One health research ethics

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) present major threats to public health, global security, and economic development. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the latest EID to demonstrate the devastation, suffering, and scale of death that an EID can cause. Pandemics involving emerging and re-emerging infectious agents and associated infectious diseases, climate change, urbanization, biodiversity loss and financial instability have been identified as the most critical global issues today (1). Close to three-quarters of today’s EIDs are known to be of zoonotic origin (where infectious agents spread to humans from domestic or wild animals), and their frequency and economic impact are on the ris

Molecular epidemiology of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species isolated at different lactation stages from dairy cattle in the United States

Background Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species are currently the most prevalent intra-mammary pathogens causing subclinical mastitis and occasional clinical mastitis or persistent infection in lactating dairy cattle. More than 10 CNS species have been identified, but they are generally managed as one group on most dairies in the United States. However, improved management decisions and treatment outcomes may be achieved with better understanding of the prevalent species, pathogenicity and strain diversity within and across dairies. Methodology A total of 604 CNS isolates were cultured from milk samples collected during a dry-cow treatment clinical trial conducted on 6 dairy herds in 4 states in the US. All the study cows were randomized to receive 1 of the 3 different intra-mammary antimicrobial infusions (Quatermaster, Spectramast DC or ToMorrow Dry Cow) at dry-off. Milk samples were collected at dry-off, calving (0–6 days in milk, DIM), post-calving (7–13 DIM) and at mastitis events within the first 100 DIM. The CNS isolates were identified to species level by partial sequencing of the rpoβ gene, and genetic relatedness within species was investigated by phylogenetic analysis of the pulse-field gel electrophoresis profiles of the isolates. Results The major CNS species identified were S. chromogenes (48.3%), S. haemolyticus (17.9%), S. simulans and S. epidermidis (each at 6.5%). Other CNS species identified at lower frequencies included S. hominis, S. auricularis, S. sciuri, S. spp KS-SP, S. capitis, S. cohnii, S. warneri, S. pasteuri, S. xylosus, S. hyicus, S. equorum, S. microti, S. rostri, S. gallinarum, S. saprophyticus and S. succinus. Phylogenetic analyses of the major species types demonstrated an association between genetic relatedness and epidemiological distributions of S. chromogenes, S. simulans, S. haemolyticus and S. auricularis. Additionally, identical strains of S. chromogenes and S. simulans were isolated from the same udder quarter of several cows at consecutive sample stages. The rest of the minor species had no deducible genetic-epidemiological link. Discussion The observed association between genetic and epidemiological distributions indicated animal-adapted nature of four CNS species, suggesting possible host-adapted and environmental transmission of these species. Multi-stage isolation of the same udder quarter strain was evidence for chronic intra-mammary infection. Conclusion The different CNS species and strains circulating on US dairy herds were genetically diverse. Four species identified were likely udder-adapted pathogens, 2 of which caused persistent infection. Our findings are important in guiding the design of effective mastitis control strategies

Evaluation of seasonal patterns and herd-level traits associated with insemination risk in large dairy herds in Kansas.

Adequate identification of estrus is crucial to achieve satisfactory reproductive performance in dairy farms. Even though several studies evaluated expression and identification of estrus at the cow level, limited data exist regarding estrus identification parameters at the herd level. The objectives of this study were to use data from large dairy farms located in Kansas to describe temporal patterns of insemination risk (IR), and to investigate associations between IR and various herd-level factors. Nine herds that housed lactating cows in dry-lots or free-stalls were used in the study. Data from 2012 to 2017 were extracted and categorized in 21-day intervals in a total of 85 cycles, which were classified by season of the year. Mean (SD) IR was 67.6% (4.0) and increased 0.067% (0.009) for each 21-day cycle during the period evaluated. Annual, semi-annual, and trimestral IR peaks were detected using autoregressive integrated moving average analysis. Most of these variations, however, were considered minimal and likely not of economic concern for commercial herds. Insemination risk was greatest during autumn, but did not differ among winter, spring, and summer. Insemination risk was not associated with herd milk yield per season, incidence risk of mastitis during first 21 days in milk, proportion of primiparous cows in the milking herd, or voluntary waiting period of multiparous cows. Herds that housed lactating dairy cows in dry-lots had IR 2.4 percentage points greater than free-stall herds. In addition, mortality during the first 60 days in milk, and category of voluntary waiting period for primiparous cows were associated with IR. In conclusion, seasonal variability in IR was minimal, with increased values observed during the autumn. Insemination risk was greater for dry-lot than free-stall herds. In addition, reduced mortality of lactating cows by 60 days in milk and longer voluntary waiting period for primiparous cows seem to favor greater IR

A Systematic Literature Review on Depopulation Methods for Swine

Swine mass depopulation refers to the destruction of large numbers of pigs and may include not only animals affected with a disease but also healthy pigs in a facility or surrounding areas. Emerging applications of mass depopulation include reducing welfare issues associated with slaughter delays, which was observed in the United States in 2020 as a result of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The objectives of this review were to summarize the available literature on swine depopulation methods and to highlight critical gaps in knowledge. Peer-reviewed articles were identified through a systematic search in electronic databases including Web of Science, MEDLINE, and PubMed. A total of 68 publications were assessed. Gaseous carbon dioxide inhalation was the most commonly reported depopulation method for both small- and large-scale trials. Measurements of consciousness state, which serves to assess suffering and humaneness, appeared to be lacking in a high proportion of the studies. None of the published studies demonstrated an ideally reliable and safe way to induce rapid unconsciousness in large groups of pigs. Development of rapid mass depopulation methods applicable to large groups of pigs is necessary to provide industry partners with suitable and low-cost emergency preparedness procedures while adhering to personnel safety and animal welfare standards. Lastly, there is an urgent need to standardize comprehensive reporting guidelines for depopulation studies

One Health research ethics review processes in African countries: Challenges and opportunities

One Health research has gained attention over the past few decades due to its potential to improve health challenges across the globe. However, obtaining ethics approvals for timely implementation of One Health research is a challenge in some contexts. Our study was undertaken to describe various challenges faced by researchers, research ethics committees (RECs) and members of regulatory bodies in Africa. An online survey was conducted between March and June 2021. The effect of predictors, including respondents' role (e.g., REC member, regulator and/or One Health researcher), sex, education, age, and country, on the perception of challenges and opportunities when conducting and reviewing One Health research, was investigated using multivariable linear regression models. Participants with different roles did not perceive any of the examined challenges differently during review of One Health-related research; but female participants (p = 0.026) and those with ten or more years of experience (p = 0.0325) perceived insufficient One Health knowledge as less of a challenge. Professional role was an important predictor (p = 0.025) for the perception of the establishment of a mandatory One Health review system. Respondents with multiple roles perceived the creation of ad hoc committees for review of One Health research under emergency situations to be less important (p = 0.02); and REC members perceived the creation of such committees to be less feasible (p = 0.0697). Our study showed that perceptions of the importance and feasibility of opportunities for improvement of One Health research ethics review under emergency and non-emergency situations varied across professional roles. This emphasizes the need to consider such improvement strategies; and the need for continuous and timely evaluation for improvement of ethics review of One Health and emergency research in Africa

Dairy workers' attitudes toward dairy cattle euthanasia

ABSTRACT: Implementing timely and humane euthanasia in dairy farms remains a critical concern. One of the possible barriers for the implementation of timely euthanasia on-farm is dairy workers' attitudes toward the act. The objectives of this study were to investigate dairy workers' attitudes toward dairy cattle euthanasia and their association to individuals' demographic characteristics. A total of 81 workers from 30 dairy farms (ranging in size from less than 500 to more than 3,000 cows) participated in the survey and most participants were caretakers (n = 45; 55.6%) or farm managers (n = 16; 19.8%), with an average work experience of 14.8 years. Dairy workers' attitudes toward dairy cattle (empathy affect, empathy attribution, and negative attitudes about cattle), working environment (relying on others, perceived time constraints) and euthanasia decision-making (feeling comfortable with euthanasia, feeling confident, seeking knowledge, using different sources to obtain advice, having negative attitudes about euthanasia, having insufficient knowledge, having trouble deciding when to euthanize and avoiding if possible) were identified and used for cluster analyses. Cluster analyses identified 3 distinct clusters: (1) confident but uncomfortable with euthanasia (n = 40); (2) confident and comfortable with euthanasia (n = 32); and (3) unconfident, lacking knowledge and detached from cattle (n = 9). Dairy workers' demographic characteristics (age, sex, race and ethnicity, dairy experience, role on-farm, farm size, and previous euthanasia experience) were used as predictors for the risk factor analyses. The risk analysis demonstrated that there were no predictors for cluster 1, but White workers (P = 0.04) and caretakers that had previous euthanasia experience tended to be more likely to be members of cluster 2 (P = 0.07) whereas respondents that worked in farms with 501–1,000 cows were more likely to be grouped in cluster 3. This study provides vital information about variability in dairy workers' attitudes toward dairy euthanasia as well as its association with race and ethnicity, farm size, and previous euthanasia experience. This information can be used to implement appropriate training and euthanasia protocols to increase both human and dairy cattle welfare on-farm

Evaluation of a Water-Based Medium-Expansion Foam Depopulation Method in Suckling and Finisher Pigs

The threat of foreign animal disease introduction through contaminated animal products, feed ingredients, and wildlife vectors have highlighted the need for additional approved methods for mass depopulation of swine under emergency scenarios, especially methods that can be applied to pigs across all production phases. The market disruption within the swine industry due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has demonstrated this lack of preparation. The objective of this study was to validate water-based foam as a mass depopulation method for suckling (18 to 24 days of age) and finisher stage (63 to 100 days of age) pigs. Finisher pigs (n = 31, originally 32 but one finisher pig died prior to foaming), allocated as 9 triads and 1 set of 4 pigs, in 10 total replicates, and suckling pigs (n = 32), randomly allocated to two replicates, were completely covered in water-based medium-expansion foam for a 15-min dwell time in a bulk container. Container fill time for the trials were 6.5 ± 0.68 s and 5.3 ± 0.03 s for finisher and suckling pig replicates, respectively. Average (± SD) time for cessation of movement was 105 ± 39.1 s (s) for finisher pigs and 79.5 ± 10.5 s for suckling pigs. After completion of the 15-min dwell time in the foam, all pigs were confirmed dead upon removal from the container. The results from the present study suggest that the use of water-based foam can be an effective means of mass depopulation for suckling and finisher stage pigs, supporting previous research on the application to adult swine