Veterinary Public Health E-Bulletin No23

NEWS

LATEST OUTBREAKS – VPH ASIA (China) Human Avian Influenza H7N9The National Health and Family Planning Commission, China notified WHO of an additional retrospectively detected laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus. […] EUROPE (Moldova) AnthraxThe Ministry of Health of Moldova has reported an outbreak of anthrax in the village of Veden, in Soroca district, located in northeast Moldova close to the border with Ukraine. […] EUROPE (Russia) RabiesThe Sverdlovsk region has recorded its 1st rabies death in 40 years. The victim of the disease was a resident of the Beloyar district of the Sverdlovsk region.[…] AFRICA (South Africa) LPAI H7N7Three outbreaks of LPAI have been reported from 3 commercial ostrich farms in Western Cape Province. […] ASIA (India) RabiesA strange case of rabies was reported from Ludhiana, Punjab who developed rabies after being bitten by a rabid dog. […] EURASIA (Russia) Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic FeverThe 1st death from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been registered this year [2013] in Volgograd, according to the Russian Public Health Surveillance Center. […] EUROPE (Greece) RabiesA dead fox collected in the framework of the programme of rabies passive surveillance has tested positive for rabies in Kentriki Makedonia […]  To view reported cases of animal diseases visit the EMPRES-I website EMPRES-i is a global animal health information system of the FAO's EMPRES programme that focuses on the user need to easily find and collect in one place all the information available for animal health and transboundary animal diseases. EMPRES-i compiles, stores and verifies animal diseases outbreaks data (including zoonoses) from numerous sources (e.g. FAO representatives, FAO reports, OIE reports, official government, European Commission, FAO reference centres and laboratories) for early warning and risk analysis. FOOD SAFETY NEWS Tests confirm Listeria outbreak strain in cheese samples: USJuly 9, 2013. In the latest investigation development in the multistate Listeria outbreak, Minnesota officials have detected the outbreak strain in two Crave Brothers cheeses. […] New UN food safety and nutrition standards will benefit consumersJuly 8, 2013.The UN food standards body Codex Alimentarius has agreed on new standards to protect the health of consumers worldwide. These include standards on fruit, vegetables, fish and fishery products and animal feed. […] Meat inspection: EFSA completes review of practices and recommends improvementsThe European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has completed a major piece of work that will provide the scientific basis for the modernisation of meat inspection across the EU. […] OTHER NEWS New studies on H7N9 raise pandemic concernsJuly 10, 2013. Two research teams that conducted a massive number of experiments on the new H7N9 influenza virus found more signs that it could be a pandemic virus, though their animal tests showed that its ability to spread through coughs and sneezes isn't as robust as seasonal flu. […] China confirms 132 H7N9 cases, 43 deathsJuly 10, 2013. A total of 132 H7N9 avian flu cases have been reported on the Chinese mainland, including 43 that have ended in death, according to an update released Wednesday by health authorities. […] H7N9 prompts fresh look at H7 pandemic potentialJuly 9, 2013. Some of the US government's top influenza experts today weighed in on the threat from the new H7N9 virus, airing some unusual properties of H7 viruses that challenge the notion that they aren't likely to adapt to humans or cause pandemics. […] NIH scientists assess history, pandemic potential of H7 influenza virusesScientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health are evaluating past outbreaks of H7 subtype influenza viruses among mammals and birds and comparing H7 viruses with other avian influenza viruses and strains. […] Study: H7N9 bird flu transmits from person to personJuly 08, 2013. Contrary to previously published reports, the deadly H7N9 bird flu can spread from person to person and may be a serious threat to humans, Chinese health officials report. […] Survey finds trust high in Chinese government over H7N9July 8, 2013.Chinese residents who were polled about 3 weeks into the H7N9 avian flu outbreak had a solid understanding of the disease and its symptoms and trusted government officials, researchers reported in the Journal of Infection.[…] New approaches to understanding infection may uncover novel therapies against influenzaJuly 4, 2013. Researchers at Seattle BioMed, along with collaborators at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Washington, have mapped how critical molecules regulate both the induction and resolution of inflammation during flu infection. […] Bovine TB strategy launched in EnglandJuly 4, 2013. A plan to rid England of bovine TB within 25 years has been set out today by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson. […] ANNOUNCEMENTS JIFSAN Food Safety Risk Analysis Fellowship 2013Applications will be accepted through September 1, 2013 from graduate students or professionals in the area of food safety or animal health from an eligible country. […] Farm to Table Program 2013The week long study program from October 21 to 25 will consider aspects of animal health and welfare, food safety, public health protection through food numerous website and facilitated discussions and visits. […] Summer PHI 2013 CoursesSchool of Public Health, University of Minnesota offers a course for everyone practicing in or studying public health or fields related to public health. [...] Financial support award for a student to attend RITAARC is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications from students for financial support to attend the 24th annual Rabies in the Americas (RITA) meeting. Deadline July 12th 2013 […] John Gamgee Award 2013 for outstanding contributions to veterinary science and the veterinary professionIn the light of the 150 years of World Veterinary Congresses and 30 years after the last time that this award was given, the fourth John Gamgee Award will be given to the selected veterinarian in the WVA 150 Anniversary celebration during WVC 2013 in Prague, Czech Republic, 17-20 September 2013. […] Unusual antibodies in cows suggest new ways to make medicines for peopleA new study led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) focusing on an extraordinary family of cow antibodies points to new ways to make human medicines. […]  H7N9 flu peril lies in deep lung infiltration, study reportsThe H7N9 bird flu virus is a peril for humans because it replicates deep in the lungs where it can trigger a dangerous response from the immune system, a study said Wednesday. […] Why H7N9 bird flu cases arose so quicklyThe H7N9 bird flu virus appears to be particularly well adapted to jump from birds to people, a new study from China finds. […]

EVENTS

August 14-17, 2013. Second International Congress on Pathogens at the Human-Animal Interface (ICOPHAI):  One Health for Sustainable Development[…] August 25-29, 2013. AITVM 2013 International conference "The livestock-human-wildlife interface” Challenges in urban livestock production and extensive farming/conservation systems […] September 2-6, 2013. 13th Australasia/Oceania CVA Conference at Nadi, Fiji[…] September 10-13, 2013. 8th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health […] September 17-20, 2013. World Veterinary Congress, Prague, Czech Republic[…] September 25-28, 2013. 9th African Dairy Conference and Exhibition, Harare, Zimbabwe […] September 2013. International Symposium on problems of Listeriosis, Goa, India […] October 2-3, 2013. Antimicrobial resistance: Incentivizing change towards a global solution, London, UK […]   October 21-25, 2013. Farm to Table Program, Chile […] December 4-6, 2013. OIE Global Conference on Veterinary Education and the Role of Veterinary Statutory Body, Foz do Iguazu, Brazil […]

PUBLICATIONS

1. AGA e-newsletter. To receive regular updates by email on all issues relating FAO's work on animal production and health, subscribe to the AGA e-newsletter. It contains information on upcoming events, publications, programme activities, articles and press releases [Click here to subscribe] 2. FAOAIDEnews 84 […] 3. EMPRES Transboundary Animal Diseases Bulletin No. 41 – 2012 […] 4. EMPRES Watch 28 […] 5. FAO Animal Production and Health Division e-newsletter 60 […] 6. Variant Influenza Virus (H3N2v) Infections – CDC Advisory […] 7. Inhalational anthrax in a vaccinated soldier […] 8. Suspect vector transmission of human cutaneous anthrax during an animal outbreak in Southern Italy […] 9. Characterization of H7N9 influenza A viruses isolated from humans […] 10. Pathogenesis and transmission of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in ferrets and mice […] 11. H7N9 Avian Influenza A virus and the perpetual challenge of potential human pandemicity […] 12. Influenza A (H7N9) and the Importance of Digital Epidemiology […] 13. Interim Guidance on Case Definitions to be Used For Investigations of Influenza A (H3N2)v Virus Cases […] 14. Land-Use Change and Emerging Infectious Disease on an Island Continent[…] 15. Influenza A (H7N9) and the Importance of Digital Epidemiology […]

TRAINING

Online MSc in One Health (Infectious Diseases)The unique Master's level course, delivered jointly by the RVC and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, will be available through both full and part-time study as MSc and diploma. […] PhD in EpidemiologyThere is an opportunity for a 3-year full-time PhD programme on Swine Influenza modelling in pig farms for a French speaking student. The student will be registered in Rennes University. The scholarship will commence in October 2013. For further information please contact, on an informal basis, Nicolas Rose, phone number: +33 296 016 441, email: nicolas.rose@anses.fr EpiVille, the E-learning in EpidemiologyEpiville, a learning tool developed specifically for Principles of Epidemiology (P6400), is a set of interactive web-based exercises created by faculty in the Department of Epidemiology and produced by the Center for New Media Teaching and Learning at Columbia University […] Veterinary Public Health Management Postgraduate Program at the University of SydneyVeterinary Public Health Management (VPHMgt) is a distance postgraduate program, delivered online with short residential sessions, directed towards career enhancement for animal health professionals. […] Master of Preventive Veterinary MedicineThe school of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California offers a professional degree, the Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine (MPVM) […] Cambridge online e-learning instituteOnline Certificate in Animal Welfare […] University of MinnesotaEngaging Intergovernmental Organisations 2013 is a week long intensive preofessional development programme for mid and senior level government officials [...]

EMPLOYMENT

ILRI vacancy: Livestock Value Chain Specialist, Pakistan (open until filled) […] University of Sao Paulo: Professor, Zoonoses – Veterinary Public Health […] ILRI vacancy: Scientist – Livestock and Environment, Ethiopia; closing date 8 August 2013 […] ITM Antwerp: Educational Co-ordinator, Antwerp; closing date 31 August 2013[…]