Evaluation of animal biosafety webinar series for professionals working in animal facilities across Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic

Experimental research with animals can help the prevention, cure, and alleviation of human ailments. Animal research facilities are critical for scientific advancement, but they can also pose a higher risk than other biomedical laboratories. Zoonosis, allergic reactions, bites, cuts, and scratches by animals are all substantial concerns that can occur in animal facilities. Furthermore, human error and unexpected animal behavior pose a risk not just to humans, but also to the environment and the animals themselves. The majority of biosafety and biosecurity training programs focus on clinical and biomedical laboratories dealing with human safety factors, with little emphasis on animal biosafety. The current virtual training was designed to improve biosafety and biosecurity capabilities of animal laboratory personnel, researchers, and veterinarians from different regions of Pakistan. The results revealed that understanding was improved regarding triggers for risk assessment in addition to annual and regular reviews (56% to 69%), biosecurity (21% to 50%), decontamination (17% to 35%), safe handling of sharps (21% to 35%), Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) (17% to 40%), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage by waste handlers (60.9% to 75%), waste management (56% to 85%), animal biosafety levels (40.57% to 45%), and good microbiological practices and procedures (17% to 35%). To bring human and animal laboratories up to the same level in terms of biosafety and biosecurity, it is critical to focus on areas that have been overlooked in the past. Training programs focusing on animal biosafety should be conducted more frequently to strengthen bio risk management systems in animal research facilities.Copyright © 2021

Perception study of veterinary medicine students of the online modality to face-to-face

SARS-CoV-2 in 2019, caused university students to start their online training process. In 2022, global restrictions gave way to a gradual return, where these students began their face-to-face training. Because of this, we surveyed 65 students to assess their perception of this transition. In relation to learning: 64.6% prefer face-to-face. Related to comfort, 61.5% prefer face-to-face. Related to improvement programs, 32.3% would carry out one online. In relation to dedication and commitment to their studies, 76.9% indicate that they were affected and 78.4% affirm that the virtual modality generated learning of digital tools. © GKA Ediciones, authors. Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-SinObraDerivada.

TerraVet: A Mobile and Web Application Framework for Pet Owners and Veterinary Clinic

The lives of pet animals are equally essential as how a human life. Pet owners and the veterinarian are responsible for providing good welfare for pets despite the problems. However, the rise of COVID-19 temporarily disturbs the veterinary services where some of them limit or stop their operations, resulting in the absence and difficulties for the pet owners to locate the available veterinarian, especially when there is an immediate need for treatment, vaccination, or consultation. Aside from that, setting an appointment and buying the pet's needs are seen to be a problem with regards to the situation since most of the pet owners are afraid to go outside because they might be infected with the virus. In line with this, TerraVet: A Mobile and Web Application Framework for Veterinary Clinics and Pet Owners is proposed to resolve the underlying dilemmas in administering and facilitating veterinary care. The main objective of this suggested project is to develop and design a platform where pet owners may locate their nearby veterinarian using the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition, the application enables the pet owner to arrange an appointment, product reservation, and online consultation. The veterinary clinic may post details regarding their offered services, products, and medicines. TerraVet will also design an electronic pet card to monitor their health status. © 2022 ACM.

Mass Depopulation of Swine during COVID-19: An Exploration of Swine Veterinarians' Perspectives.

This qualitative study (n = 25) was created to better understand the mental health of U.S. swine veterinarians who were involved in the mass depopulation events related to COVID-19. A total of 25 swine veterinarians, participants in a previous larger quantitative study, volunteered to be interviewed about their experiences related to the COVID-19 mass depopulation event. Themes that emerged from these interviews included: (1) the need to be better prepared for crisis events; (2) lack of public understanding; (3) moral distress; (4) empathy for others, especially young veterinarians; (5) sources of support; (6) pride, honor and gratitude; and (7) an overarching theme of emotional distancing and detachment-concerns external to one's own mental health. Based on our results, we recommend additional training and supportive services for those who might be involved in future depopulation efforts. Additionally, we suggest that the veterinary profession prioritize public education campaigns to help the public better understand the need for depopulation.

Impact of Covid-19 Visitation Restrictions on Veterinary Critical Care Staff

Introduction: Historically, visitation of critically ill animals had been common in veterinary ICUs, with visits chaperoned by both veterinarians and the nursing team. Visits may represent a source of comfort and information for owners, but may also be time-consuming to veterinary staff. During the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all specialty/emergency veterinary hospitals pivoted to curb-side service, and typically highly limited client entry into the building for staff safety. Similar restrictions on visitation were instituted in human ICUs, leading to stress among clinicians, nurses, and patient families. The proposed study aimed to assess the visitation policies reported by critical care veterinarians and technicians and the spectrum of effects on veterinary team members. Method(s): An electronic survey was distributed to the emergency and critical care community using email and social media. The study was exempted by the institutional review board. Survey questions included demographics, COVID-19 hospital policies, and questions about the impact of restricting visitation. Descriptive statistics were used. Result(s): There were 326 respondents to the survey, with veterinarians (53%) and veterinary technicians/assistants (40%) being the most common. Visitation restrictions were reported by 286 (88%) participants. Of those, 264 (81%) reported permitting visits only for euthanasia/endof life discussion and/or on a case-by case arrangement and 20 (6%) allowed no visitation at all. By comparison, prior to COVID-19, 309 (95%) respondents reported no visitation restrictions. For the veterinary team, 244 (75%) felt sad if they had to decline a visit, while 211 (65%) reported feeling anxious and/or guilty. Most respondents (218;67%) felt the owners were understanding. Restricting visits was perceived to improve time for patient care for 195 (60%) respondents, decrease overall workload for 192 (59%) respondents, and decrease stress for 137 (42%) respondents. Conclusion(s): Visitation restriction impacts veterinary staff both positively and negatively;careful evaluation of visitation policies is warranted. The impact on owners should also be evaluated.

"Tool-in-Lesion" Accuracy of Galaxy System: Robotic-Assisted, Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy with Integrated Tool-in-Lesion-Tomosynthesis Technology: The Match Study

SESSION TITLE: Late Breaking Procedures Posters SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/18/2022 01:30 pm - 02:30 pm PURPOSE: The Galaxy SystemTM (Noah Medical, San Carlos, CA) is a novel robotic endoluminal platform using electromagnetic navigation combined with integrated tomosynthesis technology and augmented fluoroscopy. It provides intraprocedural imaging to correct CT-to-body divergence and novel confirmation of tool-in-lesion. The primary aim of this study was to assess the tool-in-lesion accuracy of the robotic bronchoscope with integrated digital tomosynthesis and augmented fluoroscopy. METHOD(S): Over four separate days, four operators (the authors) conducted the experiment using four pigs. Each physician performed between 4 and 6 nodule biopsies for 20 lung nodule biopsies. A porcine model (S. s. domesticus) was utilized. Each pig was anesthetized with volatile gas and underwent tracheostomy with an 8.5 endotracheal tube and bilateral chest tube thoracostomy. Anesthesia was monitored by a veterinarian with invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Under CT fluoroscopic guidance, simulated lung nodules were created by percutaneous injection of a gelatinous agar solution containing purple dye and radiopaque material into the lung periphery. A CT was then performed for pre-procedure planning. Using Galaxy's "Tool in Lesion TOMO+" with augmented fluoroscopy, the physician navigated to the lung nodules and a tool (needle) was placed into the lesion. Tool in lesion was defined by the needle in or tangential to the lesion determined by CBCT. Center strike was defined as the needle in the middle third in three orthogonal angles (axial, sagittal, and coronal) on CBCT. RESULT(S): Lung nodules' average size was 16.3+/-0.97 mm and were predominantly in the lower lobes (65%). Only 15% (3/20) had a bronchus sign and the average distance to the pleura was 6.88+/-5.5 mm. All four operators successfully navigated to all (100%) of the lesions in an average of 3 minutes and 39 seconds. The median number of tomosynthesis sweeps was 3 and augmented fluoroscopy was utilized in most cases (17/20 or 85%). Tool in lesion after final tomography sweep was 100% (20/20). Biopsy yielding purple pigmentation on microscopic or gross examination was also 100% (20/20). Center strike rate was 60%. CONCLUSION(S): The Galaxy SystemTM demonstrated successful digital tomography confirmed tool in lesion success in 100% (20/20) of lesions as confirmed by CBCT. Successful biopsy was achieved in 100% of lesions as confirmed by intralesional pigment acquisition. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The combination of robotic navigation, catheter maneuverability and real-time correction for CT body divergence capitalizes on the strengths of all three technologies to improve diagnosis. Additional clinical trials are warranted to see if high success rates can be reproduced in patients. DISCLOSURES: Consultant relationship with Medtronic ILS Please note: $20001 - $100000 by Krish Bhadra, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Veractye Please note: $1-$1000 by Krish Bhadra, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Bodyvision Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Krish Bhadra, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Merit Endotek Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Krish Bhadra, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Boston Scientific Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Krish Bhadra, value=Consulting fee Human Factor Testing relationship with Auris Surgical Robotics Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Krish Bhadra, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Intuitive Surgical Robotics Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Krish Bhadra, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Biodesix Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Krish Bhadra, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Noah Medical Please note: 5/2020 Added 06/01/2022 by Krish Bhadra, value=Consulting fee Speaker relationship with Body Vision Please note: 2015 - present Added 05/29/2022 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Ownership interest Consultant relationship with Magnisity Please note: 2021 - present Added 05/29/2022 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Ownership interest Consultant relationship with Auris (J&J Ethicon) Please note: 2014-present Added 05/29/2022 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Honoraria Consultant relationship with Boston Scientific Please note: 2008 - present Added 05/29/2022 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Medtronic Please note: 2010-2019 Added 05/29/2022 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Broncus Please note: 2017-2021 Added 05/29/2022 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with PulmonX Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Consulting fee Removed 06/08/2022 by Douglas Hogarth Consultant relationship with Spiration Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Consulting fee Removed 06/08/2022 by Douglas Hogarth Consultant relationship with Eolo Please note: $20001 - $100000 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Ownership interest Removed 06/08/2022 by Douglas Hogarth Consultant relationship with Noah Please note: 2019 - present Added 06/08/2022 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Ownership interest Consultant relationship with Noah Please note: 2019 - present Added 06/08/2022 by Douglas Hogarth, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Medtronic Corporation Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Amit Mahajan, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Boston Scientific Corporation Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Amit Mahajan, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Pulmonx Corporation Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Amit Mahajan, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Ambu USA Please note: $1-$1000 by Amit Mahajan, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Circulogene Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Amit Mahajan, value=Consulting fee Consultant relationship with Medtronic/Covidien Please note: $1001 - $5000 by Otis Rickman, value=Consulting fee Copyright © 2022 American College of Chest Physicians

General biosafety measures for laboratory environments, outpatient clinics, medical centers, and veterinary hospitals during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

This study aimed to guide professionals working in veterinary laboratories, outpatient clinics, medical centers, and hospitals regarding the biosafety measures that should be adopted during the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. While the population is not yet fully immunized by vaccines, the adoption of biosafety measures is essential to control the spread of circulating strains of the new coronavirus. Thus, the importance of professionals and collaborators following biosafety guidelines in different veterinary work environments is highlighted. The main protocols on biosafety to be adopted include frequent handwashing with water and soap or using 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizers, using personal protective equipment (PPE) (including gloves, lab coat, face mask), avoiding the contact of the hands with mucous membranes (eyes, nose and mouth), not sharing personal objects, keeping environments clean and well ventilated, social distancing of 1.5 m between individuals, and maintaining objects and surfaces regularly clean throughout the work environment. The transformation of work processes, such as various biosafety practices, is necessary within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and improves the safety of professionals in their work environment and other people and animals, decreasing contamination risks in order to reduce the spread of this viral agent.

Characterization of changes in productivity parameters as breeding herds transitioned through the 2021 PRRSV Breeding Herd Classification System

Using retrospective data from 6 breedto- wean herds over 4 years, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) statuses were assigned by week according to the 2021 American Association of Swine Veterinarians PRRSV classification. Productivity changes were characterized as herds transitioned through status categories. Overall, productivity improved as farm status improved.

COVID-19 pandemic: A lockdown experience with veterinary tele-health services in Kashmir

Telehealth facility was launched to extend veterinary services throughout Kashmir valley. It was also desired for continuation of veterinary internship during the COVID-19 lock-down period. A total of 714 response forms were received from the participating veterinary faculty of clinical disciplines in six months. The majority (n=504, 70.6%) of the cases pertained to the dairy cattle. Thirty per cent (n=9/30) of the designated specialists participated. The tele-health facility was availed by interns (44.25%), farmers/animal owners (36.51%), field veterinarians (15.28%) and the para-veterinarians (3.97%) in significantly decreasing order. Telephone mobile calls, WhatsApp messages (text, photos and videos), and the SMS text messages were the platforms used. The animals with medical problems (67.66%) were significantly more than those showing gynaecological (18.25%) and surgical (14.09%) ailments. More than half (52.58%) of the cases were reported from the nearby three districts. The remaining (47.42%) animal owners resided in rest of the seven districts. Most of the complaints pertained to skin and appendages (27.18%), alimentary (25.79%) and reproductive tract (18.25%) in the affected cattle respectively. Udder and teat affections, metabolic diseases, and repeat breeding were tentatively diagnosed in majority of the cows. From this preliminary study, it is concluded that the veterinary telehealth service can reach far-off places and education can be continued amidst lockdown period. Short duration and lack of the follow up details are the weakness of this study. Additionally, more veterinary specialists need be persuaded to participate in telehealth modality.

Veterinary Knowledge in One Health Movement: Key to Healthier Environment

One Health approach is the most relevant global initiative to achieve an optimal health for human, animals, and the environment on this planet as of now. With the recent devastating Covid-19 pandemic, all of us are aware that more global predictions and disease informatics are needed pointing out the etiology of major emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases being either vector-borne, or zoonoticdiseases originating from domestic animals or wildlife. Hence, it has become very critical and apparent that a veterinary Knowledge is the key for initiating the one health strategy sooner than later worldwide. This is being more so after the recent SARS, Nipah and SARS Cov-2 pandemics affecting the human populations inhabiting the entire globe during the recent past.Hence, it is essential to understand the importance of the veterinary knowledge that was imbibed to the undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral students of the veterinary medicine and their potential applications for the one health movement. By education, research, nature of work and practice, majority of the veterinarians are poised to treat and handle many of the disease situations of man and animals in a holistic approach considering the common platform of environment existing for both species. This proves that the One Health mindset is already an inherent part of a veterinarian through his education, practice and experience. With this background, the veterinarians from core animal health academics to clinical practitioners to free lancing veterinary consultants and to Animal husbandry extension specialists are already being an integral part of multi-disciplinary strategies that have typical perspectives of a One health approach without realizing it in their day-to-day activities. Let us take this concept forward and replicate to achieve the safer and healthier world.

The Challenge of COVID-19: A Compelling Mission for Veterinary Profession

While thecovid -19 pandemic has been devastating and disrupting the normal life of people across the globe, veterinarians have crucial obligations, opportunities, and contributions to make the country self-reliant, self-sufficient and self-sustaining. They accomplish this by enhancing the health and wellbeing of animals, environment and community. They also aid in detecting and responding to zoonotic diseases, maintaining food security and water quality, and promoting wildlife and ecosystem health. Failing to seize this moment could definitely undermine public health and global security for generations. Despite the fact that the strategic modifications of the veterinary education system, client dealing as well as the trade and investment regulations implemented in the aftermath of the covid-19 pandemic has an immense prospective for progress, there are several pitfalls in this system. This must be addressed in order to face the challenge, accept the future and relinquish the opportunities to create a more sustainable profession.

The urgency of wider adoption of one health approach for the prevention of a future pandemic

Recurring outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging zoonoses serve as a reminder that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are interconnected. Therefore, multisectoral, transdisciplinary, and collaborative approaches are required at local, regional, and global levels to tackle the ever-increasing zoonotic threat. The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 zoonosis has been posing tremendous threats to global human health and economies. The devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic teaches us to adopt a “One Health Approach (OHA)” to tackle a possible future pandemic through a concerted effort of the global scientific community, human health professionals, public health experts, veterinarians and policymakers through open science and open data sharing practices. The OHA is an integrated, holistic, collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach to tackle potential pandemic zoonotic diseases. It includes expanding scientific inquiry into zoonotic infections;monitoring, and regulating traditional food markets, transforming existing food systems, and incentivizing animal husbandry and legal wildlife trade to adopt effective zoonotic control measures. To adopt an OHA globally, research and academic institutions, governments and non-government sectors at the local, regional, and international levels must work together. This review aimed to provide an overview of the major pandemics in human history including the COVID-19, anthropogenic drivers of zoonoses, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARSCoV- 2) reverse zoonoses, the concept of OHA and how an OHA could be utilized to prevent future pandemic threats to the human-animal-ecosystem interfaces. In addition, this review article discusses the strategic framework of OHA and possible challenges to implement OHA in practice to prevent any future pandemics. The practices of open data sharing, open science, and international collaboration should be included in the OHA to prevent and/or rapidly tackle any health emergencies in the future.

Epidemiological investigation of bovine tuberculosis infection dynamics in Turkey

A national epidemiological research project was carried out to define the dynamics affecting the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) infection in Turkey and to identify the risk factors. Official veterinarian (OV) and breeder original questionnaires were produced separately as part of this study to collect thorough data regarding the disease from the field. The number of questionnaires that needed to be filled out was decided by 95% confidence interval (CI) and 5% margin of error. The findings of 371 OV and 317 breeder questionnaires completed online across the country were analyzed. In addition, 28 outbreaks determined by random method were visited. To observe regional differences and field conditions, the opinions of OVs who monitored the disease and breeders were compiled. It was observed that the data obtained from both questionnaires was largely compatible. The main factors in the epidemiology of bTB infection were found to be effective fight, development of state policy, providing adequate financing, animal purchase, ear tagging and records, animal traders, animal markets, animal movements, conditional slaughtering, slaughterhouses, postmortem inspection, premise conditions, socio-economic impact, evaluation of raw milk, disease-free premises, compensation payments, and quarantine processes.