Ebola virus surveillance in pigs presenting for slaughter in Uganda

In 2008, Ebola Reston was discovered to infect pigs in the Philippines. Additionally, pigs have been experimentally infected with Ebola Zaire. Uganda has experienced five Ebola outbreaks with index cases unable to account for their source of infection. Over the past 30 years, the pig population in Uganda has increased by more than tenfold to meet growing consumer demand for pork. We are conducting research in regions of Uganda where pig keeping is an increasingly important livelihood strategy and where suitable ecological conditions exist for the emergence and persistence of pig-associated zoonotic diseases including Ebolavirus. Methods being used include repeated cross-sectional sampling of pigs presenting for slaughter during months when previous human Ebola outbreaks occurred in the country and when pig slaughter is known to increase. To determine effective locations for implementation of future surveillance and mitigation measures, pig trader network analysis to map pig trade volumes and routes is being done in conjunction with slaughterhouse surveillance. This is the first systematic, field-based study to determine if pigs are naturally infected with Ebolavirus in an area with previous outbreaks. Methods and findings to date will be shared

Aflatoxins, animal health and safety of animal source foods

This presentation summarises current knowledge on the impacts of aflatoxins on animal health and productivity. It discusses the implications of this on the benefits derived from livestock such as income and nutrition by poor people. We summarise current evidence on livestock exposure and indicate high risk practices and management options. We also summarise the evidence of transfer of aflatoxins from livestock and fish feed to animal source products, the associated risk to human health, and the options for management. We finish by highlighting key evidence gaps and present policy recommendations for managing aflatoxins in livestock and fish feed chains and in animal source foods

Investigation of Ebolavirus exposure in pigs presented for slaughter in Uganda

In 2008, an outbreak ofReston ebolavirus(RESTV) in pigs in the Philippines expanded our understanding of the host range of ebolaviruses. Subsequent experimental infections with the human-pathogenic speciesZaire ebolavirus(EBOV) confirmed that pigs are susceptible to African species of ebolaviruses. Pig keeping has become an increasingly important livelihood strategy throughout parts of sub-Saharan Africa, driven by increasing demand for pork. The growth in pig keeping is particularly rapid in Uganda, which has the highest per capita pork consumption in East Africa and a history of sporadic human outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD). Using a systematic sampling protocol, we collected sera from 658 pigs presented for slaughter in Uganda between December 2015 and October 2016. Forty-six pigs (7%) were seropositive based on ELISA tests at two different institutions. Seropositive pigs had antibodies that bound to Sudan NP (n = 27), Zaire NP (Kikwit;n = 8) or both NPs (n = 11). Sera from 4 of the ELISA-positive pigs reacted in Western blot (EBOV NP = 1; RESTV NP = 2; both NPs = 2), and one sample had full neutralizing antibody againstSudan ebolavirus(SUDV) in virus neutralization tests. Pigs sampled in June 2016 were significantly more likely to be seropositive than pigs sampled in October 2016 (p = .03). Seropositive pigs were sourced from all regions except Western region. These observed temporal and spatial variations are suggestive of multiple introductions of ebolaviruses into the pig population in Uganda. This is the first report of exposure of pigs in Uganda to ebolaviruses and the first to employ systematic abattoir sampling for ebolavirus surveillance during a non-outbreak period. Future studies will be necessary to further define the role pigs play (if any) in ebolavirus maintenance and transmission so that potential risks can be mitigated