Singapore's Zika cases send warning signal to Asia.

In just one week, Zika cases in Singapore have gone from zero to 242, raising concerns about a potential rapid surge in cases across Asia. A recent study estimates that roughly 2.6 billion people in the region and Africa could be at risk of contracting the virus, which has been linked to the neurological disorder microcephaly in unborn babies. It's not yet clear why Zika has spread so suddenly in Singapore. Many of the cases are thought to be locally-transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. On Saturday, Singapore's Ministry of Health said analysis of two cases found they had likely evolved from a strain of Zika that was already circulating in Southeast Asia. Malaysia confirmed its first case of Zika infection in a 58-year-old woman -- who had visited her daughter in Singapore -- on September 1. The country reported its first locally-transmitted case on September 3, with authorities expecting more to come. With 5.7 million-strong populace packed mostly in dense urban areas, Singapore doesn't immediately strike you as the kind of place that would suffer long from a Zika outbreak. But it's the city state's high population density and humid climes that offer the perfect breeding ground for the Aedes aegypti. And these are traits shared across many cities in the region. "In Asia, you have megacities with populations between five to 10 million people. The Aedes aegypti thrives in these densely-packed urban environments," Eng Eong Ooi, the deputy director of the Emerging Infectious Disease program at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, told CNN. Where there high populations of people and mosquitoes, it's a good recipe for both dengue and Zika to spread,continue

VetCompass harnesses data to research and treat ailments in cats and dogs.

The importance of data in our world today cannot be overemphasized,from making everyday chores easier,to transport,agriculture medicine and veterinary practice. Data pooled will not only allow easy planning and treatment protocols but now can help streamline disorders common in various species so that students are more knowledgeable and can easy recognize and tackle these disorders. Data can also be generated for livestock to promote food security and also ensure food safety ;read Data in agribusiness with farmers,marketers,producers and value chains e.t.c can be sync with phones and mobile apps that will provide on-spot assessment,health tips,market prices,weather and market tips,this will be a broad platform for farmers, agribusiness,vets e.t.c .read The latest entrant to data-driven veterinary practice is VetCompass, which uses data already being noted by vets in standard practice records, pooling it and making it accessible to researchers. The data pool is able to provide useful information about breeds,diseases.disorders and lifespan. Miniature poodles live twice as long as chihuahuas. Almost half the cats that die under the age of five are killed in accidents. And for each kilogram your adult cat puts on, subtract six months from its lifespan, these are some of the insights from VetCompass, a system set to deliver the benefits of big data to the cats and dogs of Australia, as well as their owners. According to NSW, Professor Paul McGreevy, from Sydney University's Faculty of Veterinary Science, was part of the team that started VetCompass in the Britain in 2007. The data collected by the not-for-profit project, now launching in Australia, will help pets live happier, healthier lives. The system uses a software app to collect anonymized clinical records. The data will inform research on the causes and distribution of animal health problems, reveal the best treatments and allow vet schools to focus on the most common disorders when teaching. Without these data, it cant be ascertained precisely what disorder is affecting what animals and at what age,but the more information is pooled the greater the knowledge about the diseases they get and when they get them, the more tailored wellness plans for particular breeds or particular crosses. What's exciting for vets is that it's evidence-based medicine on a grand scale for species that are very important to us, but for which research is often badly underfunded. VetCompass Britain, with access to data from 11 million episodes of care at 450 clinics, has revealed that some of the most common ailments and causes of premature death in pets are easily preventable. Trauma, kidney disease and cancer are the most common causes of death in cats in Britain. For dogs under three years behavioral problems necessitating euthanasia, gastro-intestinal issues and car accidents cause the most deaths, while older dogs in Britain most commonly die from cancer, arthritis and neurological problems.

Designing ultrasound tools with Lego-like proteins.

Ultrasound imaging is used around the world to help visualize developing babies and diagnose diseases. Sound waves bounce off the tissues, revealing their different densities and shapes. The next step in ultrasound technology is to image not just anatomy, but specific cells and molecules deeper in the body, such as those associated with tumors or bacteria in our gut. A new study from Caltech outlines how protein engineering techniques might help achieve this milestone. The researchers engineered protein-shelled nanostructures called gas vesicles -- which reflect sound waves -- to exhibit new properties useful for ultrasound technologies. In the future, these gas vesicles could be administered to a patient to visualize tissues of interest. The modified gas vesicles were shown to: give off more distinct signals, making them easier to image; target specific cell types; and help create color ultrasound images. "It's somewhat like engineering with molecular Legos," says assistant professor of chemical engineering and Heritage Principal Investigator Mikhail Shapiro, who is the senior author of a new paper about the research published in this month's issue of the journal ACS Nano and featured on the journal's cover."We can swap different protein 'pieces' on the surface of gas vesicles to alter their targeting properties and to visualize multiple molecules in different colors."

Veterinarians and Congo virus.

All hands are on deck by veterinarians and para veterinary officers and other officers in the animal health sector to stop the Congo virus in its tracks .Sindh Minister for Livestock Muhammad Ali Malkani has cancelled holidays/ leaves of all veterinary doctors of Karachi to ensure the presence of veterinary staff at Cattle markets round the clock to prevent the spread of Congo virus . According to the statement issued the Minister Livestock' directions, Deputy Director Livestock, Dr. Muzaffar Ali Vighio has constituted teams of veterinary doctors, para veterinary and other field staff who were continuously taking efforts for the prevention of Congo virus/ticks on fast track in Asia's biggest cattle market. 'Over 9646 animals were sprayed while 2250 animals were treated of the viral and other minor disease, while fumigation has been made properly in collaboration with the superhighway cattle market administration and KMC', Vighio claimed. The teams since the establishment of cattle market superhighway, working round the clock , providing free treatment to animals and keeping vigil eye on the ticks/expected virus, these steps were taken in response to news published in media about the spread of the Congo virus in the superhighway cattle market. more

Congo virus cases in Balochistan.

According to the international news, a 14-year-old boy has who was admitted to the Fatima Jinnah Chest and TB Hospital has been confirmed positive after Congo virus was found in his blood samples sent to Aga Khan Hospital Laboratory Karachi. The number of patients infected with Congo virus in Balochistan has reached 24 while 10 of them had died of excessive bleeding.Doctors at Fatima Jinnah Chest and TB Hospital said Abdul Wali, 14, was brought from Pishin to Quetta after complaining of bleeding from nose and mouth. The blood samples of the patient were dispatched to Aga Khan Hospital Laboratory which confirmed the presence of Congo virus in blood. The patient was kept in isolation ward of the hospital and being provided medical treatment. Another patient identified as Ghulam Muhammad, who is resident of Quetta was also brought to the Fatima Jinnah Chest and TB Hospital with complaint of suffering from continuous bleeding.“We have dispatched blood samples of Ghulam Muhammad to the Laboratory and awaiting results, doctors said. A senior health expert Dr Mukhtar said the number of patients brought to Fatima Jinnah Hospital after suffering from bleeding this year has reached 86. He said 24 of them had been tested positive and adding that 10 patients had died of Congo virus in Balochistan during current year. He said 60 percent of Congo virus patients brought to the Fatima Jinnah Hospital belonged to Afghanistan and remaining 40 percent were residents of Balochistan.

Congo virus.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is caused by a virus belonging to a group called Nairovirus. The virus infects wild as well as domestic animals like sheep and cattle through tick bites. Humans are infected when they come in direct contact with blood or tissues from infected animals or bites of infected ticks. The disease is also described in Congo, hence it was named Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever. The disease is more common in Africa, Asia, East Europe and the Middle East. A recent outbreak has been Pakistan. Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral disease that spreads through tick bite, crushing of infected tick could also result in infection. Infection may also occur if people breathe in the virus passed out in the infected animal’s excreta. Thus, people who work in close contact with livestock such as those working in ,farms, abattoirs and veterinary hospitals are at a higher risk of acquiring the disease. Preventive measures and early diagnosis can save lives! Less than half the people who contract this virus die, and that too due to improper treatment. When a human is affected, the infection spreads to other people if they come in contact with the patient’s infected blood or body fluids. Infection could also spread in hospitals during injections and surgical procedures. Hospital staff that treat patients with CCHF are at a higher risk for developing the infection. Symptoms may vary person to person but certain pointers are indications of infection;· flu-like symptoms appear first, which may end in a week’s time. Signs of hemorrhagic fever follow and if not treated ,there is confusion, aggression, mood swings, fever, red eyes, flushed face, joint pain,epistasis vomiting and black/tarry stools. This is followed by a swollen liver which causes pain in the upper abdomen, kidney failure, breathing problems, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate and eventually a shock . Prevention is by elimination of ticks,proper biosecurity and personal hygiene. Kill ticks by spraying your animals with antitick preparation and use a protective spray on your clothes and clothing and materials as well. Isolation of patients with the virus, maintain minimal and protected contact. Wear gloves and masks when with patients and hand hygiene is important. The syringes and needles used must be disposed properly. Abattoir workers, hunters, farm-hands and help and all who handle raw meat during slaughtering, processing and supply are at risk and should be properly kitted and observe strict bio security· Minimize insect bites, pests and rodents in the house ,farms,hospitals,abattoirs and other beef processing outfits.

Mobile veterinary services: the Uber vets.

Mobile veterinary services is an investment opportunity that is relatively "untapped" in developing countries,but already shaping the health curve of pets in developed countries. The potential of this service can be tapped into at various points; 1)the service could be dedicated to just routine treatments/checkup ,2)vaccinations 3) grooming parlor 4)surgery 5) wellness 6)diagnostics and 7) type of practice,maybe large animals or small animals. 

 The advantage of this is the access to veterinary services in remote areas and also to those who are too busy to get their pets regularly. The mobile train will move from district to district,zone to zones and coast to coast. 

The growing population of those with livestock and pets without adequate veterinary care is alarming and unless a system is worked out,the incidence of diseases will increase. When livestock is not monitored or treated we run a risk of not only diseases but also economic losses as the potential of such flock cannot be realized. see 

 This is how a veterinarian is using this mobile service, Dr Fletcher operates the wellness on wheelz. Wellness on Wheelz’s numerous trucks travel all around South Texas, making rounds from San Antonio to Rio Grande City every weekend. The Rio Grande Valley’s local truck visited McAllen on Saturday for the second time this month, treating about 100 pets. 

 Dogs and cats of all breeds and ages panted around their owners in the hot Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market parking lot, waiting their turn. Meanwhile Dr. Kenneth C. Fletcher, the truck’s veterinarian, administered shot after shot. “One of the things we like the public to understand before they get here is that we’re not here to treat any illness or condition,” he said during a brief break. “We’re just for wellness, primary care, vaccination. And we do limited testing, like testing for heartworms. That can save a dog’s life.” Many of the services offered by Wellness on Wheelz are intended to keep a pet on track to a healthy life. 

De-worming and rabies vaccines are among those medications, while rattlesnake vaccines and microchips are offered as well. Something that Fletcher said is unique to the mobile vet business is “Zeutering,” in which male dogs are sterilized with an injection instead of surgery.“That’s one of the services we offer, too, that you can’t find anywhere, actually,” he said. “You’ve got to come here.” Affordability and access are two big reasons for the creation of the mobile service, Fletcher said.“It’s very convenient and inexpensive because there’s no examination fee,” he said. “It’s much faster and better customer service, actually.”more