Initiatives et mécanismes correcteurs

peer reviewe

Prevalence of Chlamydia abortus in Belgian ruminants

Chlamydia (C.) abortus enzootic abortion still remains the most common cause of reproductive failure in sheep-breeding countries all over the world. Chlamydia abortus in cattle is predominantly associated with genital tract disease and mastitis. In this study, Belgian sheep (n=958), goats (n=48) and cattle (n=1849) were examined, using the ID Screen (TM) Chlamydia abortus indirect multi-species antibody ELISA. In the sheep, the highest prevalence rate was found in Limburg (4.05%). The animals of Antwerp, Brabant and Liege tested negative. The prevalence in the remaining five regions was low (0.24% to 2.74%). Of the nine goat herds, only one herd in Luxembourg was seropositive. In cattle, the highest prevalence rate was found in Walloon Brabant (4.23%). The animals of Limburg and Namur tested negative. The prevalence rate in the remaining seven regions ranged between 0.39% and 4.02%

Étude de référence sur la biodiversité du mésozooplancton dans quatre ports de l'Arctique canadien en vue d'une augmentation de l'activité maritime, de l'exploitation des ressources et du réchauffement climatique

RÉSUMÉ: Le déballastage associé au transport maritime est la principale source d'introduction d'espèces aquatiques non indigènes (ENI). En Arctique, la diminution du couvert de glace de mer et l'augmentation de l'exploitation des ressources pourraient entraîner l'augmentation du trafic maritime et engendrer une augmentation du risque d'introduction d'ENI. Pour identifier les ENI et évaluer leurs impacts sur la biodiversité indigène, une étude de référence à jour a été réalisé sur la biodiversité du zooplancton, en comparant la structure des communautés de quatre ports de l'Arctique canadien les plus actifs : Churchill, Baie-Déception, Iqaluit et Milne Inlet. Le zooplancton a été échantillonné et analysé par taxonomie traditionnelle durant trois étés entre 2015 et 2017. 69 espèces, 7 genres et 22 taxons supérieurs ont été identifiés. 16% des taxons identifiés peuvent être considérés comme de nouveaux enregistrements dans les ports de l'Arctique canadien. 18% des taxons étaient cryptogéniques, et il reste donc à documenter pour connaitre leurs origines. Deux ENI ont été trouvées à Churchill : Osmerus mordax et Aurelia limbata. Ce port est le plus au sud et a enregistré le plus fort taux de trafic maritime. Les indices de biodiversité étaient les plus faibles à ce port, ce qui implique que seules quelques espèces étaient dominantes par rapport à celles des autres ports. La structure de la communauté différait largement entre les ports et 48% de la variation était due aux paramètres environnementaux. Quatre ENI ont été trouvés dans les enregistrements d'eau de ballast de 2013, 2014 et dans les ports de Churchill (2014) et Baie-Déception (2014, 2015). Cependant, au cours de cette étude, elles n'ont pas été retrouvées dans ces mêmes ports en 2015 ou 2016. Il est donc possible qu'elles n'aient pas encore réussi à s'établir. Cette étude de référence mise à jour fourni des informations cruciales pour évaluer les changements futurs dans la communauté zooplanctonique, de mieux comprendre les risques potentiels d'introduction liés au trafic maritime et d'améliorer les lois futures sur les traitements des navires (ballast-coque). Elle aidera également à identifier les ENI et pourrait améliorer leur détection précoce, permettant potentiellement une prévention rapide des introductions d'espèces de zooplancton non-indigènes dans l'Arctique canadien. -- Mot(s) clé(s) en français : Ports de l'Arctique canadien, Zooplancton, Étude de référence, Espèces non indigènes, Biointroduction, Eaux de ballast, Biodiversité, réchauffement climatique. -- ABSTRACT: Deballasting associated with shipping activities is the main source of introduction of non-indigenous aquatic species (NIS). In the Arctic, the decrease of sea ice cover and increased resource exploitation could lead to an increase in shipping traffic and increase the risk of NIS introduction. In order to identify NIS and evaluate their impacts on indigenous biodiversity, an up-to-date baseline study was conducted on zooplankton biodiversity, comparing the community structure of four of the most active Canadian Arctic ports: Churchill, Deception Bay, Iqaluit and Milne Inlet. Zooplankton was sampled and analysed by traditional taxonomy during three summers between 2015 and 2017. 69 species, 7 genera and 22 higher taxa were identified. 16% of the taxa identified can be considered as new registrations in Canadian Arctic ports. 18% of the taxa were cryptogenic, so their origin is yet to be documented. Two NIS were found at Churchill: Osmerus mordax and Aurelia limbata. This port is the southernmost port and had the highest shipping traffic rate of the four studied. Biodiversity indices were lowest at this port, implying that only a few species were dominant compared to those of other ports. The structure of the community differed widely between ports, with 48% of the variation was due to environmental parameters. Four NIS were found in the 2013 - 2014 ballast water records and in the ports of Churchill (2014) and Deception Bay (2014, 2015). They were not, however, found in these same ports in 2015 or 2016 when this study was conducted. It is therefore possible that they have not yet succeeded to establish in this environment. This updated baseline study provides crucial information to assess future changes in the zooplankton community, to better understand the potential risks of introduction related to shipping traffic and to improve future laws on ship (ballast-hull) treatment. It will also help to identify NIS and could improve their early detection, potentially allowing for the rapid prevention of introductions of non-indigenous zooplankton species into the Canadian Arctic. -- Mot(s) clé(s) en anglais : Canadian Arctic Ports, Zooplankton, Baseline Study, Non-indigenous Species, Biointroduction, Ballast Water, Biodiversity, Global Warming

Perspective: What constitutes a quality paper in drug analysis?

peer reviewedFAKEPHAR

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in Swine Farm Personnel, Belgium

We assessed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in persons on 49 swine farms in Belgium. Surveys showed that 48 (37.8%) persons carried MRSA ST398 and 1 (0.8%) had concurrent skin infection. Risk factors for carriage were MRSA carriage by pigs, regular contact with pigs and companion animals, and use of protective clothing

Qualification de l'équipement

Radar range: standard. Max rain level: moderate rain

Overview of cattle diseases listed under category C, D or E in the animal health law for wich control programmes are in place within Europe

13 páginas, 5 figuras, 3 tablas.The COST action “Standardising output-based surveillance to control non-regulated diseases of cattle in the European Union (SOUND control),” aims to harmonise the results of surveillance and control programmes (CPs) for non-EU regulated cattle diseases to facilitate safe trade and improve overall control of cattle infectious diseases. In this paper we aimed to provide an overview on the diversity of control for these diseases in Europe. A non-EU regulated cattle disease was defined as an infectious disease of cattle with no or limited control at EU level, which is not included in the European Union Animal health law Categories A or B under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2002. A CP was defined as surveillance and/or intervention strategies designed to lower the incidence, prevalence, mortality or prove freedom from a specific disease in a region or country. Passive surveillance, and active surveillance of breeding bulls under Council Directive 88/407/EEC were not considered as CPs. A questionnaire was designed to obtain country-specific information about CPs for each disease. Animal health experts from 33 European countries completed the questionnaire. Overall, there are 23 diseases for which a CP exists in one or more of the countries studied. The diseases for which CPs exist in the highest number of countries are enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhoea and anthrax (CPs reported by between 16 and 31 countries). Every participating country has on average, 6 CPs (min–max: 1–13) in place. Most programmes are implemented at a national level (86%) and are applied to both dairy and non-dairy cattle (75%). Approximately one-third of the CPs are voluntary, and the funding structure is divided between government and private resources. Countries that have eradicated diseases like enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhoea have implemented CPs for other diseases to further improve the health status of cattle in their country. The control of non-EU regulated cattle diseases is very heterogenous in Europe. Therefore, the standardising of the outputs of these programmes to enable comparison represents a challenge.Peer reviewe