Wide circulation of peste des petits ruminants virus in sheep and goats across Nigeria.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects goats and sheep in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and threatens Europe [R.E.1]. The disease is endemic on the African continent, particularly in West Africa, and is a major factor driving food insecurity in low-income populations. The aim of this research study was to carry out surveillance, genetic characterisation and isolation of recently circulating PPR viruses (PPRV) in sheep and goats from the six agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. A total of 268 post-mortem tissue samples of lung and mesenteric ganglia were collected from clinically suspected sheep and goats in 18 different states, of which five never previously sampled. The presence of PPRV was confirmed using a reverse-transcription coupled with a polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. A total of 72 samples, 17 sheep (6%) and 55 goats (21%), were found to be PPR positive. Positive samples were distributed in almost all states, except Kano, where PPR was detected in previous studies. The PPRV-positive samples were further confirmed by sequencing or virus isolation in areas where the infection had never previously been detected. These results confirm the active circulation of PPRV across all six agro-ecological zones of Nigeria, and consequently, the need for introducing strict measures for the control and prevention of the disease in the country.

A further outbreak of classical swine fever in indigenous pigs in Kurigram district, Bangladesh.

Deaths of native scavenging pigs were reported in mid-November 2015 at Nageswari sub-district, Kurigram district of Bangladesh. The investigation for a suspected classical swine fever (CSF) outbreak was accomplished via a joint outbreak investigation team from Department of Livestock Services (DLS) and Food and Agriculture Organization, Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Disease (FAO-ECTAD), Bangladesh. Out of 592 pigs, 396 were infected and among them 263 died. The attack rate and case fatality rate were 66.9% and 66.4%, respectively. The epidemic curve constructed using the data captured from the CSF outbreak site was nearly bell-shaped, indicating a point source epidemic. The basic reproduction numbers (R0) were estimated to be 1.6 (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-1.7) and 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3-1.7) based on attack rate and exponential growth rate methods, respectively. Adult pigs showed signs of high fever, staggering gait and depression, whereas piglets either died without any premonitory signs or purulent exudates in the eyes were observed. Post-mortem examination was carried out on a 6-month-old piglet. The necropsy findings included were swollen lymph nodes deep red in colour, and haemorrhages on serous and mucous membranes of the intestinal organs together with button-like ulceration in the intestines. Nasal swabs and tissue samples (spleen, lung and liver) were tested using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and found to be positive for CSF virus. One-step RT-PCR was used to amplify 1,148 base pair of E2 gene in extracted RNA and was sequenced using standard Sanger's sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the virus as genotype 2.2 that clustered with CSF virus sequences from Bangladesh and India. This is only the second report of a CSF outbreak in Bangladesh. CSF appears to be an emerging transboundary disease in this country. A special programme for controlling swine diseases is needed since pigs are being reared by marginalized communities of Bangladesh to provide livelihoods and food security.

Free-roaming dog population estimation and status of the dog population management and rabies control program in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

Beginning January 2012, a humane method of dog population management using a Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) program was implemented in Dhaka City, Bangladesh as part of the national rabies control program. To enable this program, the size and distribution of the free-roaming dog population needed to be estimated. We present the results of a dog population survey and a pilot assessment of the CNVR program coverage in Dhaka City. Free-roaming dog population surveys were undertaken in 18 wards of Dhaka City on consecutive days using mark-resight methods. Data was analyzed using Lincoln-Petersen index-Chapman correction methods. The CNVR program was assessed over the two years (2012-2013) whilst the coverage of the CNVR program was assessed by estimating the proportion of dogs that were ear-notched (processed dogs) via dog population surveys. The free-roaming dog population was estimated to be 1,242 (95 % CI: 1205-1278) in the 18 sampled wards and 18,585 dogs in Dhaka City (52 dogs/km2) with an estimated human-to-free-roaming dog ratio of 828:1. During the two year CNVR program, a total of 6,665 dogs (3,357 male and 3,308 female) were neutered and vaccinated against rabies in 29 of the 92 city wards. A pilot population survey indicated a mean CNVR coverage of 60.6% (range 19.2-79.3%) with only eight wards achieving > 70% coverage. Given that the coverage in many neighborhoods was below the WHO-recommended threshold level of 70% for rabies eradications and since the CNVR program takes considerable time to implement throughout the entire Dhaka City area, a mass dog vaccination program in the non-CNVR coverage area is recommended to create herd immunity. The findings from this study are expected to guide dog population management and the rabies control program in Dhaka City and elsewhere in Bangladesh.

Development and application of a vaccination planning tool for avian influenza.

The vaccination planning tool for avian influenza supports evidence-based planning and preparedness for vaccinating poultry at national and regional levels. This study describes the development, testing, and application of a vaccination planning tool for H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) used in two South Asian countries. The tool consists of eight planning clusters, 37 planning elements, and 303 referenced planning criteria. Both countries attained a score of 52% among planning clusters as a measure of preparedness. The highest and lowest planning cluster scores included vaccination strategies and financial readiness, respectively. The comprehensive vaccination program was identified as the most-useful planning cluster for assessing preparedness, and 86% of participants indicated that the objectives of the planning tool were achieved. Based on these results, the planning tool provides a structured approach for decision makers to develop their national vaccination program for HPAI as part of an overall strategy for the progressive reduction and control of endemic influenza viruses in poultry.

Reassortant avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses with H9N2-PB1 gene in poultry, Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has reported a high number of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) in poultry. We identified a natural reassortant HPAI (H5N1) virus containing a H9N2-PB1 gene in poultry in Bangladesh. Our findings highlight the risks for prolonged co-circulation of avian influenza viruses and the need to monitor their evolution.