German study links red meat to strokes.

German study links red meat to strokes

EQUINE THERAPY!!!

https://veterinarymedicineechbeebolanle-ojuri.blogspot.com/2019/01/veterinary-medicine-emerging-viruses-in.html https://veterinarymedicineechbeebolanle-ojuri.blogspot.com/2015/12/egg-powder.html

Russia gives France a puppy to replace Diesel, dog killed in Paris raid.

German Shepherd Dobrynya is named after a Russian folk hero .Diesel's death in a police raid was mourned on social media with the hashtag #JeSuisChien . He may be no Diesel, but Russia has given France a new puppy following the death of the seven-year-old police dog during a terror raid in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis last month."The puppy you are giving us today will replace Diesel and proves your friendship," said French ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert, during a ceremony at the French Embassy in Moscow on Monday."They are waiting for this puppy in Paris," he added, according to Russian news agency Tass. Dobrynya waits patiently during the handover ceremony in Moscow on Monday, December 6.Diesel's death in a police raid on November 18 came five days after 130 people were killed in multiple terror attacks in Paris. Read more;http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/08/europe/france-russia-police-dog/

World's first IVF puppies born to surrogate mother dog!!!

The world's first "test tube" puppies have been born after years of attempts, say scientists in the US.The in-vitro fertilisation success paves the way for conserving endangered breeds and could help in the fight against human and animal diseases, say researchers at Cornell University. The seven beagle and cross-bred beagle-spaniel puppies were born to a surrogate mother. They were from the same litter but have three sets of parents. Frozen embryos were implanted in a female dog using techniques similar to those used in human fertility clinics. Problems with freezing embryos have caused difficulties in the past, but the group say they have perfected this and other techniques. Lead researcher Dr Alex Travis, from Cornell's college of veterinary medicine, said: "We have seven normal happy healthy puppies."He added: "Since the mid-1970s, people have been trying to do this in a dog and have been unsuccessful."Now we can use this technique to conserve the genetics of endangered species." The researchers say IVF is a powerful tool to help endangered species of dog such as the African wild dog. It could also be used in the study of inherited human and dog diseases.Dogs share many similar diseases with humans - almost twice as many as for any other species. Dr Travis said the work was an important milestone. "In vitro fertilisation is a really powerful tool to help preserve endangered species of dog," he told the BBC. "IVF is also important for the health of our pets because it opens up the possibility that we could identify certain genes that cause disease and then fix those." The puppies were born in the summer. Their existence was kept secret until the findings were formally announced to the scientific world this week. They have reportedly been named Ivy, Cannon, Beaker, Buddy, Nelly, Red and Green, and all but one has gone to a new home. The research, published in the journal PLoS One, has been described as a "major step forward" in medicine. Prof David Argyle, head of the school of veterinary medicine at the University of Edinburgh, which was not part of the study, said the new techniques would help understanding of inherited diseases in both dogs and people. "Importantly, it is becoming apparent that dogs and humans share many common biology, diseases and syndromes, and it is likely that these new techniques could have significant benefit for the study of human diseases as well as canine diseases," he added. Story credit; BBC.

SCIENTISTS CREATE INFERTILE FEMALE MOSQUITO TO WIPE OUT MALARIA.

UK scientists say they have reached a milestone in the fight against malaria by creating a genetically modified mosquito that is infertile.The plan is to wipe out the insects that spread malaria to people via bites, Nature Biotechnology reports. Two copies of the mutant gene render the malaria-carrying female insect completely barren. But one copy is enough for a mosquito mum or dad to pass it on to offspring. This should perpetually spread the infertility gene throughout the population so the species dwindles or dies out. However, the Imperial College London team say more safety tests are needed, meaning it will be a decade before the mutant mosquitoes can be released into the wild. Cheating nature; The mutant mosquito can still carry and transmit malaria to people via bites. But their genetic make-up means they should breed with and replace other malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Any offspring with one copy of the gene would carry on passing the trait to future generations, while any female offspring that inherits both copies would be unable to reproduce. In this way, the host of the malaria parasite should eventually become extinct. In the Imperial team's experiments with Anopheles gambiae - a breed of mosquito that is rife in sub-Saharan Africa where the bulk of human malaria deaths currently occur - the mutant mosquitoes were kept with wild-type ones so they could mate. The gene for infertility was transmitted to more than 90% of both male and female mosquitoes' offspring across five generations, thanks to technology called gene drive, say the researchers Dr Tony Nolan and Prof Andrea Crisanti. read more ;http://www.bbc.com/news/health-35024794

TREATMENT OF EAR MITE REDUCES TUMORS IN FOXES.

Until recently, endangered foxes on California's Catalina Island were suffering from one of the highest prevalences of tumors ever documented in a wildlife population, UC Davis scientists have found. But treatment of ear mites appears to be helping the wild animals recover.Roughly half of adult foxes examined between 2001 and 2008 had tumors in their ears, with about two-thirds of those malignant, according to a UC Davis study published this month in the journal PLOS ONE. More than 98 percent of the foxes were also infected with ear mites. These mites appear to be a predisposing factor for ear tumors in the Santa Catalina Island fox. Roughly half of adult foxes examined between 2001 and 2008 had tumors in their ears, with about two-thirds of those malignant, according to a UC Davis study published this month in the journal PLOS ONE. More than 98 percent of the foxes were also infected with ear mites. These mites appear to be a predisposing factor for ear tumors in the Santa Catalina Island fox. Luckily for the foxes, the story doesn't stop there. "We established a high prevalence of both tumors and ear mites, and hypothesized that there was something we could potentially do about it, which now appears to be significantly helping this population," said Winston Vickers, lead author of the prevalence study and an associate veterinarian with the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Santa Catalina Island foxes are intensively managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy. In 2009, when the mite treatment study began, the Conservancy added acaracide to the variety of preventative treatments they administer to the foxes each year.The Conservancy confirms that, in the years since, the overall prevalence of ear mites has dramatically declined in the areas they normally catch and treat foxes, as have the rates of tissue masses in the ear canals, suggesting reduced tumor presence. Read more here; http://phys.org/news/2015-12-scientists-widespread-ear-tumorsand-solutionfor.html

DISEASE RESISTANT PIGS PRODUCED USING GENE EDITING TECHNOLOGY.

A British animal genetics firm, working with U.S. scientists, has bred the world's first pigs resistant to a common viral disease, using the hot new technology of gene editing.Genus, which supplies pig and bull semen to farmers worldwide, said on Tuesday it had worked with the University of Missouri to develop pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSv).The condition, also known as blue-ear disease, can be fatal as it affects the animals' immune system and costs farmers hundreds of millions of dollars a year. There is no cure for this disease resulting in huge loses on affected farms.By using precise gene editing, the team from the University of Missouri was able to breed pigs that do not produce a specific protein necessary for the virus to spread in the animals. Their research was published in journal Nature Biotechnology.Early-stage studies showed the new PRRSv resistant pigs, when exposed to the virus, did not get sick and continued to gain weight normally. Editing the genes of living organisms holds out great promise for treating diseases and improving agricultural crops and animal species. But when applied to humans it could also be used to create "designer babies", prompting critics to call for a global ban on genetic modification of human embryos.The technology allows scientists to edit genes by using biological "scissors" that operate a bit like a word-processing program that can find and replace selected stretches of DNA.It has been put to work in laboratories around the world, even as the ethical and safety issues it raises are fiercely debated. PRRSv affects millions of pigs and costs the swine industry around $700 million a year in the United States and 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in Europe, according to a 2011 Iowa State University study cited by Genus. read more here; http://www.reuters.com/article/us-science-pigs-genus-idUSKBN0TR1DL20151208#5wsWqylIrSm8pFo7.97

BILL GATES AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

Mr. Gates told Mr. Hollande that energy innovation needed to be a top agenda item at the climate change conference now taking place in this airport suburb outside Paris. For years, Mr. Gates had prodded governments to increase spending on research and development of clean technologies. He had sunk $1 billion of his own fortune into start-ups working on new kinds of batteries and nuclear reactors. The June tête-à-tête helped accelerate a sequence of events that led to one of the biggest public-private partnerships to tackle climate change, unveiled at the conference. Mr. Gates, who made billions from Microsoft before remaking himself as a philanthropist, was a linchpin of the effort, acting as an envoy between the worlds of business and policy. His role in sealing the deal offers a peek into how the inner circles of governments and industry intersect. It also underscores how a handful of the world’s wealthiest people can stand with heads of state to spotlight a social, economic and policy issue on the global stage. For Mr. Gates, the world’s richest person and co-chairman of the biggest private foundation, it is another sign of how his vast foreign aid operation and status as a technology icon have turned him into a uniquely influential global diplomat. The seeds for a partnership were planted in January when President Obama visited Mr. Modi in New Delhi. Mr. Obama’s goal was to forge a close relationship with Mr. Modi, in hopes of finding common ground on climate change. During those conversations, Mr. Modi pointed out his challenge: He needed new electricity to help raise India out of poverty, but coal was the cheapest power source. He said India would use clean energy if there were tech breakthroughs that provided that energy inexpensively. Mr. Modi’s message prompted Mr. Obama to consider how to achieve more clean-energy innovation. One idea was a multigovernment coalition to increase spending on clean technology. Read more here;http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/09/business/energy-environment/bill-gates-takes-on-climate-change-with-nudges-and-a-powerful-rolodex.html?_r=0

SWINE FLU OUTBREAK IN IRAN .

An outbreak of swine flu in two south-eastern provinces of Iran has killed at least 33 people over the last three weeks. Iran's Deputy Health Minister Ali-Akbar Sayyari told the official IRNA news agency 28 had died in Kerman province and five in Sistan-Baluchistan. He warned that the outbreak was likely to spread to other areas of the country, including Tehran.Swine flu is a strain of the influenza virus known as H1N1. The strain first appeared in Mexico in 2009 and rapidly spread around the world. Another Iranian news agency, ISNA, reported that around 600 people had received hospital treatment after contracting the virus in Kerman province. Story credit;BBC.

Green body may help meat producers cut carbon emissions

Green body may help meat producers cut carbon emissions

10 Steps to Improving a Food Company through Mobile Technology

10 Steps to Improving a Food Company through Mobile Technology

OAL Group Steam Infusion to make maize-based yoghurt drinks in Zambia

OAL Group Steam Infusion to make maize-based yoghurt drinks in Zambia

OAL installs Greencore Grocery autocoding system

‘Proof is in the pudding’ as OAL installs Greencore Grocery autocoding system

OBESITY IN HORSES.

Obesity in horses not only comes with weight gain but with endocrine problems such as insulin resistance.Obesity in horses has been linked to heart disease , diabetes mellitus and laminitis. Obesity in horses has been linked to laminitis, a painful condition that affects joint of horses ,the weight of the horse puts a strain on the joint.Horses that develop insulin resistance are at higher risk of laminitis. Obesity in horses has been linked to 1) overfeeding of horses. 2) carbohydrate overload. 3) excessive access to grass and pasture. 4)excessive apple and carrot treats which are high in sugar content. 5) feeding commercial feeds that have high sugar content. 6) lack of adequate exercise. Nutrition and exercise are the major tools needed to prevent and control obesity.

EQUINE HEALTH.

. Horses are adorable aside from been energetic, each with his /her own behavior. The changes in horse's behavior which we term unusual is a pointer that something is wrong. The following signs indicate good health in horses; 1)pricked ears.2) good appetite 3)alert eyes 4)regular passing of droppings and urine 5)clean and shiny coat 6) evenly distributed weight on all four feet. The vital signs for a resting healthy horse are Temperature;.......................36.5-38°c. Respiration...................8-12 breaths/min. Pulse.......................30-40 beats/min. When any of these signs are altered ,its a pointer that the horse is unhealthy.

BIRD FLU VIRUS ,FOOD HANDLING AND FOOD SAFETY.

The bird flu virus is inactivated by heat,hence cooking at high temperature of 70°c will destroy the virus.This fact is of importance when handling and cooking poultry. Several cases of H5N1 in humans have occurred from consumption of improperly cooked or raw poultry products. 

 Freezing,blast-freezing and refrigeration of poultry products does not deactivate the bird flu virus,so ensure that you cook thawed poultry properly at high temperature and make sure the fluid from the poultry does not mix with foods that will be consumed raw. 

 Chicken should be cooked thoroughly with no pink parts, eggs should also be properly cooked. All poultry and poultry products should be thoroughly cooked. Hands should be washed immediately after you handle poultry and poultry products,the bird flu virus can be inactivated in acidic pH ,thus washing with soap is very effective to curb the spread of the virus. 

 Water can be disinfected to ensure its safety,the addition of chlorine to water at normal purification levels >3 is effective to kill the bird flu virus.People in areas where the bird flu virus has been identified should ensure thorough cooking of such products and prevent cross contamination with other foods,utensil and cooking agents should be washed with soap and hot water. 

 The bird flu virus can survive at low temperatures for at least a month,hence common food preservation such as freezing,refrigerating cant inactivate the virus, hence cook poultry properly. In 2007 ;German officials found the H5N1 virus in frozen duck sample at a poultry slaughter house,which confirms that freezing cant inactivate the virus.

 Eggs may contain the virus on the shell and within the eggs,eggs should not be consumed raw,or partially cooked,no runny yolks either.Cooking at high temperature for long periods is a sure way to ensure food safety. In man infection with the H5N1 virus has been linked to home slaughter of poultry,handling and cooking of diseased poultry,hence proper hygiene is essential. 

 The key is thorough washing of hands,cooking utensils and cleaning and disinfecting cooking surfaces.Cross contamination should be prevented by cooking poultry separately. Wash,clean and disinfect.

AGRIBUSINESS: ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION AND QR CODES.

The vet has a major role to play in nation building in terms of animal health and production.Animal identification is a tool for tracing,tracking animals as well as collate data on population.

 Animal identification is also a planning tool that will provide into on different animals in the state,number and location. This will help policy makers to plan for vaccination project and other  preventive protocols in animals.

 It has been documented that 75% of diseases affecting humans are caused by animals, so if the health status of the animals are top priority ,then we can prevent a lot of diseases in man.


 The animal kingdom has a lot to offer the human race ,in terms of food, clothing, medicine, research opportunities, foreign exchange and new improved genetic strains and breeds that can eliminate unwanted traits in certain species.

 There is a fortune to be made from animal husbandry but management of such projects deny us the expected rewards.

  Animal identification benefits for animal health and food  safety.

 Animal/pet identification project: if farmer has his farm registered, the animals on the farm are tagged/ pooled in a data base. This  information is stored , the location of the farm is noted using google earth or the simple G.P.S . Activities on the farm are monitored by vets and of course the farm is insured.

All products from the farm can be traced up to the market,and all food safety procedures adhered to, and documented.  This process alone will give a data base of producers in the country.

 The proper management on farms will be ensured , tracing of products from farms  are possible. This will be of importance if there is a problem that mandates a recall of product for investigation.

 The way to achieve the purpose of wealth creation  from agribusiness venture is to have a data base that shows location, tracks supplies and distribution channels..

AVIAN INFLUENZA!!!

Ready, Aim, Fire! Pathogen detection by laser

Ready, Aim, Fire! Pathogen detection by laser

PATHOGEN DETECTION USING LASER.

The technology is based on elastic light scatter(ELS),it uses laser to fire at a colony on an agar plate and the light scatter that it produces a pattern used for identification. Read more about the technology here;http://www.foodqualitynews.com/R-D/Hettich-and-Purdue-present-elastic-light-scatter-technology/?utm_source=Newsletter_Subject&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BSubject&c=

DISEASE PREVENTION IN POULTRY FARMS.

Bio security is a set of protocols that are simple but specific that positively influence animal health,public health and ensure food safety.

 Personal hygiene plays a vital role in disease prevention; the use of protective clothing and shoes is a major way to stay safe and keep flock clean. The protective clothing could be disposable or re use-able and the level protection required will depend on the case at hand.

   The normal protective clothing for every day farm use include, the overalls,gloves and boots.The level of protection becomes more sophisticated in outbreak cases, where disposable protective clothing are worn with  the use of nose guards/respirators.

. The use of protective clothing and boots is complemented  with hand washing and disinfection. The clothes and boots are to be washed ,and disinfected after every use.

 HAND WASHING: this can be achieved with soap and disinfectants.The wash bowls should be placed at key points in the farm,and washing should be done before you enter farm and handle birds.

Alcohol swipes also come in handy after washing, these can be used to ensure the hands are clean and germ free.

 Foot dip: vats filled with disinfectant and placed at entrance of farms. The disinfectants should be changed at regular intervals.

BIO SECURITY MEASURES FOR SUCCESS IN THE POULTRY VALUE CHAIN.

BIOSECURITY.  Following simple but specific protocols everyday to positively influence animal health, food safety and public health.  What are the basic protocols in biosecurity?  Biosecurity basically entails, prevention of pathogens from entering premises to ensure there is no disease incidence, and curtail spread of diseases in cases of outbreaks.  Pathogens are disease causing microorganisms that usually have devastating effect on animals, resulting in decreased production and death in severe cases.  Pathogens can be bacteria, viruses, fungi and prion.  Pathogens .  The animal kingdom is riddled with several pathogens that wreck havoc on these animals irrespective of specie.  These pathogens are also of importance to man, especially when these cause zoonotic diseases.  Zoonotic diseases are spread from animals to man, and sometimes there is a reverse zoonoses where man actually spreads the disease to their animals.  Route of transmission.  The basic routes are:  Direct contact.  Aerosol.  Oral.  Fomites.  Vector borne  Zoonoses.  Reproduction.  Environmental contamination.  Mode of transmission.  Direct contact ;disease spread by contact with open wounds, mucous membrane of an infected animal or its secretions/tissue fluids. Disease can also spread through contact with reproductive fluid(blood, urine and saliva) during breeding, or from mother to offspring.  Aerosol; droplets containing the pathogenic agent travel in air and are inhaled as respiratory droplets by animals  Oral; ingestion of the pathogenic agent from contaminated feed ,chewing/licking contaminated objects in environment and water.  Fomites; spread of the pathogen through contact with inanimate objects contaminated by infected animals. Man can act as fomites by transferring these pathogens in through soiled boots, gloves or tools.  Vector; some insects transfer these pathogens from one animal to another through bites.  Zoonoses; these pathogens are transferred from animals to man.  Environmental contamination is key in transmission as some of these pathogens remain infective in the environment for specific periods, thus establishing a foci of infection the area .  Biosecurity procedures  These are simple ,everyday practices to prevent entry of diseases and spread of diseases.  The protocol must be tailored to your farm setting, the type of pathogens affecting your type of animals and public health implication.  The basic biosecurity plan can be broadly divided into 1) isolation,2) cleaning and disinfection 3) waste disposal.  The chemicals to be used will depend on the targeted pathogen,to ensure we get result.  Steps in biosecurity. Isolation.  Isolation; this refers to keeping these pathogens out by following these steps 1)wearing personal protective equipment which could be disposable or reusable. These include boots, gloves, outer wear and masks/nose guards.  Provision of clean, sterilized clothes.  Prevent entry into animal housing.  Quarantine new animals to farm for at least a month.  Creation of a safe zone in the premises, where there visitors such as veterinarians can change to protective clothing before they have access to animal housing.  Isolate sick animals .  Screen farm premises to prevent entry of wild animals, birds, rodents and reptiles.  Cleaning, washing and disinfection.  Cleaning ,washing and disinfection; cleaning refers to removing debris, dirt and waste from animal housing prior to washing with soap/detergent and then disinfecting the premises.  This procedure also done for tools and implements. Egg trays, feeders/drinkers are also cleaned, washed and disinfected.  Foot bath/tyre dips are also classed here; where there is a provision of a foot dip with disinfectants at the entrance of the animal housing, while the tyres of vehicles coming to the facility are sprayed with disinfectant.  Hand washing points must be on the premises; when you come in you wash hands and sanitize hands.  Water sources such as tanks, containers are washed and sanitized  Waste disposal. Waste disposal/handling is a major route of spread of diseases, thus biosecurity practices must include proper management. Waste should be packed at regular intervals and treated with appropriate chemicals/disinfectants before disposal. This is to ensure that what ever pathogen is in the waste does not persist in the environment. When waste is to be used as manure, these should be bagged and stored neatly, and the area constantly cleaned. Composting the waste in a secluded section on farm is the best practice.  Disinfectants  The disinfectant to be used in animal facility must be non corrosive, non irritating, does not taint equipment, non toxic, have wide spectrum of use and easy to use.  There are basically 9groups that are of benefit; aldehyde group, quaternary ammonium, oxidizing agents , alcohol, hypochlorites,phenols,iodophors, chlorhexidene and peroxide.  The disinfectant of choice will depend on the pathogen in question and nature of case.  Thank you.

MORE BIRD FLU OUTBREAKS IN FRANCE!!!

FRANCE - Following the detection of three avian influenza outbreaks in Dordogne, three more outbreaks have been confirmed in Landes and Dordogne. The new outbreaks were detected after increased surveillance was put into place across France, including active surveillance of clinical signs of avian influenza in sensitive species. Abnormal mortality levels detected by farmers have also led to systematic sampling. The confirmed outbreaks, which took place in guinea fowl and ducks in Landes and ducks in Dordogne, a press release from the French agriculture ministry said that other outbreaks were suspected. Protection zones, surveillance, biosecurity and stamping out of the disease on the affected farms have been used to try and prevent the virus spreading. The issue of biosecurity with active surveillance is key to curb the spread of the virus and the issue of early reporting when there is a high number of mortality with a short period ,is also very important. story credit; poultry site.

LYME DISEASE.

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness . The spirochete, which causes the disease, is transmitted by Ixodes ticks, For a person to develop Lyme disease, he or she must be bitten by an infected tick and the organism is transmitted only if the tick is infected and if the tick feeds long enough for more than 36 hours. The major sign in early localized Lyme disease is the bull’s eye rash: erythema migrans. The rash begins at the tick bite site and expands over days to reach diameters in excess of 5 cm. Generally, the border of the rash is erythematous, with central clearing, although at times the center is erythematous or even purplish. Fever, malaise, aches and pains often accompany the rash. The rash resolves with or without antibiotic therapy. Some patients will develop early disseminated disease in which there are multiple erythema migrans. Cranial nerve palsies, most often the seventh nerve, may occur in this stage. Aseptic meningitis occurs in some patients and can be difficult to distinguish from viral meningitis. However, the onset is generally more insidious than viral meningitis. Carditis occurs in this stage but is rare in children; carditis presents as heart block. Late disease is characterized by arthritis, generally Central nervous system disease and peripheral neuropathy are rare manifestations of late Lyme disease. Prevention relies on avoidance of tick bites or prompt removal of the tick before transmission of the spirochete occurs. Ticks are most common in high grass or weeds. In general, if you can see your shoes, you are not likely to be bitten. This was shown in a study of golfers that correlated likelihood of Lyme disease with time spent in the rough. Tick checks are important so that the tick can be removed promptly. Lyme disease treatment ;Treatment depends upon the stage of the infection. For children aged 8 years and older, doxycycline is given for 2 to 3 weeks; amoxicillin is used in younger children or those who cannot tolerate doxycycline. Parenteral therapy is reserved for patients with persistent arthritis or meningitis; however, many experts would consider repeating an oral course of antibiotics for arthritis and using doxycycline for meningitis. As with many infections, symptoms often persist after completion of an effective antibiotic course. There is no evidence that prolonged antibiotic courses are needed or are helpful. read more here; http://www.healio.com/pediatrics/news/print/infectious-diseases-in-children/%7B77a7f447-979e-4655-9993-fd4dab45e8f0%7D/lyme-disease-staying-on-track

Boost yield and product quality by combining injecting and massaging

THE APPROPRIATE INJECTION PATTERN The GEA YieldJector's dense injection pattern gives more than twice the injection points of a conventional injector, providing the highest number of injection points in its class. This optimizes brine distribution, also under and around the bone. GEA injectors offer this possibility because it features injection heads with individual needles that retract when hitting a bone, further increasing the needle-in-meatratio. Marinating bone-in and skin-on poultry products like wings, drumsticks, thighs, legs and whole or half birds adds flavor and boosts value. Traditionally this is carried out using tumbling only. Not only this is a time-consuming batch process, but it also leads to wet products at the outfeed and unsightly effects like skin slip. Combining injecting and massaging in the GEA Fresh enhanced line overcomes these drawbacks. GEA Food Solutions has a complete solution to increases efficiency, produce a more appetizing looking product and boost yield by up to 4%. Injecting AccuJector with chicken wings on belt Bone-in and skin-on poultry parts present specific challenges for injection. Conventional needles have a tendency to break or deform when they hit bone, whereas larger diameters needles leave visible marks in the skin and damage the bone. To overcome these drawbacks, the poultry parts injection solution incorporates a GEA YieldJector, which has an exceptionally high number of injection points and works with sharp, small diameter GEA OptiFlex needles. appearance and an improvement in processing efficiency. Frying/Cooking/Roasting GEA CookStar_Outfeed with chicken legs Yield is most influenced by weight loss during further processing. The better the brine distribution and the lower the deviation between products, the higher the potential yield and capacity during the frying, cooking and/or roasting processes. Add to this the optimal frying control and oil filtration of the GEA EasyFry and the precisely controlled cooking process of the GEA CookStar and you benefit from the best possible processing efficiency. Read more here;http://www.gea.com/global/en/articles/bone-in-poultry/index.jsp

Researchers seek cure for deadly laminitis hoof disease in horses.

team of ponies has been helping Australian researchers search for the cause and cure for the costly, common and incurable equine disease, laminitis.The disease is the second-biggest killer of horses, a painful and potentially deadly hoof condition that affects thousands of horses a year.The groundbreaking research triggered a joint multi-million-dollar project by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), the University of Queensland, Melbourne University and Charles Sturt University in New South Wales.The science has returned positive results and researchers said a preventative treatment could be within reach. The cause of the disease was hotly debated,until 5 years ago when high insulin levels are to blame. Professor Sillence has headed the team that has proved that in most cases, high insulin levels are to blame.He said in horses prone to laminitis, or founder as it is more commonly known, sweet feed was shown to trigger toxic levels of the hormone.The most common form of laminitis that affects ponies and horses that are on rich pasture, is certainly down to excess levels of insulin in the blood - it's like human diabetes," he said. Professor Sillence said genetic predisposition, over-feeding and a lack of exercise also played a part. "The difference is the horses' pancreas never fails and pumps out massive amounts of insulin until it causes this devastating result, which is when the hooves start to come apart from the legs," he said. Case study; Horse owner Errol Maudsley said he always suspected his daughter's pony, Coco, might have been prone to founder because of his round stature.He said they had always managed him accordingly."We lock him up and restrict how much he eats, but after all the rain he caught us out and he actually foundered - it's just access to so much feed," he said. In Coco's case, it was caught early and treated, but Mr Maudsley said management would be ongoing."Forever - now that we know he's prone - we'll have to watch him all the time," he said. read more here;http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-14/researchers-hope-to-find-cure-to-laminitis-disease-in-horses/6471000

THE THREAT OF LYME DISEASE.

Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that in its most serious form can result in chronic fatigue, pain, confusion, depression-like symptoms and memory loss. The number of cases appear to be rising include a growing number of ticks in some weather conditions; more wild mammals that host them; an increase in the number of visitors to areas where they live; and greater awareness leading to more diagnosis. The disease is spreading through the population of ticks and animals are picking it up thus so more and more people are contracting the disease. Britain has recorded a rise this summer , a case scenario; Laura ;One patient who had to wait more than three years for treatment was Laura, who has asked that only her first name be used.In January 2012 she noticed a red bullseye rash on her right shin. The rash is the most distinctive feature of Lyme disease, but Laura was not aware of that. A couple of months later, she said, she began to feel “foggy, confused, forgetful”, and it was “hard to make decisions, hard to think, hard to read, hard – pretty much – to use my brain”.Despite living close to Richmond Park in west London, where Lyme disease is known to exist, Doctors thought the most likely cause was chronic fatigue. Months passed during which Laura gave up her job as a civil servant to focus what energy she had on her two primary school age children.The turning point was when Laura read an article about Lyme disease and recognized a picture of the erythema migrans rash. A blood test came back negative, but this was not decisive: medics test not for the bacterial infection but for the anti-bodies that the body makes to fight it, so patients tested too soon or too late will often not record a positive result. A specialist was “confident” it was Lyme disease, though cautioned it was too late to treat it with antibiotics. Laura pressed for a lumbar puncture, which showed she had an inflamation of the brain - another indicator she possibly had the illness.This summer she was finally given antibiotics, which she said “seemed to help”. She is now working in a local school. story credit; the guardian.

NEWCASTLE OUTBREAK IN ROMANIA.

Romania has reported an outbreak of Newcastle disease for the first time since 2007. Where over 500 birds died in a flock of laying hens in Bucov, Prahova. Another 1070 birds were destroyed to prevent the outbreak from spreading. Romania's report to the World Organisation for Animal health described the affected farm as 'non-commercial, and said the birds were aged seven and a half months. They were vaccinated at 1 and 3 weeks old with a live attenuated vaccine, administered orally. The country has culled all affected birds and has initiated a surveillance to facilitate tracing and tracking of birds and also institute control measures in cases of outbreak. story courtesy; poultry site.

Natural flavoring for reduced sodium meat products

Natural flavoring for reduced sodium meat products

ADM feeds food sector with salt reduction technology

ADM feeds food sector with salt reduction technology

Canada packs a punch with innovative packaging

Canada packs a punch with innovative packaging

HENDRA VIRUS, HORSES AND HORSE OWNERS.

The Hendra virus is a virus that mainly infects fruit bats also called flying foxes which can be passed on to horses, people and other animals. The virus is a deadly zoonoses. Hendra virus is very fragile. It is easily killed by heat, soap or detergents and by desiccation (drying out). It may survive in the environment from several hours to several days depending on environmental conditions. Survival is longer in cool moist conditions where the pH is close to neutral. Horses can shed Hendra virus before they show any sign of illness. All horse handlers should protect themselves by routinely using good hygiene practices whenever handling horses.Always cover any cuts exposed skin before handling your horse. Always wash your hands with soap and water, particularly after handling your horse's mouth or nose. Do not smoke, eat or touch your eyes, nose or mouth until you have washed your hands, every time you put a bridle on or take it off you are likely to contact the horse's saliva. The Hendra virus should be suspected whenever a horse's health deteriorates rapidly. The symptoms in horses include a sudden fever with a respiratory or neurological illness and rapid death, laboured breathing ,frothy and/or blood stained nasal discharge ,a temperature above 40 degreesC. The neurological changes are tilting of the head, loss of vision, abnormal muscle twitching, weakness and loss of balance. Some horses show colic symptoms. What to do when horses have been confirmed to have the virus; 1)quarantine. 2) protective clothing .Everyone handling a sick horse must wear full protective clothing. Protective clothing must be fitted correctly. Put on protective clothing before approaching the horse.After handling the horse, remove and dispose of protective clothing carefully into waste bags, making sure there is no contact with your face, particularly your eyes, mouth and nose.Carefully remove any clothing contaminated with the horse's body fluids. Wash your hands thoroughly after removing the protective clothing and horse owners should always have a protective clothing for safety. Vaccination of horses is very important.

SIGNS OF BIRD FLU IN MAN.

The bird flu virus has been know to affect man and causing death in some of those affected.The major means of infection is close contact with affected poultry such as handling and processing .The issue of bio security on farms can not be over emphasized, the use of foot dips,tyre dips and hand washing with stipulated disinfectants are essential for safety.The procurement of healthy birds from reliable sources is also vital in the biosecurity protocol. The incubation period is usually 3-7 days after contact with infected poultry. Signs include;A sudden high temperature of 38C or above,a dry, chesty cough, headache, tiredness,inappetence, sore throat, runny nose, muscle and joint pain, stomach upset, diarrhoea and sore throat. The other signs include pneumonia, respiratory distress which is followed by multiple organ failure resulting in death. Prevention; 1) wash hands after handling poultry. 2) avoid contact with wild birds. read more

JAPAN BANS POULTRY IMPORTS FROM FRANCE.

Japan, the largest importer of French foie gras, bans poultry imports after bird flu outbreak in Dordogne;China, South Korea, Thailand, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia have banned French poultry imports and several other countries are considering doing so, according to Loïc Evain of the French agriculture ministry. Containment and protection measures are in force within a six-mile radius of the three farms affected near the village of Biras, between Périgueux and Brantôme. Entire flocks have been culled. About 1,000 geese and 14,000 ducks were electrocuted earlier this week in special trucks so the dead birds can be removed with minimum contamination. The farms are still being disinfected. story credit; Telegraph

CAT FITTED WITH TITANIUM LEGS.

A 3-year-old domestic short-haired cat named Vincent, whose hind legs are high-tech prosthetics, may soon be leaping for the tops of couches, counter-tops, and other high places he'd like to visit.He can't jump just yet, but that shouldn't be far behind. "I anticipate that he’ll be jumping and doing really normal cat things very soon," said Mary Sarah Bergh in a press release. The veterinary orthopedic surgeon and professor from Iowa State implanted the cat's titanium legs and is in charge of his post-operative care. The cat's weight is supported by the titanium shafts, which go upward, inside his bones. Subsequent procedures will gradually lengthen his legs, and eventually they will be the length of a normal cat's hind legs.Because the shafts are exposed to the environment, Vincent needs to receive antibiotic spray treatments twice a day, but otherwise all systems seem to be go for the special feline. He'll be looking down from high places soon enough. story credit; discovery news.

CATERPILLAR-INDUCED ABORTIONS IN MARES.

New research is underway in the Hunter Valley to try to reduce the number of abortions in horses caused by a species of caterpillar.University of Queensland researcher Julianne Farrell is carrying out field studies at several Upper Hunter studs, focussing on the hairs from the processionary caterpillar. Studs have addressed the problem by keeping mares away from the caterpillar and its nest.Ms Farrell said the racing industry is hoping the three-year study sheds light on the issue."That's why the racing industry has funded this project," she said. When service to a highly prized stallion is so expensive, you don't want to lose a foal halfway through the pregnancy."So it's in everyone's best interests that we sort out how we can possibly keep the mares and the caterpillars apart."Ms Farrell said controlling the caterpillar is proving challenging."What we'd like to provide is someway of keeping these caterpillars and the pregnant mares apart," she said."To keep the breeders and the stud owners in the Hunter Valley, and elsewhere where there are lots of thoroughbreds studs, happy. But it's not just the thoroughbreds affected - it's all sporting and performance horses that can also be affected."Scone vet Cameron Collins said the caterpillar has wreaked havoc during breeding seasons."We believe that processionary caterpillar related abortions may be responsible for up to 20 to 25 per cent of the abortions we see," he said. "What we find is the caterpillars live in nests in the trees," he said."The nest grows as the caterpillars grow, and shed their skin, full of caterpillar excretions."If that nest is disturbed, all of that exoskeleton material is distributed across the paddock, then the horses can be exposed to the contents of those nests, and that's when we think the problem occurs."It's a matter of identifying those nests and then disposing of them safely. Story courtesy; http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-29/research-at-hunter-horse-studs-to-prevent-caterpillar-induced-a/6505708

VETERINARIANS AND BIOSECURITY PROTOCOLS.

Veterinarians are often exposed to diseases that could be fatal, and this exposure has also been linked to further spread of infectious agents to other farms.The safety protocol for the vet and animals must be ensured for safety.


Bio security protocols are very important,and to this end training of vets and para-vets on these protocols are necessary.

 Diseases are emerging every time and others evolving, safety is necessary as more and more exposure cases are known and so many unreported and a lot more undiagnosed.


The health status of the vets are important just as that of the animals.Food animals ,companion animals and wildlife all poise a threat; safety is the watch word.

 Training on biosecurity protocols, use of latest disinfectants must be periodical and livestock owners should also know basic safety protocol.

Vets up-skill to prepare for future animal infectious disease emergencies in a bid to better manage future outbreaks of animal disease like avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease and Hendra virus, veterinarians convened in Canberra for a hands-on training exercise.

 "Part of the training is to condition people to what actually happens, so it doesn't take them by surprise," he said. Dr Will Andrew"It gives them assurance of their procedure and that takes the pressure off people.

"Vets were presented with a host of disinfectant and quarantine protocols."If you go and visit a property and you don't carry out some of these procedures you run the risk, particularly as a vet, when you visit the next property of taking that disease with you," Dr Andrew said.

Viruses that spread from animals to humans are on the rise.

Viruses that develop in animals and can spread to humans are on the rise around the world and scientists say more research is needed to prevent them from evolving. Viruses that pose a risk to both human and animal health are known as zoonotic diseases.The more severe examples include ebola in west Africa, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the Arabian Peninsula, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Asia, and even Hendra in Australia. The University's Dr Siobhan Mor has just completed a study into how much scientists know about such animal diseases before they develop.She said half of the data that exists focuses on known zoonotic diseases, and there is a lack of information on animal viruses that have the potential to develop into human ones."We identified 10 diseases that occur at the livestock-wildlife interface, majority of which also affect humans, and found that the majority of the research has been occurring on these [10] particular diseases since the 1960s," Dr Mor said."There has been a lot of research on these particular diseases, with far less on other diseases occurring."Dr Mor said the findings are concerning, given animal diseases could pose a greater risk to human health as livestock production systems become more intensive."We are seeing more diseases occurring now in people as a result of those livestock systems and the way we are producing human food," she said.We are seeing more diseases occurring now in people as a result of those livestock systems and the way we are producing human food. Dr Siobhan Mor, University of Sydney, "We are raising animals in close proximity to wildlife because we have cleared land in order to make way for our agricultural production." Dr Mor said sometimes new diseases are detected in humans first, which are later found to have initially developed in animals, such as HIV."Historically, we know that HIV comes from animals, but what the research shows is there are increasingly new diseases being found in humans and we later determine have been occurring in animals as well."Dr Mor said Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, is a more modern example of an animal disease that has become more problematic for humans in recent decades."I think everyone's eyes are on viruses known as coronaviruses," she said. Zoonotic diseases have become more publicised recently with the west African ebola outbreak, which has so far killed more than 10,000 people.Fruit bats are thought to be the natural hosts of the ebola virus, as is also the case with the deadly Hendra virus in Australia. Hendra has infected seven Australians and killed four, as well as countless horses, since it was first recorded in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra in 1994. Dr Mor said human Hendra cases demonstrated a need to understand more about bats, which are linked to a number of zoonotic diseases."Bats are really interesting and we now know they harbour many germs which can make people very sick," Read more here; http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-21/researchers-say-more-information-is-needed-zoonotic-diseases/6635738