Participatory appraisal of foot and mouth disease outbreaks in Liesha Baruba, Kwara state Nigeria

Appraisal of foot and mouth disease [FMD] outbreaks in Ilesha baruba LGA, Kwara state in Nigeria was conducted to establish the knowledge, attitude and management control system practiced by the Fulani herdsmen. Participatory appraisal approach using designed questions in an open ended interview with the herdsmen during outbreak investigation in December, 2010, January, February, and March, 2011 was employed. Overall Morbidity, Mortality and Case fatality rates of 19.82%, 0.92% and 4.63% respectively was recorded in fifteen outbreaks investigated. Semi nomadic husbandry management system characterized by no history of FMD vaccination was mostly practiced in the affected herds. Yakana [white Fulani] and Bokoloji breeds were the most affected manifesting with very severe forms of clinical signs. Common source of water points predisposed these in-contact cattle with other herds, sheep, goats and donkeys but not wildlife. Response of the Fulani herdsmen showed all can recognize FMD and that all ages, sex, breeds of cattle could be affected by the disease expect donkeys. No particular season was associated with FMD occurrence. It was also gathered that some herdsmen use local herbs and drug medication. Inadequate veterinary service which compels them to engage a few common service providers was emphasized by the herdsmen. Finally, non treatable cattle are usually sold to butchers for human consumption at a reduce market value as death of affected cattle was usually avoided. All responses were independent and statistically significant by chi square [P<0.05]. This finding confirmed that FMD is a serious problem amongst the Fulani livestock pastoralist which requires a proactive intervention plan

[Determination of antimicrobial activity of various extracts of Stinging nettle [Urtica dioica]]

Urtica dioica, or stinging nettle, is traditionally used in much frequency in northern Iran. A total of nine extracts were prepared using different organic solvents and by two extraction methods, either by using soxhlet extractor or sequential partitions. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of crude extracts were tested. The main purpose of this study was to determine and compare two methods of extraction and the ability of different kinds of U. dioica crude extracts to inhibit various pathogenic microorganisms. A selection of extracts that showed any activity was further tested for the minimal inhibitory concentrations [MIC] on nutrient agar and minimal bactericidal concentrations [MBC] on Muller-Hilton agar. Only one extract, ethyl acetate extract of Method II [EAE II] was moderately active against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio parahaemyticus were 8.33, 8.33 and 0.13 mg/ml for both MIC, respectively. All others were practically inactive. Our finding showed that the method I had high effect on food poisoning bacterial than the method II especially against Bacillus cereus and Vibrio parahaemolytiucus

Nocturnal activity and biting rhythm of sand flies [diptera; psychodidae] in Al-Agool, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia

The study of phlebotomine sand flies activity and biting rhythms are of vital importance determining the period of maximum risk of Leishmania infection, prevention of transmission, and in successful control. This study was carried out aiming to reach a better understanding of the phlebotomine sandflies activity and biting rhythms in Al-Agool village, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia, an area of zonootic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Three collection methods were used to collect sand flies; CDC miniature light traps, sticky traps and aspirator collection off human bait, for six nights [12 hours each] in May and June, 2007. Four species were detected; Phlebotomus papatasi, P sergenti, Sergentomyia cyldei and S. antennata. P. papatasi was found to be the most abundant species [81%]. Sticky traps sampled the greater number of phlebotomine flies [43.4%], followed by light traps [31%], catching all of the 4 collected species. Human bait sampled 25.6%, only Phlebotomus species were collected by this method. Both sexes of collected sand flies displayed nocturnal activity with different patterns; the females nocturnal activity was repuscu1ar, exhibiting two peaks of activity, a larger one after dusk and a smaller one before dawn, whereas t of males was clearly nocturnal. Also, females biting rhythms follow that of nocturnal activity. This poses a greater risk for humans to be bitten and infected by the 'various sand fly-borne pathogens. This is especially important in intra-domiciliary settings during the night, in particular, after dusk and before dawn

study on culex species and culex transmitted diseases in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia

Culex mosquitoes transmit bancroftian filariasis and arboviruses as West Nile Virus in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia. However, the prevalent Culex species in Al-Madinah region have not been reported and their role in disease transmission remains to be clarified. This work aimed to investigate the role of Culex in transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti, West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis and Eastern Equine encephalitis in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Also, it was done to document the prevalent Culex species and to shed light on their bionomics and habits. Culex mosquitoes were collected using spray sheets and CDC light traps with CO2 release from July 2007 till June 2008. Also, Culex larvae were collected for 8 months during that period. Culex seasonal distribution and bionomics were documented and taxonomical identification was done. Females were dissected and microscopically examined for filarial stages. In addition, they were screened by the Vec-Test for West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis and Eastern Equine encephalitis. A total of 3.6% human rooms and 4.7% of animal sheds were positive for Culex; more in the period of January-June 2008, compared to July-December 2007. Seven Culex species were found, two of which were recorded for the first time in the region; C. duttoni and C. decens. C. pipiens and C. quinquefasciatus were the most abundant; 59.3% of collected adults were C. pipiens, while C. quinquefasciatus constituted 22.1%. As for collected larvae, C. pipiens constituted 60% of them, whereas C. quinquefasciatus totalled 20%. Only C. pipie/Is was found to harbor West Nile Virus. In contrast, no other viruses or W bancrfoti stages were detected in the examined mosquitoes. There is a potential danger of the transmission of West Nile Virus in Al-Madinah especially by C. pipiens. Also, the possibility of future transmission of W. bancrofti, and the establishment of new endemic foci of bancroftian filariasis in the region, couldn't be overruled