Christine Ottery reports in SciDevNet last week (24 January 2011) on a review published in the scientific journal Science (21 January 2011) saying that the risk of animals passing diseases to humans could increase in some areas and decrease in others as people encroach on and disrupt wildlife migration paths. ‘. . . Although there … Continue reading
Category Archives: Zoonotic Diseases
Bird flu and other diseases transmitted from animals to humans
Washington State University to construct global animal health research facilities
An American billionaire who built his fortune as co-founder of software giant Microsoft has given a university $26 million to find ways of improving Africa’s ability to respond to animal-borne diseases. Paul G. Allen, an investor and philanthropist, has made the largest gift to Washington State University in the school’s history — $26 million to … Continue reading
USAID PREDICT Programme releases a new forecasting framework for disease emergence
USAID’s PREDICT project, part of the Emerging Pandemic Threats program, seeks to proactively identify disease-causing organisms in wildlife before they spread to humans. Local capacity is being established and enhanced in global geographic hotspots which have high potential for disease transmission among animals and humans. Currently, about 24 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia … Continue reading
Animal Diseases / Animal Health / Asia / Disease Control / Emerging Diseases / Knowledge and Information / Livestock / South Asia / Sri Lanka / Zoonotic Diseases
Mobile-phone–based surveillance of infectious disease in Sri Lanka
With infectious zoonotic diseases emerging in animals in low- and middle-income countries, surveillance of animal health in these nations is becoming increasingly important for forecasting disease risks to people. A new paper describes a mobile-phone-based surveillance system for animal populations that has been developed and implemented in Sri Lanka. Using this system, field veterinarians reported … Continue reading
Africa / Animal Diseases / Capacity Strengthening / Central Africa / Disease Control / East Africa / Emerging Diseases / Research / Uganda / Zoonotic Diseases
Makerere-North Dakota to tackle zoonoses and vector-borne diseases in Eastern and Central Africa
Under a new initiative by the United States Agency for International Development and Higher Education for Development, 11 innovative new partnerships between 22 universities in Africa and the United States have each been awarded up to US$1.1 million to address food security and other issues in Africa. These partnerships will maximize the resources of US … Continue reading
Animal Health / Animal Production / Climate Change / Emerging Diseases / Livestock Systems / Zoonotic Diseases
OIE examines links between animal production, climate change and emerging diseases
The detection of links between animal production systems around the world, climate change and the epidemiological evolution of animal diseases was the focus of a meeting organised by the OIE with experts from several continents. “The experts confirmed that there are correlations between the various factors linking animal production systems, human influence on the environment, … Continue reading
USAID and FAO continue joint battle against infectious disease threats
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is renewing its support of FAO’s efforts to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and other emerging infectious diseases, the UN agency announced today. USAID’s commitment totals US$26.3 million for the period running from October 2011 to September 2012. The funds will support continuing FAO technical assistance … Continue reading
Pig farmers in western Kenya help control epilepsy
A recent article in The New York Times highlights the findings of a research project focused on improving pig production and health in western Kenya that the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) played a role in supporting. ILRI has been involved for several years in the efforts of the Cysticercosis Working Group of Central and … Continue reading
WSU takes big role in fighting animal diseases
Researchers at Washington State University are working to prevent diseases from moving from animals to humans, and they will soon have a new state-of-the-art facility to help them. The Pullman school broke ground Friday 25 June on the $35 million headquarters for its new School for Global Animal Health. The building was funded with a … Continue reading
Study published in Science criticizes swine flu follow-up
‘The message from our paper is not an inevitable disaster around the corner, but the need for continued vigilance.’–Malik Peiris Continue reading
ILRI Clippings 