Tocantins is a state in the cross-section between the Central-West, North and Northeast regions of Brazilian territory; it is a gathering point for travelers and transportation from the whole country. In this study, 9493 genome sequences, including 241 local SARS-CoV-2 samples (collected from 21 December 2020, to 16 December 2021, and sequenced in the MinION platform) were analyzed with the following aims: (i) identify the relative prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in the state of Tocantins; (ii) analyze them phylogenetically against global SARS-CoV-2 sequences; and (iii) hypothesize the viral dispersal routes of the two most abundant lineages found in our study using phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches. The performed analysis demonstrated that the majority of the strains sequenced during the period belong to the Gamma P.1.7 (32.4%) lineage, followed by Delta AY.99.2 (27.8%), with the first detection of VOC Omicron. As expected, there was mainly a dispersion of P.1.7 from the state of São Paulo to Tocantins, with evidence of secondary spreads from Tocantins to Goiás, Mato Grosso, Amapá, and Pará. Rio de Janeiro was found to be the source of AY.99.2 and from then, multiple cluster transmission was observed across Brazilian states, especially São Paulo, Paraiba, Federal District, and Tocantins. These data show the importance of trade routes as pathways for the transportation of the virus from Southeast to Northern Brazil.

Cheese is a popular product that integrates the diet of the majority of the population, almost on a daily basis. It is rich in nutrients and, therefore, also an excellent substrate for the multiplication of microorganisms, including pathogens. The microbiological contamination of these products is highly relevant to the industry, resulting in an economic loss, and to public health, due to the risk of causing foodborne diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hygienic-sanitary quality and the presence of bacterial pathogens in the clandestine Minas Frescal cheeses sold in the street open markets of Araguaína, TO, Brazil. Twenty-one samples were collected to evaluate the presence of total (TC) and thermotolerant (TTC) coliforms, Escherichia coli, and the pathotypes enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS), Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes. The results showed that 100% of the cheese samples were in disagreement with the maximum standards of TC and TTC defined in the Brazilian legislation that regulates food quality control. In addition, 85.71% of the samples had values above the standard Brazilian maximum limit. In the study of diarrheagenic E. coli, 52.38%, 66.6%, and 4.76% of the samples were positive for EPEC, STEC, and EHEC, respectively, indicating fecal origin contamination of the samples and a potential consumer risk. No Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes were detected in these cheese samples. The high count of total and thermotolerant coliforms found in the samples demonstrates unsatisfactory sanitary conditions in the production, storage, and/or commercialization of this food product. The presence of EPEC, STEC, EHEC, and coagulase-positive staphylococci at high concentrations shows the health risk of the imminent consumption of Minas Frescal cheese.

Sanitary procedures are essential in cattle slaughter processes to minimize microbiological hazards from meat consumption. This study aimed to verify the influence of the pre-slaughter period and the correct execution of the operational sanitary procedure (OSP) for skinning in the breast region on the counts of indicator microorganisms and the occurrence of enteropathogens in the hides and carcasses of cattle. Forty-eight animals were evaluated and divided into 12 clusters, half of which were allowed 13 h of preslaughter rest, while the other half were allowed 23 h of pre-slaughter rest. The presence of microbiological indicators, including Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Shiga toxin-producing (STEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC), and enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) Escherichia coli, were evaluated in superficial samples of leather and carcass in which the OSP for skinning of the chest was performed either correctly or incorrectly. There was no significant effect (p > 0.05) of the pre-slaughter period on the counts of total coliforms, E. coli, enterobacteria, and mesophilic aerobics in the hide or carcass, although, in the carcasses, this difference was 93.4% for mesophilic aerobics and enterobacteria in the group of animals subjected to 23 h of rest compared to those subjected to 13 h of rest. Regarding the correct execution of the skinning OSP, there was also no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the indicator quantifications, but in relation to the presence of enteropathogens, it was possible to proportionally identify more EPEC and STEC in carcasses subjected to the wrong OSP, as it was only possible to identify Salmonella spp. and EHEC in carcasses subjected to the wrong OSP. The correct execution of the OSP for skinning incision in the chest region of the animal reduced the microbiological risk of the carcasses for the presence of enteropathogens and facilitated compliance with the microbiological standards for the carcass.

Asymptomatic and underreported individuals remain a source of coronafig disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission to others. Data on the prevalence and epidemiological factors influencing transmission are fundamental for establishing control measures, especially in vulnerable regions such as the Amazon. This study aimed to determine the point prevalence and active infection of COVID-19 among the population in Araguaína, a Brazilian city located in the Amazon region, analyzed the socioeconomic and behavioral variables of a statistically representative sample of this population using an epidemiological survey, and identify the viral genomic diversity in the region. During the sixth epidemiological week of 2021 (February 8 to 12), samples of 497 inhabitants of the municipality asymptomatic for respiratory syndromes underwent reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and serological tests (immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G). A questionnaire collated data on socioeconomic factors, prevention measures, and health status history. The active infection rate was 6.2%, and the prevalence was 13.5% of the study population. Active infection cases were under-reported; each reported positive case represented 14–28 under-reported cases. Lineages P.2, P.1, and B.1.1 were detected. Working from home was a protective factor against the infection, and clinical signs of fever, dry cough, and loss of taste or smell were associated with testing positive (p <0.05). A descriptive analysis of the indicators revealed that the entire population was susceptible to the disease. Intensified vaccination strategies are required regardless of socioeconomic factors, health conditions, and preventive measures. Implementation of objective, comprehensive, and efficient management tools to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in this municipality can serve as a model for other regions of Brazil.

A Universidade Federal do Tocantins, ao longo dos seus 18 anos, formou excelentes profissionais que atuam em diversas áreas em instituições e empresas por todo o Brasil. Com o objetivo de prestigiar profissionais o Curso de Medicina Veterinária, o Programa de Pós-Graduação em Sanidade Animal e Saúde Pública dos Trópicos (PPGSASPT), o Colegiado de Medicina Veterinária e o Centro Acadêmico de Medicina Veterinária “Nahuria Karajá” da UFT organizaram o III Congresso Regional de Sanidade Animal e Saúde Pública e a XIII Semana Acadêmica de Medicina Veterinária da UFT e disponibilizaram o evento online, composto por palestras, mesa-redonda e submissões de trabalhos com publicação nos Anais. Houve a participação de alguns profissionais com formação em outras instituições. O evento foi destinado à comunidade científica e acadêmica, das áreas das ciências agrárias e da saúde e oportunizou discussões sobre diversas áreas como: Saúde Única; Reprodução Animal; Clínica e Cirurgia de Pequenos e Grandes Animais e Animais Silvestres.