CaribVet
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 virus originated in Asia and spread rapidly along wild bird migratory pathways during the end of 2014. However, in the Pacific flyway, this HPAI H5N8 avian influenza virus (AIV) mixed with North American AIV creating new mixed-origin highly pathogenic H5N2 and H5N1 viruses, so far detected in United States (US) and Canada.
CIRAD and Daaf Guadeloupe are organizing with CARICOM Secretariat and Guadeloupe region in collaboration with European, Caribbean and Guadeloupe partners on April 21 the first regional conference on research and surveillance of animal diseases. The conference, funded by the European project Epigenesis, will be held at the Regional Raizet space between the second meeting of the steering committee for this project on April 20th and the 10th meeting of the steering committee of the Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET) 22 and 23 April, also 10th anniversary of the network.
By Pastor Alfonso, CENSA, member of the Avian Diseases Working Group, 13/3/2015
Currently, there are reports of an increased number of avian influenza (AI) outbreaks hitting commercial poultry in new regions of the United States. The new outbreak locations move greatly in eastern direction even constituting the first discoveries in the migratory Mississippi Flyway since current events starting at the end of 2014. This migratory Flyway have even major importance for the Caribbean region as risk of AI virus introduction by wild bird.
By Pastor Alfonso, CENSA, member of the Avian Diseases Working Group, 1/3/2015
In 2015, sixteen countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, Americas confirmed the presence of Avian Influenza (AI) to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Services under this consultancy will include:
By Pastor Alfonso, CENSA, member of the Avian Diseases Working Group, 24/1/2015
In November 2014 HPAI outbreaks either due to H5N8 or other strains (H5N2) were found in several European countries and in Northern America. This was the first time an AI virus of Eurasian (EA) lineage occurred in the Western hemisphere.
Worldwide situation
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is seeking to identify Consultants with expertise in SPS related disciplines to assist with the implementation of activities under the 10th EDF Project: “Support to the Forum of Caribbean States in the implementation of the commitments undertaken under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)”.
Consultancy assignments will commence in November 2014. The call is open until December 2016.
For more information and contact: read the document attached.
RANEMA FLU is an interactive self-teaching/learning tool developed by CIRAD and FAO on the prevention and control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). RANEMA-FLU uses recreational and interactive scenarios while covering the following topics: Introduction to avian influenza; surveillance of the HPAI; Avian Influenza and wild birds; Introduction to Risk Analysis and available resources.
Ticks were the topic of a 3 days meeting of the Ticks and Tick Borne Disease Working Group (TTBDWG) held at the Blue Horizon Hotel, Christ Church, Barbados November 17-20, 2014. Sponsored by CIRAD (ResisT* and Epigenesis* projects) and CaribVET, Chief Veterinary Officers, epidemiologists, animal health officials, experts and project managers from the Caribbean met to discuss the challenges facing livestock farmers and veterinarians due to ticks and the diseases that they transmit to livestock.
A Scientific Report of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published, establishes that knowledge of the occurrence of HPAI H5N8 infection in wild bird populations is required to better understand the risk of transmission to poultry, which is important for the design of appropriate risk management strategies.
On Dec. 18, 2014, The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 in guinea fowl and chickens from a small backyard poultry flock in Winston, Oregon. The announcement declares that the flock of approximately 100 birds has access to the outdoors and migratory birds frequent a pond and a marsh on the premises.
Worldwide concern of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is growing with new outbreaks reported in poultry in Europe, Canada and Asia. On Dec.
In late November, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) of Ottawa in Canada reported 2 outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5) in the province of British Columbia based on preliminary testing and clinical signs. On Dec. 9th, the OIE confirmed reports of 3 additional outbreaks in the same province and identified the virus as an H5N2 based on RT-PCR, viral isolation and sequencing, and the IVPI test.
End of November, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) of Ottawa in Canada reported 2 outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5, based on preliminary testing and clinical signs. On Dec. 9th, the OIE reports 3 additional outbreaks, limited geographically, in the same province (British Columbia) and confirmed H5N2 by several testings: RT-PCR, Virus isolation, virus sequencing, IVPI test.
2 more broiler chicken farms have been put under quarantine due to suspicion of the avian flu. The CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) says the 2 new 'suspect' farms are located between the 2 originally infected farms. The agency is not aware of any farm workers coming down with avian flu symptoms.
Additional interesting information on previous Avian Influenza outbreaks in Canada is provided by the moderators of Promed (see link below).
The state confirmed porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) on a farm on the most populous Hawaiian island, on 20 Nov 2014 (Hawaii Department of Agriculture).
Farmers and the federal government have been working to contain PEDv since it was first detected in the United States in the spring of 2013. The virus has killed at least 8 million pigs, roughly 10 percent of the US hog population.
Dec. 3, 2014, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) of Ottawa in Canada reports occurrence of highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, however it is important to note that full subtyping and pathogenicity index are not yet completed and report is based on preliminary testing and clinical signs. The OIE report indicates 2 outbreaks in British Columbia Province. Preliminary testing indicates presence of H5 AI virus.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency of Ottawa in Canada report occurence of Avian Influenza to the OIE. It is reported as highly pathogenic however it is important to note that full subtyping and pathogenicity index are not yet completed and report is based on preliminary testing and clinical signs.
THe OIE report indicates 2 outbreaks in British Columbia Province. Preliminary testing indicate presence of H5 AI virus.
Somewhere in Trinidad, there is a Parson Brown orange tree that bears the sweetest oranges in the island. According to Margaret, she did not find sweeter oranges in the Caribbean or in the world. It is HER Parson Brown tree. It is her cherished tree. A tree she just had to visit whenever in Trinidad. The tree knew all her struggles, all her secrets, all her dreams. As a child, a girl, a woman, Margaret could always be found at her Parson Brown tree enjoying the sweet fruit and much more. There she would find peace, healing, joy.
2 countries recently notified swine Enteric coronavirus to the OIE:
Ecuador reported an outbreak of PED in a farm of commercial type and the affected animals were piglets at least 10 days old. The outbreak appears to have been controlled, and all clinically affected animals have been destroyed.
More information, read the ProMED post
