Risk-based inspection as a cost-effective strategy to reduce human exposure to cysticerci of Taenia saginata in low-prevalence settings

Taenia saginata cysticercus is the larval stage of the zoonotic parasite Taenia saginata, with a life-cycle involving both cattle and humans. The public health impact is considered low. The current surveillance system, based on post-mortem inspection of carcasses has low sensitivity and leads to considerable economic burden. Therefore, in the interests of public health and food production efficiency, this study aims to explore the potential of risk-based and cost-effective meat inspection activities for the detection and control of T. saginata cysticercus in low prevalence settings

Gestión de la continuidad del servicio ante emergencias y desastres en salud: enfoque para la reactivación productiva (Tema Central)

This article describes the elaboration and content process of the normative document of sectorial protocols for productive sector reactivation in the case of Costa Rica. Its main objective is to present how the government measures evolve to respond to health emergencies through sectorial protocols for service continuity and productive sectors. It is argued that the continuity of operations in public and private organizations is even more relevant and a priority in the event of multiple threats influencing the stability of the economic, social and political system. The methodology used for the sectorial protocol development was based on the bibliographic review and other countries experiences in the protocol elaboration, and the recommendations through the health guidelines for COVID-19. In conclusion, the importance of public policy instruments issued in the face of emergencies and health disasters.En el presente artículo se describe el proceso de elaboración y contenido del documento normativo de protocolos sectoriales para la reactivación de los sectores productivos en el caso de Costa Rica. Tiene como principal objetivo presentar la forma en que las medidas gubernamentales evolucionan para dar respuesta a situaciones de emergencia sanitaria por medio de protocolos sectoriales para la continuidad de los servicios y de los sectores productivos. Se argumenta que la continuidad de las operaciones en las organizaciones públicas y privadas, es aún más relevante y prioritario en el contexto actual ante la presencia de múltiples amenazas que influyen en la estabilidad del sistema económico, social y político. La metodología empleada para el desarrollo de los protocolos sectoriales se basó en la revisión bibliográfica y en las buenas prácticas de otros países en su elaboración, así como las recomendaciones de las autoridades sobre lineamientos sanitarios para la COVID-19. En conclusión, se reconoce la importancia de los instrumentos de política pública emitidos ante una situación de emergencia y desastres en salud

Crecimiento de juveniles de la corvina aguada, Cynoscion squamipinnis (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) en cautiverio

Juveniles of weakfish, Cynoscion squamipinnis hatchery-produced from spontaneously spawning in captivity, were grown during 355 days at Estación de Biología Marina Juan Bertoglia Richards (Biology Marine Station John Bertoglia Richards) in Costa Rica. One hundred fifty two fish were stocked in tanks of four tonnes to a total biomass of 82 g m-3, and feeding with a diet of 50% protein, 17.5% carbohydrate, 11.8% lipids, 16% ash and 5% humidity. Dissolved oxygen was 7.12±1.13 mg L-1 (5.68 - 9.13 mg L- 1), salinity of 31.92±1.65 ups (29.84 - 34.71 ups), and temperature of 27.54±0.63°C (26.50 - 28.60°C), similar to the Gulf of Nicoya conditions. Initial mean weight was 3.77(1.15 g (0.3 - 6.2 g). Final mean body weight was 132.60(32.96 g (78.5 - 219.3 g). The growth (G) was 128.83 g, with a growth rate (GR) of 0.36 g d-1, and Specific Growth Rate (SGR) of 1.00 % BW d-1. The Relative Growth Rate (RGR) was 0.0053 g g-1 d-1. The feed conversion (FCA) during the period was 1.8±0.4. The weakfish had a lower growth parameters than other croaker species, the fish showed a calm behavior, accepted the pelletized diet, and they were easy to handle, characteristics which confirm that weakfish as potential candidate for commercial mariculture.  Peces juveniles de corvina aguada, Cynoscion squamipinnis, obtenidos a partir de desoves espontáneos en cautiverio fueron engordados por 355 días en la Estación de Biología Marina Juan Bertoglia Richards (Costa Rica). Ciento cincuenta y dos peces fueron sembrados en tanques de cuatro toneladas a una biomasa total de 82 g m-3, y alimentados con una dieta de 50% proteína, 17.5% carbohidratos, 11.8% lípidos, 16% ceniza y 5% humedad. El oxígeno disuelto fue de 7.12±1.13 mg L-1 (5.68 - 9.13 mg L-1), la salinidad de 31.92±1.65 ups (29.84 - 34.71 ups), y la temperatura de 27.54±0.63°C (26.50 - 28.60°C), condiciones similares a las del Golfo de Nicoya. El peso inicial promedio fue de 3.77±1.15 g (0.3 - 6.2 g).  El peso promedio final fue de 132.60±32.96 g (78.5 - 219.3 g). El crecimiento (C) fue de 128.83 g, con una tasa de crecimiento (TC) de 0.36 g d-1, y una tasa específica de crecimiento (TEC) de 1.00 % PC d-1. La tasa de crecimiento relativa (TCR) fue de 0.0053 g g-1 d-1. El factor de conversión alimenticia (FCA) durante todo el periodo fue de 1.8±0.4. La corvina aguada tuvo un crecimiento menor al de otras corvinas, mostró un comportamiento tranquilo, aceptó la dieta peletizada y fue fácil de manipular, por lo que es candidata para la maricultura

Development of Reporting Guidelines for Animal Health Surveillance—AHSURED

With the current trend in animal health surveillance toward risk-based designs and a gradual transition to output-based standards, greater flexibility in surveillance design is both required and allowed. However, the increase in flexibility requires more transparency regarding surveillance, its activities, design and implementation. Such transparency allows stakeholders, trade partners, decision-makers and risk assessors to accurately interpret the validity of the surveillance outcomes. This paper presents the first version of the Animal Health Surveillance Reporting Guidelines (AHSURED) and the process by which they have been developed. The goal of AHSURED was to produce a set of reporting guidelines that supports communication of surveillance activities in the form of narrative descriptions. Reporting guidelines come from the field of evidence-based medicine and their aim is to improve consistency and quality of information reported in scientific journals. They usually consist of a checklist of items to be reported, a description/definition of each item, and an explanation and elaboration document. Examples of well-reported items are frequently provided. Additionally, it is common to make available a website where the guidelines are documented and maintained. This first version of the AHSURED guidelines consists of a checklist of 40 items organized in 11 sections (i.e., surveillance system building blocks), which is available as a wiki at https://github.com/SVA-SE/AHSURED/wiki. The choice of a wiki format will allow for further inputs from surveillance experts who were not involved in the earlier stages of development. This will promote an up-to-date refined guideline document