WATER,YOU AND YOUR HEALTH.

A study by the University of Birmingham indicates that,If you drink two glasses of water before one or two meals a day, can it help you to lose weight faster?.This saves a lot of money on diet drugs,diet foods and weight loss programmes. The research selected 80 obese adults in their fifties for a three month study. The method used was to give all participants advice on how they might lose weight and how to go about it using diet and exercise. Then, half the group were asked to load up by drinking about a pint or two glasses of water before one or two meals a day. They were also checked to see if they were really doing so by regularly measuring their urine output! The other half group were just told to imagine they were full before they sat down to eat. The results showed that both groups lost weight. But those who were drinking water before all meals had reduced their weight by 4.3kg (9.48 lbs) over the 12 weeks. They also lost 2.7 pounds more than the “full stomach thinkers”, who, interestingly enough were working out and exercising more than their water-drinking colleagues. The water drinkers were eating less which probably helped them a lot. More studies need to be done with larger and more diverse ethnic groups and ages for a broader picture. The conclusion off the research is that drinking a glass or 2 of water before your main meal helps you lose weight. Start the water challenge today.#Water for life project.

WATER AND YOUR METABOLISM.

Studies suggest that consistently drinking water during each day stimulates a more dynamic metabolism, regardless of your diet. Consuming 16 ounces of water just after awaking in the mornings raises your metabolism by 24%, according to the Health Fitness Revolution. An increase in pounds is a concern if your body is retaining water before adjusting to the higher intake consumption. Even so, acting as an appetite suppressant, water comes to the rescue. You’ll soon begin to consume fewer calories, lose weight, and keep it off, because the water flushes out your system, cleansing your body and reducing your hunger. One glass of water an hour before bed is said to prevent a heart attack or stroke. It makes it easier for the heart to send freshly oxygenated blood to the organs. The American Journal of Epidemiology published a six-year study that found that people who drank more than five glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack than those who drank less than two glasses a day. Water makes your heart healthy as it decreases the threat of a heart attack by preventing your blood from thickening, and by lowering your blood pressure. Sufficient water consumption neutralizes pH levels, strengthens your immunity against kidney stones and other illnesses, and aids pain management especially body aches and headaches. Water acts as a catalyst for the renewal of optimal body functions thus drinking adequate amounts of water supports the performance of your liver and kidneys. These organs eliminate toxic substances, waste, and salt from your blood. Drink up# water for life.

WOMAN RESCUES STRAY DOGS.

BRAZIL CONFIRMS ZIKA INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION.

Brazilian health authorities confirmed on Thursday a case of transmission of Zika through a transfusion of blood from a donor who had been infected with the mosquito-borne virus that is spreading rapidly through the Americas.The health department of Campinas, an industrial city near Sao Paulo, said a man with gunshot wounds became infected with Zika after multiple blood transfusions in April 2015. Officials said they determined that one of the people whose donated blood was used in the transfusion had been infected with Zika. Zika is usually contracted via mosquito bites, so transmission of the illness through blood transfusions adds another concern to efforts to contain the outbreak. Some countries have tightened procedures for blood donations, to protect blood supplies. Zika has been reported in 30 countries since it first appeared in the Americas last year in Brazil, where it has been linked to thousands of babies being born with microcephaly. This is a condition where infants have abnormally small heads and often have underdeveloped brains. Campinas health officials said the donor of the contaminated blood developed symptoms afterwards that were mistaken for dengue, a virus borne by the same mosquito that transmits Zika. A blood test that showed he had Zika was not completed until Jan. 28 this year. The blood center at the University of Campinas said a second person who donated blood in May developed symptoms and tested positive for Zika, though the recipient of the contaminated blood has not developed symptoms of the virus. Brazil’s Health Ministry said the first recipient died of his wounds and not from the Zika infection. It said it was reinforcing instructions to blood banks that people infected with Zika or dengue not be permitted to donate blood for 30 days after full recovery from the active stage of Zika infection. The American Red Cross urged prospective donors who have visited Zika outbreak zones to wait at least 28 days before giving blood, but said the risk of transmitting the virus through blood donations was “extremely” low in the continental United States. The agency asked donors who give blood and subsequently develop symptoms consistent with Zika within 14 days to notify the Red Cross so the product can be quarantined. Also causing concern is the possibility of transmission through sexual contact. Health officials in Texas reported on Tuesday that a person in Dallas became infected after having sex with another person who had traveled in Venezuela, where the virus is circulating. story source;news daily.(http://newsdaily.com/2016/02/brazil-confirms-zika-infection-from-a-blood-transfusion/)

SAND COLIC IN HORSES.

Horses pick up sand as they eat hay fed from the ground or graze short grass in pastures. The sand then settles at the bottom of the large colon. The sand irritates the intestinal lining,resulting in severe colic, weight loss,diarrhoea and severe metabolic disorder. When the sand colic is mild , its often accompanied by diarrhea but when the sand accumulate the result is severe,with discomfort. In extreme cases , the intestines may become twisted or displaced or even rupture. Preventing sand colic is far more better than treatment,and the prevention strategies include 1) the use of rubber mats under feeding troughs/pails.2)feed on top of shavings or straw.3) give grass to prevent licking up of feed from the ground. Diagnosis will include 1) fecal flotation 2) rectal palpation 3) abdominal x-ray 4) listening to abdominal sound using stethoscope. Treatment is usually by using a laxative mixed with a probiotic that binds the sand with fecal waste and gently moves it along the tract to the anus.2) surgery is done in extreme cases. (sand in intestine)

HOW TO ADD ACCESSORIES TO A FISH TANK.

Lighting up your aquarium,gives a whole new meaning to your project.
The colors could be changed @ intervals to create a new scene every time.

 The light bulbs could be white in the morning and blue,yellow or red at right.
Imagine the color buzz,in your club or cinema, it changes every thing.

 Toys can also be added for even more grand effects, such as balls,fish, boats,balls and logs.

The toys could be anything,it all depends on your creativity and style. # simple # easy # beautiful. #urban farmer

FEED TREATMENT CAN INACTIVATE THE AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS.

Avian influenza (AI) virus may survive in chicken feed thus treatment of feed is therefore of utmost importance. This was stated by independent poultry veterinarian Dr Haroldo Toro at the IPPE. Dr Toro, Professor with Auburn University's Department of Pathobiology, Alabama, USA, revealed results from the first phase of a research project exploring effects of feed treatment including a pathogen control agent* on AI. This control agent is a blend of formaldehyde, propionic acid, terpenes and surfactant. "We tested the viability of one strain of AI in feed after treatment with this agent. Under experimental conditions the product offered an extremely high level of AI virus inactivation (99.9%) within 1 hour," he explained. Migratory birds are widely accepted to be responsible for inter-continental and inter-state spread. The answer as to how individual farm biosecurity is being breached, though, is more complex. There are multiple mechanical vectors under the spotlight, with feed appearing on that list for two reasons. Firstly, migratory birds settle and shed on feed raw materials such as corn. Any protection normally offered by heat in the pelleting process is absent, as layers and turkeys are predominantly fed mash." Dr Lorenzoni believes the pattern of clustered local incidence following an initial outbreak could be linked to the virus's ability to survive in water sources, and the frequent transfer of passerines and vermin between water and stores of finished feed. "We know small birds and rodents are efficient mechanical vectors, and that they are attracted to water and feed, effectively building a bridge between migratory birds and farmed poultry. Our pathogen control agent has the potential to break that transmission route. While we're in the early stages of confirming its residual impact on AI, our experience with Salmonella suggests we can protect the feed against re-contamination for up to 21 days post pelleting." story source; world poultry.

MONKEYS, BATS AND INFECTION IN MAN.

When it comes to spreading viruses, bats are thought to be among the worst. Now a new study of nearly 900 nonhuman primates in Bangladesh and Cambodia shows that macaques harbor more diverse astroviruses, which can cause infectious gastroenteritis or diarrhea in humans. A bat has bat astrovirus, but a monkey, you could have everything, a research scientist at the University of Washington National Primate Research Primate Center and a co-author of the study, published in PLOS Pathogens. This research, the scientists said, is the first to show evidence of human astroviruses in animals, and among the earliest to demonstrate that astroviruses can move between mammalian species .Astroviruses from a number of species, including human, bovine, bird, cow and dog, were detected in monkeys, This "challenges the paradigm that AstV (astrovirus) infection is species-specific," the authors wrote. It is still unknown whether these viruses are two-way and can be transmitted to humans. They did find evidence that, in monkeys, two species of astrovirus recombined.Knowing that nonhuman primates can harbor diverse astroviruses -- including novel, recombinant viruses that may be pathogenic and/or more efficiently transmitted -- highlights the importance of continued monitoring, the authors said. This is particularly true in countries such as Bangladesh and Cambodia, where macaques and humans live side-by-side."This study is an example of the concept of One Health for new viruses," noted author Stacey Schultz-Cherry at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. "This is an indication that we really need to think about animal partners in One Health." Astroviruses are most commonly associated with diarrhea. They can also cause clinical diseases such as nephritis, hepatitis and encephalitis. Astroviruses also can be asymptomatic, depending on the species, the researchers reported. Currently, the only treatment is oral rehydration. story source; science daily.

ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION AND SEX.

A rare case of the Zika virus being transmitted through sex, not a mosquito bite, has been reported in the US.A patient infected in Dallas, Texas, is likely to have been infected by sexual contact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) told the BBC The person had not travelled to infected areas but their partner had returned from Venezuela. Zika is carried by mosquitoes and has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains. It is spreading through the Americas and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the disease linked to the virus a global public health emergency. The American Red Cross has meanwhile urged prospective blood donors returning from Zika-hit countries to wait at least 28 days before donating their blood. The "self-deferral" should apply to people returning from Mexico, the Caribbean or Central or South America during the past four weeks, the Red Cross said in a statement. If Zika can readily spread through sex, then it poses a risk to every country not just those with the Aedes mosquito. The authorities have said sexual transmission is rare, but last year they would have said any case of Zika was rare, too. This explosive outbreak has caught the world by surprise and many key questions remain unanswered. Exactly how common or rare is sexual transmission? Can it be spread by the 80% of people who show no symptoms? How long does the virus persist in semen? When is it safe to have sex again? What should men do after visiting affected countries? Can women also spread the virus through sex? However, this is not a new HIV/Aids moment. HIV infection is incurable and dramatically shortens lives without daily medication. Zika infections are short, mild and pose a significant threat only in pregnancy. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director for CDC, said this was the first case it had dealt with involving a "non-traveller"."We don't believe this was spread through mosquito bites, but we do believe it was spread through a sexual contact."A statement issued by the CDC said the best way to avoid Zika virus infection was "to prevent mosquito bites and to avoid exposure to semen from someone who has been exposed to Zika".The case is "significant" if it was definitely transmitted through sexual contact, Alaka Basu, a senior fellow for public health at the UN Foundation. Story credit BBC.

AGRIBUSINESS : URBAN FARMER @ FISH FLAKES PRODUCTION.

AGRIBUSINESS : URBAN FARMER @ FISH FLAKES PRODUCTION.The urban farmer is a series dedicated to lovers of agriculture ,but have little or no space to practice their passion.Sequel to the aquarium shop business, the fish flakes to feed the ornamental fishes. The sale of various types of fish and other sea creature is a separate business enterprise on its own,you can decide to invest in this aspect and be a major distributor of various types of fish. The fishes must be kept in clean containers and must be fed, the making of fish flakes may be on a small scale or on a large scale for distribution to a wide array of clients ,local and international.The flakes are usually floating feed,and they come in various shapes,sizes and colors. The more unique your feed,the packaging and distribution network the more profit you will make and the more clients you will have. The urban farmer has the advantage of operating in the confines of their home,because you do not need any heavy machinery. The making of the flakes is simple and easy to make; send a mail to get the book on how to make fish flakes and smile.

How to start an aquarium business.

Thinking of starting an home based business that is not capital intensive? welcome to the aqua world.

Starting an aquarium shop/store is easy and can easily be operated from the confines of your home. The basic skill you need is love for the sea-life and a spark of creativity to bring you projects to life.The size of your business will depend on your target audience, their taste and purpose.

The service is centered around fish and other water creatures that you can incorporate into your tank to add color and beauty to the tank. #urban farming .

Fish types to choose from are wide and the choice of what you stock depends mainly on what is available in your locality,taste and the expression you are willing to create.Turtles, are also a beauty to behold in the ponds. 

 Starting off; tank housing/containers are the major piece for the project.

The tanks could be plastic bottles,plastic drums,glass troughs,glass vats,wooden boxes,glass columns and slide trays.A host of water holding containers can be used,it all depends on your creativity. 

 The size of the project and the nature of client will also determine the type of vats.

Did you know you could incorporate a fish tank in an existing fountain? The next thing will be the accessories to make the tank stand out.

These include; pumps,filters, lights, decorations,plants,sand, and various toys. #aquarium The aquarium is ready ; Clean your vat/container. pour in your sand. put the desired accessories. put in your fish. Turn on the lights and your aquarium is ready. 

 The business opportunities are as follows :

1) sale of vats/containers

 2) sale of accessories. 

 3) sale of fish and other creatures for the tank. 

 4)consultancy on setting up ,managing and maintaining a fish. #aquarium

 5) sale of fish flakes.

 These vats could also be used to raise fingerlings and sell as juveniles or you can raise fingerlings to market size using bigger and large number of vats depending on stock size.

This will open up another business for sale of fish feed and catfish @ harvest time.

FACTS ABOUT ZIKA VIRUS.

An RNA virus of flaviviridae family and genus flavi virus.Transmission is through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.The mosquitoes are urban dwellers and aggressive day time feeders,feeding both in door and outdoor.The zika virus infection is an emerging mosquito borne illness,1st identified in Uganda in 1947. 1 in every 5 people infected with the zika virus become ill,and the common symptoms of zika are 1) fever 2)rash 3)joint pain 4)red eyes,while other signs include muscle pain and headache.The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to weeks. Pregnant women infected with the virus have babies with small brains,resulting in delayed development. The symptoms of the zika virus are similar to that of dengue and chikungunya. The zika virus remains in the blood of an infected person for 2-7 days but can be longer in some people. There are no vaccines or medication to prevent the zika virus infection,rather symptoms are treated symptomatically following these steps 1) get plenty of rest. 2) drink plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration and 3) use acetaminophen to relieve fever and pain. An infected mosquito can spread virus to other people.People living in areas with high mosquito population should protect themselves by using screened doors,windows ,insecticides and insect repellent. # stay safe # insecticides # treated nets

ZIKA VIRUS # PREGNANT WOMEN AND UNBORN BABIES.

Birth deformity linked to zika virus,thus pregnant women are advised to stay away from zones with outbreaks and those returning from such areas are advised to hold on before making babies.The adaptability of the Aedes aegypti to urban life coupled with global travelling make it a global threat. Be protected,use environmentally friendly insecticides and screened nets. Photo credit; C.D.C.

VECTOR CONTROL AND ZIKA VIRUS.

When the life cycle of the mosquito is understood, then specific interventions can be instituted to kill them.The elimination of stagnant water where some of the stages occur is very important,the spraying of drains with kerosene, cleaning and removing trash from environment will also prevent development of mosquito. The use of insecticides, treated nets and treated clothes are also important.Living quarters surrounded by large bodies of water must be screened to prevent mosquito bites. The Aedes egypti is the identified specie that transmits the zika virus,its also responsible for yellow fever,dengue and chikungunya. The simple protocol of cleaning your environment,removing water collecting containers,using insecticides, clearing drains ,using treated nets and also the use of insect repellent on skin in susceptible environment will keep you safe and free from mosquito bites. Photo credit; internet.

THE ZIKA THREAT AND THE GLOBAL VILLAGE.

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness and it was first isolated from a Rhesus monkey in the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947. It was first identified in humans in 1957 in Uganda and in 1968, researchers found the virus in people in Nigeria and between 1951 and 1981,the virus found in people in Uganda,Tanzania,egypt,Sierra leone,Gabon e.t.c .The first outbreak outside of Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands only occurred in May 2015, when a case was reported in Brazil. Since then the disease has spread to 18 other countries in south and central America and the Caribbean. The symptoms of Zika include joint pain and a rash – scientists believe it is linked to microcephaly, or abnormally small brains, in newborns. As a result, authorities in Brazil, Colombia and El Salvador have advised women against becoming pregnant during the outbreak. Three travellers who returned to the UK from South and Central America have been diagnosed with the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness that has been linked to brain deformities in babies. The three people had presented with the virus after travelling to Colombia, Suriname and Guyana, all countries which are experiencing Zika outbreaks. Zika does not occur naturally in the UK ,but it can be transmitted only from the bite of a mosquito or, in rare cases through sexual transmission or by transmission from mother to foetus via the placenta.It does not spread directly from person to person. Mosquitoes transmitting the zika virus was only identified in tropical regions but recent research has shown adaptability to colder regions making it easy for spread of the infection.The Aedes aegypti is a day time feeder found predominantly in urban areas in close association with man,making humans the primary target.The best way to stop threat is to protect yourself from bites,avoid travelling to places with outbreaks, wear protective clothing in susceptible areas,use insecticides, screened doors/nets and sleep under treated nets. The war against ZIKA VIRUS is total destruction of mosquitoes, (irrespective of species),clean your environment, remove containers of stagnant water and pour kerosene in your drains/gutters .

THE ZIKA THREAT.

The Zika virus,transmitted by the bite of Aedes aegypti. The mosquito vectors breed in domestic water holding containers,living in urban areas and are aggressive day-time feeders,though they feed at any time.The virus can affect any age group but pregnant women are so vulnerable with dire consequences in their babies. The virus stays 2-7 days in the blood of an infected person,thus infected people should be protected from further mosquito bites to prevent spread to more people.The basic methods to prevent infection is to prevent mosquito bites.The Aedes aegypti is also responsible for yellow fever,has been known to adapt to cold climate thus the widespread nature of the infection. The Zika virus outbreak in Latin America could be a bigger threat to global health than the Ebola epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people in Africa, claims several senior health experts ahead of an emergency meeting of the World Health Organisation. Where they will decide whether the Zika threat – which is linked to an alarming rise in cases of foetal deformation called microcephaly – should be rated a global health crisis. Jeremy Farrar, head of the Wellcome Trust, said “In many ways the Zika outbreak is worse than the Ebola epidemic of 2014-15,” “Most virus carriers are symptom less and It is a silent infection in a group of highly vulnerable individuals ( pregnant women) – that is associated with a horrible outcome for their babies.” There is no prospect of a vaccine for Zika at present, in contrast to Ebola, for which several are now under trial. “The real problem is that trying to develop a vaccine that would have to be tested on pregnant women is a practical and ethical nightmare,” added Mike Turner, head of infection and immuno-biology at the Wellcome Trust. At least 80% of those infected show no symptoms ,making tracking the disease extremely difficult. The mosquito species that spreads Zika, Aedes aegypti, has been expanding its range over the past few decades. “It loves urban life and has spread across the entire tropical belt of the planet, and of course that belt is expanding as global warming takes effect,” added Farrar. The Zika threat, can be contained with the use of insecticides to eradicate Aedes aegypti , mosquito nets and bedding's and clearing environment of stagnant water.

HOW TO USE APPS TO CUT RISK OF RABIES .

Researchers are using the app to track free-roaming dogs that have been vaccinated against rabies.
Rabies could be eradicated from street dogs in India with the help of a new smartphone app, a study has shown.

Monitoring them in this way has enabled vets to vaccinate 70 per cent of the dog population in the City of Ranchi -which is the threshold needed to minimize the risk that the disease is passed to people.  Adopting the approach more widely could help to eliminate rabies from people and animals

RODENT CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF LASSA FEVER.

. Rats have been linked to the spread of a lot of disease ,some are fatal while others can be treated.The best way to stay safe is by rodent control.The health risk posed by rats affects man, poultry,dogs and some other animals. Diseases occur as a result of interaction between hosts, agent and environment.Rats are no different from all other carriers,in this sense hence environment influences the infection and risk/rate of exposure. Living in a dirty,unkempt environment increases the chances of infection and consequent spread of infection.Rats are know to thrive where there is food and water, and most rats can eat anything. Living in close quarters with dogs, poultry and horses increases risk of infection.Living in highly populated environment surrounded by filth also poses risk of infection.Rats find their way to food industry and food processing plants posing a risk of food contamination from source. Rats are everywhere causing diseases by contamination through urine,feces, hair,and feet. Rats basically transfer these disease agents by contamination of feed,food,water,toys and clothing.The best way to avoid any disease is by proper pest control and maintenance of clean environment.The following are steps to keeps rats out;1) Use of rat traps 2) keep houses/farms rodent proof; by removing unfinished food, cover bins and keep them far away from homes. 3) rat adhesive boards 4) baits 5)proper waste management. 6) rat-proof your doors,windows in farms,homes and factory. Rats cause food wastage resulting in economic losses,when a food is contaminated by urine or feces,throw away immediately. If you suspect your pets toy is contaminated with rat urine throw away,same with clothing or any other contaminated material. PIC CREDIT; INTERNET.

PORCINE HEALTH.

PREVENTION OF MASTITIS USING FEED ADDITIVES.

The need to fight mastitis with a reduced amount of antibiotics is growing. Certain supplements, when applied to cow diets can reduce somatic cell counts and hence mastitis incidence.one of these additives, based on 1-monoglycerides of a medium chain fatty acid. One of the most common and most costly health disorders in dairy cows is mastitis. Dairy farmers need to maintain udder health and milk quality as these parameters directly affect farm profitability. A lot of research has been conducted worldwide to gain insights in how to fight mastitis. Despite all the research done and tools to fight mastitis, there are still farms all over the world that have structural problems with this disease. While antibiotics are still widely used to counter mastitis, there is a growing demand to reduce the use of antibiotics. Non-antibiotic tools to fight mastitis can be found in feed supplements. Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland and is characterized by an increased somatic cell count (SCC) in the milk. In the case of clinical mastitis, abnormal milk is detected, whereas in sub clinical mastitis, the milk composition is changed without visually detectable changes. Mastitis is caused by different strains of bacteria that enter the udder. Inside the udder the bacteria will multiply and cause inflammation. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, both gram-positive bacteria, are probably the most common bacteria causing mastitis. Mastitis results in major economic losses. In general, the overall milk production and milk quality deteriorates. Treatment of mastitis will result in additional veterinary costs. The milk from cows treated with antibiotics will be discarded due to the withdrawal period of antibiotics. In some countries it is even common that the milk price will be reduced in case of a somatic cell count above a certain limit. Moreover, premature culling of cows results in additional losses as well. Furthermore, addressing mastitis problems give rise to extra labour costs and is time consuming. A lot of solutions have been suggested to reduce mastitis incidence in dairy cows. Besides maintaining good hygiene in the stable and milking house, improvement of udder health will be one of the key aspects to avoid mastitis problems. The company FRAmelco has developed the product FRA® Udder Health dry (hereafter called 'solution'), based on a new molecule, that can lower the somatic cell counts in milk when applied over a longer period of time. The product is a combination of α-monolaurin, a zinc product and micro-ingredients. The rumen-protected α-monolaurin, the main active component in the solution, is a 1-monoglyceride of lauric acid. 1-Monoglycerides of medium chain fatty acids are known to inhibit gram-positive pathogenic bacteria, like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, which are known to cause mastitis. The zinc in the solution is a nano-sized zinc embedded in a matrix of medium chain fatty acid salts. This coating technique and coating material ensure stability during feed processing and the preparation of the total mix ration (TMR). The interaction with other components will not occur as the minerals remain protected inside the fat matrix until they reach the beginning of the small intestine. Zinc is known as an essential trace element and is especially important for the defense mechanism against pathogens in the udder. This is explained by the fact that zinc is required for the formation of keratin. Keratin is present in the teat canal and inhibits penetration of bacteria. In addition, keratin is important for the functioning of macrophages, which are cells present in the udder and are involved in the protection against pathogens in the mammary gland.

PROBIOTICS AND PREVENTION OF MASTITIS.

A new research shows that the cow’s own lactic acid bacteria, isolated from the bacteria in the mammary gland, could serve as a tool to prevent and/or treat mastitis. Bovine mastitis is a costly disease in dairy cattle worldwide. Currently, the control of bovine mastitis is mostly based on prevention by thorough hygienic procedures during milking. Additional strategies include vaccination and utilization of antibiotics. Despite these measures, mastitis is not fully under control, thus prompting the need for alternative strategies. One alternative is the emerging concept of mammary probiotics. For this purpose, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are good candidates due to their Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) status and their recognized technological and inhibitory properties. LAB have been investigated for many years for their beneficial effects on human health. Likewise, the use of probiotics has gained interest in the veterinary community. the treatment of bovine mastitis is predominantly based on antibiotics. However, they are not totally effective and contribute to the emergence and transmission of antibiotic resistance within the host microbiota. There is thus a need for alternative strategies. story source; global diary.net

THE ZIKA VIRUS# MICROCEPHALY.

The Zika virus is "spreading explosively" in the Americas and the region may see up to four million cases of the disease strongly suspected of causing birth defects, the World Health Organization . The Zika virus, unlike other mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue, is relatively unknown and unstudied. That is set to change since Zika, now spreading through Latin America and the Caribbean, has been associated with an alarming rise in babies born in Brazil with abnormally small heads and brain defects -- a condition called microcephaly. Since the Zika outbreak began in northeastern Brazil last spring, an estimated 500,000 to 1.5 million people have been infected. The resulting illness only lasts a few days. The symptoms, including a rash, joint pains, inflammation of the eyes and fever, tend to be less debilitating than those of dengue. As many as 80 percent of infected people may be asymptomatic. It was not until months after Zika cases showed up in Brazil that a spike in microcephaly births was tied to women infected during pregnancy. More than 3,500 microcephaly cases have been reported since October in Brazil, compared to around 150 cases in 2014. While Zika's connection to microcephaly has yet to be definitively proven, the presence of the virus has been found in the bodies of five of the newborns that died with the condition and in the placentas of two women who miscarried babies with microcephaly.

THE ZIKA VIRUS.

On Monday (Jan. 25), the World Health Organization announced that Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness that in the past year has swept quickly throughout equatorial countries, is expected to spread across the Americas and into the United States. Zika virus is transmitted by the mosquito species Aedes aegypti, also a carrier of dengue fever and chikungunya, two other tropical diseases. Though Aedes aegypti is not native to North America, researchers at the University of Notre Dame who study the species have reported a discovery of a population of the mosquitoes in a Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington, D.C. , the team identified genetic evidence that these mosquitoes have overwintered for at least the past four years, meaning they are adapting for persistence in a northern climate well out of their normal range. This mosquito is typically restricted to tropical and subtropical regions of the world and not found farther north in the United States than Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina. What this means for the scientific world," said Severson, who led the team, "is some mosquito species are finding ways to survive in normally restrictive environments by taking advantage of underground refugia. Therefore, a real potential exists for active transmission of mosquito-borne tropical diseases in popular places like the National Mall.(source ;science daily) The emergence of mosquitoes in normally restricted areas has exposed the pandemic potential of the ZIKA VIRUS,with pregnant women at highest risk.Prevention of mosquito bites through use of treated nets,insecticides,and clearing environment of stagnant water,destruction of developmental stages and more recently the introduction of genetically modified mosquitoes to wipe out the infective strains have all been employed to reduce disease incidence. Travelling to zika-risk zones by pregnant women has also been initiated as they are mostly prone to the infection.

FIBER RICH DIET REDUCES RISK OF LUNG DISEASE.

A diet rich in fiber may not only protect against diabetes and heart disease, it may reduce the risk of developing lung disease, according to new research. "Lung disease is an important public health problem, so it's important to identify modifiable risk factors for prevention," said lead author Corrine Hanson PhD, RD, an associate professor of medical nutrition at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. "However, beyond smoking very few preventative strategies have been identified. Increasing fiber intake may be a practical and effective way for people to have an impact on their risk of lung disease." Analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, researchers report in "The Relationship between Dietary Fiber Intake and Lung Function in NHANES," that among adults in the top quartile of fiber intake: • 68.3 percent had normal lung function, compared to 50.1 percent in the bottom quartile. • 14. 8 percent had airway restriction, compared to 29.8 percent in the bottom quartile. In two important breathing tests, those with the highest fiber intake also performed significantly better than those with the lowest intake. Those in the top quartile had a greater lung capacity (FVC) and could exhale more air in one second (FEV1) than those in the lowest quartile. Researchers reviewed records of 1,921 adults, ages 40 to 79, who participated in NHANES during 2009-2010. Administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NHANES is unique in that it combines interviews with physical examinations. Fiber consumption was calculated based on the amount of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains participants recalled eating. Those whose diets included more than 17.5 grams of fiber a day were in the top quartile and represented the largest number of participants, 571. Those getting less than 10.75 grams of fiber a day were in the lower group and represented the smallest number of participants, 360. Fiber-rich diet has been linked to healthy life style free of risk of heart disease,diabetes,colon cancer and bowel diseases emanating from constipation.This new research (according to American Thoracic Society) sheds light on how fiber reduces risk of lung diseases,further reinforcing the need to include more vegetables,fruits,nuts,oatmeal and other fiber rich sources to our menu. The benefits of fiber-rich meals also has the same results in animals, incorporating vegetables,oatmeal and fruits into their meal has been known to reduce risk of cancer, constipation and as a treatment protocol for diabetic patients and also prevention of diabetes in animals.

Antimicrobial resistance :rats a major link in antimicrobial resistance in animals and man.

The world is faced with the issue of drug-resistance, super bugs and antibiotic residue in animal-by-products,forcing producers to look critically at methods of production and handling of products to resolve these issues. 

The war against super bugs is super hot with various school of thoughts proposing various theories and solutions to resolve the issue to ensure better health for man and the food animals consumed. The environment has been know to play host to various disease agents and the host/carriers are also housed in the environment,creating an unending cycle of infection to diverse hosts. 

 Rats are ubiquitous,with the propensity to carry disease agents in their urine,feces,hair and feet.These creatures could actually be the missing link in the antibiotic resistance saga. 

 Rats presence in poultry houses,farms and pet homes result in feed/water contamination with urine/feces resulting in salmonellosis,which the farmer responds to using antibiotics. When the source of infection is not removed, there will be a continuous cycle of infection-reinfection and treatment with various antibiotics .

  The threat of rats to health of man and animals is real and must be properly understood to ensure the necessary strategy is incorporated. A recent study by scientist in the University of Colombia, has revealed the risk that rats pose:Rats can absorb disease agents from their local environment and spread them, according to a University of British Colombia new study. The results also indicate that the threat rats pose to the health of poultry and humans has been underestimated.

Researchers studied the feces of rats caught at an Abbotsford, B.C. poultry farm, and discovered they all carried avian pathogenic E. coli, a bacteria with the ability to cause disease in chickens and potentially humans. More than one quarter of the rats were carrying multi-drug resistant strains of the bacteria. 

The findings support lead author Chelsea Himsworth's theory that rats act as a "pathogen sponge," soaking up bacteria from their environment. If rats can absorb pathogenic E. coli, then they could potentially be a source of all sorts of other pathogens that we have not anticipated," said Himsworth, assistant professor in the UBC School of Population and Public Health and leader of the Vancouver Rat Project, a group aiming to address the knowledge gap about the health threats associated with rats. 

 Himsworth was surprised to find that the E. coli strains carried by the farm rats were very similar to those found in chickens, and totally different from E. coli strains found in urban rats. Basically, the rural rat gut looked like the poultry gut, and nothing like the urban rat gut . 

 This latest study follows previous research by Himsworth that found human pathogens, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and C. difficile, in the feces of rats in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. 

 Rat infestations ought to be taken seriously," said Himsworth. "They need to be tackled with an educated, informed approach in collaboration with scientists and pest control professionals. There should be the development of municipal programs for managing rat infestations and rat-related issues. 

 Rodent control # rodenticide rodent bait # rodent proof.

RATS: THE UNCONVENTIONAL DISEASE CAUSING AGENT IN MAN AND ANIMALS.

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Cells from cow knee joints used to grow new cartilage tissue in laboratory.

An effort to develop a method for cartilage tissue engineering, researchers have successfully used cartilage cells from cow knee joints. By creating a successful method with conditions conducive to growing healthy cartilage tissue, the findings could help lead to a new treatment cure for osteoarthritis using stem cell-based tissue engineering, a new report suggests. In an effort to develop a method for cartilage tissue engineering, researchers at Umeå University in Sweden successfully used cartilage cells from cow knee joints. By creating a successful method with conditions conducive to growing healthy cartilage tissue, the findings could help lead to a new treatment cure for osteoarthritis using stem cell-based tissue engineering. This is according to a doctoral dissertation at Umeå University. Tissue engineering provides a possible solution to osteoarthritis. In their experiments, the researchers at Umeå University made findings that provided useful information for efforts to develop new methods to produce cartilage-like "neotissues" in a laboratory environment. In the engineering process, the cells, the signaling molecules and the scaffold, i.e. artificial support material, are combined to regenerate tissue at the damaged site in the joint. The process is difficult and much of what constitutes suitable growth factors and a mechanical loading environment is still unknown. Today, there is a huge variety of available synthetic and natural scaffolds. It is also unclear whether stem cells or primary cells are best suited. Using primary bovine chondrocytes, i.e. cartilage cells from cows, the researchers improved methods to grow cartilage tissue in a laboratory environment, producing tissue similar to tissue normally present in the human joints. In future, these results may help the development of neocartilage production for actual cartilage repair. For this, stem cells could be grown to provide unlimited amount of material for tissue engineering. However, more research is needed to improve the tissue quality and make it more structurally similar to the hyaline cartilage found in the human body. source; science daily.

HANDLING THE RAT MENACE..

. Rats have been linked to the spread of a lot of disease ,some are fatal while others can be treated.The best way to stay safe is by rodent control.The health risk posed by rats affects man, poultry,dogs and some other animals. Diseases occur as a result of interaction between hosts, agent and environment.Rats are no different from all other carriers,in this sense hence environment influences the infection and risk/rate of exposure. Living in a dirty,unkempt environment increases the chances of infection and consequent spread of infection.Rats are know to thrive where there is food and water, and most rats can eat anything. Living in close quarters with dogs, poultry and horses increases risk of infection.Living in highly populated environment surrounded by filth also poses risk of infection.Rats find their way to food industry and food processing plants posing a risk of food contamination from source. Rats are everywhere causing diseases by contamination through urine,feces, hair,and feet. Rats basically transfer these disease agents by contamination of feed,food,water,toys and clothing.The best way to avoid any disease is by proper pest control and maintenance of clean environment.The following are steps to keeps rats out;1) Use of rat traps 2) keep houses/farms rodent proof; by removing unfinished food, cover bins and keep them far away from homes. 3) rat adhesive boards 4) baits 5)proper waste management. 6) rat-proof your doors,windows in farms,homes and factory. Rats cause food wastage resulting in economic losses,when a food is contaminated by urine or feces,throw away immediately. If you suspect your pets toy is contaminated with rat urine throw away,same with clothing or any other contaminated material. Stay safe # avoid rat bites # dont eat rats # keep environment clean.

MEAT SAFETY.

A simple, rapid test to help ensure safer meat. Scientists now report a simple method that uses nanotubes to quickly detect spoilage. It could help make sure meats are safe when they hit store shelves. Transporting meats and seafood from the farm or sea to the market while they're still fresh is a high priority. But telling whether a product has gone bad isn't a simple process. 

Current strategies for measuring freshness can be highly sensitive to spoilage but require bulky, slow equipment, which prevents real-time analysis. Some newer methods designed to speed up the testing process have fallen short in sensitivity.

 Yanke Che and colleagues wanted to develop one simple test that could deliver both rapid and sensitive results. The researchers turned to highly fluorescent, hollow nanotubes that grow dim when they react with compounds given off by meat as it decomposes.

 To test the nanotubes, the team sealed commercial samples -- 1 gram each -- of pork, beef, chicken, fish and shrimp in containers for up to four days. When they exposed the portable system to a teaspoon of vapor emitted by the samples, it reacted in under an hour, fast enough to serve as a real-time measure of freshness. The researchers also found that if the tubes' glow dulled by more than 10 percent, this meant a sample was spoiled. Story source;American Chemical Society.

RAT FLEAS SPREAD HEART DAMAGING BACTERIA.

Bacteria that can cause serious heart disease in humans are being spread by rat fleas, sparking concern that the infections could become a bigger problem in humans. Research published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology suggests that brown rats may be carrying the bacteria. Since the early 1990s, more than 20 species of Bartonella bacteria have been discovered. They are considered to be emerging zoonotic pathogens, because they can cause serious illness in humans worldwide from heart disease to infection of the spleen and nervous system. "A new species called Bartonella rochalimae was recently discovered in a patient with an enlarged spleen who had travelled to South America," said Professor Chao-Chin Chang from the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan. "This event raised concern that it could be a newly emerged zoonotic pathogen. Therefore, we decided to investigate further to understand if rodents living close to human environment could carry this bacteria." Scientists have found that rodents carry several pathogenic species of Bartonella, such as B. elizabethae, which can cause endocarditis and B. grahamii, which was found to cause neuroretinitis in humans. Although scientists are unsure about the main route of transmission, these infections are most likely to be spread by fleas. Ctenophthalmus nobilis, a flea that lives on bank voles, was shown to transmit different species of Bartonella bacteria. These pathogens have also been found in fleas that live on gerbils, cotton rats and brown rats. The scientists analysed bacteria found in Rattus norvegicus in Taiwan. The brown rat is also the most common rat in Europe, When the DNA of the bacteria was analyzed, it was discovered that a strain that is most closely related to B. rochalimae, which has been isolated recently from a human infection in the United States. The researchers took samples from 58 rodents, including 53 brown rats, 2 mice (Mus musculus) and 3 black rats (Rattus rattus). 6 of the rodents were found to be carrying Bartonella bacteria; 5 of these were brown rats. Four of the rodents were carrying B. elizabethae, which can cause heart disease in humans, and one of the black rats was found to be harbouring B. tribocorum. However, the scientists noticed one strain that had not been identified in rodents previously. The strain was finally shown to be close to B. rochalimae. These results raise concerns about the existence of other reservoirs and vectors for this emerging infection. Source; journal of medical microbiology.

Teenager infected with rat-bite fever from her pet rodent .

A 17-year-old woman was infected with the rare, but treatable rat-bite fever, that developed from pet rodents that lived in her bedroom, report the doctors who treated her.Rat-bite fever has been reported in writings dating as far back as 2300 years. It was originally described as a disease of the poor, but these days most cases occur in lab workers or in children with pet rodents.The condition is often goes unrecognized and undiagnosed. Most cases of rat-bite fever involve a bite or scratch from a rodent, but there are several reports of infection without direct bacterial inoculation. The young woman was admitted to hospital with pain in her right hip and lower back that had continued for two days and led to immobility. Over the proceeding two weeks, she had an intermittent fever, nausea and vomiting, and a pink rash on her hands and feet.Her nausea and vomiting improved, but the fever continued, and she had tenderness of a joint in her pelvis, and pain in her right leg. The doctors learnt that the woman had numerous pets including a dog, cat, horse and three pet rats. The rodents lived in her bedroom. One of these rats had died 3 weeks prior to onset of her symptoms.A blood test returned positive for --the most common cause of ratbite fever.The disease can have mortality as high as 13%, if left untreated. Fortunately, the woman underwent 4 weeks of antibiotics. After 5 days, her rash and fever disappeared, and the joint pain in her pelvis improved over the following weeks. She made a full recovery. Story source ; Science daily.

RATS POSE HEALTH THREAT TO MAN AND POULTRY.

Rats can absorb disease agents from their local environment and spread them, according to a University of British Colombia new study. The results also indicate that the threat rats pose to the health of poultry and humans has been underestimated.

Researchers studied the feces of rats caught at an Abbotsford, B.C. poultry farm, and discovered they all carried avian pathogenic E. coli, a bacteria with the ability to cause disease in chickens and potentially humans. More than one quarter of the rats were carrying multidrug resistant strains of the bacteria. 

The findings support lead author Chelsea Himsworth's theory that rats act as a "pathogen sponge," soaking up bacteria from their environment. If rats can absorb pathogenic E. coli, then they could potentially be a source of all sorts of other pathogens that we have not anticipated," said Himsworth, assistant professor in the UBC School of Population and Public Health and leader of the Vancouver Rat Project, a group aiming to address the knowledge gap about the health threats associated with rats. Himsworth was surprised to find that the E. coli strains carried by the farm rats were very similar to those found in chickens, and totally different from E. coli strains found in urban rats. Basically, the rural rat gut looked like the poultry gut, and nothing like the urban rat gut . 

 This latest study follows previous research by Himsworth that found human pathogens, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and C. difficile, in the feces of rats in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Rat infestations ought to be taken seriously," said Himsworth. "They need to be tackled with an educated, informed approach in collaboration with scientists and pest control professionals. 

 There should be the development of municipal programs for managing rat infestations and rat-related issues. Story source; University of British Colombia.

New HPAI strain strikes US turkey farm.

. The US is bracing itself for more avian influenza heartache following confirmation of a previously unseen strain of highly pathogenic H7N8 striking a commercial turkey farm in southern Indiana.The outbreak, which has prompted the culling of about 60,000 birds, is different than the one that caused more than 200 outbreaks in US poultry last year, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).An Indiana State veterinarian confirmed that the strain was unique to Indiana and the nation and isn't related to the strains that struck the upper Midwest last year or to an outbreak last May in a backyard flock in north-eastern Indiana.Indiana is the nation's fourth-largest turkey producer, the third-biggest egg producer, and first in duck production. The state's poultry industry is worth $2.5 billion. story source;CIDRAP

Antiviral favipiravir successfully treats Lassa virus in guinea pigs.

Favipiravir, an investigational antiviral drug currently being tested in West Africa as a treatment for Ebola virus disease, effectively treated Lassa virus infection in guinea pigs, according to a new study. Lassa fever is endemic to West Africa and affects about 300,000 people annually, killing roughly 5,000. In some parts of Sierra Leone and Liberia, it is believed nearly 15 percent of people admitted to hospitals have Lassa fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No vaccine or licensed treatment exists for Lassa fever, although ribavirin, licensed for hepatitis C treatment, has been used with limited success. In the new study, published Oct. 12, 2015, in Scientific Reports, favipiravir not only effectively treated guinea pigs infected with Lassa virus, it also worked better than ribavirin. Two days after infecting groups of guinea pigs with a lethal dose of Lassa virus, the scientists treated the rodents daily for two weeks with either ribavirin, low doses of favipiravir, or high doses of favipiravir. They also evaluated the effect of high-dose favipiravir in the rodents that began treatment five, seven or nine days after infection. All of the animals that received high-dose favipiravir were completely protected from lethal infection; animals treated seven or nine days after infection had begun showing signs of disease, but their conditions quickly improved when treatment began. Those animals in the low-dose favipiravir group showed mild to moderate signs of disease, but those symptoms resolved after about one week of treatment. The animals treated with ribavirin appeared normal during the treatment phase but developed severe disease shortly after treatment ended. Further testing and human clinical trials are needed to determine if favipiravir, also known as T-705 and Avigan, could effectively treat Lassa virus infection in people. Story source;NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.