Small ruminants are important to livelihoods in rural Nigeria and kept under sedentary and nomadic (transhumance) husbandry systems. Diseases such as sheep pox (SPP) and goat pox (GTP) result in significant financial losses and control is by vaccination. We developed and validated a mobile phone application (small ruminant's disease vaccination and financial impact calculator: SR-DISVAXFIC) to estimate herd-level costs and vaccination benefits for small ruminant diseases in the field with real-time estimations. Previously developed production and economic models were adapted for application development and two validation stages undertaken: (i) SR-DISVAXFIC was presented and tested at a stakeholder meeting and (ii) veterinarians used SR-DISVAXFIC to collect data from sedentary and nomadic farmers who had experienced SPP and GTP outbreaks across five Northern Nigerian states (n = 291). Median disease costs estimated were £ 301 (IQR: £163-516) for sedentary and £ 393 (IQR: £269-1029) for nomadic herds. Vaccination was financially beneficial, regardless of the percentage of government subsidisation; with a median herd-level benefit and median benefit-cost ratio of £ 272 (IQR: 149-475) and 7.00 (IQR: 5.04-16.74) for sedentary and £ 345 (IQR: £238-831) and 4.28 (IQR: 3.55-8.87) for nomadic herds. Differences between values estimated by SR-DISVAXFIC and previous stochastic modelling demonstrate the importance of gathering input parameters in the field to provide estimates. Majority (91.7 %) of participating farmers said SR-DISVAXFIC was useful to understand the financial impact of disease, and veterinarians found the application beneficial in explaining abstract concepts. SR-DISVAXFIC can be used to monitor trends in epidemiological parameters, costs, and financial impact of any small ruminant diseases.

The risk of a foreign animal disease coming into the United States and threatening the swine industry necessitates the need for enhanced biosecurity plans to mitigate risks to premises. Although most biosecurity information is aimed and created for larger producers and isn't appropriate for smaller producers, such as swine exhibitors. Swine exhibitors are a niche group who raise swine differently than large producers and travel extensively with their animals. This study sought out to; develop a SPS plan template adapted from the SPS framework that would be suitable for swine exhibitors' biosecurity features; describe basic demographics and existence of biosecurity plan (and their features) for the target population; and investigate the association between having a previous biosecurity plan on site and demographic factors (number of pigs, type of housing, presence of other animal species in the premise and geographical region) as well as potential exposure to feral swine under their current housing conditions. These objectives were accomplished by attending twelve swine exhibitions within a year and a half to assist 161 individuals in the creation of personalized biosecurity plans for their premises, while obtaining additional study data. This study found no significant relationship between demographic factors and previously having a biosecurity plan, but that only 31.8 % of participants had previous biosecurity plans on their premise. However, swine exhibitors with existing biosecurity plans had more than 3-fold higher odds of acknowledging housing conditions with potential of feral swine contact compared to swine exhibitors without preexisting biosecurity plans. These findings indicate the need for additional efforts to assist swine exhibitors in creating biosecurity plans at shows across the United States.

Antimicrobials are frequently used in livestock, but imprudent antimicrobial use (AMU) has raised concerns about antimicrobial resistance and animal welfare. Recently, the Swiss government has established the national reporting system "Information System of Antimicrobials in Veterinary Medicine" (IS ABV) to monitor AMU. This study used IS ABV data to calculate AMU of finisher pigs and dairy cattle across 1500 farms using two different indicators. We calculated treatment incidence (TI, in defined daily doses [DDD] per animal and year), and number of treated animals per 1000 animals per day (NoTrA) at the population (_P) and at the farm (_F) level. For finisher pigs, at the population level, we estimated 0.74 DDD/finisher pig/year and 8.65 treated finisher pigs/1000 finisher pigs/day, with antimicrobials mainly prescribed on stock and administered parenterally. Median TI_F for finisher pigs was 0.05 DDD/finisher pig/year (1st quartile: 0.0; 3rd quartile: 0.54). For dairy cattle, at the population level, we estimated 6.09 DDD/cow/year and 13.23 treated cows/1000 cows/day, with most treatments being administered by intramammary route. Median TI_F for dairy cattle was 5.21 (2.73; 8.36). Penicillins were the most frequently used antimicrobial class for both production categories. This is the first study to calculate AMU using IS ABV data including prescriptions on stock in its calculations, underlining its potential for standardized data collection and comprehensive AMU estimation. While AMU in finisher pigs and dairy cattle aligns with Swiss guidelines for prudent use, concerns remain over prescriptions on stock due to insufficient recorded information. This highlights the need for improved data recording.

Biosecurity is the basis for animal disease prevention and a key factor in achieving a sustainable poultry production, particularly in Pakistan's rapidly expanding broiler industry. However, the extent of on-farm biosecurity implementation remains largely unquantified, making it essential to conduct an objective assessment to guide targeted interventions. To address this gap, this study evaluated biosecurity practices on 100 conventional broiler farms in Punjab, Pakistan, using the Biocheck.UGent scoring tool. The resulting biosecurity scores were then analyzed in relation to key farm management practices and antimicrobial use (AMU). Biosecurity practices varied across farms with overall scores ranging from 30 % to 75 % (mean: 49 %). External biosecurity was weaker (27 %-76 %, mean: 44 %) than internal biosecurity (34 %-83 %, mean: 55 %). Highly implemented external measures included farm location (scores 73 %) and infrastructure (scores 72 %), while manure and carcass removal (scores 9 %) were poorly implemented. Internal biosecurity showed strengths in disease management (scores 76 %) but weaknesses in cleaning and disinfection (scores 47 %). Overall biosecurity scores correlated positively with farm manager experience (ρ = 0.39, p = 0.01) and farm size (ρ = 0.21, p = 0.04), indicating stronger biosecurity on farms with experienced personnel and larger teams. A negative correlation was found between AMU and overall biosecurity (r = -0.20, p = 0.04), external biosecurity (r = -0.20, p = 0.04), and internal biosecurity (r = -0.15, p = 0.12), suggesting that in farms with better biosecurity less antimicrobials are used. These findings highlight that biosecurity in Pakistan's broiler sector requires major improvements, particularly in areas such as manure and carcass disposal, cleaning and disinfection, and depopulation of broilers. Strengthening these specific measures will help enhance farm productivity, improve disease prevention, and reduce reliance on antimicrobials.

Brucellosis is a major zoonotic disease worldwide. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seropositive proportion of brucellosis and identify associated risk factors in small ruminants (sheep and goats) and livestock workers in Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 1783 blood samples were collected from unvaccinated sheep and goats across 219 flocks, along with 122 blood samples from occupationally exposed humans using convenience sampling of villages and flocks. Serum samples were tested using a commercial indirect-ELISA kit. Overall, 2.0 % of animals were seropositive, 9.1 % of flocks had at least one seropositive animal, and 9.8 % of livestock workers were seropositive. Significant animal-level risk factors included flock sizes > 50 (OR: 6.5), extensive production systems (OR: 5.6), introduction of new animals without quarantine (OR: 17.1), and mixed farming with large ruminants (OR: 4.0). In humans, contact with seropositive animals (OR: 8.2), animal abortions (OR: 16.2), and unpasteurized milk consumption (OR: 23.3) were key predictors. Real-time PCR confirmed Brucella abortus in sheep and goats, but no Brucella DNA was detected in humans. These findings underscore the importance of integrated surveillance, farmer education, and biosecurity measures to mitigate zoonotic transmission. Further large-scale studies using advanced molecular tools are recommended to validate these findings and support targeted brucellosis control programs.

Appropriate on-farm implementation of biosecurity and animal health practices is crucial for the prevention of disease introduction, early disease detection, and emergency animal disease (EAD) preparedness. For the pig industry in Australia, this is particularly important given the increasing risk of African swine fever (ASF) due to ongoing outbreaks in neighbouring regions. This study investigated attitudes and behaviours of pig owners and producers from New South Wales (NSW), Australia, around farm biosecurity, to identify gaps and barriers in biosecurity knowledge and implementation, and best strategies to improve biosecurity engagement. The study focused on those owning or producing pigs for purposes other than large scale commercial pig production as this sector of the industry are likely to have a lower engagement with biosecurity than commercial producers. A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire and qualitative interviews were used to gather information on biosecurity knowledge, behaviour and attitudes, including ASF preparedness. A total of 186 usable survey responses were obtained from Australian pig owners and producers, with fourteen interviews conducted. Based on their self-reported reason for keeping pigs, most survey respondents described keeping pigs for home consumption or as pets. Biosecurity engagement and a score based on biosecurity practices were significantly higher (suggesting greater biosecurity) amongst respondents who kept pigs for commercial or semi-commercial reasons, than those keeping pigs for non-commercial reasons. Most respondents (89.2 %) were aware of biosecurity planning; however, only 30.7 % had a written plan. The main barrier to developing a plan was the perception of already having good practices in place. Engagement with biosecurity practices such as isolating incoming animals and visitor biosecurity, was low. Despite most reporting a high level of ASF concern, awareness of this disease was low. The interviews, while highlighting a disconnect between non-commercial producers and industry, also demonstrated a desire by participants to increase their level of knowledge and improve biosecurity practices across all groups. There was still, however, some reluctance to adopt practices for which the direct benefit was less evident. This study demonstrates a need to improve engagement with biosecurity practices and increase awareness of emergency animal diseases among pig producers in NSW, especially those who do not keep pigs commercially or semi-commercially, with wider ramifications for the Australian pig industry and to inform understanding of a holistic approach to the interactions between larger scale producers and smallholders globally.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) remains a major respiratory pathogen of economic concern in the poultry industry. This study investigated the farm-level prevalence of IBV and evaluated associated risk factors in northern Vietnam by a cross-sectional study from June 2022 to June 2024. A total of 69 poultry farms were randomly selected across nine provinces, and pooled tracheal swab samples were purposively collected for IBV detection using RT-qPCR. The overall IBV farm-level prevalence was 34.78 % (95 % CI:23.71-47.21 %). Although no statistically significant differences were found across provinces, production types, age groups, or flock sizes, IBV was detected in all subgroups, indicating widespread circulation of the virus. A total of 22 potential risk factors were initially assessed using univariate logistic regression. Of these, six variables with P < 0.1, including farm size, number of poultry houses, presence of multiple age groups, vaccination at day-old, frequency of disinfection before chick placement, and proximity to live bird markets and residential areas, were selected for multivariable logistic regression. The final multivariable model retained two independent predictors: performing more than one disinfection before chick placement (P = 0.035), and administration of a live IB vaccine at one day of age (P = 0.006), both of which were significantly associated with reduced the odds of IBV infection at the farm level. These findings suggest that strategic vaccination and careful calibration of disinfection protocols are critical to minimizing IBV transmission at the farm level.

In 2022, Indonesia experienced its first foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in over three decades, posing a considerable challenge to its beef feedlot industry and food security in the world's fourth most populous nation. This study aimed to report the strategies employed to manage the disease in a naïve population of high-performing cattle. Seven feedlots, located in the major beef-producing regions of Lampung and West Java, participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key feedlot personnel to gather data on their experiences during the outbreak. The industry demonstrated effective outbreak management through prompt implementation of control measures, such as vaccination and disinfection of incoming vehicles, and context-appropriate decision-making, such as salvage slaughter of severely impacted cattle. This study provides valuable insights for other FMD affected and free countries with feedlot industries, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and proactive management strategies in mitigating the impact of potential outbreaks. The findings also underscore the need for ongoing research and collaboration to strengthen FMD prevention and control efforts in the region, and to ensure responses are proportional to the risk and do not inadvertently create economically damaging outcomes.

Livestock farmers are the central decision makers for control of most endemic diseases, which makes them a vital stakeholder for the effective communication of information created from disease surveillance. We conducted a scoping review of the relevant scientific literature following PRISMA standards to identify the most common information channels or networks through which farmers receive information about animal health or disease. We found 50 articles that met our inclusion criteria (see methods section) by searching the electronic databases PubMed and Web of Science from 1960 - Feb 2025. Most of the articles (n = 34) came from the UK. Most of the studies targeted cattle farmers (n = 31), followed by sheep farmers (n = 19) and pig farmers (n = 10). Farmers were reported to receive information from a wide variety of sources. Veterinarians were reported to be the most important information source (n = 36). Other sources reported to be important were nutritionists and foot trimers (n = 1), other farmers (n = 1), farmer associations and schemes (n = 1) and the farm press (n = 1). Five studies reported that a combination of different sources was the most effective for communicating to farmers. From this study, we can conclude that veterinarians are the primary animal health/disease information source for farmers and should always be included when designing strategies to communicate health/disease related information to farmer. Other information sources are less important but should be included when communication is intended to reach as many farmers as possible.

Despite affecting most dogs, periodontal disease is routinely underdiagnosed, with detection often occurring only after irreversible damage has occurred. Understanding how veterinarians assess periodontitis risk is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. This study explored risk factor evaluation and ranking by surveying 462 veterinary practitioners across five countries. Participants from general practice and dental specialty backgrounds assessed canine periodontitis risk through clinical vignettes and direct factor ratings. Despite anticipated differences between specialists and generalists, and between geographic regions, practitioners demonstrated consistent risk assessment approaches. Brachycephalic head shape ranked as the highest-weighted risk factor in all groups, followed by age and breed size, with smaller and older dogs consistently receiving higher risk ratings. Clinical presentations showed clear risk gradients, with tooth mobility and gum recession indicating highest risk, whilst bleeding gums alone signalled moderate risk elevation. Preventative care routines demonstrated perceived protective effects, with regular brushing providing greatest benefit, though practitioners recognised partial compliance as significantly protective compared to no preventative oral hygiene. Risk factor prioritisation aligned closely with epidemiological evidence, suggesting effective knowledge translation from research into clinical practice. Practitioners demonstrated an integrative approach to clinical reasoning, combining multiple factors holistically rather than additively. The study generated the first comprehensive data set of veterinary periodontitis risk assessment, providing evidence-based evaluations across specialisations and geographic regions for further analysis. The consistency of risk evaluations supports developing standardized assessment tools whilst highlighting the need for improved owner education to bridge the gap between professional knowledge and prevention outcomes.

This study investigates the multifaceted impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks on Taiwan's shell egg market, with particular focus on price dynamics across the farm, wholesale, and retail levels. Taiwan's location along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, combined with high-density poultry farming and limited on-farm biosecurity, heightens its vulnerability to avian influenza (AI) transmission mediated by migratory waterfowl. Using a multi-threshold nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (MTNARDL) model and weekly data from 2015 to 2024, we analyze the effects of key factors, including feed costs, egg production rates, and HPAI outbreak scale, on egg prices. Our findings reveal long-run cointegration among these variables, with egg production rates emerging as the most significant determinant of farm-level prices. Even small reductions in production lead to substantial price increases, reflecting the inelastic nature of egg demand. We also identify threshold effects associated with HPAI outbreak severity: minor outbreaks slightly suppress farm prices, whereas large-scale outbreaks significantly raise retail prices, suggesting uneven price transmission across market tiers. Variance decomposition and impulse response function analyses further illustrate the persistent influence of severe outbreaks on retail prices, lasting up to eight weeks. These findings underscore the importance of early detection systems, enhanced biosecurity, and improved supply chain coordination to strengthen market resilience. Nonetheless, underreporting of outbreaks and limited data on low pathogenic AI cases pose ongoing challenges for effective surveillance and response.

Canine leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonotic disease that has been long neglected in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Clinical canine leptospirosis cases in Shoalhaven, southeastern NSW from October 2021 to May 2023 were analysed to examine associations between environmental factors and the local occurrence of canine leptospirosis. Poisson models (log-transformed canine population offset and adjusted for the Index of Economic Resources) of spatial (landscape factors adjusted for economic status) and temporal environmental factors (lagged weekly climate variables) were fit to the data. During the 2022 Australian winter, a significant spatio-temporal cluster of canine leptospirosis was detected near lakes, overlapping with the areas heavily flooded in March 2022. In areas surrounding case residential addresses, the rate of canine leptospirosis was increased by the presence of nature conservation areas [Risk Ratio (RR) = 2.47, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.0 - 6.06, p = 0.047] and reduced by the presence of recreational areas within the relevant neighbourhood (RR = 0.13, 95 % CI 0.04 - 0.34, p < 0.001). The preceding extreme climate events (extreme heat and extreme precipitation) influenced the rate of canine leptospirosis in opposite ways, with extreme rainfall at lag -13, -10 and -9 weeks significantly increased rate. The re-emergence of canine leptospirosis in southern NSW was multifactorial, with hydrological events likely the main driving factor. Increased pet owner awareness during and following such events is advocated.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Escherichia coli, particularly extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing strains, poses a significant zoonotic risk. This study investigates the prevalence of AMR and virulence determinants in E. coli isolated from dogs and cats in Egypt. A total of 102 rectal swabs were analyzed, with E. coli recovered from 55 (53.9 %) samples, more frequently in cats (19/30; 63.3 %) than in dogs (36/72; 50 %). ESBL-producing isolates were detected in both healthy (5/28; 17.9 %) and diseased (6/27; 22.2 %) animals. The most common resistance genes were bla and bla, often occurring with bla. Although phenotypic carbapenem resistance was uncommon (5.45 %), carbapenemase-encoding genes were identified in 60 % of isolates, suggesting a potential but unconfirmed reservoir of resistance. Virulence gene profiling revealed that most isolates carry virulence genes primarily associated with extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), followed by enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), with both detected in diseased and asymptomatic animals. Cluster analysis demonstrated strong associations between AMR and virulence determinants, underscoring the convergence of resistance and pathogenic potential. These findings highlight the coexistence of resistance and virulence genes in companion animal E. coli, and reinforce the need for prudent antimicrobial use and One Health-based surveillance to limit the emergence and dissemination of AMR.

Brucellosis is a neglected tropical zoonosis with substantial health and economic impact in developing countries. Despite its endemicity in Ethiopia, there is currently no surveillance or control in livestock. The study objective was to assess the effect of animal segregation and elimination as a brucellosis control strategy in small ruminants in the pastoral Afar region of Ethiopia.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated plasmid resistant genome of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and Ambler class C cephalosporinase (AmpC) producing commensal Escherichia coli, using a targeted pDNA approach, from lactating cows and pre-weaned calves on dairy farms in Western Australian (WA). Following culture and modified double disc diffusion, ESBL and/or AmpC producing commensal E. coli were isolated from faecal samples and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determined. Plasmid DNA (pDNA) was extracted, amplified, and sequenced to identify the AMR and replicon composition. Phenotypic analysis of 1117 faecal samples from 26 Western Australian dairy farms revealed a low overall prevalence (7.3 %) of ESBL and/or AmpC-producing commensal E. coli, with 3.2 % in cows (n = 633) and 12.8 % in calves (n = 484). All isolates were classified 'non-wildtype' for ampicillin and ceftiofur, with 95.1 % classified as 'non-wildtype' multidrug resistant (MDR). While bla was common in the pDNA (total: 60.6 %; cow: 76.9 %; calf: 57.7 %), a total of 13 AMR genes were identified across 126 plasmids (cow: n = 30; calf: n = 96) isolated. Multiple correspondence analysis (with chi-square-based 95 % confidence ellipses) showed variation in pDNA AMR genes and replicons by farm, with generally distinct plasmid profiles, though some clustering suggests possible farm-to-farm plasmid transmission. In conclusion, though low in prevalence, ESBL and/or AmpC producing commensal E. coli having high phenotypic AMR, MDR, and pDNA diversity were isolated from dairy cattle on 65.4 % of screened farms.

Early and accurate monitoring of livestock health is critical for effective disease prevention, welfare assurance, and sustainable farm management. Labor-intensive and stressful livestock weighing methods remain a major bottleneck for effective herd health surveillance in large-scale operations. This study presents a data-driven Walk-Over Weighing System (WoWS) enhanced with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to provide a non-invasive, automated solution for real-time weight estimation in cattle. Dynamic weight signals from 86 dairy cows were collected twice daily during routine milking using a walk-over-weighing (WoWS) platform at the Burdur MAKU farm. Raw force-time signals were pre-processed and transformed using FFT to reduce noise and extract spectral-domain features relevant for weight estimation. Six ML models, including Support Vector Regression (SVR), were evaluated for prediction performance. The SVR model yielded the highest accuracy (MAE: 2.3 kg, R²: 0.999). The system's functionality was further extended through integration with Internet of Things (IoT) frameworks for real-time data collection and anomaly detection. Heatmaps and time-aligned weight distributions validated the system's robustness under dynamic field conditions. This FFT- and AI-enhanced WoWS offers a scalable and effective tool for herd-level health surveillance by enabling continuous monitoring, early detection of abnormal weight trends (e.g., weight loss due to disease onset or inadequate feeding), and remote decision-making. The proposed system supports One Health principles by reducing manual handling, minimizing animal stress, improving welfare, and lowering labor demands, thereby contributing to more sustainable and efficient livestock-farming practices. Future directions include expanding multi-sensor integration and epidemiological modeling for more comprehensive livestock health management.

Understanding domestic dog population dynamics is critical for rabies control, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where domestic dogs are the primary virus reservoir. This study investigates demographic and environmental determinants of dog ownership in Tanzania's Mara region, a rabies-endemic area with ecologically diverse landscapes. Using a cross-sectional household survey (n = 27,400 households), we employed mixed-effects models to assess predictors of dog ownership, dog counts, and Human-to-Dog Ratios (HDRs). Overall, 12,975 households (47 %) owned dogs, with a mean of 2.2 dogs per dog-owning household. Logistic regression revealed key predictors of ownership: urban households had reduced odds of dog ownership (OR = 0.311, CI: 0.132-0.734, while ownership likelihood increased with larger household size (adults: OR = 1.151, CI: 1.134-1.169; children: OR = 1.160, CI: 1.140-1.180), and crop (OR = 1.502, 95 % CI: 1.384-1.630), shrub (OR = 1.387, 95 % CI: 1.269-1.515), or tree land cover (OR = 1.708, 95 % CI: 1.260-2.314) compared to built areas. However, among dog-owning households, variables had minimal practical impact on dog counts with most households (85.6 %) owning 1-3 dogs regardless of household size, location, or land cover. Urban districts exhibited significantly higher HDRs (18.3:1 vs. rural 7.1:1), further influenced by land cover (tree: 5.1:1 vs. built: 8.7:1). These findings highlight a critical divergence: while contextual factors strongly predict dog ownership, they do not meaningfully influence the number of dogs owned. Consequently, effective vaccination programmes require strategies tailored to local dog density and ownership patterns.

Monitoring of companion animal zoonotic diseases in Canada is limited by the lack of a comprehensive companion animal health surveillance system, capable of integrating environmental and public health data. To guide the development of a suitable surveillance framework, we conducted an environmental scan of companion animal heath surveillance systems globally. Using academic and grey literature database searches, supplemented with targeted internet searching, we identified 12,718 unique sources. After screening, 257 sources were deemed eligible for inclusion. These sources identified 119 national or regional surveillance and control programs (which were not further characterized) and 33 companion animal health surveillance systems. We extracted information relating to surveillance scope, data source and collection methods, integration of environmental and public health data, and data dissemination methods. In total, 48.5 % (n = 16/33) of the systems relied on submission of data by veterinary professionals or others, whilst 42.4 % (n = 14) extracted data from electronic health records and veterinary diagnostic laboratory data. Surveillance scope included infectious diseases (n = 13), cause of death (n = 2), cancer (n = 1), and toxin exposure (n = 1). Some systems were not focused on specific health outcomes (n = 12). Only 9.1 % (n = 3) of systems integrated environmental or public health data at the point of data collection. However, other systems utilized environmental data during the analysis phase (27.3 %, n = 9). Surveillance systems largely disseminated surveillance outputs through reports (30.3 %, n = 10) and direct feedback to contributors (27.3 %, n = 9). By conducting this environmental scan, we provide a summary of global companion animal health surveillance efforts. Notably, there are few examples of fully integrated companion animal health surveillance systems using a One Health approach.

To evaluate the association between calcium (Ca) imbalance postpartum, animal-associated data, and prepartum management practices in Holstein dairy cows, we conducted a cross-sectional study based on a convenience sample of 122 dairy farms (204 primiparous and 661 multiparous cows) in Uruguay. Cows were blood sampled once between days 1 and 3 DIM after parturition for metabolite analysis. At the time of sampling, data were collected on management, housing, and feeding. To evaluate the association between Ca imbalance and animal-associated data (parity, body condition, high NEFA (non-esterified fatty acid; > 0.6 mmol/L), subclinical hypomagnesemia (Mg < 0.80 mmol/L), hypophosphatemia (P ≤ 1.4 mmol/L)), and prepartum management practices, we used multivariate logistic regression models using a serum Ca threshold of ≤ 2.00 mmol/L. Overall, 76.8 % of cows had Ca imbalance, 17 % of cows had hypophosphatemia and 31.8 % showed subclinical hypomagnesemia. The BCS (body condition score) was ≤ 2.75 in 34.4 % of cows, with 64.3 % scoring 3-3.5. Overall, 39.8 % of cows had elevated NEFA. Multiparous cows were more likely to develop Ca imbalance than primiparous cows (P < 0.05). Cows with subclinical hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia had higher odds for Ca imbalance. The odds were lower in summer than in autumn and winter, and higher in cows from farms without nutritional consulting service for close-up cows and without supplementation with anionic salts. Cows with prepartum access to shade were less likely to develop Ca imbalance. In conclusion, factors associated with Ca imbalance in postpartum dairy cows included other mineral imbalances, parity, inadequate prepartum nutritional management, and lack of comfort.

Early detection of African swine fever virus (ASFV) is critical to preventing widespread epidemics. However, the effectiveness of within-farm sampling remains to be examined, particularly during the early phase of an outbreak when disease prevalence is low, animals may be asymptomatic, or clinical signs are masked by co-circulating diseases. This study assessed four sampling strategies for detecting ASFV-infected animals in suspected growing pig farms within the first 14 days of the introduction of either a high- or moderate-virulence ASFV strain. Pens were selected using three methods: random sampling, targeted sampling of pens with clinical animals, and informative sampling based on estimated pen infection probabilities. The informative sampling method was further divided into sequential method, which ranked pens by descending viral load probability, and cluster & random method, which selected pens at random from high and low viral load clusters. Each pen-selection method was examined with different sample sizes. We calculated the sensitivity of each approach as the probability of detecting at least one ASFV-positive pig per farm. Results showed that sampling 30 pens with one pig per pen using the target & random pen-selection method yielded the highest detection sensitivity, even in the presence of other co-circulating diseases that interfere with the accurate identification of clinical ASFV cases. In contrast, sampling five pens resulted in the lowest sensitivity. These findings provide valuable insights for improving ASFV surveillance strategies in the U.S. and can inform preparedness efforts for other foreign animal diseases.

Foodborne diseases are a major cause of illness in low- and middle-income countries, and most are due to fresh foods sold in traditional markets. Contamination with foodborne pathogens, especially Salmonella spp., continues to be common in these markets. To better understand why this is the case, this study assessed total bacteria count (TBC) and Salmonella in pork across Vietnamese traditional markets and evaluated vendors' food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices, examining their associations with contamination. Data was collected in 68 markets across five provinces, with up to 10 pork vendors per market randomly selected. Microbiological data were collected through cut pork samples and cutting boards swabs (n = 396), along with structured questionnaires and observations with vendors (n = 486). Cutting board swabs were analyzed for TBC only, while cut pork was tested for both TBC and Salmonella. Linear and generalized linear mixed-effects models were constructed to identify risk factors for TBC and Salmonella prevalence. The overall Salmonella prevalence in cut pork was 64.4 % (255/396) and was significantly higher in southern provinces (86.8 %) compared to the north (47.5 %, p < 0.01). TBC was high in pork and cutting boards (6.4 logCFU/g and 6.9 logCFU/cm, respectively), and only 30 % of the pork samples met the Vietnamese standard for TBC in fresh meat. Selling of organs was associated with a higher TBC (coefficient = 0.13, CI: 0.01-0.26, p = 0.03) and greater Salmonella risk (OR = 2.04, p = 0.009). Temperature significantly increased both outcomes (p < 0.001), while using easy-to-clean surfaces reduced TBC levels (coefficient = -0.16, CI: -0.30 to -0.01, p = 0.03). Vendors demonstrated limited food safety knowledge and mixed attitudes. Observations revealed poor hygienic practices, such as displaying pork on cardboard or cloth or lack of washing with soap and disinfectants, which was influenced by limited access to facilities and equipment. Regional differences suggested contamination levels were influenced by both environmental and market-related factors. These findings highlight the need for holistic interventions targeting an enabling environment, appropriate equipment, and behavioral incentives.