Volume: 227, Published: 13 June 2023
DISEASE OUTBREAKS
Sri Lanka: Transportation of cattle in and out of Central Province temporarily halted due to lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreaks
Date: 13 June 2023; Disease: LSD; Location: Multiple locations, Central province, Sri Lanka
Health authorities have raised concerns after multiple cases of LSD were reported in parts of the Central Province and is also reported to have affected dairy production in the Central Province. According to officials, a number of LSD cases were reported from Ragala and Kotmale in Nuwara-Eliya District; Harispaththuwa, Udunuwara and Pujapitiya in Kandy District; Dambulla, Wilgamuwa and Galewela in Matale District. However, a notable increase in the spread of the viral disease was observed among the cattle in Dambulla and Galewela where at least 500 cattle were infected. Taking the situation into consideration, the Animal Production & Health Department has decided to suspend the transportation of cattle in and out of the Central Province until further notice. Read more at Ada Derana.
China: Human case of avian influenza (H5N6)
Date: 5 June 2023; Disease: Avian influenza A(H5N6); Location: Nanchong, Sichuan, China
Officials reported a human case of avian influenza A(H5N6), a 54-year-old female who had exposure to live domestic poultry before the onset of symptoms. She developed symptoms on 19 May and was admitted for treatment on the same day, and is reported to be in serious condition. From 2014 to date, 84 human cases of avian influenza A(H5N6) have been reported by Chinese health authorities. Officials have suggested travelers to China or other affected areas to avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms. They should be alert to the presence of backyard poultry when visiting relatives and friends. Read more at Hong Kong SAR and Outbreaks News Today.
Philippines: Nine cases of African swine fever (ASF) detected
Date: 6 June 2023; Disease: ASF; Location: Victoria city, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Nine cases of ASF have been detected in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City, the mayor confirmed. Victorias is the second local government unit (LGU) in the province to have confirmed cases of the highly contagious hog disease, following the first recorded case in Pulupandan town last month. The mayor, in a press conference, confirmed the ASF cases in the locality with city veterinarian saying they have monitored the cases in two villages since last week. Of the nine cases, seven were detected in a slaughterhouse of Victorias Foods Corporation (VFC). Read more at Watchmen Daily Journal.
Indonesia: Animal rabies reported for the first time in Timor Island
Date: 2 June 2023; Disease: Rabies; Location: Timor Island, Indonesia
Animal rabies (in domestic dogs) was detected for the first time after following up report on human rabies. Rabies was detected in Nusa Tenggara Timur province previously, however, the spread of the disease was just limited to Flores Island (of the three main islands in the province, Flores, Sumba and Timor). This is a first occurrence of the disease in Timor Island. Read more at WOAH.
India: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus infection in free-ranging Indian gazelles
Date: 30 May 2023; Disease: LSD; Location: Rajasthan, India
Near a zoo in Bikaner, India, 2 free-ranging Indian gazelles (Gazella bennettii) displayed nodular skin lesions. Molecular testing revealed LSD virus infection. Subsequent genome analyses revealed LSDV wild-type strain of Middle Eastern lineage. Evidence of natural LSDV infection in wild gazelles in this area indicates a broadening host range. The 2 gazelles eventually died. The clinical manifestations of their disease were akin to those for LSD in domestic cattle. The findings demonstrated emergence of LSD in wildlife in India and susceptibility of the wild G. bennetti species to natural LSDV infection. Read full text at CDC.
Russian Federation: Newcastle disease outbreak
Date: 7 June 2023; Disease: Newcastle disease; Location: Ust'-Ilimsk, Russian Federation
In a recent outbreak, 50 domestic non-poultry birds died of Newcastle disease while 207 birds were killed and disposed of. Read more at WOAH.
Russian Federation: African swine fever (ASF) outbreak
Date: 9 June 2023; Disease: ASF; Location: Sara, Lava and Lavoinskoe, Russian Federation
In multiple outbreaks in three different locations, one wild boar and 18 domestic pigs died of ASF, while 13 domestic pigs were killed and disposed of. Read more at WOAH.
NEWS AND UPDATES
African swine fever (ASF) Asia and Pacific situation update
Date: 8 June 2023
Latest edition of ASF Asia and Pacific situation update includes the report of ASF for the first time in Negros Occidental Province along with additional outbreaks in Sibulan Municipality in the Philippines; and ASF outbreaks in additional four districts of Meghalaya State in India. Read more at FAO.
Developing a slow-release permanganate composite for degrading aquaculture antibiotics
Date: 7 June 2023
Copious use of antibiotics in aquaculture farming systems has resulted in surface water contamination in some countries. The study intended to develop a slow-release oxidant that could be used in situ to reduce antibiotic concentrations in discharges from aquaculture lagoons. Researchers accomplished this by generating a slow-release permanganate (SR-MnO4−) that was composed of a biodegradable wax and a phosphate-based dispersing agent. Sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and its synergistic antibiotics were used as representative surrogates. Kinetic experiments verified that the antibiotic-MnO4− reactions were first-order with respect to MnO4− and initial antibiotic concentration (second-order rates: 0.056–0.128 s−1 M−1). A series of batch experiments showed that solution pH, water matrices, and humic acids impacted SDM degradation efficiency. Degradation plateaus were observed in the presence of humic acids (>20 mgL−1), which caused greater MnO2 production. A mixture of KMnO4/beeswax/paraffin (SRB) at a ratio of 11.5:4:1 (w/w) was better for biodegradability and the continual release of MnO4−, but MnO2 formation altered release patterns. Adding tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (TKPP) into the composite resulted in delaying MnO2 aggregation and increased SDM removal efficiency to 90% due to the increased oxidative sites on the MnO2 particle surface. The MnO4− release data fit the Siepmann–Peppas model over the long term (t < 48 d) while a Higuchi model provided a better fit for shorter timeframes (t < 8 d). Our flow-through discharge tank system using SRB with TKPP continually reduced the SDM concentration in both DI water and lagoon wastewater. These results support SRB with TKPP as an effective composite for treating antibiotic residues in aquaculture discharge water. Read full text at MDPI.
Disclaimer
Information compiled for the animal disease outbreak is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and is derived from online news items both official and unofficial channels. No claim, representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, is made by FAO as to the accuracy, completeness or authenticity of the information on this platform.