Interspecies interactions and potential Influenza A virus risk in small swine farms in Peru

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The recent avian influenza epidemic in Asia and the H1N1 pandemic demonstrated that influenza A viruses pose a threat to global public health. The animal origins of the viruses confirmed the potential for interspecies transmission. Swine are hypothesized to be prime "mixing vessels" due to the dual receptivity of their trachea to human and avian strains. Additionally, avian and human influenza viruses have previously been isolated in swine. Therefore, understanding interspecies contact on smallholder swine farms and its potential role in the transmission of pathogens such as influenza virus is very important.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This qualitative study aimed to determine swine-associated interspecies contacts in two coastal areas of Peru. Direct observations were conducted at both small-scale confined and low-investment swine farms (n = 36) and in open areas where swine freely range during the day (n = 4). Interviews were also conducted with key stakeholders in swine farming.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In both locations, the intermingling of swine and domestic birds was common. An unexpected contact with avian species was that swine were fed poultry mortality in 6/20 of the farms in Chancay. Human-swine contacts were common, with a higher frequency on the confined farms. Mixed farming of swine with chickens or ducks was observed in 36% of all farms. Human-avian interactions were less frequent overall. Use of adequate biosecurity and hygiene practices by farmers was suboptimal at both locations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Close human-animal interaction, frequent interspecies contacts and suboptimal biosecurity and hygiene practices pose significant risks of interspecies influenza virus transmission. Farmers in small-scale swine production systems constitute a high-risk population and need to be recognized as key in preventing interspecies pathogen transfer. A two-pronged prevention approach, which offers educational activities for swine farmers about sound hygiene and biosecurity practices and guidelines and education for poultry farmers about alternative approaches for processing poultry mortality, is recommended. Virological and serological surveillance for influenza viruses will also be critical for these human and animal populations.</p

Complete genome characterization of two wild-type measles viruses from Vietnamese infants during the 2014 outbreak

A large measles virus outbreak occurred across Vietnam in 2014. We identified and obtained complete measles virus genomes in stool samples collected from two diarrheal pediatric patients in Dong Thap Province. These are the first complete genome sequences of circulating measles viruses in Vietnam during the 2014 measles outbreak

Genome sequences of a novel Vietnamese bat bunyavirus

To document the viral zoonotic risks in Vietnam, fecal samples were systematically collected from a number of mammals in southern Vietnam and subjected to agnostic deep sequencing. We describe here novel Vietnamese bunyavirus sequences detected in bat feces. The complete L and S segments from 14 viruses were determined

Microwave-mediated noncatalytic synthesis of ethyl levulinate: A green process for fuel additive production

This study developed a new catalyst-free process for producing ethyl levulinate, a biofuel additive. Noncatalytic levulinic acid esterification with ethanol using microwave irradiation (MW) was compared with that using traditional heating (TH) under different reaction conditions. The results demonstrated that the esterification process using MW was more effective than that using TH. A reaction conversion of 90.38% was obtained for the esterification using MW at 473 K and reaction time of 3 hours. Moreover, this study established a model for depicting the kinetics of levulinic acid esterification using MW and TH. A good fit to the data (R of >.9999) was achieved, indicating the validity of the developed model. The rate constants and pre-exponential factor obtained for the esterification using MW were greater than those obtained using TH. Consequently, the microwave-assisted noncatalytic synthesis is a green and promising method for preparing ethyl levulinate.

Active contact tracing beyond the household in multidrug resistant tuberculosis in Vietnam: a cohort study

BACKGROUND:Currently in Vietnam contact tracing for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) entails passive case finding among symptomatic household contacts who present themselves for diagnosis. Close contacts of MDR-TB cases are therefore not identified adequately. We assessed the added value of active contact tracing within and beyond households using social network questionnaires to identify close contacts of MDR-TB patients in Vietnam. METHODS:We conducted a cohort study using social network questionnaires in which contacts were identified by MDR-TB patients, including contacts from 'high risk' places like work. Contacts of MDR-TB patients were followed up and screened over a period of at least 6 months. This included two active screenings and any unscheduled passive screening of self-referred contacts during the study period. RESULTS:Four hundred seventeen contacts of 99 index cases were recruited, 325 (77.9%) and 160/417 (38.4%) contacts participated in the first and second screenings, respectively. The first screening detected one TB case but the bacteria were not MDR. From passive screening, a household contact was diagnosed with TB meningitis but not through our active approach. Social network analysis showed that only 1/17 (5.9%) high-risk places agreed to cooperate and were included in the screening, and no MDR-TB cases were detected. There were two pairs of index cases (identified separately) who were found to be contacts of each other and who had been diagnosed before the study started. CONCLUSIONS:No new MDR-TB cases were detected using social network analysis of nearly 100 MDR-TB index cases, likely due to a relatively short follow up time, and loss to follow up (lack of cooperation from contacts or high risk places and lack of available resources in the National Tuberculosis Control Programme)

Nông nghiệp ứng phó với biến đổi khí hậu - Tài liệu dùng cho cán bộ địa phương các cấp của Việt Nam

Climate smart agriculture concepts and principles must be simplified for local government officials and other technical officer to be able to operationalize key elements into local development programs in Vietnam. Climate smart agriculture needs to be simplified and often demystified in order to enhance its wider up take at regional and local levels. The brochure is written in Vietnamese for the benefit local partners and technical persons who speak and read Vietnamese language only

Biến đổi khí hậu và ảnh hưởng của biến đổi khí hậu tới nông nghiệp - Tài liệu dùng cho cán bộ địa phương các cấp của Việt Nam

Understanding the impacts of climate change on agriculture, associated landscapes and natural resources in general is crucial if local development efforts are to be tailored towards addressing the impacts of climate change. Simplification of scientific concepts can help local planners at different level to introduce and then mainstream strategies that have factored in the impacts from climate change. The brochure is written in Vietnamese for the benefit local partners and technical persons who speak and read Vietnamese language only

Tom Thumb, Wife and Child

Carte de visite photograph of Tom Thumb (Charles S Stratton), Wife (Lavinia Warren Stratton) and chil