Revue scientifique et technique
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Rev. - Off. Int. Epizoot. · Dec 2006
ReviewAn estimation of the economic impact of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in Africa.
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a disease that causes high morbidity and mortality losses to cattle. The financial implications of these losses are of great significance to cattle owners. Control of CBPP is therefore important as a way to salvage the losses and increase the incomes of cattle owners. ⋯ The value of morbidity and mortality losses was estimated at 30 million euros (2.5 million per country) while the total economic cost (direct and indirect production losses plus disease control costs) was estimated at 44.8 million euros (3.7 million euros per country). An investment of 14.7 million euros to control CBPP would prevent a loss of 30 million euros. The financial return on investment in CBPP control is positive, with benefit-cost ratios that range from 1.61 (Ghana) to 2.56 (Kenya).
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Rev. - Off. Int. Epizoot. · Aug 2006
ReviewFood safety hazards that occur during the production stage: challenges for fish farming and the fishing industry.
Seafood derived from wild fish as well as farmed fish has always been an important source of protein in the human diet. On a global scale, fish and fish products are the most important source of protein and it is estimated that more than 30% of fish for human consumption comes from aquaculture. The first part of this paper outlines the hazards and challenges associated with handling fish during farming and capture. ⋯ The second part of the paper considers environmental contaminants in seafood that may pose a risk to human health, such as medicinal products and residues associated with aquaculture, persistent lipophilic organic compounds and metals (methyl-mercury, organotin). The authors include an updated overview of the various factors associated with farmed and captured fish that may cause risks to human health after consumption. Moreover, they discuss the challenges (in the widest sense) associated with handling fish during capture and farming, as well as those encountered during processing.
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Rev. - Off. Int. Epizoot. · Apr 2006
ReviewA history of biological disasters of animal origin in North America.
This paper examines past occurrences in North America relevant to the possibility of biological disasters with animal origins. With respect to naturally occurring animal disease outbreaks, North America, while not as adversely affected by epizootics as other regions, has had its fair share of such outbreaks of both 'traditional' and emerging animal diseases. The traditional category includes such diseases as anthrax, classical swine fever, bluetongue, brucellosis, foot and mouth disease, and the family of equine encephalomyelitis viruses. ⋯ At the same time, there have been very few intentional attacks on livestock using biological agents and no recorded cases in North America of animals intentionally being used to transmit disease to humans. According to the historical record, therefore, naturally occurring emerging zoonoses probably constitute the greatest threat in terms of biological disasters with animal origins. However, some of the general trends in terrorist activity, such as the intensification of activities by animal rights extremists against facilities undertaking animal research, mean that the possibility of intentional animal-related biological disasters should not be discounted.
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Rev. - Off. Int. Epizoot. · Aug 2005
ReviewScience-based assessment of animal welfare: laboratory animals.
The use of animals in experimental research parallels the development of medicine, which had its roots in ancient Greece. The increasing demand for high-standard animal models, together with a critical view of the way animals are used, has led to the development of a multidisciplinary branch of science we now know as 'laboratory animal science'. ⋯ The ability of an animal to cope with the environment and exert control over its life seems to be crucial for animal welfare. In this paper, attention is paid to the assessment of welfare, environmental factors affecting welfare, legislative requirements and future trends such as the production and use of genetically modified animals.
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Rev. - Off. Int. Epizoot. · Aug 2004
ReviewAnimal coronaviruses: what can they teach us about the severe acute respiratory syndrome?
In 2002, a new coronavirus (CoV) emerged in the People's Republic of China, associated with a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and mortality in humans. The epidemic rapidly spread throughout the world before being contained in 2003, although sporadic cases occurred thereafter in Asia. The virus is thought to be of zoonotic origin from a wild animal reservoir (Himalayan palm civets [Paguma larvata] are suspected), but the definitive host is unknown. ⋯ This review focuses on the comparative pathogenesis of CoV infections, including the factors that accentuate CoV respiratory disease, with emphasis on livestock and poultry. The goal is to provide insights into CoV transmission and disease mechanisms that could potentially be applicable to SARS, highlighting the contributions of veterinary scientists to this area of study. Such examples illustrate the need for communication and collaboration between the veterinary and medical communities to understand and control emerging zoonotic diseases of the 21st Century.