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Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is one of the most widespread zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses in many parts of Africa, Europe and Asia. It belongs to the family of Nairoviridae in the genus of Orthonairovirus. The main reservoir and vector are ticks of the genus Hyalomma. Livestock animals (such as cattle, small ruminants and camels) develop a viremias lasting up to two weeks with absence of clinical symptoms, followed by seroconversion. This study was carried out to assess risk factors that affect seroprevalence rates in different species. In total, 928 livestock animal samples (cattle = 201; sheep = 247; goats = 233; camels = 247) from 11 out of 13 regions in Mauritania were assayed for CCHFV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) (including a novel indirect camel-IgG-specific CCHFV ELISA). Inconclusive results were resolved by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) was used to draw conclusions about the impact of certain factors (age, species, sex and region) which might have influenced the CCHFV antibody status of surveyed animals. In goats and sheep, about 15% of the animals were seropositive, whereas in cattle (69%) and camels (81%), the prevalence rate was significantly higher. On average, cattle and camels were up to twice to four times older than small ruminants. Interestingly, the seroprevalence in all species was directly linked to the age of the animals, i.e. older animals had significantly higher seroprevalence rates than younger animals. The highest CCHFV seroprevalence in Mauritania was found in camels and cattle, followed by small ruminants. The large proportion of positive animals in cattle and camels might be explained by the high ages of the animals. Future CCHFV prevalence studies should at least consider the age of surveyed animals in order to avoid misinterpretations.
Ansgar Schulz; Yahya Barry; Franziska Stoek; Aliou Ba; Jana Schulz; Mohamed L. Haki; Miriam A. Sas; Baba A. Doumbia; Peter Kirkland; Mohamed Y. Bah; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibody prevalence in Mauritanian livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and camels) is stratified by the animal’s age. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021, 15, e0009228 .
AMA StyleAnsgar Schulz, Yahya Barry, Franziska Stoek, Aliou Ba, Jana Schulz, Mohamed L. Haki, Miriam A. Sas, Baba A. Doumbia, Peter Kirkland, Mohamed Y. Bah, Martin Eiden, Martin H. Groschup. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibody prevalence in Mauritanian livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and camels) is stratified by the animal’s age. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2021; 15 (4):e0009228.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnsgar Schulz; Yahya Barry; Franziska Stoek; Aliou Ba; Jana Schulz; Mohamed L. Haki; Miriam A. Sas; Baba A. Doumbia; Peter Kirkland; Mohamed Y. Bah; Martin Eiden; Martin H. Groschup. 2021. "Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus antibody prevalence in Mauritanian livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and camels) is stratified by the animal’s age." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 15, no. 4: e0009228.
Arthropod-borne Batai virus (BATV) is an Orthobunyavirus widely distributed throughout European livestock and has, in the past, been linked to febrile diseases in humans. In Germany, BATV was found in mosquitoes and in one captive harbor seal, and antibodies were recently detected in various ruminant species. We have, therefore, conducted a follow-up study in ruminants from Saxony-Anhalt, the most affected region in Eastern Germany. A total of 325 blood samples from apparently healthy sheep, goats, and cattle were tested using a BATV-specific qRT-PCR and SNT. Even though viral RNA was not detected, the presence of antibodies was confirmed in the sera of all three species: sheep (16.5%), goats (18.3%), and cattle (41.4%). Sera were further analyzed by a glycoprotein Gc-based indirect ELISA to evaluate Gc-derived antibodies as a basis for a new serological test for BATV infections. Interestingly, the presence of neutralizing antibodies was not directly linked to the presence of BATV Gc antibodies. Overall, our results illustrate the high frequency of BATV infections in ruminants in Eastern Germany.
Nicole Cichon; Martin Eiden; Jana Schulz; Anne Günther; Patrick Wysocki; Cora Holicki; Joachim Borgwardt; Wolfgang Gaede; Martin Groschup; Ute Ziegler. Serological and Molecular Investigation of Batai Virus Infections in Ruminants from the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 2018. Viruses 2021, 13, 370 .
AMA StyleNicole Cichon, Martin Eiden, Jana Schulz, Anne Günther, Patrick Wysocki, Cora Holicki, Joachim Borgwardt, Wolfgang Gaede, Martin Groschup, Ute Ziegler. Serological and Molecular Investigation of Batai Virus Infections in Ruminants from the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 2018. Viruses. 2021; 13 (3):370.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNicole Cichon; Martin Eiden; Jana Schulz; Anne Günther; Patrick Wysocki; Cora Holicki; Joachim Borgwardt; Wolfgang Gaede; Martin Groschup; Ute Ziegler. 2021. "Serological and Molecular Investigation of Batai Virus Infections in Ruminants from the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 2018." Viruses 13, no. 3: 370.
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a pestivirus which exists in the two distinct species BVDV-1 (syn. Pestivirus A) and BVDV-2 (syn. Pestivirus B), is the causative agent of one of the most widespread and economically important virus infections in cattle. For economic as well as for animal health reasons, an increasing number of national BVDV control programs were recently implemented. The main focus lies on the detection and removal of persistently infected cattle. The application of efficient marker or DIVA (differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals) vaccines would be beneficial for the eradication success in regions with a high BVDV prevalence to prevent fetal infection and it would allow serological monitoring of the BVDV status also in vaccinated farms. Therefore, a marker vaccine based on the cytopathic (cp) BVDV-1b strain CP7 was constructed as a synthetic backbone (BVDV-1b_synCP7). For serological discrimination of vaccinated from infected animals, the viral protein Erns was substituted by the heterologous Erns of Bungowannah virus (BuPV, species Pestivirus F). In addition, the vaccines were attenuated by a deletion within the type I interferon inhibitor Npro protein encoding sequence. The BVDV-2 vaccine candidate is based on the genetic sequence of the glycoproteins E1 and E2 of BVDV-2 strain CS8644 (CS), which were introduced into the backbone of BVDV-1b_synCP7_ΔNpro_Erns Bungo in substitution of the homologous glycoproteins. Vaccine virus recovery resulted in infectious cytopathic virus chimera that grew to titers of up to 106 TCID50/mL. Both synthetic chimera BVDV-1b_synCP7_ΔNpro_Erns Bungo and BVDV-1b_synCP7_ΔNpro_Erns Bungo_E1E2 BVDV-2 CS were avirulent in cattle, provided a high level of protection in immunization and challenge experiments against both BVDV species and allowed differentiation of infected from vaccinated cattle. Our study presents the first report on an efficient BVDV-1 and -2 modified live marker vaccine candidate and the accompanying commercially available serological marker ELISA system.
Susanne Koethe; Patricia König; Kerstin Wernike; Florian Pfaff; Jana Schulz; Ilona Reimann; Birgit Makoschey; Martin Beer. A Synthetic Modified Live Chimeric Marker Vaccine against BVDV-1 and BVDV-2. Vaccines 2020, 8, 577 .
AMA StyleSusanne Koethe, Patricia König, Kerstin Wernike, Florian Pfaff, Jana Schulz, Ilona Reimann, Birgit Makoschey, Martin Beer. A Synthetic Modified Live Chimeric Marker Vaccine against BVDV-1 and BVDV-2. Vaccines. 2020; 8 (4):577.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSusanne Koethe; Patricia König; Kerstin Wernike; Florian Pfaff; Jana Schulz; Ilona Reimann; Birgit Makoschey; Martin Beer. 2020. "A Synthetic Modified Live Chimeric Marker Vaccine against BVDV-1 and BVDV-2." Vaccines 8, no. 4: 577.
African swine fever (ASF) was first identified in Estonia in 2014, initially detected in wild boar and spreading to affect almost the whole country from late 2016 onwards. Passive surveillance and the control measures applied in Estonia are the main actions in the attempt to control the wild boar population and therefore limit the spread of ASF. Implementation and success of both activities depend mainly on the involvement and commitment of the executing force: the Estonian hunters. Thus, their acceptance of the measures is of utmost importance and with the help of participatory methods, their acceptability can be assessed. Participatory epidemiology allows the involvement of key stakeholders in planning control measures and surveillance strategies and gathering information otherwise inaccessible. By conducting focus group discussions and utilizing participatory tools, this study aimed to assess the acceptance of ASF control measures by hunters in Estonia. Furthermore, the study aimed to detect means to improve the motivation of hunters to support passive surveillance. Among hunters, the results ranked the trust in lower authorities (e.g. local official veterinarians) towards implementing control measures as high (in contrast to higher officials e.g. ‘Ministry of Rural Affairs’), while perceiving themselves as the most trustworthy group among those implementing ASF control measures. Hunting and every measure supporting increased hunting, for example selective hunting, bait feeding and incentives for hunting wild boar, were deemed favourable for hunters. These measures also received the highest trust for controlling ASF. All measures hindering hunting and the movement of wildlife, for example fencing or involvement of the army in ASF control, were described as unpleasant or even unethical and trust in these measures to control the disease successfully was lacking. When assessing the perceived consequences for hunters of finding a dead wild boar, arising financial costs, additional workload and time consumption were highlighted. In line with these results, the two tools with the strongest motivational effect for taking part in passive surveillance were: (1) higher monetary incentives as compensation for the hunters’ work, and (2) the reduction of the negative consequences by limiting the hunters’ duties to solely reporting found dead wild boar. In conclusion, participatory methods can be used as a highly suitable tool for the evaluation of acceptance of measures and surveillance systems. Potentially, the results can help to improve control and passive surveillance in Estonia, as well as functioning as an example for other countries battling or awaiting ASF.
Nico Urner; Kerli Mõtus; Imbi Nurmoja; Jana Schulz; Carola Sauter-Louis; Christoph Staubach; Franz J. Conraths; Katja Schulz. Hunters’ Acceptance of Measures against African Swine Fever in Wild Boar in Estonia. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2020, 182, 105121 .
AMA StyleNico Urner, Kerli Mõtus, Imbi Nurmoja, Jana Schulz, Carola Sauter-Louis, Christoph Staubach, Franz J. Conraths, Katja Schulz. Hunters’ Acceptance of Measures against African Swine Fever in Wild Boar in Estonia. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2020; 182 ():105121.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNico Urner; Kerli Mõtus; Imbi Nurmoja; Jana Schulz; Carola Sauter-Louis; Christoph Staubach; Franz J. Conraths; Katja Schulz. 2020. "Hunters’ Acceptance of Measures against African Swine Fever in Wild Boar in Estonia." Preventive Veterinary Medicine 182, no. : 105121.
West Nile virus (WNV) is a widespread zoonotic arbovirus and a threat to public health in Germany since its first emergence in 2018. It has become of particular relevance in Germany in 2019 due to its rapid geographical spread and the detection of the first human clinical cases. The susceptibility of indigenous Culex pipiens (biotypes pipiens and molestus) for a German WNV lineage 2 strain was experimentally compared to that of Serbian Cx. pipiens biotype molestus and invasive German Aedes albopictus. All tested populations proved to be competent laboratory vectors of WNV. Culex pipiens biotype pipiens displayed the highest transmission efficiencies (40.0%–52.9%) at 25 °C. This biotype was also able to transmit WNV at 18 °C (transmission efficiencies of 4.4%–8.3%), proving that temperate climates in Central and Northern Europe may support WNV circulation. Furthermore, due to their feeding behaviors, Cx. pipiens biotype molestus and Ae. albopictus can act as “bridge vectors”, leading to human WNV infections.
Cora M. Holicki; Ute Ziegler; Cristian Răileanu; Helge Kampen; Doreen Werner; Jana Schulz; Cornelia Silaghi; Martin H. Groschup; Ana Vasić. West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Vector Competence of Indigenous Culex and Aedes Mosquitoes from Germany at Temperate Climate Conditions. Viruses 2020, 12, 561 .
AMA StyleCora M. Holicki, Ute Ziegler, Cristian Răileanu, Helge Kampen, Doreen Werner, Jana Schulz, Cornelia Silaghi, Martin H. Groschup, Ana Vasić. West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Vector Competence of Indigenous Culex and Aedes Mosquitoes from Germany at Temperate Climate Conditions. Viruses. 2020; 12 (5):561.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCora M. Holicki; Ute Ziegler; Cristian Răileanu; Helge Kampen; Doreen Werner; Jana Schulz; Cornelia Silaghi; Martin H. Groschup; Ana Vasić. 2020. "West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Vector Competence of Indigenous Culex and Aedes Mosquitoes from Germany at Temperate Climate Conditions." Viruses 12, no. 5: 561.
A national screening in 2016 identified 88% of Danish pig herds positive for livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA). This highlights the importance of evaluating potential control measures that could reduce the prevalence of LA-MRSA among Danish pig herds. In addition to describing the effects of (1) reduced within-herd transmission, (2) increased biosecurity, and (3) movement restrictions, the eradication of LA-MRSA as a potential control measure was investigated using a simulation model mimicking the spread of LA-MRSA among pig herds between 2006 and 2015. The latter strategy was simulated either as eradication of a random selection of herds for surveillance or as a risk-based selection of herds based on their potential to spread LA-MRSA via pig movements in four different scenarios: low- vs. high-prevalence scenarios with control measures starting in 2007 and in 2010. Almost all control measures showed the potential to reduce the spread of LA-MRSA among pig herds, especially when implemented intensively and when control measures were combined. Risk-based selection of herds for eradication led to a greater relative reduction compared to random selection. In the high-prevalence scenario in particular, combinations including risk-based eradication led to the greatest relative reduction.
Jana Schulz; Anette Boklund; Nils Toft; Tariq Halasa. Risk-based eradication as a control measure to limit the spread of LA-MRSA among Danish pig herds – a simulation study. Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 1 -8.
AMA StyleJana Schulz, Anette Boklund, Nils Toft, Tariq Halasa. Risk-based eradication as a control measure to limit the spread of LA-MRSA among Danish pig herds – a simulation study. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):1-8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJana Schulz; Anette Boklund; Nils Toft; Tariq Halasa. 2019. "Risk-based eradication as a control measure to limit the spread of LA-MRSA among Danish pig herds – a simulation study." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 1-8.
There has been a rapid increase in Danish pig herds testing positive for livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) since the first screening in 2008. Despite a national action plan to control LA-MRSA in the Danish pig population, 88% of pig herds tested positive in a 2016 cross-sectional study of 57 herds. The national action plan was initiated in April 2015 and aimed to reduce the spread of LA-MRSA among pig herds. However, its success is uncertain. We used a simulation model mimicking the spread of LA-MRSA among pig herds between 2006 and 2015 to evaluate the impact of control strategies if these had these been implemented in 2007 or 2010. The strategies were combinations of the following control measures: (1) a reduced number of herds using high-risk antibiotics, (2) a reduced probability of indirect transmission among herds via humans, (3) movement restrictions, and (4) voluntary eradication in 5–7.5% of the herds. Almost all tested control strategies simulated a reduction in the spread of LA-MRSA. The combination of two, three or four intervention strategies showed additive effects and led to larger reductions in the predicted herd prevalence. In addition, the prevalence of LA-MRSA-positive herds at the time when control measures were initiated influenced the effects of the control strategies. Combining the simulated control measures can be considered in future action plans to control LA-MRSA.
Jana Schulz; Anette Boklund; Nils Toft; Tariq Halasa. Effects of control measures on the spread of LA-MRSA among Danish pig herds between 2006 and 2015 – a simulation study. Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 691 .
AMA StyleJana Schulz, Anette Boklund, Nils Toft, Tariq Halasa. Effects of control measures on the spread of LA-MRSA among Danish pig herds between 2006 and 2015 – a simulation study. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):691.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJana Schulz; Anette Boklund; Nils Toft; Tariq Halasa. 2019. "Effects of control measures on the spread of LA-MRSA among Danish pig herds between 2006 and 2015 – a simulation study." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 691.
Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex CC398 (LA-MRSA CC398) is resistant to nearly all β-lactams and several non-β-lactam antimicrobials. Over the last decade, it has become widespread in pig farms across Europe and is now an important cause of human infections in countries with previously low levels of MRSA, such as the Netherlands and Denmark. The hitherto uncontrolled spread of LA-MRSA CC398 underscores an urgent need to understand its epidemiology in order to develop evidence-based interventions. This study demonstrates that pig movements between farms in combination with increased bacterial resistance to specific antibiotics and heavy metals were important drivers of the rapid spread of LA-MRSA CC398 in the Danish pig production system. These findings should be taken into consideration when researchers and policy makers evaluate and decide on actions and policies to limit the spread of LA-MRSA CC398 and other pathogens in food animals.
Raphael N. Sieber; Robert L. Skov; Jens Nielsen; Jana Schulz; Lance B. Price; Frank M. Aarestrup; Anders R. Larsen; Marc Stegger; Jesper Larsen. Drivers and Dynamics of Methicillin-Resistant Livestock-Associated Staphylococcus aureus CC398 in Pigs and Humans in Denmark. mBio 2018, 9, e02142-18 .
AMA StyleRaphael N. Sieber, Robert L. Skov, Jens Nielsen, Jana Schulz, Lance B. Price, Frank M. Aarestrup, Anders R. Larsen, Marc Stegger, Jesper Larsen. Drivers and Dynamics of Methicillin-Resistant Livestock-Associated Staphylococcus aureus CC398 in Pigs and Humans in Denmark. mBio. 2018; 9 (6):e02142-18.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRaphael N. Sieber; Robert L. Skov; Jens Nielsen; Jana Schulz; Lance B. Price; Frank M. Aarestrup; Anders R. Larsen; Marc Stegger; Jesper Larsen. 2018. "Drivers and Dynamics of Methicillin-Resistant Livestock-Associated Staphylococcus aureus CC398 in Pigs and Humans in Denmark." mBio 9, no. 6: e02142-18.
Francisella tularensis is a zoonotic, gram‐negative bacterium that causes tularemia in humans. Depending on its subspecies and the route of transmission, mild to lethal courses have been reported. F. tularensis subsp. holarctica is the only subspecies found in Europe and affects a plenitude of vertebrates including lagomorphs and rodents. Population outbreaks of certain rodent species are likely to be involved in the transmission of this pathogen. This molecular survey aims to evaluate the presence of F. tularensis in small mammals from three Central European countries. Using a real‐time polymerase chain reaction, F. tularensis DNA was detected in common voles (Microtus arvalis) from Switzerland and in field voles (Microtus agrestis) and a bank vole (Myodes glareolus) from Germany, but not in any other small mammal species. All common voles from the Czech Republic were negative for F. tularensis DNA. The prevalence in the three vole species varied between 1.3% and 3.0%. In conclusion, Francisella tularensis DNA was detected in three vole species in two of three countries investigated. The observed low prevalence raises questions on the role of voles for the transmission of Francisella tularensis in Central Europe. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Kathrin Jeske; Herbert Tomaso; Christian Imholt; Jana Schulz; Olivia Beerli; Josef Suchomel; Marta Heroldova; Jens Jacob; Christoph Staubach; Rainer G. Ulrich. Detection of Francisella tularensis in three vole species in Central Europe. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2018, 66, 1029 -1032.
AMA StyleKathrin Jeske, Herbert Tomaso, Christian Imholt, Jana Schulz, Olivia Beerli, Josef Suchomel, Marta Heroldova, Jens Jacob, Christoph Staubach, Rainer G. Ulrich. Detection of Francisella tularensis in three vole species in Central Europe. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2018; 66 (2):1029-1032.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKathrin Jeske; Herbert Tomaso; Christian Imholt; Jana Schulz; Olivia Beerli; Josef Suchomel; Marta Heroldova; Jens Jacob; Christoph Staubach; Rainer G. Ulrich. 2018. "Detection of Francisella tularensis in three vole species in Central Europe." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 66, no. 2: 1029-1032.
To gain insight into the rapid increase in the number of livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA)-positive herds in Denmark, we developed an individual-based Monte Carlo simulation model. We aimed to assess whether transmission of LA-MRSA via pig movements could explain the observed increase in the number of positive herds in Denmark, and to evaluate the effect of other between-herd transmission mechanisms. Pig movements alone were not sufficient to mimic the observed increase in LA-MRSA-positive herds in Denmark in any of the modelled scenarios. The model identified three factors that played important roles in the between-herd spread of LA-MRSA: (1) the within-herd dynamics, (2) the frequency and effectiveness of indirect transmissions, and (3) unexplainable introduction of LA-MRSA to swine herds. These factors can act as starting points for the development of LA-MRSA control programs in pig herds in order to limit the risk of its transmission to humans.
Jana Schulz; Anette Boklund; Nils Toft; Tariq Halasa. Drivers for Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Spread Among Danish Pig Herds - A Simulation Study. Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 16962 .
AMA StyleJana Schulz, Anette Boklund, Nils Toft, Tariq Halasa. Drivers for Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Spread Among Danish Pig Herds - A Simulation Study. Scientific Reports. 2018; 8 (1):16962.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJana Schulz; Anette Boklund; Nils Toft; Tariq Halasa. 2018. "Drivers for Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Spread Among Danish Pig Herds - A Simulation Study." Scientific Reports 8, no. 1: 16962.
Understanding animal movements is an important factor for the development of meaningful surveillance and control programs, but also for the development of disease spread models. We analysed the Danish pig movement network using static and temporal network analysis tools to provide deeper insight in the connection between holdings dealing with pigs, such as breeding and multiplier herds, production herds, slaughterhouses or traders. Pig movements, which occurred between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2015 in Denmark, were summarized to investigate temporal trends such as the number of active holdings, the number of registered movements and the number of pigs moved. To identify holdings and holding types with potentially higher risk for introduction or spread of diseases via pig movements, we determined loyalty patterns, annual network components and contact chains for the 24 registered holding types. The total number of active holdings as well as the number of pig movements decreased during the study period while the holding sizes increased. Around 60–90% of connections between two pig holdings were present in two consecutive years and around one third of the connections persisted within the considered time period. Weaner herds showed the highest level of in-loyalty, whereas we observed an intermediate level of in-loyalty for all breeding sites and for production herds. Boar stations, production herds and trade herds showed a high level of out-loyalty. Production herds constituted the highest proportion of holdings in the largest strongly connected component. All production sites showed low levels of in-going contact chains and we observed a high level of out-going contact chain for breeding and multiplier herds. Except for livestock auctions, all transit sites also showed low levels of out-going contact chains. Our results reflect the pyramidal structure of the underlying network. Based on the considered disease, the time frame for the calculation of network measurements needs to be adapted. Using these adapted values for loyalty and contact chains might help to identify holdings with high potential of spreading diseases and thus limit the outbreak size or support control or eradication of the considered pathogen.
Jana Schulz; Anette Boklund; Tariq Halasa; Nils Toft; Hartmut H. K. Lentz. Network analysis of pig movements: Loyalty patterns and contact chains of different holding types in Denmark. PLoS ONE 2017, 12, e0179915 .
AMA StyleJana Schulz, Anette Boklund, Tariq Halasa, Nils Toft, Hartmut H. K. Lentz. Network analysis of pig movements: Loyalty patterns and contact chains of different holding types in Denmark. PLoS ONE. 2017; 12 (6):e0179915.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJana Schulz; Anette Boklund; Tariq Halasa; Nils Toft; Hartmut H. K. Lentz. 2017. "Network analysis of pig movements: Loyalty patterns and contact chains of different holding types in Denmark." PLoS ONE 12, no. 6: e0179915.
Surveillance of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) should not only focus on livestock, but must also include wild boar. To prevent disease transmission into commercial pig herds, it is therefore vital to have knowledge about the disease status in wild boar. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of alternative surveillance strategies for Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in wild boar and compared them with the currently implemented conventional approach. The evaluation protocol was designed using the EVA tool, a decision support tool to help in the development of an economic and epidemiological evaluation protocol for surveillance. To evaluate the effectiveness of the surveillance strategies, we investigated their sensitivity and timeliness. Acceptability was analysed and finally, the cost-effectiveness of the surveillance strategies was determined. We developed 69 surveillance strategies for comparative evaluation between the existing approach and the novel proposed strategies. Sampling only within sub-adults resulted in a better acceptability and timeliness than the currently implemented strategy. Strategies that were completely based on passive surveillance performance did not achieve the desired detection probability of 95%. In conclusion, the results of the study suggest that risk-based approaches can be an option to design more effective CSF surveillance strategies in wild boar.
Katja Schulz; Marisa Peyre; Christoph Staubach; Birgit Schauer; Jana Schulz; Clémentine Calba; Barbara Häsler; Franz J. Conraths. Surveillance strategies for Classical Swine Fever in wild boar – a comprehensive evaluation study to ensure powerful surveillance. Scientific Reports 2017, 7, 43871 .
AMA StyleKatja Schulz, Marisa Peyre, Christoph Staubach, Birgit Schauer, Jana Schulz, Clémentine Calba, Barbara Häsler, Franz J. Conraths. Surveillance strategies for Classical Swine Fever in wild boar – a comprehensive evaluation study to ensure powerful surveillance. Scientific Reports. 2017; 7 (1):43871.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKatja Schulz; Marisa Peyre; Christoph Staubach; Birgit Schauer; Jana Schulz; Clémentine Calba; Barbara Häsler; Franz J. Conraths. 2017. "Surveillance strategies for Classical Swine Fever in wild boar – a comprehensive evaluation study to ensure powerful surveillance." Scientific Reports 7, no. 1: 43871.
The need for wildlife health surveillance as part of disease control in wildlife, domestic animals and humans on the global level is widely recognized. However, the objectives, methods and intensity of existing wildlife health surveillance programs vary greatly among European countries, resulting in a patchwork of data that are difficult to merge and compare. This survey aimed at evaluating the need and potential for data harmonization in wildlife health in Europe. The specific objective was to collect information on methods currently used to estimate host abundance and pathogen prevalence. Questionnaires were designed to gather detailed information for three host-pathogen combinations: (1) wild boar and Aujeszky's disease virus, (2) red fox and Echinococcus multilocularis, and (3) common vole and Francisella tularensis. We received a total of 70 responses from 19 European countries. Regarding host abundance, hunting bags are currently the most widely accessible data source for widely distributed mid-sized and larger mammals such as red fox and wild boar, but we observed large differences in hunting strategies among countries as well as among different regions within countries. For small rodents, trapping is the method of choice, but practical applications vary among study sites. Laboratory procedures are already largely harmonized but information on the sampled animals is not systematically collected. The answers revealed that a large amount of information is available for the selected host-pathogen pairs and that in theory methods are already largely harmonized. However, the comparability of the data remains strongly compromised by local differences in the way, the methods are applied in practice. While these issues may easily be overcome for prevalence estimation, there is an urgent need to develop tools for the routine collection of host abundance data in a harmonized way. Wildlife health experts are encouraged to apply the harmonized APHAEA protocols in epidemiological studies in wildlife and to increase cooperation.
Jana Sonnenburg; Aphaea Project Partners; Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis; Thijs Kuiken; Ezio Ferroglio; Rainer G. Ulrich; Franz J. Conraths; Christian Gortázar; Christoph Staubach. Harmonizing methods for wildlife abundance estimation and pathogen detection in Europe-a questionnaire survey on three selected host-pathogen combinations. BMC Veterinary Research 2016, 13, 53 .
AMA StyleJana Sonnenburg, Aphaea Project Partners, Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis, Thijs Kuiken, Ezio Ferroglio, Rainer G. Ulrich, Franz J. Conraths, Christian Gortázar, Christoph Staubach. Harmonizing methods for wildlife abundance estimation and pathogen detection in Europe-a questionnaire survey on three selected host-pathogen combinations. BMC Veterinary Research. 2016; 13 (1):53.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJana Sonnenburg; Aphaea Project Partners; Marie-Pierre Ryser-Degiorgis; Thijs Kuiken; Ezio Ferroglio; Rainer G. Ulrich; Franz J. Conraths; Christian Gortázar; Christoph Staubach. 2016. "Harmonizing methods for wildlife abundance estimation and pathogen detection in Europe-a questionnaire survey on three selected host-pathogen combinations." BMC Veterinary Research 13, no. 1: 53.
Animal surveillance systems need regular evaluation. We developed an easily applicable simulation model of the German wild boar population to investigate two evaluation attributes: the sensitivity and timeliness (i.e. the ability to detect a disease outbreak rapidly) of a surveillance system. Classical swine fever (CSF) was used as an example for the model. CSF is an infectious disease that may lead to massive economic losses. It can affect wild boar as well as domestic pigs, and CSF outbreaks in domestic pigs have been linked to infections in wild boar. Awareness of the CSF status in wild boar is therefore vital. Our non-epidemic simulation model is based on real data and evaluates the currently implemented German surveillance system for CSF in wild boar. The results show that active surveillance for CSF fulfils the requirements of detecting an outbreak with 95% confidence within one year after the introduction of CSF into the wild boar population. Nevertheless, there is room for improved performance and efficiency by more homogeneous (active and passive) sampling of wild boar over the year. Passive surveillance alone is not sufficient to meet the requirements for detecting the infection. Although CSF was used as example to develop the model, it may also be applied to the evaluation of other surveillance systems for viral diseases in wild boar. It is also possible to compare sensitivity and timeliness across hypothetical alternative or risk-based surveillance strategies.
Jana Schulz; C. Staubach; F. J. Conraths; K. Schulz. A Simulation Model to Determine Sensitivity and Timeliness of Surveillance Strategies. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2016, 64, 1709 -1719.
AMA StyleJana Schulz, C. Staubach, F. J. Conraths, K. Schulz. A Simulation Model to Determine Sensitivity and Timeliness of Surveillance Strategies. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2016; 64 (6):1709-1719.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJana Schulz; C. Staubach; F. J. Conraths; K. Schulz. 2016. "A Simulation Model to Determine Sensitivity and Timeliness of Surveillance Strategies." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 64, no. 6: 1709-1719.