Benefit-cost analysis of coordinated strategies for control of rabies in Africa.

Previous research suggests that dog mass vaccination campaigns can eliminate rabies locally, resulting in large human and animal life gains. Despite these demonstrated benefits, dog vaccination programs remain scarce on the African continent. We conducted a benefit-cost analysis to demonstrate that engaging into vaccination campaigns is the dominant strategy for most countries even in the absence of coordinated action between them. And quantify how coordinated policy measures across countries in Africa could impact rabies incidence and associated costs. We show that coordinated dog mass vaccination between countries and PEP would lead to the elimination of dog rabies in Africa with total welfare gains of USD 9.5 billion (95% CI: 8.1 - 11.4 billion) between 2024 and 2054 (30 years). Coordinated disease control between African countries can lead to more socially and ecologically equitable outcomes by reducing the number of lost human lives to almost zero and possibly eliminating rabies.

Healthy Aging: Comparative Analysis of Local Perception and Diet in Two Health Districts of Côte d'Ivoire and Japan.

Context: Good health and longevity depend on dynamic interactions between biological, social, psychological, and environmental factors. Aging is globally a big challenge, particularly with the demographic transition, including population growth, and an emerging burden to society. Knowledge, behavior, diet, and consumption of animal source food were related to aging and emerged as the key factors modulating healthy aging. Objective: The study was designed to understand the main healthy aging factors, such as knowledge, social network, and diet of elders, and to derive mutual learning from it for healthy aging. Methods: A qualitative approach has been applied to explore health-related knowledge, attitude, and diet of elders from Ebetsu (Japan) and Tiassalé (Côte d'Ivoire) health districts, using focus group discussions and comparative context analysis between high- and low-income countries. Results: The study shows that living longer is a common feature of people in Japan compared to Côte d'Ivoire, where the life expectancy is still low. Both groups of elders have social networks that support them, and both offer their gained experience to society. While Japanese elders depend on pension and insurance for income and medical treatments, Ivorians depend mostly on their children and social network in old age. The worries of elders differ between the two regions. In Ebetsu, elder members of the community are concerned about the future burden they pose for the younger generation if they develop ill-health, making them more resilient to aging. In Taabo, elders are considered to be culturally and socially useful to the society. Elders in Ebetsu pointed out that for healthy aging, education on diet at a younger age, physical activities, and access to basic social services are the key aspects. This was not observed in Taabo's context. Being inactive and dependent on others were described as the most worrying situations for elders in Ebetsu, as it is perceived to increase the risk of non-communicable diseases and anxiety. Elders in Ebetsu have good knowledge on what constitutes a healthy diet, and they believe that diversifying their diet, reducing portions, and substituting red meat with good animal and vegetable proteins are best eating practices to maintain good health. In Côte d'Ivoire, the diet is imbalanced and the whole family consumes the same meal made mainly with high-energy staples and little protein. However, it is observed in both societies that adopting a good diet is very expensive. Conclusion: The consciousness of aging is universal, but healthy aging varies according to the social systems, education, and knowledge on diet transition. Physical activities, protein-energy balance in diet, and social networks are the key for healthy aging in both contexts. The challenge is to find ways to increase knowledge regarding healthy aging and to strengthen the support system so that healthy aging becomes affordable.

Circulating Brucella species in wild animals of the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis of public health and economic importance worldwide. It affects a number of domestic animals, wild animals and humans. Human brucellosis originates from either livestock or wildlife. The species of Brucella circulating in wild animals in Tanzania is largely unknown due to insufficient surveillance. This study was carried out to identify Brucella species found in selected wildlife hosts in the Serengeti ecosystem. METHODOLOGY: The study used a total of 189 archived samples that were obtained from cross-sectional studies previously conducted between 2000 and 2017 in the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania. Whole blood, serum and amniotic fluid collected from buffalos, lions, wildebeest, impala, zebra and hyena were available for DNA extraction. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction for B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. ovis and B. suis (AMOS PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) targeting the bcsp31 and IS711 genes for Brucella genus detection and the IS711 targets alkB for B. abortus and BMEI1162 for B. melitensis were used to detect Brucella strains. RESULTS: Out of the 189 samples tested, 12 (6.35 %) and 22 (11.6 %) were positive to AMOS-PCR and qPCR, respectively. Most of the positive samples were from lions (52.6 %) and buffaloes (19.6 %). Other animals that were positive included: wildebeest (13.6 %), impala (13.6 %), zebra (4.5 %) and hyena (4.5 %). Out of 22 positive samples, 16 (66.7 %) were identified as B. abortus and the other six samples did not amplify for neither B. abortus nor B. melitensis. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of Brucella DNA in archived wild animal samples shows testing potential of samples collected from this population. The zoonotic species B. abortus and B. melitensis detected in wild animals have previously been reported in livestock and humans in the region. The findings suggest that, due to the contact network, some of the identified wild animal hosts in this study could be reservoirs for infections in domestic animals and humans within the Serengeti ecosystem while others are likely dead-end hosts. One Health control strategies and continuous surveillance programs in other wildlife reserved areas should be implemented to help predicting transmission in livestock and humans in the region.

Trends in extrapulmonary TB cases at three teaching hospitals in Ghana, 2008-2017.

SETTING: Three teaching hospitals in Ghana. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate trends in demographics, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) patients. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study involving the review and comparison of EPTB and pulmonary TB (PTB) data from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017 in TB registers and treatment cards. RESULTS: Of 15,392 TB cases, 4607 (30%) were EPTB, including 4477/4607 (97%) new cases. There were 2,679/4607 (58%) males and the age range was 0.3 to 96 years. Pleural TB (1021/4607, 22%) was the most common. Treatment success rates for EPTB and PTB were respectively 72% and 84%. HIV positivity was high among patients with disseminated/miliary TB (429/779, 55%) and TB meningitis (242/526, 46%). To note, disseminated/miliary TB (χ2 = 33.53, P < 0.0001) increased, whereas TB meningitis (χ2 = 19.43, P < 0.0001) decreased over the 10-year period. Mortality among EPTB patients was associated with increasing age (⩾25 years), disseminated/miliary TB, TB meningitis and HIV positivity. CONCLUSIONS: There is male preponderance for both EPTB and PTB in Ghana. Increasing age, disseminated/ miliary TB, TB meningitis and HIV are risk factors for mortality among EPTB patients. This emphasises the need for public education on the risk factors for EPTB and preventive strategies.

CONTEXTE: Trois centres hospitalières universitaires au Ghana. OBJECTIF: Elucider les tendances démographiques, les caractéristiques cliniques et les résultats du traitement de patients atteints de TB extrapulmonaire (EPTB) au Ghana. SCHEMA: Ceci est une étude rétrospective de revue et de comparaison des données de EPTB et de TB pulmonaire (PTB) du 1e janvier 2008 au 31 décembre 2017 dans les registres de TB et les cartes de traitement. RESULTATS: Sur 15 392 cas de TB, 4607 (30%) étaient des EPTB dont 4477/4607 (97%) étaient de nouveaux cas. Les hommes représentaient 2679/4607 (58%) et leur âge allait de 0,3 à 96 ans. Une TB pleurale 1021/4607 (22%) était la plus fréquente. Le taux de réussite du traitement de la EPTB et de la PTB a été de 72% et 84%, respectivement. La positivité au VIH était élevée parmi les patients atteints de TB disséminée/miliaire (429/779 ; 55%) et de méningite tuberculeuse (242/526 ; 46%). Il est significatif que la TB disséminée/miliaire (χ2 = 33,53 ; P < 0,0001) a augmenté tandis que la méningite TB (χ2 = 19,43, P < 0,0001) a diminué au long de la période de 10 ans. La mortalité des patients EPTB a été associée à un âge croissant (≥25 ans), une forme disséminée/miliaire, à une méningite TB et à la positivité au VIH. CONCLUSIONS: Il y a une prépondérance masculine à la fois de la EPTB et de la PTB au Ghana. Un âge croissant, une forme disséminée/ miliaire, une méningite TB et le VIH sont des facteurs de risque de mortalité pour les patients EPTB. Ceci met l'accent sur le besoin d'éducation du public relative aux facteurs de risque et aux stratégies de prévention.

A vision for the future of pastoralism.

Pastoral regions are challenged by social and ecological changes. Yet, there is increasingly robust evidence that pastoralism is a viable and sustainable livelihood and that pastoralists play a role in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this issue of the Scientific and Technical Review of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the authors take a broad view of pastoralism and pastoral livestock production from a number of different perspectives, taking into account societal and ecological viewpoints as well as issues of animal and human health. Thematic reviews are complemented by regional perspectives from Central Asia, China, Europe, East, Central and West Africa, and Latin America. The broader issues of pastoral livestock production and its potential for improving and sustaining animal health are of great interest to the OIE. Summarising the diverse contributions, it appears that pastoral socialecological systems are hotspots of cultural and biological diversity. They are multifunctional in that they generate diversified sources of income and contribute to sustained natural resource management. Pastoral populations require favourable institutional and legal frameworks, so governance structures must be improved and reformed through effective participation and the empowerment of pastoralists. To sustain functional pastoral production systems, the key ingredients are decentralised governance of natural resources, better locally adapted social services, and high flexibility for maintaining mobility. Young people should be actively encouraged to engage in pastoral livelihoods, which should be supported by improved legal systems for land use by all interested parties. There is still untapped potential to optimise extensive livestock production through adapted genetic improvement and better transformation, stocking and marketing of animal-source food. Modern concepts of disease surveillance and response, combining human and animal health as 'One Health', are particularly suited to pastoral systems. The OIE's interest in pastoralism is highly justified given its economic and environmental importance and its significance for livelihoods. Sustainable improvements require understanding and discussion of diverse social and ecological interactions, and it is to this discussion which the authors and editors of this issue of the Review have endeavoured to contribute.

Les régions d'élevage pastoral sont confrontées à des mutations tant sociales qu'écologiques. En même temps, des éléments factuels chaque fois plus nombreux démontrent que le pastoralisme constitue un moyen de subsistance viable et durable et que les pasteurs participent à la réalisation des Objectifs de développement durable fixés par les Nations Unies. Ce numéro de la Revue scientifique et technique de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OIE) propose une large vue d'ensemble sur le pastoralisme et l'élevage pastoral, examinés sous différents angles et en prenant en considération divers points de vue, tant sociétaux qu'écologiques, sans oublier les problématiques de la santé animale et publique. Les examens thématiques sont complétés par des études régionales portant sur l'Asie centrale, la Chine, l'Europe, l'Afrique de l'Est, centrale et de l'Ouest et l'Amérique latine. Les questions plus générales liées à l'élevage pastoral et à sa capacité potentielle d'améliorer et de promouvoir la santé animale présentent un grand intérêt pour l'OIE. Les diverses contributions réunies dans ce numéro font apparaître que les systèmes socio-écologiques pastoraux constituent des zones sensibles en termes de diversité biologique et culturelle. Ils exercent de multiples fonctions, dans la mesure où ils génèrent des sources de revenus diversifiées et contribuent à une gestion durable des ressources naturelles. Les populations pastorales doivent être soutenues par des cadres juridiques et institutionnels favorables, ce qui suppose d'améliorer et de moderniser les structures de gouvernance au moyen d'une participation effective des pasteurs eux-mêmes et de la prise en main de leur destin. Les ingrédients majeurs pour soutenir le bon fonctionnement des systèmes de production pastoraux sont la gouvernance décentralisée des ressources naturelles, la fourniture de services sociaux spécifiquement adaptés aux besoins des pasteurs et une grande flexibilité afin de préserver le nomadisme. Les jeunes devraient être activement encouragés à participer à l'économie pastorale, et celle-ci devrait bénéficier d'un soutien juridique afin que l'utilisation des terres par toutes les parties intéressées soit mieux encadrée. La production animale extensive présente une grande marge d'amélioration encore inexploitée, grâce à l'amélioration génétique et à des méthodes plus efficaces de transformation, de stockage et de commercialisation des denrées alimentaires d'origine animale. Les concepts modernes de surveillance des maladies et de réaction aux évènements sanitaires en faisant appel à une approche intégrée de la santé animale et humaine selon le concept « Une seule santé ¼ sont particulièrement adaptés aux systèmes pastoraux. L'intérêt que suscite le pastoralisme pour l'OIE se justifie pleinement par l'importance économique et environnementale du pastoralisme et par sa valeur en tant que moyen de subsistance. La mise en place d'améliorations durables passe par une connaissance et un examen approfondis des nombreuses interactions sociales et écologiques à l'oeuvre dans le pastoralisme ; c'est à cet examen que les auteurs et coordinateurs de ce numéro de la Revue se sont attachés à contribuer.

Las regiones pastorales están viviendo difíciles transformaciones sociales y ecológicas. Aun así, hay pruebas cada vez más concluyentes de que el pastoreo constituye un medio de sustento viable y sostenible y de que las sociedades que viven de él contribuyen al cumplimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) fijados por las Naciones Unidas. En este número de la Revista científica y técnica de la Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OIE) los autores ofrecen una vasta panorámica del pastoreo y de la producción ganadera que le es propia, abordando el tema desde múltiples ángulos y teniendo en cuenta tanto aspectos ligados a la sociedad y la ecología como las cuestiones zoosanitarias y sanitarias. El tratamiento temático se complementa con estudios de ámbito regional, dedicados a Asia Central, China, Europa, África Oriental, Central y Occidental y América Latina. Las cuestiones más generales ligadas a la producción ganadera por pastoreo y a las posibilidades que esta ofrece para mejorar y preservar la sanidad animal revisten gran interés para la OIE. Las diversas contribuciones aquí reunidas evidencian, en resumen, que los sistemas socioecológicos pastorales encierran una enorme diversidad cultural y biológica. Revisten además carácter polivalente, en el sentido de que generan fuentes diversificadas de ingresos y contribuyen a una gestión duradera de los recursos naturales. Las poblaciones dedicadas al pastoreo necesitan regímenes institucionales y jurídicos favorables, para lo cual es indispensable mejorar y reformar las estructuras de gobierno instrumentando una participación efectiva de esas poblaciones y fórmulas que las doten de poder de decisión y actuación. Los ingredientes básicos para mantener duraderamente y en buen funcionamiento los sistemas de producción propios del pastoreo son: una gestión descentralizada de los recursos naturales; servicios sociales más eficaces y adaptados a las condiciones locales; y un elevado grado de flexibilidad para mantener la movilidad. Es preciso alentar activamente a los jóvenes a que abracen los modos y medios de vida del pastoreo, lo que debe acompañarse de mejores ordenamientos jurídicos sobre el uso de las tierras por todas las partes interesadas. Todavía queda margen para optimizar la producción ganadera extensiva mediante mejoras genéticas adaptadas y técnicas más eficaces de transformación, almacenamiento y comercialización de los alimentos de origen animal. Los conceptos modernos de la vigilancia y la respuesta sanitarias, que combinan la salud humana y la sanidad animal con arreglo a los principios de «Una sola salud¼, casan especialmente con los sistemas de pastoreo. El interés de la OIE por el pastoreo está sobradamente justificado por la importancia económica y ambiental de esta actividad y por la repercusión que tiene en los medios de sustento. Toda mejora duradera en este ámbito pasa por entender un conjunto de interacciones sociales y ecológicas y por debatir al respecto, proceso este de reflexión al que se han propuesto contribuir los autores y compiladores del presente número de la Revista.

Human and animal health surveys among pastoralists.

Valid human and livestock health surveys, including longitudinal follow-up, are feasible among mobile pastoralists and provide fundamental information to agencies for interventions that are responsive to realities and effective in addressing the needs of pastoralists. However, pastoralists are often excluded from studies, surveillance systems and health programmes. The occurrence of preventable and treatable diseases such as perinatal tetanus, measles and tuberculosis are indicative of limited access to health providers and information. It is difficult for health services to include effective outreach with their available financial and human resources. One consequence is that maternal mortality rates among pastoralists are unacceptably high. Environmental determinants such as the quality of water and the pasture ecosystems further influence the morbidity of pastoralists. In the Sahel, the nutritional status of pastoralist children is seasonally better than that of settled children; but pastoralist women tend to have higher acute malnutrition rates. Pastoralist women are more vulnerable than men to exclusion from health services for different context-specific reasons. Evidence-based control measures can be assessed in cluster surveys with simultaneous assessments of health among people and livestock, where data on costs of disease and interventions are also collected. These provide important arguments for governmental and non-governmental agencies for intervention development. New, integrated One Health surveillance systems making use of mobile technology and taking into account local concepts and the experiences and priorities of pastoralist communities, combined with sound field data, are essential to develop and provide adapted human and animal health services that are inclusive for mobile pastoralist communities and allow them to maintain their mobile way of life.

Il est possible de réaliser auprès des populations de pasteurs nomades des enquêtes sérieuses sur la santé des personnes et des troupeaux assorties d'études de suivi longitudinales, et de fournir ainsi aux organisations pertinentes des informations fondamentales pour la conception d'interventions adaptées à la situation réelle des pasteurs et répondant à leurs besoins. Or, les populations pastorales sont fréquemment exclues des études, des systèmes de surveillance et des programmes sanitaires. L'incidence de maladies évitables et traitables, par exemple le tétanos néonatal, la rougeole et la tuberculose dénote un accès limité à l'information et aux prestations de santé. Avec les ressources financières et humaines dont ils disposent, les services de santé ne parviennent pas à assurer une couverture efficace de ces populations. L'une des conséquences de cet état de fait est le taux de mortalité maternelle intolérablement élevé enregistré dans les communautés pastorales. Certains déterminants environnementaux comme la qualité de l'eau et les écosystèmes des prairies affectent également l'état de santé des pasteurs. Au Sahel, les enfants des communautés pastorales ont un meilleur statut nutritionnel saisonnier que les enfants sédentaires ; en revanche, chez les femmes de ces communautés la malnutrition aiguë est plus fréquente. En outre, les femmes sont plus en risque que les hommes d'être exclues des services de santé, pour différentes raisons déterminées par le contexte. Des évaluations factuelles des mesures de prophylaxie peuvent être réalisées au moyen d'enquêtes agrégatives comprenant l'évaluation simultanée de l'état sanitaire des personnes et des troupeaux, ce qui permet également de réunir des informations sur les coûts des maladies et des interventions sanitaires. Ces informations sont importantes pour étayer l'argumentaire des organisations tant gouvernementales que non gouvernementales en faveur d'un renforcement des interventions. Il est essentiel de faire appel aux nouveaux systèmes de surveillance intégrés « Une seule santé ¼, en utilisant les technologies mobiles, en prenant en compte les concepts locaux ainsi que l'expérience et les priorités des communautés pastorales et en les complétant par des informations solides recueillies sur le terrain, afin de concevoir et d'assurer des prestations de santé humaine et animale adaptées et inclusives, destinées aux communautés pastorales nomades et leur permettant de conserver leur mode de vie nomade.

La realización de estudios válidos de salud humana y animal, con seguimiento longitudinal de cohortes, no solo es un procedimiento factible entre los pastores nómadas, sino que además proporciona información básica a los organismos encargados de realizar intervenciones que se ajusten a la realidad sobre el terreno y respondan eficazmente a las necesidades de las sociedades pastorales. Estas, sin embargo, quedan con frecuencia excluidas de estudios, sistemas de vigilancia y programas sanitarios. La aparición de enfermedades que se pueden prevenir y tratar, como el tétanos perinatal, el sarampión o la tuberculosis, es indicativa de un acceso deficiente a los proveedores de asistencia sanitaria y a la información sobre cuestiones de salud. Con los recursos humanos y económicos de que disponen, a los servicios de salud les resulta difícil instaurar mecanismos para llegar eficazmente a esas poblaciones, lo que, entre otras consecuencias, se traduce en tasas de mortalidad materna inaceptablemente altas en las sociedades pastorales. En la morbilidad de esas poblaciones también influyen determinantes ambientales como la calidad del agua o los ecosistemas de pradera. En el Sahel, el estado de nutrición de los niños de las comunidades de pastores es mejor, según las estaciones, que el de los niños sedentarizados. Las mujeres de las sociedades pastorales, sin embargo, tienden a presentar índices más elevados de malnutrición aguda, y por diferentes razones ligadas al contexto, están más expuestas que los hombres a verse privadas de servicios de salud. Las medidas de control basadas en datos empíricos pueden ser evaluadas mediante estudios por conglomerados con valoración simultánea del estado de salud de las personas y el ganado, en los que también se obtienen datos sobre el costo de las enfermedades y las intervenciones sanitarias, datos que ofrecen a los organismos oficiales o no gubernamentales poderosos argumentos a la hora de definir intervenciones. Para concebir y dispensar servicios adaptados de salud humana y animal, que sin dejar de lado a las comunidades de pastores nómadas a la vez les permitan mantener su modo de vida itinerante, es esencial poner en solfa nuevos sistemas integrados de vigilancia, que se ajusten a los principios de «Una sola salud¼, aprovechen las tecnologías móviles y tengan en cuenta los conceptos y experiencias locales y las prioridades de las comunidades de pastores, combinándolos con la obtención de datos sólidos sobre el terreno.

Institutional development: from legal pluralism to institutional bricolage in West African pastoralism.

Pastoralists in Africa are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of globalisation, climate change and changes in land use. They are confronted with problems related to access to scarce natural resources and their regulation, the management of mobility, and too little investment in health systems, livestock production and social service delivery. However, this paper focuses on positive trends and vital innovations in pastoral societies. These rely on robust institutions and policy frameworks that contribute to economically secure, politically stable, and environmentally sustainable livelihoods for African pastoral societies. The authors analyse ways in which internal and external efforts can improve the economic viability and social aspects of pastoralism. The institutions that manage natural resources and their effects on livelihoods and access to social services must be critically reviewed. The authors suggest that a new model for the economic and social development of African pastoralism should be positioned between donor- or governmentdriven development (in other words, 'seeing like a state') and the autonomous development goals of pastoralists ('seeing like a pastoralist'). Pastoralists are resourceful, entrepreneurial and innovative people, fully able to support new institutional systems and services which recognise their way of life and production systems. It seems evident that African pastoralism will maintain its vitality and creativity through a process of 'bricolage', with institutional and policy innovations based on a constant renegotiation of norms, the reinvention or transformation of tradition, the importance of legitimate authority and the role of the people themselves in shaping such arrangements.

Les pasteurs africains sont en situation de vulnérabilité accrue face aux effets de la mondialisation, du changement climatique et de la transformation de l'utilisation des terres. Ils sont confrontés à des problèmes liés à l'accès et à la réglementation des ressources naturelles qui se raréfient sans cesse, à la gestion de la mobilité et au manque d'investissements dédiés aux systèmes de santé, à la production animale et à la fourniture de services sociaux. Néanmoins, dans cet article l'accent est mis sur les tendances positives et sur les innovations vitales actuellement à l'oeuvre dans les sociétés pastorales. Celles-ci reposent sur des institutions robustes et des cadres d'élaboration de politiques qui contribuent à garantir aux sociétés pastorales africaines une source de revenus économiquement intéressants, politiquement stables, et durables au plan écologique. Les auteurs analysent les possibilités d'améliorer au moyen d'initiatives internes et extérieures la viabilité économique et les aspects sociaux du pastoralisme. Il est indispensable de procéder à une évaluation critique des institutions chargées de la gestion des ressources naturelles et d'analyser leurs effets sur les moyens d'existence des pasteurs et sur leur accès aux services sociaux. Les auteurs considèrent qu'un nouveau modèle de développement économique et social du pastoralisme africain devrait trouver sa place entre le développement impulsé par les donateurs ou par les gouvernements (autrement dit, le point de vue étatique) et les objectifs autonomes de développement des pasteurs eux-mêmes (le point de vue du pasteur). Les pasteurs sont des individus pleins de ressources et animés par l'esprit d'entreprise et d'innovation, ce qui les rend parfaitement capables de soutenir de nouveaux systèmes et services institutionnels dès lors que ceux-ci prennent en compte leur mode de vie et leurs systèmes de production. Il semble clair que le pastoralisme africain préservera sa vitalité et sa créativité tout au long d'un processus de bricolage, ce qui se traduira par des innovations institutionnelles et politiques fondées sur une renégociation permanente des normes, sur la réinvention ou la transformation des traditions, sur l'impératif de légitimer l'autorité et sur la participation des populations à la conception des dispositifs mis en place.

Las sociedades pastorales africanas son cada vez más vulnerables a los efectos de la mundialización, el cambio climático y la transformación de los usos del suelo. Afrontan problemas relacionados con el acceso a recursos naturales escasos y su regulación, con la gestión de la movilidad y con la insuficiencia de las inversiones en sistemas de salud, producción ganadera y prestación de servicios sociales. Los autores, sin embargo, se centran en las tendencias positivas y las innovaciones esenciales que tienen lugar en las sociedades pastorales, fruto de instituciones robustas y de conjuntos de políticas que favorecen medios de sustento económicamente seguros, políticamente estables y ambientalmente sostenibles en las sociedades pastorales africanas. Los autores se detienen a analizar el modo en que las iniciativas internas y externas pueden mejorar tanto la viabilidad económica como una serie de aspectos sociales del pastoreo. Es preciso someter a un examen crítico las instituciones que gestionan los recursos naturales, así como los efectos de esa gestión en los medios de sustento y el acceso a los servicios sociales. Los autores abogan por un nuevo modelo de desarrollo económico y social del pastoreo africano que convendría posicionar a medio camino entre el desarrollo impulsado por donantes o administraciones públicas (o dicho de otro modo, visto «desde la óptica del estado¼) y los objetivos de desarrollo fijados por las propias sociedades de pastores (esto es, «desde la óptica del pastoreo¼). Las sociedades pastorales están formadas por gente ingeniosa, emprendedora e innovadora, perfectamente capaz de secundar nuevos servicios y sistemas institucionales que tengan en cuenta sus modos de vida y sistemas de producción. Parece evidente que el mantenimiento de la vitalidad y creatividad del pastoreo africano habrá de pasar por un proceso de «bricolaje¼ que traiga consigo innovaciones institucionales y políticas basadas en la renegociación constante de las normas, la reinvención o transformación de la tradición, la importancia de la autoridad legítima y la intervención de la propia población en el proceso de configurar toda esta nueva organización.

Institutional development and policy frameworks for pastoralism: from local to regional perspectives.

Pastoralists are among the most politically and economically marginalised communities in the world. They have less and less access to the natural resources on which their livelihoods depend and very limited access to basic socio-economic services and infrastructure. This paper builds on a number of studies carried out in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, Central Asia and the Swiss Alps to address the institutional dynamics required for sustainable pastoralism. Specifically, the authors question the way in which institutions and policies are currently shaped and suggest that reforming these could contribute to new avenues for pastoralism. Among the main drivers of pastoralist marginalisation are poor public and private institutional arrangements. The consequences are violent conflict and increased mobility and relocation. Responses to the current weaknesses of pastoralism must encompass inclusive, comprehensive institutions which allow access to resources, economic viability and integration in the new socio-ecological space. The authors argue that those involved in pastoral development in national as well as international arenas, including pastoralist groups, states and agencies, are creatively engaged in a process of innovation for pastoralism, and this will contribute towards new forms of governance and improved institutional and policy frameworks.

Les communautés pastorales comptent parmi les plus marginalisées au plan politique et économique. Les pasteurs peuvent de moins en moins accéder aux ressources naturelles dont ils tirent leur subsistance ; leur accès aux services et aux infrastructures socio-économiques de base est également très limité. À partir d'une série d'études conduites au Sahel, dans la Corne de l'Afrique, en Asie centrale et dans les Alpes suisses, les auteurs cherchent à déterminer la dynamique institutionnelle nécessaire à la pérennisation du pastoralisme. En particulier, ils remettent en cause la manière dont les institutions et les politiques sont conçues à l'heure actuelle, estimant que leur réforme permettrait d'ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives pour le pastoralisme. La médiocrité des dispositifs institutionnels tant publics que privés compte parmi les principaux facteurs de la marginalisation des pasteurs. Celle-ci entraîne des conflits violents et une mobilité et relocalisation accrues. Les réponses aux faiblesses actuelles du pastoralisme passent nécessairement par des institutions à l'action inclusive et exhaustive, garantissant l'accés aux ressources, la viabilité économique et l'intégration dans le nouvel espace socio-écologique. Les auteurs estiment que les acteurs du développement du pastoralisme sur la scène nationale autant qu'internationale, y compris les groupes de pasteurs, les états et les agences de développement sont engagés de manière créative dans un processus d'innovation en faveur du pastoralisme, ce qui contribuera à créer de nouvelles formes de gouvernance et de meilleurs cadres institutionnels et d'élaboration des politiques.

Las comunidades que viven del pastoreo están entre las más marginadas tanto política como económicamente. Cada vez les resulta más difícil acceder a los recursos naturales de los que dependen para vivir y disponen de un acceso muy deficiente a la infraestructura y los servicios socioeconómicos básicos. Los autores, partiendo de una serie de estudios realizados en el Sahel, el Cuerno de África, Asia Central y los Alpes suizos, examinan la dinámica institucional necesaria para que el pastoreo llegue a ser sostenible. En concreto, tras cuestionar los procedimientos por los que actualmente se forjan instituciones y se formulan políticas, sugieren que la reforma de estos mecanismos podría ser útil para abrir nuevos horizontes al pastoreo. Entre los principales factores que determinan la marginación de las sociedades pastorales figuran las carencias de los dispositivos institucionales públicos y privados, lo que tiene por consecuencia conflictos violentos y un mayor grado de movilidad y relocalizaciones. Toda respuesta a la actual situación de fragilidad del pastoreo debe acompañarse de instituciones integradoras y completas, que hagan posible el acceso a los recursos, la viabilidad económica y la integración en el nuevo espacio socioecológico. Los autores postulan que todas aquellas instancias que intervienen en las cuestiones de desarrollo pastoral en foros tanto nacionales como internacionales, en particular los propios grupos de pastores, amén de los Estados y organismos, son componentes creativos de un proceso de innovación al servicio del pastoreo, proceso que ayudará a alumbrar nuevas formas de gobernanza, así como regímenes institucionales y parámetros normativos más eficaces.

The future of pastoralism: an introduction.

Two-thirds of the agricultural land on planet Earth is grassland on which no other crops can be grown, either because of limited rainfall, high altitude or mountainous conditions. Most of these semi-arid and high-altitude pastoral ecosystems are used by livestock husbandry systems with various forms of mobility and are not in competition with crop production for human nutrition. By devoting an issue of its Scientific and Technical Review to pastoralism, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is encouraging debate on this important topic and helping to shape the future of pastoralists and their livestock. Pastoralism is a complex system, driven by interacting ecological, social and economic factors that cannot be adequately addressed by one discipline or sector alone. For its future development, we must engage with local knowledge systems and with all stakeholders. This issue of the OIE Review endeavours to take a broad view and provide a synthetic vision for the sustainable use of pastoral ecosystems, with innovative ideas for livelihoods, economic development, sustained ecosystem services and social and institutional development as the context for animal and human health and wellbeing.

Les deux tiers des terres agricoles de notre planète sont des prairies d'herbage qui ne peuvent donner lieu à d'autres cultures, en raison des faibles précipitations, de l'altitude ou du contexte montagneux. La plupart des écosystèmes pastoraux semi-arides de haute altitude sont dédiés à des systèmes d'élevage diversement mobiles et ne sont pas concurrencés par les cultures agricoles vivrières. En consacrant un numéro de la Revue scientifique et technique au pastoralisme, l'Organisation mondiale de la santé animale entend jouer un rôle moteur pour que ce thème important soit davantage pris en compte et pour que des orientations soient proposées afin de protéger l'avenir des pasteurs et de leur bétail. Le pastoralisme est un système complexe, déterminé par des facteurs écologiques, sociaux et économiques en interaction qui ne peuvent être appréhendés par une seule discipline ou un seul secteur. Pour sauvegarder l'avenir du pastoralisme, nous devons nouer un dialogue avec des systèmes locaux de connaissance en y intégrant toutes les parties prenantes. Ce numéro de la Revue de l'OIE entend fournir un tableau aussi général que possible des écosystèmes pastoraux ainsi qu'une synthèse des stratégies envisageables pour leur développement durable, assortie de quelques propositions innovantes relatives aux moyens de subsistance, au développement économique, à la pérennisation des services écosystémiques et au développement du contexte social et institutionnel encadrant la santé et le bien-être des animaux et des personnes.

Dos tercios de las tierras agrícolas del planeta Tierra son pastizales en los que no es posible producir ningún otro cultivo, ya sea por la escasa pluviosidad o porque se trata de zonas montañosas o situadas a gran altitud. La mayoría de esos ecosistemas pastorales semiáridos o de altitud se destinan a sistemas de producción ganadera regidos por fórmulas diversas de movilidad que no entran en competencia con la producción de cultivos para la alimentación humana. Dedicando al pastoreo un número de su Revista científica y técnica, la Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal (OIE) impulsa una reflexión para tener en cuenta este importante tema y orientar el futuro de las sociedades de pastores y sus animales. El pastoreo es un sistema complejo, gobernado por factores ecológicos, sociales y económicos interrelacionados, que no es posible abordar adecuadamente desde una sola disciplina o un solo sector. Su futuro desarrollo pasa por tener en cuenta los sistemas locales de conocimiento y por trabajar con todas las partes interesadas. El presente número de la Revista de la OIE aspira a ofrecer una visión a la vez general y sintética del tema, que haga posible un uso sostenible de los ecosistemas pastorales y permita potenciar la salud y el bienestar de animales y personas a partir de una serie de ideas innovadoras en relación con los medios de sustento, el desarrollo económico, la continuidad de los servicios ecosistémicos y el desarrollo social e institucional.

Cost-effective control strategies for animal and zoonotic diseases in pastoralist populations.

Animal diseases and zoonoses abound among pastoralist livestock, which is composed of cattle, sheep, goats, yak, camels, llamas, reindeer, horses and donkeys. There is endemic and, periodically, epidemic transmission of highly contagious viral and bacterial diseases in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Pastoralist livestock is often multiparasitised with endo- and ectoparasites, as well as being affected by vectorborne viral and protozoal diseases. Pastoral livestock can be a reservoir of such diseases and can also, conversely, be at risk from exposure to wildlife reservoirs. Public and private animal health services currently underperform in almost all pastoral areas due to structural reforms and lack of income, as indicated in assessments of national Veterinary Services by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Control of infectious disease in industrialised countries has been achieved through large-scale public funding of control measures and compensation for culled stock. Such means are not available in pastoralist areas of most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While the cost-effectiveness and profitability of the control of animal diseases and zoonoses is less of a consideration for industrialised countries, in the experience of the authors, understanding the economic implications of a control programme is a prerequisite for successful attempts to improve animal health in LMICs. The incremental costs of animal disease control can potentially be shared using crosssector assessments, integrated control, and regional coordination efforts to mitigate transboundary disease risks. In this paper, the authors discuss cost-effective animal disease and zoonoses control in LMICs. It illustrates frameworks and examples of integrated control and cross-sector economics, showing conditions under which these diseases could be controlled in a cost-effective way.

D'abondantes maladies animales et zoonoses affectent le cheptel pastoral, qui est composé de bovins, d'ovins, de caprins, de yaks, de chameaux, de lamas, de rennes, de chevaux et d'ânes. Il existe une transmission endémique (prenant périodiquement une dimension épidémique) des maladies virales et bactériennes hautement contagieuses en Afrique, en Asie et en Amérique latine. Le polyparasitisme à endoparasites et ectoparasites est fréquent dans les troupeaux pastoraux, ainsi que les maladies virales à transmission vectorielle et les maladies dues à des protozoaires. Les animaux élevés par les pasteurs font également office de réservoirs potentiels pour ces maladies et sont à leur tour exposés aux réservoirs sauvages. Les services de santé animale tant publics que privés sont actuellement sous-efficients dans pratiquement toutes les zones pastorales en raison des réformes structurelles et du manque de moyens, comme l'ont révélé les évaluations des Services vétérinaires nationaux réalisées par l'Organisation mondiale de la santé animale. Dans les pays industrialisés, les maladies infectieuses ont pu être maîtrisées grâce à un financement public massif des mesures de contrôle et à l'indemnisation des éleveurs dont le bétail avait été sacrifié. Ces moyens ne sont pas disponibles dans les zones pastorales de la plupart des pays à revenus faibles et moyens. Alors que les pays industrialisés n'ont pas tellement à prendre en compte les questions de rentabilité et d'efficience au regard des coûts lorsqu'ils ont à lutter contre des maladies animales ou des zoonoses, il n'en va pas de même dans les pays à revenus faibles et moyens, où, d'après l'expérience des auteurs, la prise en compte des conséquences économiques d'un programme de lutte est une étape préalable de toute tentative fructueuse d'amélioration de la santé animale. L'augmentation progressive des coûts de la lutte contre les maladies animales peut être prise en charge de manière partagée grâce aux évaluations intersectorielles, à une stratégie de lutte intégrée et aux efforts de concertation à l'échelle régionale pour atténuer les risques de maladies transfrontalières. Les auteurs de cet article examinent les méthodes efficientes au regard de leur coût déployées par les pays à revenus faibles et moyens pour lutter contre les maladies animales et les zoonoses. Ils présentent quelques cadres et exemples de lutte intégrée et d'approches économiques intersectorielles, en faisant ressortir les conditions qui permettent de contrôler ces maladies de manière efficace et à moindre coût.

Las enfermedades animales y las zoonosis son muy comunes en el ganado pastoral, formado por ganado vacuno, ovino y caprino, yaks, camellos, llamas, renos, caballos y asnos. En África, Asia y América Latina hay transmisión endémica (y periódicamente epidémica) de enfermedades víricas y bacterianas sumamente contagiosas. El ganado pastoral suele estar infestado por múltiples endo y ectoparásitos y padecer enfermedades víricas y protozoarias transmitidas por vectores. A veces ejerce de reservorio de esas enfermedades y también puede, a la inversa, verse expuesto al contacto con reservorios salvajes. Actualmente, en casi todas las zonas de pastoreo, los servicios zoosanitarios públicos y privados presentan un funcionamiento deficiente debido a las reformas estructurales y a la falta de ingresos, como se desprende de las evaluaciones de los Servicios Veterinarios nacionales realizadas por la Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal. En los países industrializados, el control de las enfermedades infecciosas ha sido posible gracias a la financiación por el sector público de vastas y onerosas medidas de lucha y de indemnización por los animales sacrificados. Pero en las zonas de pastoreo de la mayoría de los países de ingresos bajos o medianos no existe la posibilidad de instrumentar tales medios. Mientras que los países industrializados prestan menos atención a la relación costoeficacia y la rentabilidad de las medidas de control de enfermedades animales y zoonosis, en los países de ingresos bajos o medianos, a tenor de la experiencia de los autores, el éxito de toda tentativa de mejorar la sanidad animal pasa necesariamente por tener en cuenta la dimensión económica de los programas de lucha. Existe la posibilidad de compartir los costos adicionales de la lucha zoosanitaria recurriendo a evaluaciones transectoriales, a medidas integradas de control y a actividades coordinadas a escala regional para reducir el riesgo de enfermedades transfronterizas. Los autores examinan aquí sistemas eficaces en relación con el costo para combatir las enfermedades animales y zoonosis en los países de ingresos bajos o medianos, exponiendo principios de referencia y ejemplos de lucha integrada y de economía transectorial que demuestran en qué condiciones sería posible controlar esas enfermedades de manera eficaz en relación con el costo.

Quantitative microbial risk assessment related to urban wastewater and lagoon water reuse in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

We assessed the infection risks related to the use of wastewater in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, by using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). Giardia lamblia and Escherichia coli were isolated and identified in wastewater samples from the canal and lagoon. The exposure assessment was conducted using a cross-sectional survey by questionnaire with 150 individuals who were in contact with the wastewater during their daily activities of swimming, fishing, washing, and collecting materials for reuse. Risk was characterised using the Monte Carlo simulation with 10,000 iterations. Results showed high contamination of water by G. lamblia and E. coli (12.8 CFU/100 mL to 2.97 × 10(4)CFU/100 mL and from 0 cyst/L to 18.5 cysts/L, respectively). Estimates of yearly average infection risks for E. coli (90.07-99.90%, assuming that 8% of E. coli were E. coli O157:H7) and G. lamblia (9.4-34.78%) were much higher than the acceptable risk (10(-4)). These results suggest the need for wastewater treatment plants, raising awareness in the population in contact with urban wastewater and lagoon water. Our study also showed that QMRA is appropriate to study health risks in settings with limited data and budget resources.

Deletion in the gene BruAb2_0168 of Brucella abortus strains: diagnostic challenges.

Three Brucella abortus strains were isolated from joint hygromas from cows in northern Togo. Two deletions in the 5' side of the gene BruAb2_0168 were identified. As this gene is used for species identification, these deletions have consequences for diagnostic procedures. Multiple locus variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis was therefore performed for species identification. The strains showed unique VNTR profiles, providing some of the first genotypic data from West Africa. More molecular and epidemiological data are needed from the region, in order to better understand transmission patterns and develop suitable diagnostic assays.

Bayesian estimation of the seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans and livestock in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan reported 77.5 new cases of human brucellosis per 100,000 inhabitants in 2007, which is one of the highest incidences in the world. However, because this number is based on official records, it is very likely that the incidence is underreported. The diagnostic tests most commonly used in Kyrgyzstan are the Rose Bengal test in ruminants and the Huddleson test in humans. The sensitivity and specificity of these tests have never been evaluated under field conditions in Kyrgyzstan, where the strains circulating in livestock and humans are unknown. Therefore, a representative national cross-sectional serological study was undertaken in humans, cattle, sheep and goats to assess the true seroprevalence and to compare different serologicaltests. In the year of study (2006), few animals were vaccinated against brucellosis in Kyrgyzstan. A total of 5,229 livestock sera and 1,777 human sera from three administrative regions were collected during spring 2006 and submitted to a range of serological tests. The true seroprevalence of brucellosis, estimated using Bayesian methodology, was 7% (95% credibility interval 4%-9%) in humans, 3% (1%-5%) in cattle, 12% (7%-23%) in sheep and 15% (7%-30%) in goats. The Rose Bengal test was confirmed as a useful screening test in livestock and humans, although its sensitivity was lower than that of other tests. The estimates of specificity of all tests were significantly higher than those for sensitivity. The high seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans, cattle and small ruminants in Kyrgyzstan was confirmed. Bayesian statistical approaches were demonstrated to be useful for simultaneously deriving test characteristics and true prevalence estimates in the absence of a gold standard.

Retinol assessment among women and children in sahelian mobile pastoralists.

Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in developing countries, particularly in remote communities such as mobile pastoralists. The nutritional and vitamin A status of this population is not well-documented in Chad. This study assessed serum retinol levels among women and children under five-year-old in nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralist and rural-settled communities, who are similarly exposed to risk factors such as gastrointestinal parasitic infection, anaemia and emaciation. The novel method of portable fluorometry was used for the first time to measure ß-carotene and retinol levels in a pastoral nomadic area. Moderate level blood retinol deficiency (<0.7 µmol/L) was observed in 5% (CI 1-11) of nomadic, 29% (CI 13-45) of semi-nomadic and 22% (CI 8-35) of sedentary women. In children, 1% (CI 0.1-4), 17% (CI 9-25) and 28% (CI 18-39), respectively, had moderate level blood retinol deficiency. In nomadic communities, women and children had blood retinol levels close to normal. Deficiency of retinol was strongly linked with lifestyle (nomadic, semi-nomadic and settled) among women and lifestyle and age among children. The results support an ecological linkage between human retinol levels and livestock milk retinol. This study shows the feasibility of portable retinol and ß-carotene measurement in human blood as well as human and animal milk under remote field conditions, but the approach requires further validation.

Risk of Vibrio transmission linked to the consumption of crustaceans in coastal towns of Côte d'Ivoire.

The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of Vibrio spp. transmission from crustaceans to humans in two coastal towns of Côte d'Ivoire. Bacteriologic analysis was performed on 322 crustacean samples obtained from six markets in Abidjan and one in Dabou. Suspected Vibrio colonies were identified by morphological, cultural, biochemical, and molecular tests and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. PCR assays were used to further characterize Vibrio strains. A survey on consumption of crustaceans was conducted among 120 randomly selected households in Abidjan. Overall, Vibrio spp. were isolated from 7.8% of the crustacean samples studied, at levels as high as 6.3 log CFU/g. Of the Vibrio strains identified, 40% were V. alginolyticus, 36% were V. parahaemolyticus, and 24% were nontoxigenic V. cholerae; the latter two species can cause mild to severe forms of seafood-associated gastroenteritis. Among interviewed households, 11.7% reported daily consumption of crustaceans, confirming the high probability of exposure of human population to Vibrio spp., and 7.5% reported symptoms of food poisoning after consumption of crustaceans. The absence of genes encoding major virulence factors in the studied strains, i.e., cholera toxin (ctxA and ctxB) in V. cholerae and thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) and thermostable direct hemolysin-related hemolysin (trh) in V. parahaemolyticus, does not exclude the possibility of exposure to pathogenic strains. However, human infections are not common because most households (96.7%) boil crustaceans, usually for at least 45 min (85.9% of households) before consumption.

[Seasonal variations in the nutritional status of nomad and sedentary children less than 5 years of age living in the Sahel in Chad]. / Evolution saisonnière du statut nutritionnel des enfants nomades et sédentaires de moins de cinq ans dans le Sahel au Tchad.

Malnutrition is widespread among rural and nomad populations in the Sahel. It is linked to socio-economic factors and exhibits significant seasonal variations. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and associated risk factors among children less than 5 years of age. A repeated cross-sectional study design based on interviews and anthropometric measurements was used. A total of 653 nomad children and 579 sedentary children ranging in age from 0 to 59 months were randomly selected in households/camps on the south-eastern shore of Lake Chad. Data were collected from the same number of children at the end of the dry season (May/June, 2007) and at the end of rainy season (October 2007). Findings showed significant interseasonal variation in the prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM) between the end of the dry season and end of the rainy season. The respective variations were 17.9% to 13.7% (p = 0.03) in nomad children and 16.5% to 10.6% (p = 0.004) in sedentary children. Backward stepwise multivariate analysis by logistic regression showed that GAM among children under 5 years of age was significantly correlated with the following risk factors: seasonal variation, child's age, mother's nutritional status, ethnic group, and place of residence (LRT=172 and p < 0.001 for the logistic regression model). These findings demonstrate the critical state of the nutritional situation in the Sahel and rural areas.

[Malaria transmission in an area of high coverage with long lasting insecticidal nets in central Côte d'Ivoire]. / Transmission du paludisme en zone de haute couverture en moustiquaires imprégnées d'insecticide de longue durée, au centre de la Côte d'Ivoire.

The purpose of this study was to assess malaria transmission in an area of high coverage with long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) in central Côte d'Ivoire. Two four-day larva collections were carried out in April and July 2008. Adult mosquito samples were collected by conducting human bait catches during a total of 80 man-nights. Vector infection rates were determined using an ELISA circumsporozoite antibody test. A total of 1582 mosquitoes were captured. Mansonia was the dominant genus in the culcidian fauna followed by Anopheles that was dominant in the anopheline fauna. The only Plasmodium vector was An. gambiae s.l. The high household bednet coverage rate probably accounted for the relatively low biting rate: 0.75 to 4.15 bites per person per night (b/p/n). Households not using bednets appear to have benefited from a passive protection effect associated with high LLIN coverage. Biting and entomological inoculation rates were 2.25 to 4.1 b/p/n (range) and 0.184 ib/p/n respectively in households that did not use LLINs and 0.75 to 4.15 b/p/n (range) and 0.341 ib/p/n respectively in households using LLINs.

Seroprevalence of Q-fever in febrile individuals in Mali.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a serological survey for Q-fever among febrile patients in Bamako and Mopti (Mali) and investigated the main risk factors for seroconversion. METHODS: Blood samples from 156 febrile patients were collected in healthcare facilities of Bamako and Mopti and examined with the microimmunofluorescence test. RESULTS: Forty per cent (n = 63) were seropositive for Q-fever, 28% in Bamako and 51% in Mopti. A more recent infection was suspected in 9.5% (n = 6) of all seropositive patients. This is the first time that Q-fever seropositivity is reported in febrile individuals in Mali. The patients' symptoms and diagnoses spanned a wide range of conditions; none had been diagnosed with Q fever by their treating physician. No risk factors for seropositivity could be identified with the exception of the city of residence and none could be identified with a logistic regression model with 'city' taken as random effect. CONCLUSION: A high rate of seropositivity to C. burnetii was found among febrile urban patients in Mali but no risk factors for seropositivity could be identified in this study.

Multiparasitism, Production and Economics in Domestic Animals in sub-Saharan West Africa.

Over the past ten years, an informal West African animal helminthosis network has developed (), with the aims of both improving livestock productivity through parasite control and, ultimately, increasing rural income. The network places a strong emphasis on building up local research capacity through scientific partnership. This article highlights recent findings from projects of the network.

[Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants in the plateau areas in Togo]. / Epidémiologie des nématodes gastro-intestinaux chez les petits ruminants dans la région des plateaux au Togo.

Post-mortem helminthological examinations were performed in Togo on small ruminants of the Djallonké breed (59 sheep, 60 goats), revealing the presence of eight gastrointestinal nematode species which were, in decreasing prevalence order, Trichostrongylus sp. (T. axei and T. colubriformis) (99%), Haemonchus contortus (82%), Strongyloides papillosus (67%), Cooperia curticei (43%), Oesophagostomum columbianum (40%), Gaigeria pachyscelis (36%) and Trichuris ovis (4%). The average worm burden was 1,367 +/- 146 in sheep and 1,133 +/- 102 in goats with an adult worm population peak in August-September (sheep: 2,135 +/- 494, goats: 2,066 +/- 270). During the dry season, Haemonchus contortus and Oesophagostomum columbianum populations were mainly in larval hypobiosis (L4). The number of eggs per gram faeces was usually high (> 3,000) and neither the species nor the age of the host (6 months to 3 years) played a significant role in helminth abundance.