Vet Watch - Agriculture Victoriaagriculture.vic.gov.au/.../0011/278453/Vet-Watch_October2014.pdf ·...
Transcript of Vet Watch - Agriculture Victoriaagriculture.vic.gov.au/.../0011/278453/Vet-Watch_October2014.pdf ·...
© The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2014
Vet Watch
October 2014
Editorial
Each day DEPI receives information from veterinarians and laboratories around the state about the disease situation in Victoria. With this information we monitor the current situation, provide evidence of disease freedom so our farmers can export local produce, and detect and respond to emerging disease issues such as Theileria in cattle. We also produce pub lications for you like Vet Watch. We want to do more, and will soon be handing you the microphone.
We want your feedback
During the next month DEPI will be asking you, our Vet Watch subscribers, to tell us how we can improve this newsletter. We would love to hear your opinion on what you like to read about, what DEPI services are useful, even what is simply frustrating you! Have a think about what DEPI can do for you, and keep an eye on this space for survey details.
Training that really pays off
“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them" – it is unlikely that Aristotle was thinking about foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) when he quoted that line, however it is remarkably relevant to the disease. Early detection is crucial in limiting the spread of an FMD outbreak, but with most producers and vets having never seen the disease, we may find it is some weeks before an outbreak is detected.
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Contents
Editorial 1
Feedback wanted! 1
FMD training 1
Livestock abortions 2
Theileria update 3
Across the nation 3
Around the world 4
SDI program 6
What’s happening 6
Figure 1: Would you identify this cow as
FMD-infected?
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But don’t despair, welcome to the EuFMD Real-Time Training Program… With over 100 participants from across Australia having already received training (and more to follow!), the program is building a solid base of FMD experience – strengthening Australia’s early warning and response capacity. Course participants spend one week in Nepal, a country in an up -hill battle against the disease. Intensive classroom-based training is followed by field visits to investigate suspect outbreaks, collect information, age lesions and take samples, and analyse movements in order to trace the source and spread of the infection. These practical skills are vital to planning and conducting a successful response should the disease occur in Australia. Upon returning, participants undertake activities to share their learnings, contributing to veterinary, producer and community awareness and understanding of FMD. The program is helping to build a core of veterinary professionals, trained by first -hand experience in FMD-endemic countries. Should we come to face-to face with the disease on our own shores, we can breathe slightly easier knowing our response capacity has improved with each returning participant.
Figures 2 and 3: Cow from Figure 1, mouth lesions (~5 days old) (left), hoof lesions (right).
You have the opportunity to participate too, if you are routinely working with FMD-susceptible livestock and are willing to travel overseas, work with FMD in real-time, and return to share your newfound knowledge and skills with your colleagues and farming community. Many industry organisations, including the Australian Veterinary Associated, have been invited to nominate vets to participate – get in touch with those you work with to find out more.
Livestock abortions
Since 2010 DEPI has recorded almost 500 cases of abortion in Victorian livestock. Cattle abortions account for the majority of reports although we have also received word of abortions in sheep, horses, pigs, goats and alpaca. As you would expect, occurrence of abortion follows production cycles, with cattle abortions peaking multiple times throughout the year while sheep abortions peak during winter but remain relatively quiet for the remainder of the year (Figure 4). What tends to be the culprit? In cattle who abort, neospora or bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infections are most commonly found, followed by theilerosis and salmonellosis. Every so often Aspergillus, Arcanobacteria or Streptococcus are isolated. In sheep, listeriosis and campylobacteriosis are diagnosed most
Figure 4: Investigations into abortions in
Victorian livestock, 2010 – 2014 (Sept)
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often, followed by the odd toxoplasmosis. Reports of horse abortions are often associated with Equine Herpes Virus 1. If this year follows trend, we can expect it to be fairly quiet on the abortion front for the remainder of 2014. In approximately 40 per cent of abortion cases we fail to reach a final diagnosis but eliminate a few of the listed causes in the process. Did you know? Improper or inadequate sample selection and collection contributes to the low diagnostic success of abortion investigations. If you cannot collect and send the fresh foetus, complete with placenta and maternal serum, a necropsy can be performed. Include aseptically collected stomach or abomasal contents (most agents infect the placenta, especially bacteria and fungi, enter the amniotic fluid and are swallowed by the foetus), heart or body cavity fluid (to test for antibodies to BVDV, neospora or leptospirosis), fresh and fixed tissue, placenta (the hideout for many fungi and also Coxiella; make sure it’s kept separate) and don’t forget the dam’s serum! If in doubt, contact the laboratory pathologists for guidance.
Theileria update Theileria has cropped up again during September after high-than average rainfall a couple of months prior. While we all now have a good idea of the disease distribution and farm management, we would still like to keep an eye on the situation. Please report any suspected or confirmed cases of theileriosis to your local DEPI animal health staff member. Even a farmers phone call, where you didn’t see or treat the animals yourself, can assist in the ongoing study and management of the disease.
Across the Nation…
Russia bans Australian agricultural exports
As of August 6, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has imposed a year-long ban on imports of specified
agricultural products originating from countries including Australia. Meat and dairy projects are just some of
the goods affected. For more information visit: http://www.daff.gov.au/about/media-centre/russian-ban-
agricultural-exports
Locally acquired Hepatitis E infection
New South Wales health has reported an outbreak of Hepatitis E associated with consumption of
undercooked Australian pork. Hepatitis E is a viral disease of humans generally seen in parts of Africa and
Asia with a mortality rate of 1-4%, and up to 20% in pregnant women. It is the only known hepatitis virus with
animal reservoirs, with domestic swine and wild boars the main reservoir. While it is known that Hepatitis E is
present in some Australian swine, infection in humans has, until recently, been attributed to overseas travel
and exposure. To read more about the New South Wales outbreak, visit:
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/news/media-releases/mr-11-Sep-14-warning-Hep-E-pork-
liver#.VCpDrmJJN8G
Australia bat lyssavirus detected in Northern Territory
Australian bat lyssavirus has been detected in the Northern Territory for the first time since 1997. While
Australia is lucky to be free of rabies virus in domestic animals, this is a reminder that we do have a related
virus capable of causing the same clinical disease in our flying fox populations. More information about the
NT detection can be found at:
http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Agency/News_Archive/Bat_Lyssavirus_detected_again_in_NT/indexdl_5666.asp
x.
Figure 6: Location of Theileria case reported September 2014
Figure 5: Location of Theileria case reported
September 2014
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Around the World…
South Korea (Republic of Korea) reports foot and mouth disease outbreak
Only months after declaring freedom from foot and mouth disease
(FMD), South Korea experienced a new outbreak of the disease.
Infection in a 1500 head swine herd was reported to the World
Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on 24th July 2014, with
another two pig farms subsequently detected. Control measures
applied include quarantine, destruction of infected animals,
movement controls, and vaccination. The outbreak was declared
resolved on 4th September.
This is a timely reminder of the FMD-risk from infected countries
with trade links to Australia. In 2010, the last time South Korea
experienced a foot and mouth disease outbreak, the former
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Services (AQIS) found
illegally imported pig meat from South Korea. We are incredibly
fortunate that activities such as illegal swill feeding did not
result in an outbreak of the disease in Australia.
Origins of HIV-1
Some interesting research has taken place into the early spread of HIV, outlining how social change and
transport networks were involved in the viruses establishment populations today. To read the article, ‘The
early spread and epidemic ignition of HIV-1 in human populations‘, visit:
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/346/6205/56. .
Ebola crisis in West Africa worsens
The outbreak of Ebola virus continues to ravage
West Africa with the World Health Organization
(WHO) reported 6553 probable, confirmed and
suspected cases of Ebola virus including 3083
deaths .
While media is reporting a US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention prediction of 1.4
million cases, this projection is a worst-case
scenario and with increased resources now
pouring into the region, the outbreak should be
nowhere near as large. Whatever the total
figure, the delay to detection and the slow
mobilisation of resources has thought to have
contributed to the size of the epidemic and the
devastating loss of life. Read more about Ebola
virus modelling at:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su
6303a1.htm?s_cid=su6303a1_w.
Figure 8: distribution of Ebola virus cases in West Africa
Figure 6: Location of Rep. of Korea’s first
FMD cases since 2011. Source: OIE
Figure 7: distribution of Ebola virus cases in West Africa. Source: WHO Situation
report 3rd
October 2014
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MERS coronavirus outbreak continues
With the world focused on the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, cases of Middle East respiratory
syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) continue to be reported. According to WHO data released on 2nd
October, there have been 853 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including at least 301 deaths. The
last confirmed report occurred in two Kingdom of Saudi Arabia citizens on 7th October.
MERS-CoV is an emerging pathogen closely related to Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and all
human cases to d ate have been linked to the Arabian Peninsula. Infection in humans is associated with
severe respiratory symptoms and renal failure. The reservoir and mechanism for MERS transmission is still
unknown but both bats and camels are implicated. Recent studies have found antibodies to the virus in
African camels as far back as the early 1990s.
Figure 8: Distribution of MERS-CoV infections by week of reporting. Source: European Centre for Disease
Control and Prevention, Epidemiological Update 02 Jul 2014
Another new deadly influenza virus emerges in Asia
A deadly new strain of highly pathogenic avian
influenza has been detected in China and
Vietnam. The new strain, H5N6, was first
reported in the Southern Chinese province of
Sichuan in April this year after a man contracted
and died from the virus following contact with
poultry. An outbreak of the disease in poultry
was subsequently reported in the same province
and birds were destroyed.
Since then, Vietnam and Laos have reported
outbreaks of the disease, with has reported
several outbreaks of H5N6 in two provinces
located in the north of the country, and China
has reported another outbreak.
Although this is not the first time H5N6 has been
detected in globally in poultry, previous strains have been low
pathogenicity, not highly pathogenic like the current outbreaks.
At this stage little is known about the new virus.
FMD Watch
Latest outbreak in South Korea is
highlighted in red. FMD remains
prevalent in much of Africa and Asia. For
more information of the latest disease
outbreaks across the globe, please visit:
http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.p
hp/Diseaseinformation/WI.
Figure 10: OIE member countries’ official FMD status map. Source: World Animal
Health Information Database (WAHID)
Figure 9: Location of confirmed H5N6 outbreaks. Source: EMPRES-i (FAO)
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Significant Disease Investigation (SDI) program
The Victorian Significant Disease Investigation (SDI) Program aims to boost Victoria's capacity for the early
detection of such diseases in livestock and wildlife by increasing the participation of veterinary practitioners
and subsidising the cost of investigating significant diseases.
Subsidies are available from the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) for the initial field
investigation, including clinical and post-mortem evaluation, laboratory testing and a follow-up investigation
of significant disease events in livestock and free-living wildlife. A subsidy is also available for cattle, sheep,
goat and pig owners to reduce their costs when they engage a veterinary practitioner to undertake a
significant disease investigation.
For more information about the DEPI subsidies for significant disease investigations and reporting, please
contact DEPI Animal Health staff at your nearest DEPI office, telephone the DEPI Customer Service Centre
on 136 186 or visit the DEPI website
What’s happening out there?
Emergency and Exotic Animal Diseases - Bulletins and Alerts – for the latest edition of DAFFs’ EAD alerts.
For international disease updates, visit:
GLEWS (Global Livestock Early Warning System): http://www.glews.net/
OIE/WAHID database: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=home
FAO/EMPRES: http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/empres/home.asp
FAOSTAT agriculture - production, consumption and trade of agricultural commodities:
http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx
FAOSTAT - detailed world agricultural trade flows:
http://faostat.fao.org/DesktopModules/Faostat/WATFDetailed2/watf.aspx?PageID=536
Tailpiece
What happens to a frog's car when it breaks down?
It gets toad away.