [The following is from an interview with Jalalidin Gaybulinov, the head of the National Center for Quarantine and Particularly Dangerous Infections of MOH in Kyrgyzstan.]
There were 74.3 brucellosis cases per 100,000 population in Kyrgyzstan in 2008, which is slightly less than in 2007 (77.5 per 100,000). The most affected regions were Jalal-Abad, Talasskoe, Norinskoe [Naryn], and Issik Kulsoe, with incidence far exceeding [the national average].
Epidemiologists from [the national] center for quarantine and particularly dangerous infections conducted consultations and carried out seminars for the affected population. Additionally, patients' co-payments for treatment have been decreased to the minimum according to the program of governmental guarantees.The morbidity among humans is directly associated with the morbidity among farm animals. There were 5127 brucellosis cases in cattle and 3509 cases in smaller livestock in 2008. Currently, farm animals are not documented, and there is uncontrolled traffic of animals both cross-border and inter-province. Infected animals stay in private yards for months, thus spreading infection to humans and other animals. Another reason for high brucellosis incidence in farm animals is incomplete vaccine coverage.

Cambodge - Cowpox deaths have farmers in Pursat worried about rice
19 Jan 2009
The Phnom Penh Post [edited] [Promed]
Farmers in Pursat's Krakor district have expressed concern about the effect that a recent wave of cattle deaths -- primarily due to preventable diseases including cowpox -- could have on rice cultivation. The governor of Krakor district, said that up until 6 weeks ago there were 200,000 bulls and buffaloes in Krakor district. Since then, 15 percent have died as a result of cowpox infection, a disease caused by a virus similar to variola virus and foot-and-mouth disease [FMD]. Several officials in the province said that they had run into difficulty containing the spread of the diseases, in part because farmers had not been correctly disposing of animal carcasses. A clerk of Anlong Thnot commune, said that even when it appears that cattle have died of cowpox or FMD, their owners are reluctant to part with the food the cattle can provide. After the dead animals are eaten, animal parts are then routinely thrown out near where other cattle feed, increasing the risk of reinfection. It is also explained in this story that a vaccine shortage had also contributed to the spread of the diseases.

Finland - Botulism outbreak hits poultry farm
16 Jan 2009
YLE.FI [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a botulism outbreak has struck a poultry farm in western Finland. Authorities report that a large number of birds have already died from the illness. The remaining infected birds are to be culled. It is reported that the Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira) said the birds were infected with the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which causes botulism. The poultry exhibited typical symptoms associated with the disease. Evira officials would not disclose the exact location of the farm. The story goes on by explaining that botulism is rarely found in animals in Finland.

Australia - Poisoned birds sick in Perth parks
15 Jan 2009
Perth Now [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, birds sick with a paralytic disease from the ingestion of toxins have been found in Perth lakes and parks. The City of Belmont said several appear to have been affected by avian botulism, which causes paralysis of the legs, wings and neck. It is reported that a number of sick waterbirds have been found at the lakes of Centenary Park, Tomato Lake and Faulkner Park -- all in Belmont. The bread that is fed to birds contains between 1 and 2 grams of phosphorus. This is enough to make a volume of lake water the size of a backyard swimming pool nutrient-rich. The Mayor said locals and visitors to the area need to stop feeding the birds to prevent the occurrence of botulism.

Russia - Farms cull pigs after fever outbreak
15 Jan 2009
The Moscow Times, Issue 4064 - Business [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, a Stavropol region collective farm and nearby villages are culling around 7000 pigs after an outbreak of African swine fever [ASF] began to spread, and the nearby city of Sochi said it had allotted 4 million rubles (USD 126,000) to contain an outbreak there. The disease, which is still prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, has been largely eradicated in the rest of the world, although there was a major outbreak in the Caucasus in 2007. It is reported that a Stavropol region veterinary official told that 1000 animals were culled on Wednesday [14 Jan 2009] at the Rostovanovsky collective farm, bringing the total to around 2600. The farm had 6500 pigs, and there are another 640 within the quarantine zone, said Viktor Sankin, the region's head veterinarian. The Krasnodar deputy governor said Tuesday that 10 pigs had died in his region, apparently of SF, and a quarantine was opened to contain the outbreak.The disease was detected on 8 Jan 2009, and about 200 pigs have died of the infection. An earlier outbreak in the Stavropol region in October [2008] was contained, the report said. Four collective farm workers have been charged with violations of veterinary regulations for the earlier outbreak in the Gorkaya Balka village. It is also explained in this story that the disease was first reported in Russia after several wild boars were shot in late 2007 in Chechnya. The nearby republics of Ingushetia, North Ossetia, and the Orenburg region also registered cases.
Related stories
13 Jan 2009 – Outbreak of African swine fever in the Kuban
Novosti, via IA (Russian agrarian movement) [translated from Russian by Mod.NP, edited] [Promed]
From 4 to 12 Jan 2009, 11 pigs died and 10 pigs have been slaughtered in 4 private farms in the Khostinskiy district of Sochi. DNA of ASF virus was revealed by PCR on 12 Jan 2009 in the Kropotkinskaya veterinary laboratory in samples obtained from dead pigs. For confirmation of the diagnosis, samples have been sent to the All-Russian scientific research institute of veterinary virology and microbiology. Dead and slaughtered animals have been burnt. Quarantine has been implemented in the territory of the ASF focus. Disinfection and other preventive measures have been applied.

Russia - African swine fever outbreak recorded in the Stavropol region
11 Jan 2009
RIA (Russian News & Information Agency) Novosti [in Russian, trans. Mod.NP, edited] [Promed]
According to this story, an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) was recorded on Saturday [10 Jan 2009] in a swine-breeding [collective farm] "Rostovanovsky" in the Kurskiy district of the Stavropol region, said the press-service of the Southern regional centre of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in Russia.
As of Saturday evening [10 Jan 2009], 66 pigs had died and the carcasses were burnt. There are a total of 6377 pigs on the 3 swine breeding [collective farms]. All pigs were vaccinated in October-November 2008 against classical swine fever. At present, the entire territory of the Kurskiy district is under quarantine. Disinfection roadblocks have been established and are operated on the border with North Ossetia. Trading and slaughtering of animals in the territory of the Kurskiy district have been stopped. Clinical supervision of the animals has been organized.
The previous ASF outbreak of ASF in the Stavropol region, affecting the territories of 4 districts, was recorded in the middle of October 2008, leading to the destruction of 12,000 animals. The total losses, as estimated by specialists, are 100 million rubles [USD 3,213,781].

Yemen - Teams deployed to stem myiasis outbreak in north east
11 Jan 2009
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) News [edited] [Promed]
The General Department for Animal Health and Veterinary Quarantine (GDAHVQ) in Yemen's Ministry of Agriculture has deployed 21 field teams in the north east to combat a new outbreak of myiasis, an infestation of human or animal tissue with fly larvae (maggots).
The disease first appeared in Saada Governorate near the border with Saudi Arabia in December 2007. It then spread to the governorates of Hajjah, al-Hudeidah, and al-Mahwit, putting livestock at risk. Last summer [2008] the disease disappeared as a result of high temperatures in these areas. Mansour al-Qadasi, director-general of the GDAHVQ, said the screwworm fly, which causes myiasis, thrives in mild conditions with a specific level of humidity, preferring areas with plants.
Over the past 2 months, however, screwworm flies have spread from al-Mahwit and are now moving west into al-Hudeidah Governorate and north into Hajjah Governorate, he said. "We are trying to confine the screwworms to this triangle-like area despite our limited resources. If the disease increases rapidly, regional cooperation will be needed."
Myiasis has spread to 5 out of 9 districts in al-Mahwit Governorate -- Hufash, al-Mahwit, Melhan, Bani Saad, and al-Khabt. So far the disease has affected some 4000 animals and killed another 1756 in those districts, according to Mohammed al-Sirmi, head of the Agriculture Office in al-Mahwit Governorate. "In al-Mahwit, livestock is the main source of income for a lot of villagers. The disease has affected their lives: we have found miserable cases of people who have lost the livestock on which they depended for a livelihood," al-Sirmi told IRIN.
Yemen has an estimated 15 million sheep, 1.4 million cattle and 250,000 camels, according to GDAHVQ. Raising awareness among villagers was necessary to combat the disease: "Combating the disease locally is best, since maggot flies can spread rapidly. When a field team finishes fighting myiasis in one area, it can be surprised by its appearance in another area," al-Sirmi said. "Field teams are also carrying out awareness campaigns to help teach villagers fight the disease. People can fight the disease. They can cover animals' wounds and remove the eggs from them."
According to al-Qadasi, Yemen recently received assistance from international organisations to combat myiasis. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) purchased medicines for combating myiasis at a cost of USD 42,000; the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) donated diagnostic equipment at a cost of USD 50,000. The Arab Organisation for Agriculture Development (AOAD) provided Yemen with microscopes and training for field workers

Australia – Bovine viral diarrhea
06 Jan 2009
FarmingUK [edited] [Promed]
According to this story, bovine viral diarrhea has been going through herds of cattle in Australia over the last year with the most serious results. It is reported that there have been calving rate losses of up to 40 percent in recorded herds of cattle. Known as BVDV, there are vaccinations available but not yet in Australia. Many farmers will not accept that there is a problem until it's too late.

United Kingdom - Infectious salmon anemia
05 January 2009
The Scottish Government, News Release [edited] [Promed]
An occurrence of a fish disease, infectious salmon anemia (ISA), has been confirmed in Shetland. It is on one salmon farm site that has been empty of fish since 21 Dec 2008 and is suspected at a further 2 sites (one of which has also been empty of fish for 6 weeks) in the Burra area. ISA does not affect humans but can cause serious damage to stocks of farmed Atlantic salmon in seawater.
The Scottish Government has immediately set up a National Disease Control Centre and is taking action to control the spread of the disease:
- statutory movement restrictions have been placed on all sites in the control zone and wider surveillance zone;
- Scotland's Fisheries Research Services is sending a team of fish health inspectors to Shetland to investigate the affected sites and to advise industry on their operations under control arrangements;
- investigations into the potential source and potential spread of the disease will be carried out.
Environment minister, Michael Russell, who has spoken to the company involved, to local representatives, and to other salmon farming interests in the last 24 hours, said: "Whilst this disease is serious, much was learned from the successfully contained outbreak in 1998/99.
"We will be applying those lessons vigorously with the clear aim of containing and then eradicating the disease from the current affected site, which in fact is now laying fallow.
"To prevent the spread of any disease present, the harvesting of fish from neighbouring sites will be conducted under biosecure conditions and supervised by the Fisheries Research Services."
Ministers are being kept fully briefed by those working to control the disease and links with the local authority have already been established.
ISA is a notifiable disease under the Diseases of Fish Act 1937. It is classified as a List 1 disease under the EC Fish Health regime under which eradication action is necessary should an outbreak be confirmed.
Related stories
4 Jan 2009 – Deadly salmon infection detected in Scotland
Telegraph.co.uk (UK) [edited] [Promed]


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