A new reassortant influenza A (H7N9) virus emerged early 2013 in eastern China. Exposure to H7N9 infected poultry at live bird markets (LBM) was implicated as the main risk factor for human infection. We aimed to identify the role of LBM biosecurity indicators and poultry movement in the affected areas. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 24 LBMs at the beginning of H7N9 outbreak in all affected provinces. We used univariable analysis to identify the biosecurity factors associated with the H7N9 presence in LBMs and social network and spatial analysis to quantify the connectivity and geographic variation in the connectivity of poultry movements. Chickens were the predominant poultry species traded by affected LBMs. The presence of H7N9 in LBMs was significantly associated with the type of LBM and with LBMs that sold chicken to other markets. The chicken movements were significantly spatially clustered and was highest in counties from Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. LBM biosecurity and chicken movement played an important role in the emergence of H7N9. This study identified highly connected areas in eastern China which continue to report human infections highlighting candidate areas for more detailed epidemiological investigations.

Globally swine influenza is one of the most important diseases of the pig industry, with various subtypes of swine influenza virus co-circulating in the field. Swine influenza can not only cause large economic losses for the pig industry but can also lead to epidemics or pandemics in the human population. We provide an overview of the pathogenic characteristics of the disease, diagnosis, risk factors for the occurrence on pig farms, impact on pigs and humans and methods to control it. This review is designed to promote understanding of the epidemiology of swine influenza which will benefit the control of the disease in both pigs and humans.

The genomes of six pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) isolated from symptomless pigeons in live poultry markets during the national active surveillance from 2011 to 2013 were sequenced and analyzed in this study. The complete genome lengths of all isolates were 15,192 nucleotides with the gene order of 3’-NP-P-M-F-HN-L-5’. All isolates had the same motif of ¹¹²RRQKRF¹¹⁷ at the cleavage site of the fusion protein, which was typical of velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Several mutations were identified in the functional domains of F and HN proteins, including fusion peptide, heptad repeat region, transmembrane domains and neutralizing epitopes. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of complete genomes and six genes revealed that all isolates belonged to genotype VI in class II, but at least 2 sub-genotypes were identified. Most isolates were placed into sub-genotype VIb with the exception of pi/GX/1015/13, which was classified in sub-genotype VIa. The obvious antigenic difference between PPMV-1 isolates and La Sota strain was found based on the R-value calculated by cross hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. These results provided the evidence that PPMV-1 could be detected from healthy pigeons, and our study may be useful in designing vaccines used in pigeon, and developing molecular diagnostic tools to monitor and prevent future PPMV-1 outbreaks.

Prevalence of and risk factors for cystic echinococcosis among herding families in five provinces in western China: a cross-sectional study Prevalence of and risk factors for cystic echinococcosis among herding families in five provinces in western China: a cross-sectional study

African swine fever (ASF) has spread to many countries in Africa, Europe and Asia in the past decades. However, the potential geographic extent of ASF infection is unknown. Here we combined a modeling framework with the assembled contemporary records of ASF cases and multiple covariates to predict the risk distribution of ASF at a global scale. Local spatial variations in ASF risk derived from domestic pigs is influenced strongly by livestock factors, while the risk of having ASF in wild boars is mainly associated with natural habitat covariates. The risk maps show that ASF is to be ubiquitous in many areas, with a higher risk in areas in the northern hemisphere. Nearly half of the world’s domestic pigs (1.388 billion) are in the high-risk zones. Our results provide a better understanding of the potential distribution beyond the current geographical scope of the disease.

This paper addresses knowledge gaps in the biomass, productivity and value of livestock for the pastoral, mixed crop-livestock and specialized dairy systems in Ethiopia. Population size, reproductive performance, mortality, offtake and productivity of cattle were calculated from official statistics and a meta-analysis of data available in the published literature. This information was then used to estimate biomass and output value for 2020 using a herd dynamics model. The mixed-crop livestock system dominates the Ethiopian cattle sector, with 55 million cattle (78% total population) and contributing 8.52 billion USD to the economy through the provision of meat, milk, hides and draft power in 2021. By comparison, the pastoral (13.4 million head) and specialized dairy (1.8 million head) systems are much smaller. Productivity varied between different production systems, with differences in live body weight, productivity and prices from different sources. The estimated total cattle biomass was 14.8 billion kg in 2021, i.e., 11.3 billion kg in the mixed crop-livestock system, 2.60 billion kg in the pastoral system and 0.87 billion kg in the specialized dairy system. The total economic asset values of cattle in the mixed crop-livestock, pastoral and specialized dairy systems were estimated as 24.8, 5.28 and 1.37 billion USD, respectively. The total combined output value (e.g., beef, milk and draft power) of cattle production was 11.9 billion USD, which was 11.2% of the GDP in Ethiopia in 2021. This work quantifies the importance of cattle in the Ethiopian economy. These estimates of herd structure, reproductive performance, productivity, biomass, and economic value for cattle production systems in Ethiopia can be used to inform high-level policy, revealing under-performance and areas to prioritize and provide a basis for further technical analysis, such as disease burden.