Development of core competencies for field veterinary epidemiology training programs

A workforce with the adequate field epidemiology knowledge, skills and abilities is the foundation of a strong and effective animal health system. Field epidemiology training is conducted in several countries to meet the increased global demand for such a workforce. However, core competencies for field veterinary epidemiology have not been identified and agreed upon globally, leading to the development of different training curricula. Having a set of agreed core competencies can harmonize field veterinary epidemiology training. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiated a collective, iterative, and participative process to achieve this and organized two expert consultative workshops in 2018 to develop core competencies for field veterinary epidemiology at the frontline and intermediate levels. Based on these expert discussions, 13 competencies were identified for the frontline and intermediate levels. These competencies were organized into three domains: epidemiological surveillance and studies; field investigation, preparedness and response; and One Health, communication, ethics and professionalism. These competencies can be used to facilitate the development of field epidemiology training curricula for veterinarians, adapted to country training needs, or customized for training other close disciplines. The competencies can also be useful for mentors and employers to monitor and evaluate the progress of their mentees, or to guide the selection process during the recruitment of new staff

Gestion décentralisée des ressources naturelles dans les Communes rurales de Siby et de Zan Coulibaly : les limites d’une responsabilisation des acteurs locaux

Le Mali, comme la plupart des pays africains, connait une urbanisation accélérée. L’urbanisation dans les pays en voie de développement résulte de l’importance de l’accroissement naturel, des flux migratoires, notamment de l’exode rural, et de l’attraction économique et surtout psychologique exercée par la ville (Ciattoni et Veyret, 2011). La mobilité de la population est d’ailleurs une stratégie d’adaptation constante de l’histoire africaine (Hugon, 2013). Depuis 1998, la ville de Bamako con..

Serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dromedary camels and domestic bovids in Oman

ABSTRACTSARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated the ability to infect a wide range of animal species. Here, we investigated SARS-CoV-2 infection in livestock species in Oman and provided serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cattle, sheep, goats, and dromedary camel using the surrogate virus neutralization and plaque reduction neutralization tests. To better understand the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals and associated risks, “One Health” epidemiological investigations targeting animals exposed to COVID-19 human cases should be implemented with integrated data analysis of the epidemiologically linked human and animal cases

Comparison of the Whole-Genome Sequence of the African Swine Fever Virus from a Mongolian Wild Boar with Genotype II Viruses from Asia and Europe

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and severe viral hemorrhagic disease in domestic and wild pigs. ASF seriously affects the global swine industry as the mortality rate can reach 100% with highly virulent strains. In 2007, ASF was introduced into the Caucasus and spread to Russia and later into other European and Asian countries. This study reported the first whole-genome sequence (WGS) of the ASF virus (ASFV) that was detected in a Mongolian wild boar. This sequence was then compared to other WGS samples from Asia and Europe. Results show that the ASFV Genotype II from Mongolia is similar to the Asian Genotype II WGS. However, there were three nucleotide differences found between the Asian and European genome sequences, two of which were non-synonymous. It was also observed that the European Genotype II ASFV WGS was more diverse than that of the Asian counterparts. The study demonstrates that the ASFV Genotype II variants found in wild boars and domestic pigs are highly similar, suggesting these animals might have had direct or indirect contact, potentially through outdoor animal breeding. In conclusion, this study provides a WGS and mutation spectrum of the ASFV Genotype II WGS in Asia and Europe and thus provides important insights into the origin and spread of ASFV in Mongolia

Le Mali contemporain

Le Mali contemporain ? Il est bien différent des images que les médias diffusent ! La société malienne a considérablement évolué depuis l'indépendance, les jeunes y sont beaucoup plus nombreux et mieux informés, les femmes plus actives. Mais les changements qui ont marqué notamment la gouvernance et la situation économique paraissent décalés au regard des nouvelles contraintes, attentes et exigences liées à ces mutations. Comment cette société, dans sa diversité, pense-t-elle et s'engage-t-elle dans la modernité ? Voilà le sujet de ce livre. Une cinquantaine de chercheurs en sciences sociales, dans le cadre d'une collaboration franco-malienne, ont travaillé sur le Mali contemporain dans la période qui a immédiatement précédé la crise (2007-2012). Ils se sont principalement intéressés à la vie politique dans les communes et quartiers, à la réalité de la décentralisation, à l'image que l'Etat en action donne de lui, au fait religieux dans ses manifestations et ses tendances lourdes, mais aussi aux divers aspects de la migration, et enfin et surtout à la place des jeunes dans la société. Le tableau qui se dégage de leurs observations est sans complaisance : faire évoluer positivement la situation actuelle de la société malienne est un défi pour les décideurs et l'ensemble de la population ; et pour y parvenir, il est impérieux d'ébranler les pesanteurs, blocages, et faux-fuyants qui ont conduit le pays au bord du gouffre