OFFLU; the global network of expertise on animal influenza.

OFFLU is the OIE-FAO global network of expertise on animal influenza working to reduce the negative impacts of animal influenza viruses by promoting effective collaboration between animal health experts and with the human health sector. The animal health community will provide early recognition and characterization of emerging influenza viral strains in animal populations, and effective management of known infections, thereby better managing the risk to human health and supporting global food security, animal health and welfare, and other community benefits derived from domestic animals and wildlife. The objectives of OFFLU are as follows 1)To share and offer technical advice, training and veterinary expertise to international organisations and Member Countries to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and control of animal influenza. 2) To exchange scientific data and biological materials (including virus strains) within the network, to analyse such data, and to share such information with the wider scientific community. 3)To collaborate with the WHO on issues relating to the animal-human interface, including pandemic preparedness for early preparation of human vaccine. 4)To highlight influenza surveillance and research needs, promote their development and co-ordination.more

OIE creates global avian influenza web portal.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has created a web portal on avian influenza to help public gain a better understanding of the international avian influenza situation.According to the OIE, gaining a better understanding of the disease, providing easy access to recommendations on how to control it, and raising awareness of the current global avian influenza situation are the main objectives for creating the portal. The new OIE portal on avian influenza brings together a wealth of information, enabling a greater understanding of the disease and detailing the biosecurity measures recommended by the OIE, at both the farm and trade level, to halt its spread. The platform describes the actions taken by the OIE and its partners. Indeed, the prevention and control of zoonotic influenza's is one of the three priorities of the alliance between the OIE, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO). During recent months, the avian influenza strain H5N8, in particular, has been in the news, having been successively identified in several regions of the world, particularly Europe and America, as well as Asia and the Middle-East. The new OIE portal allows us to follow this strain’s global evolution as well as the other H5 and H7 strains in real time. check it out

Forage grass could increase milk production by 40%.

A new reports states that African dairy farmers could benefit from new varieties of high-quality, drought-resistant forage grass known as Brachiaria that boosts milk production by 40 per cent.The forage grass could enable farmers increase their incomes, according to experts at the Colombia-headquartered International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) – a CGIAR Research Center. The study demonstrates the high potential for improved forages in East Africa and high payoff for investment in improved forages. Brachiaria grass is climate-friendly and has high crude protein and less fiber, which leads to better use and digestion by cattle, in turn leading to less methane gas produced for each unit of livestock product such as milk or meat. Methane is one of the gases associated with global warming. The grass is relatively drought-tolerant compared to the Napier or elephant grass commonly used in East Africa and the grass can easily be conserved as hay for utilization during forages scarcity or for sale. The study shows that a 40% increase in milk production is achievable in East Africa after feeding livestock with Brachiaria,milk production increased by 150 per cent between 2004 and 2012, from 197.3 million litres to 497.9 million litres. continue

Veterinary services for rural dwellers.

Veterinary services make vital contributions to livestock supply chains, from farm to fork, and must be strengthened for the benefit of people, animals and the environment. Livestock play a pivotal role in income-generation, employment, food and nutrition security, transport, power and social cohesion for millions of people worldwide. Even small amounts of animal-source foods can contribute substantially to the nutritional profile of human diets, and by-products including manure, fiber and hides are used as fertilizer, building materials, fuel and clothing. 42 per cent of the world’s poor are reliant on livestock as a livelihood strategy and two thirds of the world’s poor livestock keepers are rural women, the unique multifunctionality of livestock is particularly significant to the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people.continue

Autism and the app intervention.

Autism is a mental condition that is evident from early childhood and characterized by great difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by restricted and repetitive behavior,although the condition is heritable some school of thought believe that environmental factors also play a role. Early detection and intervention are very important in the management of the condition,the fact that many parents dont come to terms with the diagnosis or seek help immediately complicates the condition. Parents that are ready to face the situation are often handicapped because of lack of information ,as many dont know where to turn or whom to turn to for help. This is the story of Rebecca Keysers,whose son was diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder and how this left her struggling to navigate her way and get the best help for him. The mother from regional New South Wales said after she found a path through and was able to access resources and services, she had many friends also facing a diagnosis who came to her asking, "What do I do now?" "That's when I decided there are so many families out there that get the diagnosis and are really unsure where to go and how to access therapies, early intervention, information and resources," Ms Keysers said. Despite having no former experience in creating a website or digital app, Ms Keysers decided to create what she said was an Australian-first, one-stop-shop to connect families and autism service providers. continue

A-S-P-I-R-E 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR !! HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!. Welcome to a great and power-packed year.The new year ushers in another opportunity to be better than you are right now and move to the next level. What is the next level and how do you get there? well this is another step on the success ladder,which you must climb to get to the success zone. The success zone is quite different for everyone as our definition of success defers,but one thing is common you must have a plan to get there. New year new resolutions all with the sole aim to get to the success zone,so as this year begins; begin by writing out what success zone is to you ,how you want to get there and when(time). This is the time to write out the vision,keep it in your face everyday and start running with it. GET READY!!!ITS GOING TO BE TOUGH,BUT YOU ARE STRONG AND GUESS WHAT ITS WORTH IT. I am writing an out-of-the-box post,for an awesome year because my expectations are high and i got my running shoes out,success is my only option. join me,lets do this.

Delivering social services through veterinary care.

The idea of social service alongside veterinary care is a new concept that is fast gaining ground and its a great "One Health" initiative concept. A group called called WisCARES is pioneering this concept,they realized there were all these people that had pets, but that had trouble accessing the veterinary care they needed. 

There were reasons why they were having difficulty getting that care, from homelessness to poverty. The organization has taken off and is now part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. 

The focus is now a “one health” initiative, trying to support people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, and trying to keep their pets with them. In keeping in touch with these people through their pets, the school is also partnering with the school of social work and the pharmacy school as it’s looking at not only the health of animals, but also people who need help in the community. 

 People think of veterinary medicine as different from human medicine but people who might be on the fringes of society,may not trust a social worker but they’ll trust their veterinarian. This relationship will give the opportunity for them to get the care they need. Its all about the human-animal bond,after a hard day, it’s your animal at home that can make everything better.source