National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic

Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = −0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.publishedVersio

Hepatitis E virus is prevalent in the pig population of Lao People's Democratic Republic and evidence exists for homogeneity with Chinese Genotype 4 human isolates

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypic range of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the pig population of northern Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). We collected 181 faecal samples from indigenous-breed pigs ≤6 months of age and the faeces was stored in RNA stabilisation buffer due to cold-chain and transport limitations. Twenty-one (11.6%) pigs had detectable HEV RNA and 43.5% of village pig herds were infected. Based on a 240 base pair-nucleotide sequence flanking the junction of open reading frames 1, 2 and 3 (ORF1, ORF2 and ORF3) the isolates were phylogenetically classified within genotype 4. Phylogenetic analyses revealed distinct genetic groupings of the Lao HEV isolates and two groups clustered with human and pig HEV isolates from China. This was the first study to demonstrate genotype 4 HEV in Lao PDR and indicates pigs are a potential reservoir for human HEV infection

Hepatitis E virus is prevalent in the pig population of Lao People's Democratic Republic and evidence exists for homogeneity with Chinese Genotype 4 human isolates

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypic range of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the pig population of northern Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). We collected 181 faecal samples from indigenous-breed pigs ≤6 months of age and the faeces was stored in RNA stabilisation buffer due to cold-chain and transport limitations. Twenty-one (11.6%) pigs had detectable HEV RNA and 43.5% of village pig herds were infected. Based on a 240 base pair-nucleotide sequence flanking the junction of open reading frames 1, 2 and 3 (ORF1, ORF2 and ORF3) the isolates were phylogenetically classified within genotype 4. Phylogenetic analyses revealed distinct genetic groupings of the Lao HEV isolates and two groups clustered with human and pig HEV isolates from China. This was the first study to demonstrate genotype 4 HEV in Lao PDR and indicates pigs are a potential reservoir for human HEV infection

Serologic study of pig-associated viral zoonoses in Laos

We conducted a serologic survey of four high-priority pig-associated viral zoonoses, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), Nipah virus (NiV), and swine influenza virus (SIV), in Laos. We collected blood from pigs at slaughter during May 2008-January 2009 in four northern provinces. Japanese encephalitis virus hemagglutination inhibition seroprevalence was 74.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 71.5-77.9%), JEV IgM seroprevalence was 2.3% (95% CI = 1.2-3.2%), and HEV seroprevalence was 21.1% (95% CI = 18.1-24.0%). Antibodies to SIV were detected in 1.8% (95% CI = 0.8-2.8%) of pigs by screening enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and only subtype H3N2 was detected by hemagglutination inhibition in two animals with an inconclusive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay result. No NiV antibody-positive pigs were detected. Our evidence indicates that peak JEV and HEV transmission coincides with the start of the monsoonal wet season and poses the greatest risk for human infection

Serum immunoglobulin concentrations in young dairy calves and their relationships with weight gain, onset of puberty and pelvic area at 15 months of age

Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations in 100 young dairy calves from five herds were determined to establish whether they were related to subsequent weight gain, age at puberty and pelvic area at 15 months of age. Blood samples were collected from each calf at 6-48 h after birth and at 2 weeks of age for Ig concentrations, and monthly from 210 days of age onward for progesterone assay to indicate age at puberty. Pelvic area measurements were carried out at 15 months of age. Weight gains were expressed as percentage weight gain from birth to the age being considered. Mean serum Ig concentrations at 6-48 h of age varied between herds and decreased (P < 0.01) by 2 weeks in all herds, with one exception. The mean Ig concentrations in pooled data from the two Jersey herds were different (P < 0.001) at 6-48 h and 2 weeks of age from those in the two Friesian herds, but not between herds within these breeds. The Jersey breed had the highest serum Ig concentrations, while the Friesian breed had the lowest. Significant positive correlations were found between Ig concentrations at 6-48 h after birth and at 2 weeks of age in the Jersey breed (P < 0.05) and in the Illawarra herd (P < 0.01). Although there were positive correlations (P < 0.05) between serum Ig concentrations at 6-48 h and pelvic area at 15 months of age in one Jersey herd and between Ig concentrations (at 2 weeks of age) and pelvic area at 15 months in the Illawarra herd, there were no other correlations found between serum Ig concentrations at these ages and subsequent weight gain, age at puberty and pelvic area at 15 months. In conclusion, serum Ig concentrations during the first 2 weeks of calves' lives were generally not related to parameters of calf growth and reproduction

Patterns of flavivirus seroprevalence in the human population of northern Laos

A total of 1,136 samples from 289 households in four provinces in northern Laos were subjected to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and dengue virus hemagglutination inhibition (DENV HI). Overall, antibodies to JEV were detected by HI in 620 (54.6%) of 1,136 people; of which 217 (19.1%) had HI activity against JEV only. Antibodies to DENV4 were detected by HI in 526 (46.3%) of 1,136 people; of which 124 (10.9%) had HI activity against DENV4 only. Antibodies to DENV1-3 were detected by HI in 296 (26.1%), 274 (24.1%), and 283 (24.9) of 1,136 people, respectively; of which 7, 1, and 0, respectively, had HI activity against DENV1-3 only. JEV was the most prevalent Flavivirus in Oudomxay, Luangprabang, and Huaphan provinces and DENV4 was the most prevalent in Xiengkhouang province. Seroprevalence for JEV increased with increasing age and wealth and was higher in villages where rice was cultivated in paddy fields and highest for people of Lao-Tai ethnicity

Salmonella Brandenburg — Emergence of a variant strain on a sheep farm in the South Island of New Zealand

Salmonella Brandenburg was initially diagnosed in New Zealand in an aborted ewe from a Merino flock in mid-Canterbury in 1996. The following year, the disease occurred on farms in midCanterbury and on one farm near Winton in Southland (Bailey 1997). Since then, this bacterium has caused widespread abortion and deaths in pregnant ewes in Southland, coastal Otago and south- and mid-Canterbury. In cattle, the same organism has caused diarrhoea and dysentery in calves and adult cattle, and abortions and deaths in first-calving cows and to a lesser extent in second-calving and older cows (Clark et al, in press). Salmonella Brandenburg has also caused diarrhoea and fetal deaths in dogs, and diarrhoea and deaths in foals