Additional file 1 of Herd-level risk factors for cow and calf on-farm mortality in Estonian dairy herds

Additional file 1. Descriptive statistics and unconditional associations of categorical predictor variables estimated in negative binomial regression analysis for herd within-herd calf mortality rate in years 2017–2018 in 212 Estonian dairy herds

Data_Sheet_1_Control of foot-and-mouth disease in a closed society: A case study of Soviet Estonia.pdf

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a dangerous infectious disease of even-toed ungulates, however since 1991, the European Union has banned preventive vaccination. During the occupation of the USSR, there were two outbreaks in Estonia: the first started in 1952 (at which time the barns typically housed about 20 cows); and the second began in 1982 (a period when barns typically housed several 100 animals). Neither outbreak was reported to the international community. At that time, it was also forbidden to talk about the disease in the internal media, and speakers could be punished. This study sought to find answers as to how the disease was treated and eliminated in the Estonian SSR, how infected animals and milk were handled, and if some of the methods used can be applied today. Written archival sources and 29 interviews with specialists remembering the outbreaks were used. Preventive slaughter of animals in the USSR was prohibited during the outbreak. As a preventive measure vaccination was used, traveling out of their counties by people were restricted and disinfection mats were used on the roads. In sick animals, udder wounds were treated with various wound ointments, such as zinc ointment, but also ointment made from boiled spruce resin. Birch tar was also recommended in the literature for leg treatments. Mouth wounds were washed with potassium permanganate solution. Workers used rubber gloves when handling sick animals. The barns were disinfected with lime and ash water. The milk from the diseased cows was pasteurized and given to calves, pigs, or diseased animals. Animals that did not recover were transferred to a meat processing plant. The meat was kept in potassium permanganate solution before processing and canned or made into sausages. When the disease was discovered, farm workers were locked in barns and released only when the disease had been eliminated. Such inhumane treatment could only be practiced in a totalitarian society.</p

Additional file 2 of Herd-level risk factors for cow and calf on-farm mortality in Estonian dairy herds

Additional file 2. Descriptive statistics and unconditional associations of continuous predictor variables estimated in negative binomial regression analysis for within-herd calf mortality rate in years 2017–2018 in 212 Estonian dairy herds

Additional file 3 of Herd-level risk factors for cow and calf on-farm mortality in Estonian dairy herds

Additional file 3. Descriptive statistics and unconditional associations of categorical predictor variables estimated in linear regression analysis for herd within-herd cow mortality rate in years 2017–2018 in 212 Estonian dairy herds

Additional file 4 of Herd-level risk factors for cow and calf on-farm mortality in Estonian dairy herds

Additional file 4. Descriptive statistics and unconditional associations of continuous predictor variables estimated in linear regression analysis for herd within-herd cow mortality rate in years 2017–2018 in 212 Estonian dairy herds

Table_1_Wild boar (Sus scrofa) carcasses as an attraction for scavengers and a potential source for soil contamination with the African swine fever virus.docx

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a social animal species native to Eurasia. During the last decade, the wild boar population in Estonia has been severely affected by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), which has also affected domestic pig farming. The potential transmission routes of ASFV remain unclear and are currently under intensive investigation. This pilot study aimed to clarify the frequency and characteristics of contacts between living wild boars and the carcasses of their conspecifics, which could play a role in the transmission of ASFV. Wild animals' contact and scavenging behavior on wild boar carcasses were studied using trail cameras in an experimental setting on Hiiumaa, Western Estonia. Four legally hunted carcasses were used in the present study. This study aimed to determine whether intraspecies scavenging occurs in wild boars. The persistence of ASFV DNA in soil contaminated with infected wild boar carcasses was investigated separately. Among the 17 identified wildlife species that visited wild boar carcasses, the common raven (Corvus corax) was the most frequent one (37.26%), followed by raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides; 4.25%), carcass conspecific/wild boars (3.16%), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes; 2.14%). Regarding the direct contact with the carcass, the same species ranking was detected: common raven (74.95%), raccoon dogs (9.94%), wild boars (4.21%), and red foxes (4.21%). No clear signs of cannibalism were noted among the wild boars, although brief physical contact with the carcasses was evident. The persistence of ASFV DNA in soil contaminated by infected wild boar carcasses was investigated separately. This study revealed that ASFV DNA from infected carcasses could be detected in forest soil for prolonged periods, even after removing the carcasses. Hence, the carcasses of infected wild boars may play an important role in spreading the African swine fever virus in wild boar populations; thus, prompt removal and disinfection of the soil could be considered necessary to limit the spread of the infection.</p

<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> ELISA results including those that tested positive (POS) and those that tested positive or yielded a grey zone result twice (POS+GREY) in the general population, children, veterinarians, animal caretakers, and hunters in Estonia.

<p><i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> ELISA results including those that tested positive (POS) and those that tested positive or yielded a grey zone result twice (POS+GREY) in the general population, children, veterinarians, animal caretakers, and hunters in Estonia.</p

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Total pageviews and news for the selected countries.

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Timeseries data from news, Wikipedia, and outbreaks for swine and wild boar.

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