Emerging Infectious Diseases – U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - Volume 17, Number 12—December 2011 Research

Guerrero-Sánchez S, Cuevas-Romero S, Nemeth NM, Jesus Trujillo-Olivera MT, Worwa G, Dupuis A, et al. West Nile virus infection of birds, Mexico. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2011 Dec [date cited]. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid1712.110294

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) has caused disease in humans, equids, and birds at lower frequency in Mexico than in the United States. We hypothesized that the seemingly reduced virulence in Mexico was caused by attenuation of the Tabasco strain from southeastern Mexico, resulting in lower viremia than that caused by the Tecate strain from the more northern location of Baja California. During 2006–2008, we tested this hypothesis in candidate avian amplifying hosts: domestic chickens, rock pigeons, house sparrows, great-tailed grackles, and clay-colored thrushes. Only great-tailed grackles and house sparrows were competent amplifying hosts for both strains, and deaths occurred in each species. Tecate strain viremia levels were higher for thrushes. Both strains produced low-level viremia in pigeons and chickens. Our results suggest that certain avian hosts within Mexico are competent for efficient amplification of both northern and southern WNV strains and that both strains likely contribute to bird deaths.

Read more: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/17/12/11-0294_article.htm?source=govdelivery

PLoS ONE | www.plosone.org 1 February 2012 | Volume 7 | Issue 2 | e27918

Likelihood of Henipavirus Entering the United Kingdom

Emma L. Snary1*, Vick Ramnial1, Andrew C. Breed1, Ben Stephenson1, Hume E. Field2, Anthony R., Fooks3,4

1 Centre for Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom, 2 Queensland Centre for Emerging

Infectious Diseases, Biosecurity Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 3 Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-borne Diseases Research Group, Department of Virology, Animal Health

and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom, 4 National Consortium for Zoonosis Research, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High

Road, Neston, United Kingdom

Abstract

The genus Henipavirus includes Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV), for which fruit bats (particularly those of the

genus Pteropus) are considered to be the wildlife reservoir. The recognition of henipaviruses occurring across a wider

geographic and host range suggests the possibility of the virus entering the United Kingdom (UK). To estimate the

likelihood of henipaviruses entering the UK, a qualitative release assessment was undertaken. To facilitate the release

assessment, the world was divided into four zones according to location of outbreaks of henipaviruses, isolation of

henipaviruses, proximity to other countries where incidents of henipaviruses have occurred and the distribution of Pteropus

spp. fruit bats. From this release assessment, the key findings are that the importation of fruit from Zone 1 and 2 and bat

bushmeat from Zone 1 each have a Low annual probability of release of henipaviruses into the UK. Similarly, the importation

of bat meat from Zone 2, horses and companion animals from Zone 1 and people travelling from Zone 1 and entering the

UK was estimated to pose a Very Low probability of release. The annual probability of release for all other release routes was

assessed to be Negligible. It is recommended that the release assessment be periodically re-assessed to reflect changes in

knowledge and circumstances over time.

One Health Newsletter Spring Issue Published May 21, 2012

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/One_Health/OneHealth.html

Please see attachment or click on http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/One_Health/SpringOHNL2012.pdf

One Health and EcoHealth in Ontario: A qualitative study exploring how holistic and integrative approaches are shaping public health practice in Ontario

Zee Leung, Dean Middleton and Karen Morrison

BMC Public Health 2012, 12:358 doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-358; Published: 16 May 2012 [Open Access]

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/358/abstract

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2458-12-358.pdf

Veterinaria Italiana - 2012 - Volume 48 (1), January-March

Zoonoses and Poverty – a long road to the alleviation of suffering

Aristarchos Seimenis, DVM

http://www.izs.it/vet_italiana/2012/48_1/5.htm

Please see full article http://www.izs.it/vet_italiana/2012/48_1/5.pdf

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Notice

Investigation of Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Infantis Infections Linked to Dry Dog Food

May 11, 2012

• Background
• Recall Information 
• Case Count - Updated May 11, 2012
• Advice to Consumers
• Additional Resources

More information: See http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/CORENetwork/ucm302904.htm

Challenges in Antibiotic Product Development in a Rapidly Changing Global Landscape

Scott A. Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVCP

Senior Director, Metabolism & Safety

Pfizer Animal Health

Please see: http://www.animalagriculture.org/Solutions/Proceedings/Symposia/2011%20Antibiotics/Brown,%20Scott.pdf

   
Zoonoses and marginalised infectious diseases of poverty: Where do we stand?

Molyneux DM, Hallaj Z, Keusch GT, McManus DP, Ngowi H, Cleaveland S, Ramos-Jimenez P, Gotuzzo E, Kar K, Sanchez A, Garba A, Carabin H, Bassili A, Chaignat CL, Meslin F, Abushama HM, Willingham AL, Kioy D

Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:106 (14 June 2011)

http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/pdf/1756-3305-4-106.pdf

Teaching Human Parasitology in China

Parasites & Vectors 2012, 5:77 doi:10.1186/1756-3305-5-77

Abstract

China has approximately one-fifth of the world’s population. Despite the recent success in

controlling major parasitic diseases, parasitic diseases remain a significant human health

problem in China. Hence, the discipline of human parasitology is considered as a core subject

for undergraduate and postgraduate students of the medical sciences. We consider the

teaching of human parasitology to be fundamental to the training of medical students, to the

continued research on parasitic diseases, and to the prevention and control of human parasitic

diseases. Here, we have summarized the distribution of educational institutions in China,

particularly those that teach parasitology. In addition, we have described some existing

parasitology courses in detail as well as the teaching methods used for different types of

medical students. Finally, we have discussed the current problems in and reforms to human

parasitology education. Our study indicates that 304 regular higher education institutions in

China offer medical or related education. More than 70 universities have an independent

department of parasitology that offers approximately 10 different parasitology courses. In

addition, six universities in China have established excellence-building courses in human

parasitology.

Please see http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/pdf/1756-3305-5-77.pdf

May 4, 2012: Please note, we have been advised today by Dr. Shenyi He of the inadvertent omission in this paper of one of the co-authors, Dr. Yang Bi.

2nd International One Health Congress

Call for Abstracts Extended Until May 10, 2012

The One Health Initiative team/website was notified by prominently recognized One Health leader and program director of the 1^st International One Health Congress, veterinarian Martyn Jeggo, BVetMed, PhD:

Professor Martyn Jeggo

Director

Australian Animal Health Laboratory

PO Box 100, Geelong, Victoria

Australia

Mobile 0061409166752