Search Results (28)

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a transboundary pathogen threatening cattle health in South and Southeast Asia, presents growing challenges for disease control. This study combined serological, molecular, and genomic approaches to investigate LSDV in Barura Upazila, Bangladesh. Serological screening of 424 cattle using a commercial ELISA revealed a high seroprevalence of 55.5% (95% CI: 50.7–60.3), indicating widespread exposure. Although differences were observed by age and breed, no significant associations were found with seropositivity, suggesting broad regional circulation. Real-time PCR confirmed LSDV DNA in all 20 clinically infected animals, with consistent P32 gene amplification. Two samples with low Cq values underwent whole-genome sequencing. The complete genomes of LSDV-L2/2024 and LSDV-L3/2024 showed >99.6% identity with the reference strain LSDV-29, yet carried unique genomic features, including truncated or variant ORFs and immune-related gene differences. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA polymerase gene revealed distinct clustering: L2/2024 aligned with South Asian isolates, while L3/2024 grouped with strains from Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. These results highlight co-circulation of genetically diverse strains and possible cross-regional introductions. Overall, our findings underscore the evolutionary plasticity of LSDV and the critical need for ongoing genomic surveillance to guide targeted vaccine development and disease control strategies. Full article

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants that severely threatens rural livelihoods and global food security. Under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), the international animal health community has set the ambitious goal of eradicating PPR by 2030. However, significant disparities persist in the progression of PPR control across regions. This scoping review assesses the setbacks, deviations, and progress of 42 countries in Eastern, Western, and Northern Africa, as well as West Eurasia, toward achieving official freedom-from-PPR status. Progress was evaluated across key areas using the stepwise PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy (GCES) approach and the PPR Monitoring and Assessment Tool (PMAT). The eligibility criteria included PubMed peer-reviewed studies, FAO/WOAH reports, presentations, guidelines, and country/region-specific PPR control plans from 2014 through 2024. The data are generated using qualitative and quantitative analyses, including spatial mapping and GCES stepwise progress evaluation. The findings reveal that many (31%) countries in the assessed regions remain in Stage 1 of the Progressive Stepwise Approach, whereas 59.5% have reached Stages 2 and 3, and only 4.8% are in Stage 4. Countries in Western Eurasia have achieved significant progress towards PPR control, with countries achieving PPR-free status, whereas, compared to Eastern and Northern Africa, the Western African region remains in the early control stages due to infrastructure gaps and resource constraints. Additionally, the recent suspension of PPR-free status in Romania, Greece and Hungary following disease emergence underscored vulnerabilities in historically free countries. The analysis results reiterate the critical role of regional collaboration, surveillance tools, and the integration of wildlife monitoring in advancing PPR control. These insights provide actionable pathways to addressing persistent barriers, highlighting the importance of adaptable, evidence-based approaches in achieving the global goal of PPR eradication by 2030. Full article

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a re-emerging viral transboundary disease affecting cattle and buffaloes, resulting in a significant socio-economic impact on the affected regions. LSD is primarily transmitted among susceptible livestock through hematophagous vectors, including ticks and flies. Ticks also function as reservoirs for various haemoprotozoan parasites, increasing the likelihood of coinfections in affected animals. This study investigates the comorbidity of LSD and associated risk factors using diverse datasets. A total of 414 samples from LSD-suspected animals were screened for LSD, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), babesiosis, and theileriosis (Theileria annulata and Theileria orientalis), as well as anaplasmosis. Among these, 214 (51.6%) tested positive for LSD. A strong correlation was identified between LSD and oriental theileriosis caused by Theileria orientalis (50.9%). Other significant associations were observed with IBR (34.1%), anaplasmosis (24.7%), tropical theileriosis (15.4%), babesiosis (12.6%), and MCF (12.1%). The transmission dynamics of LSD revealed that hematophagous vectors, particularly Stomoxys, Haematobia, and Rhipicephalus, play a crucial role in its spread, especially in unorganised farming systems. Additionally, Haematobia and Stomoxys flies were implicated in the high transmission rate of oriental theileriosis (39%) in conjunction with LSD. Notably, ticks (Rhipicephalus) facilitated the concurrent transmission of one, two, or three infections alongside LSD. While Musca, a non-hematophagous fly, was found to carry LSD virus (LSDV), it did not test positive for other pathogens. This study highlights the potential for cattle to harbour multiple diseases simultaneously with LSD, emphasising the necessity for integrated transmission studies and comprehensive disease screening in affected livestock. These findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted prevention and control strategies to mitigate disease impact in livestock populations. Full article

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging transboundary and highly infectious viral disease mainly affecting cattle. The fact that it was initially confined to Africa and then spread beyond its geographical range to other regions, including the Middle East, Turkey, Europe, the Balkans, Russia and Asia, is an indication of the underestimation and neglect of this disease. Vaccination is considered the most effective way to control the spread of LSDV, when combined with other control measures. LSD is now on the rise in Southeast Asia, where the circulating virus belongs to recombinant lineage 2.5. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of an attenuated LSDV strain belonging to the Neethling cluster 1.1 by challenge with a virulent recombinant vaccine-like LSDV isolate “Mongolia/2021” belonging to cluster 2.5. Some of the vaccinated animals showed an increase in body temperature of 1–1.5 °C above the physiological norm, without clinical signs, local reactions, vaccine-induced viremia or generalization, demonstrating the efficacy and safety of the vaccine strain against a recombinant strain. Furthermore, all the vaccinated animals showed strong immune responses, indicating a high level of immunogenicity. However, the control group challenged with “Mongolia/2021” LSD showed moderate to severe clinical signs seen in an outbreak, with high levels of virus shedding in blood samples and nasal swabs. Overall, the results of the present study demonstrate that the attenuated LSDV Neethling strain vaccine has a promising protective phenotype against the circulating strains, suggesting its potential as an effective tool for the containment and control of LSD in affected countries from Southeast Asia. Full article

Pig farming has become a strategically significant and economically important industry across the globe. It is also a potentially vulnerable sector due to challenges posed by transboundary diseases in which viral infections are at the forefront. Among the porcine viral diseases, African swine fever, classical swine fever, foot and mouth disease, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, pseudorabies, swine influenza, and transmissible gastroenteritis are some of the diseases that cause substantial economic losses in the pig industry. It is a well-established fact that vaccination is undoubtedly the most effective strategy to control viral infections in animals. From the period of Jenner and Pasteur to the recent new-generation technology era, the development of vaccines has contributed significantly to reducing the burden of viral infections on animals and humans. Inactivated and modified live viral vaccines provide partial protection against key pathogens. However, there is a need to improve these vaccines to address emerging infections more comprehensively and ensure their safety. The recent reports on new-generation vaccines against swine viruses like DNA, viral-vector-based replicon, chimeric, peptide, plant-made, virus-like particle, and nanoparticle-based vaccines are very encouraging. The current review gathers comprehensive information on the available vaccines and the future perspectives on porcine viral vaccines. Full article

The emergence of new virulent genotypes and the continued genetic drift of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) implies that distinct genotypes of NDV are simultaneously evolving in different geographic locations across the globe, including throughout Africa, where NDV is an important veterinary pathogen. Expanding the genomic diversity of NDV increases the possibility of diagnostic and vaccine failures. In this review, we systematically analyzed the genetic diversity of NDV genotypes in Africa using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Information published between 1999 and 2022 were used to obtain the genetic background of different genotypes of NDV and their geographic distributions in Africa. The following genotypes were reported in Africa: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XI, XIII, XIV, XVII, XVIII, XX, and XXI. A new putative genotype has been detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, of 54 African countries, only 26 countries regularly report information on NDV outbreaks, suggesting that this number may be vastly underestimated. With eight different genotypes, Nigeria is the country with the greatest genotypic diversity of NDV among African countries. Genotype VII is the most prevalent group of NDV in Africa, which was reported in 15 countries. A phylogeographic analysis of NDV sequences revealed transboundary transmission of the virus in Eastern Africa, Western and Central Africa, and in Southern Africa. A regional and continental collaboration is recommended for improved NDV risk management in Africa. Full article

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a transboundary viral disease that affects small ruminants, such as goats and sheep, in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, causing substantial damage to livelihoods and disrupting livestock trade. Although Russia is PPR virus (PPRV)-free, controlling PPRV in neighboring countries is the top national priority. Recent PPR outbreaks in Mongolia and other countries in the Middle East caused by a lineage IV virus represent a risk of transboundary emergence in neighboring countries, including China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. In the present study, we assessed the potency and safety of the ARRIAH live attenuated PPRV vaccine (lineage II) in Zaannen and Nubian goat breeds by challenging them with a virulent lineage IV Mongolia/2021 isolate. For comparison, two commercial vaccines of Nigeria75/1 strain were used. The ARRIAH-vaccinated animals showed an increase in body temperature of 1–1.5 °C above the physiological norm, similar to the animals vaccinated with Nigeria75/1 vaccines. In all vaccinated groups, the average rectal temperature never exceeded 39.4–39.7 °C throughout the infection period, and no clinical signs of the disease were observed, demonstrating vaccine efficacy and safety in the current experimental setting. However, the control group (mock vaccinated) challenged with Mongolia/2021 PPRV exhibited moderate-to-severe clinical signs. Overall, the findings of the present study demonstrate that the ARRIAH vaccine strain has a promising protective phenotype compared with Nigeria75/1 vaccines, suggesting its potential as an effective alternative for curbing and controlling PPR in affected countries. Although the ARRIAH vaccine against PPR is not currently endorsed by the World Organization for Animal Health due to its incomplete safety and potency profile, this study is the first step to provide experimentally validated data on the ARRIAH vaccine. Full article

The “One Health” initiative is a critical strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health in the spread and containment of infectious pathogens. With the ease of global transportation, transboundary disease outbreaks pose a significant threat to food safety and security, endangering public health and having a negative economic impact. Traditional diagnostic techniques based on genotypic and phenotypic analyses are expensive, time-consuming, and cannot be translated into point-of-care tools, hindering effective disease management and control. However, with advancements in molecular methods, biosensors, and new generation sequencing, rapid and reliable diagnostics are now available. This review provides a comprehensive insight into emergent viral and bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the importance of “One Health” in connecting detection and effective treatment. By emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between human and animal health, this paper underscores the critical role of “One Health” initiatives in preventing and controlling infectious diseases. Full article

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious transboundary viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. Despite mass vaccination and continuous eradication programs, CSF remains endemic in Asia, some countries in Europe, the Caribbean and South America. Since June 2013, Northern Colombia has reported 137 CSF outbreaks, mostly in backyard production systems with low vaccination coverage. The purpose of this study was to characterize the virus responsible for the outbreak. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length E2 sequence shows that the virus is closely related to CSF virus (CSFV) genotype 2.6 strains circulating in Southeast Asia. The pathotyping experiment suggests that the virus responsible is a moderately virulent strain. The 190 nucleotide stretch of the E2 hypervariable region of these isolates also shows high similarity to the CSFV isolates from Colombia in 2005 and 2006, suggesting a common origin for the CSF outbreaks caused by genotype 2.6 strains. The emergence of genotype 2.6 in Colombia suggests a potential transboundary spread of CSFV from Asia to the Americas, complicating the ongoing CSF eradication efforts in the Americas, and emphasizes the need for continuous surveillance in the region. Full article

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is capable of causing transboundary diseases characterized by fever, nodules on the skin, mucous membranes, and inner organs. The disease may cause emaciation with the enlargement of lymph nodes and sometimes death. It has had endemic importance in various parts of Asia in recent years, causing substantial economic losses to the cattle industry. The current study reported a suspected LSDV infection (based on signs and symptoms) from a mixed farm of yak and cattle in Sichuan Province, China. The clinical samples were found positive for LSDV using qPCR and ELISA, while LSDV DNA was detected in Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles. The complete genome sequence of China/LSDV/SiC/2021 was determined by Next-generation sequencing. It was found that China/LSDV/SiC/2021 is highly homologous to the novel vaccine-related recombinant LSDV currently emerging in China and countries surrounding China. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the novel vaccine-associated recombinant LSDV formed a unique dendrograms topology between field and vaccine-associated strains. China/LSDV/SiC/2021 was found to be a novel recombinant strain, with at least 18 recombination events via field viruses identified in the genome sequence. These results suggest that recombinant LSDV can cause high mortality in yaks, and its transmission might be due to the Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles, which acts as a mechanical vector. Full article

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has long been recognized as a highly contagious, transboundary disease of livestock incurring substantial losses and burdens to animal production and trade across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Due to the recent emergence of the O/ME-SA/Ind-2001 lineage globally contributing to the expansion of FMD, molecular epidemiological investigations help in tracing the evolution of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) across endemic and newly affected regions. In this work, our phylogenetic analysis reveals that the recent FMDV incursions in Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan in 2021–2022 were due to the virus belonging to the O/ME-SA/Ind-2001e sublineage, belonging to the cluster from Cambodian FMDV isolates. The studied isolates varied by 1.0–4.0% at the VP1 nucleotide level. Vaccine matching tests indicated that the vaccination policy in the subregion should be tailored according to the peculiarities of the ongoing epidemiologic situation. The current vaccination should change from such vaccine strains as O₁ Manisa (ME–SA), O no 2102/Zabaikalsky/2010 (O/ME-SA/Mya-98) (r₁ = 0.05–0.28) to strains that most closely antigenically match the dominant lineage O No. 2212/Primorsky/2014 (O O/ME-SA//Mya-98) and O No. 2311/Zabaikalsky/2016 (O ME-SA/Ind-2001) (r₁ = 0.66–1.0). Full article

Climate changes over the past 25 years have led to conducive conditions for invasive and transboundary fungal disease occurrence, including the re-emergence of wheat stem rust disease, caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici (Pgt) in East Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean basin. Since 2018, sporadic infections have been observed in Tunisia. In this study, we investigated Pgt occurrence at major Tunisian wheat growing areas. Pgt monitoring, assessment, and sampling from planted trap nurseries at five different locations over two years (2021 and 2022) revealed the predominance of three races, namely TTRTF (Clade III-B), TKKTF (Clade IV-F), and TKTTF (Clade IV-B). Clade III-B was the most prevalent in 2021 as it was detected at all locations, while in 2022 Pgt was only reported at Beja and Jendouba, with the prevalence of Clade IV-B. The low levels of disease incidence during these two years and Pgt population diversity suggest that this fungus most likely originated from exotic incursions and that climate factors could have caused disease establishment in Tunisia. Further evaluation under the artificial disease pressure of Tunisian wheat varieties and weather-based modeling for early disease detection in the Mediterranean area could be helpful in monitoring and predicting wheat stem rust emergence and epidemics. Full article

Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) pose a serious threat to the sustainability and economic viability of the existing animal agriculture ecosystem in south Asia. The rapid spread of African swine fever and lumpy skin diseases in south Asia must be considered a wake-up call to prevent the entry, spread, and establishment of new exotic TADs, as south Asia has the highest density of livestock populations, and it will have a huge socioeconomic impact. Regional cooperation for the prevention and control of TADs is necessary, but rational decisions should be made to initiate even sub-regional cooperation in the present geopolitical situation. Cross-border collaboration for surveillance, early warnings, and animal movement control should be encouraged on a bilateral or multilateral basis as many countries share a porous border. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), and avian influenza (AI) have been identified as regional priority TADs, and many regional and country initiatives have been undertaken in the last two decades that need to be translated into action. The incursion of exotic TADs into south Asia has compelled us to rethink overall policies and strategies for prevention and control of TADs. This paper took into consideration six emerging and endemic TADs of viral origin to suggest a future course of action. Full article

Rabies is considered a neglected disease among many developing Asian and African countries, including Mozambique, where its re-emergence is often attributed to low dog parenteral vaccination coverage. The objectives of this study were two-fold: (1) to assess the level of antibodies against rabies virus in dogs (n = 418) in Limpopo National Park (LNP), and (2) to genetically characterise selected rabies viruses from brain tissue samples collected in 2017 and 2018. To meet the first objective, we used the BioPro^TM Rabies blocking ELISA antibody kit, and the results were expressed as the percentage of blocking (%PB). Dog sera with PB ≥ 40% were considered positive for antibodies to rabies virus, whereas sera with PB < 40% were negative. Just under ninety percent (89.2%; n = 373) of dogs were seronegative, and the rest (10.8%; n = 45) had detectable levels of rabies virus-specific antibodies. All eight brain tissue samples were positive for rabies virus antigen using a direct fluorescent antibody test and amplified in a quantitative real-time PCR, but only five (n = 4 from dogs and n = 1 from a cat) were amplified in a conventional reverse-transcription PCR targeting partial regions of the nucleoprotein (N) and the glycoprotein (G) genes. All samples were successfully sequenced. Phylogenetically, the rabies viruses were all of dog origin and were very closely related to each other (Africa 1b rabies virus lineage). Furthermore, the sequences had a common progenitor with other rabies viruses from southern Africa, confirming the transboundary nature of rabies and the pivotal role of dogs in maintaining rabies cycles. The study demonstrates the principal application of the BioPro^TM rabies ELISA antibody for the detection of anti-lyssavirus-specific antibodies in the serum samples of dogs, and most importantly, it highlights the low levels of antibodies against rabies virus in this dog population. Full article

The association between days with similar environmental parameters and cardiovascular events is unknown. We investigate the association between clusters of environmental parameters and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) risk in Singapore. Using k-means clustering and conditional Poisson models, we grouped calendar days from 2010 to 2015 based on rainfall, temperature, wind speed and the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and compared the incidence rate ratios (IRR) of AMI across the clusters using a time-stratified case-crossover design. Three distinct clusters were formed with Cluster 1 having high wind speed, Cluster 2 high rainfall, and Cluster 3 high temperature and PSI. Compared to Cluster 1, Cluster 3 had a higher AMI incidence with IRR 1.04 (95% confidence interval 1.01–1.07), but no significant difference was found between Cluster 1 and Cluster 2. Subgroup analyses showed that increased AMI incidence was significant only among those with age ≥65, male, non-smokers, non-ST elevation AMI (NSTEMI), history of hyperlipidemia and no history of ischemic heart disease, diabetes or hypertension. In conclusion, we found that AMI incidence, especially NSTEMI, is likely to be higher on days with high temperature and PSI. These findings have public health implications for AMI prevention and emergency health services delivery during the seasonal Southeast Asian transboundary haze. Full article