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Innovating Alternatives Podcast

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing problem that threatens our ability to effectively treat bacterial infections in humans and animals. The widespread use of antimicrobials in animals reared for food production can exacerbate the emergence of treatment-resistant microorganisms in food systems, which threatens global health and food security.

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Calls for Pitch Presentations @ DIAH Conference

STAR-IDAZ IRC will sponsor up to two scientists to present their innovation at the new Discovery to Innovation in Animal Health
(DIAH) conference https://www.diah-conference.com/

The presented innovations should have a demonstrable impact on a STAR-IDAZ IRC priority area and will be selected by an independent committee. DIAH is a novel conference with a focus on co-development and R&D-collaborations between industry and academia.
The Innovation Spotlight section of the three-day program includes two pitch sessions featuring emerging technologies and
emerging start-ups. New companies (less than 12 months since incorporation) and entrepreneurial scientists with novel
technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the animal health industry are encouraged to apply and present their
project.

The Advisory Committee will review all applications for the Innovation Spotlight, select successful applicants and provide
guidance to presenters. At the DIAH-conference (6-8 February 2024, Ghent) the winning project will be recognised as the most
promising technology for animal health. Apply here and mention you would like to apply for STAR-IDAZ IRC sponsorship.

 

Top hot spots of antimicrobial resistance in animals

The study, published on 20 September in Science assessed the development of drug-resistant pathogens in developing countries. It found hot spots of multidrug resistance in animals in parts of China and India, as well as rapidly emerging ones in Kenya and Brazil.

Ramanan Laxminarayan, study co-author and founder-director of the Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy, Washington, said “Immediate actions are required in China and India to mitigate the impact of AMR on both their own animals and citizens, and as part of the wider global community.”

To map resistance trends in food animals across LMICs, researchers working on the study developed a geospatial model using data from the 2008-2018 point-prevalence survey that gave a global snapshot of rates of antibiotic resistance in animals and food products.

“We hope to draw attention to the fact that resistance is not just a problem for humans but also a problem for sick animals,” Laxminarayan said. “The study provides policymakers and scientists with a comprehensive mapping of AMR in animals across LMICs for the first time.”

Over the past 20 years, meat consumption has plateaued in higher income countries but grown by 68 per cent, 64 per cent, and 40 per cent in Asia, Africa and South America, respectively, the report states. Asia is home to 56 per cent of the world’s pig population and 54 per cent of the world’s chickens.

The research team has created an open-access web platform resistancebank.org to share their findings and gather additional data on resistance in animals. For example, veterinarians and state-authorities can upload data on resistance in their region to the platform and share it with other people who are interested.

Van Boeckel, T.P.; Pires, J.; Silvester, R.; Cheng Zhao; Song, J.; Criscuolo, N. G.; Gilbert, M.; Bonhoeffer, S.; Laxminarayan, R. 2019. Global trends in antimicrobial resistance in animals in low- and middle-income countries. Science 20 Sep 2019, Vol. 365, Issue 6459, eaaw1944; DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw1944

African swine fever diagnosed in China – first report

The first outbreak of African swine fever in China has been confirmed on 3 Aug 2018 by Dr. Zhang Zhongqui, Director General, China Animal Disease Control Centre, Veterinary Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, China. China has the largest pig population in the world (433 million) and represents over half of the global pig herd. The outbreak occurred in a backyard farm in Shenbei New District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. The outbreak began on 1 August. Sequencing analysis showed that the 417 bp of B646L/p72 gene of the ASFV in China shared 100% identity with the current prevalent Georgian strain( Georgia 2007) which is currently spreading in Russia and Eastern Europe.

 

 

Spillover of Swine Coronaviruses, United States

(July 2018) PEDV has rapidly spilled over into feral swine populations

Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in India: A systematic review and meta?analysis

(08/06/2018) Study suggests that attempts to eliminate tuberculosis from humans will require simultaneous consideration of bTB control in cattle population in countries such as India.

Orf – review of a re-emerging disease of sheep and goats

(01/06/2018) Orf disease is endemic in small ruminants in Asia, Africa, and some other parts of the world. Caused by orf virus, it is highly contagious in small ruminants.

Comparison of Heterosubtypic Protection in Ferrets and Pigs Induced by a Single-Cycle Influenza Vaccine

(04/06/2018) Universal flu vaccine candidate induces different immune responses in pigs compared to ferrets – pigs may be a better model for human disease

Endemic and emerging arboviral diseases of livestock in Nigeria: a review

(07/06/2018) The true economic and public health impact of these diseases are likely to be underestimated, mainly due to under-reporting or lack of awareness of them.