Quinzième lettre - décembre 2006 Newsletter 15

RESEAU INTERNATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
DE DIPLOMES EN SANTE ANIMALE TROPICALE /
OF TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH GRADUATES
DÉPARTEMENT VÉTÉRINAIRE DE L’INSTITUT DE MÉDECINE TROPICALE
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDICINE
Nationalestraat 155, B-2.000 Antwerpen, België
Tel. : 32/3/247.62.66 - Fax. : 32/3/247.62.68 - E-mail : [email protected]
Quinzième lettre - décembre 2006
Newsletter 15 - December 2006
Wally a adopté un jeune merle
No racial segregation, Wally adopted a blackbird
2
Table des matières
PREFACE ...........................................................................................................................................5
FOREWORD.......................................................................................................................................6
FOREWORD.......................................................................................................................................7
1. Cadeaux / presents................................................................................................................................... 9
1. The Merck Veterinary Manual .............................................................................................................. 9
2. Surveillance épidémiologique en santé animale.................................................................................... 9
3. Mémento de l’agronome........................................................................................................................ 9
4. Manuel de Zootechnie comparée Nord-Sud .......................................................................................... 9
5. Role of Urban and Peri-Urban Livestock Production in Poverty Alleviation and Food Security in
Africa......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Pig production, animal-waste management and Environment protection: a case study in Thai Binh
Province, Northern Vietnam.................................................................................................................... 10
Tropical Medicine and International Health............................................................................................ 10
Documents to download / documents à télécharger ............................................................................... 10
“Scaling up innovative small stock management practices developed by IFAD projects”..................... 10
Cities Farming for the Future - Urban Agriculture for Green and Productive Cities .............................. 10
AFRICAN ANIMAL FEEDS: TWO DECADES OF RESEARCH NOW FREELY AVAILABLE
ON THE WEB...................................................................................................................................11
CONFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................11
Avian Influenza Symposium..................................................................................................................... 11
AITVM 12th International Conference................................................................................................... 12
6th European Vertebrate Pest Management Conference ....................................................................... 12
ENVIRONMIN 2007 ................................................................................................................................. 13
BOURSES / FELLOWSHIPS ..........................................................................................................14
Bourses Banque Mondiale ........................................................................................................................ 14
Bourses offertes à nos anciens étudiants / PhD fellowships attributed to former students ................ 14
IFS requests suggestions for workshops in 2007..................................................................................... 15
RESUMES DE THESES / THESIS ABSTRACTS.........................................................................16
RESUMES DE THESES / THESIS ABSTRACTS.........................................................................17
PhD THESES ............................................................................................................................................. 17
The importance of Trypanosoma congolense strain diversity in the epidemiology of bovine
trypanosomiasis ....................................................................................................................................... 17
Susceptibilty of the tsetsefly (Glossina morstans morstans) to trypanosome infections ......................... 18
In vitro quantitation of Theileria parva sporozoites for use in vaccination and sporozoites neutralization
assays....................................................................................................................................................... 19
LIST OF MSc THESES 2005-2006.......................................................................................................... 21
WORKSHOPS ...................................................................................................................................22
Epidemiology and control of bovine trypanosomosis and theileriosis at the game/livestock interface
in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa .............................................................................................. 22
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR FRIEND, VIJAY PANDEY..............................................................23
ACTIVITIES OF NATIONAL NETWORKS ..................................................................................25
SYMPOSIUM ON EMERGENT DISEASES IN ANIMALS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES IN
PUBLIC HEALTH.................................................................................................................................... 25
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THE WEBSITE OF RIPROSAT ECUADOR ........................................................................................ 25
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Risk, Bio-Security and Smallholder Adversity .....................26
Des Nouvelles de la part des membres / News from fellow members..............................................28
CAMPUS ROCHUS..........................................................................................................................31
4
PREFACE
Mes chers amis,
Permettez-moi de vous présenter mes plus sincères vœux de nouvel an. Je sais que mes vœux ne changeront
rien à vos peines, vos douleurs ou vos fardeaux, mais ils contribueront à renforcer notre amitié et à
renouveler le contact entre nous au cas où vous aurez délaissé le lien avec l’IMT.
Cette lettre ne sera pas très longue car la fièvre catarrhale du mouton, la rédaction du dossier afin d’obtenir
l’accréditation de nos formations MSSAT – MSTAH ainsi que la décentralisation de la comptabilité au
niveau de l’institut, qui se passe de façon pénible et donne un travail fou à Danielle, notre secrétaire, me
laisse malheureusement peu de temps pour m’entretenir avec vous. Vos collègues, qui suivent actuellement
le cours, sont les premières victimes de cette situation, car 4 mois sont passés et je ne connais même pas le
nom de tous les participants. Cependant, nous sommes vraiment chanceux d’avoir cette année non
seulement une équipe d’étudiants très motivée et enthousiaste, mais également suffisamment compréhensive
et mature pour comprendre que nos tâches ne se limitent pas à l’enseignement.
Quelles nouvelles dans cette lettre vous intéresseront le plus ? Je parie que beaucoup entre vous seront ravis
d’apprendre que le RIPROSAT organisera en 2007 le TROISIEME SEMINAIRE INTERNATIONAL
DU RIPROSAT. Comme convenu lors de notre précédent séminaire, ce sera le Sénégal qui accueillera cette
fois les participants. Le comité organisateur établi à Dakar a déjà identifié un site adéquat pour nous
accueillir. Les représentants des réseaux nationaux (ou régionaux) (voir liste publiée dans la lettre
précédente) ont déjà été informés qu’ils doivent organiser des nouvelles élections afin que la représentation
de leur réseau soit assurée. Lors de notre dernière rencontre les représentants des réseaux nationaux, n’ayant
que peu de membres, ont été conseillé de se joindre à d’autres réseaux afin de constituer un réseau régional
vraiment représentatif et ayant un effectif minimal pour garantir un réseau viable. Il va de soi que, vu
l’élargissement aux pays anglophones du public, visé par nos formations, les « petits réseaux » risquent de ne
pas être invités aux prochains séminaires internationaux. Une « conditio sine qua non » pour recevoir une
invitation est évidemment l’ardeur et l’enthousiasme que le réseau a montré durant les mois précédents pour
maintenir le réseau RIPROSAT jeune et actif. Prenons donc des initiatives afin que notre RIPROSAT reste le
réseau le plus actif parmi tous les réseaux soutenus par la DGCD ! Les personnes, qui ont l’intention de
s’investir dans ce réseau, doivent également savoir que la tâche de représentant leur apportera surtout de
travail et peu de bénéfices sauf le respect et la reconnaissance de la part des membres et de notre institut.
Entretemps votre représentant national vous a probablement déjà renseigné que la fonction de représentant
de réseau (national ou régional) est vacante et que les réseaux vont devoir se décider si le représentant
actuel sera maintenu ou si une autre personne prendra la relève.
A l’occasion du Nouvel An RIPROSAT a une autre surprise agréable à vous annoncer dans la rubrique
DOCUMENTATION. Ne tardez pas à réagir car le nombre d’exemplaires offerts gratuitement est limité !
Il y a cent ans l’Ecole de Médecine Tropicale, située à Bruxelles, organisait ses premiers cours. En 1934
l’institut déménageait à Anvers et devenait l’Institut de Médecine Tropicale. Au courant du mois de
novembre une multitude d’événements ont été organisés afin de célébrer ce centenaire. Les festivités liées à
ce centenaire nous ont permis d’inviter des représentants de 22 instituts avec lesquels l’institut collabore dans
17 pays outre-mer. Le 21 et 22 novembre nous avons profité de cette occasion pour discuter des activités
passées et préparer les programmes pour la prochaine phase du programme accord cadre financé par la
Direction Générale de la Coopération au Développement.
L’aménagement de l’ancien monastère des Chartreux du 17ième siècle dans la Rue Saint Roche est presque
terminé. Le 22 novembre le nouveau «Campus International Rochus» a été ouvert de manière officielle par
son excellence la Princesse Astrid, la fille du Roi Albert de Belgique. Cet événement fut accompagné par une
session académique où Dr. Peter Piot, un ancien collaborateur de l’ITMA et actuellement le directeur
d’UNAIDS, et Dr. Awa Coll-Seck, le directeur du programme de contrôle du paludisme ont pris la parole.
Enfin, le 23 novembre a eu lieu le colloque annuel de l’IMT, intitulé « La Médecine Tropicale dans la 21ième
siècle : changer les pôles ». Les festivités se terminaient le 26 novembre avec une grande fête réunissant le
personnel actuel et les retraités. Vous trouverez des photos sur ces événements au web site de l’institut
http://www.itg.be.
5
La plupart des bâtiments du nouveau campus sont déjà utilisés. Le Service des Etudiants et les cours MDC
et CIPS y ont trouvé refuge et le seize novembre 2006 l’organisation be-troplive y a pu célébrer son baptême
lors d’un symposium, intitulé "Consolidation des services d’élevage sous les tropiques". Ce symposium
s’est clôturé avec une réception à laquelle un bas-relief représentant Prof Dr Jos Mortelmans a été inauguré.
A la première page de cette lettre vous verrez une photo de cette sculpture. Ce bas-relief de Jos Mortelmans
sculpté par l’artiste Mme Greet Van Puyenbroeck, trouvera sa place définitive dans le hall du bâtiment du
Département de Santé Animale au Rue Kronenburg 25.
Salutations amicales
Redgi De Deken
6
FOREWORD
My dear friends,
Allow me to offer you my best wishes for the New Year. I know that my wishes won’t change a thing about
your sorrows, your pains and your burdens, but they will contribute to the reinforcement of our friendship
and the renewal of our contact in case the bond with the ITM would have weakened.
This letter won’t be very long, since the bluetongue epidemic in Belgium, the editing of the file in order to
obtain the accreditation of our MSTAH – MSSAT trainings, and, at the level of the institute, the
decentralization of the accounting department, which is tough going and gives quite a job to our secretary
Danielle, unfortunately give me little time to keep up with you. Your colleagues, who currently follow the
course, are the first victims of this situation, since 4 months have already passed and I don’t even know the
names of all participants. However, we are really lucky this year to have not only a very motivated and
enthusiastic, but also sufficiently understanding and mature group to see that our tasks are not limited to
teaching alone.
Which news in this letter will interest you most? I bet that many of you will be delighted to learn that in
2007, RIPROSAT will organize the THIRD INTERNATIONAL RIPROSAT SEMINAR. As was agreed
at the time of the last seminar, it will be Senegal which will accommodate the participants this time. The
organizing committee established in Dakar has already identified an adequate site to accommodate us.
Representatives of national (or regional) networks (see the list published in the preceding letter) have already
been informed that they must organize new elections to assure the representation of their networks. At the
time of our last meeting the representatives of those networks having only a few members, were advised to
join other networks in order to constitute a regional network that is really representative and that has the
minimal manpower to guarantee a viable network. It goes without saying, considering the broadening of the
public aimed at by our courses with the English-speaking countries, that the <<small networks>> risk not
being invited to the next international seminars. A <<conditio sine qua non>> to receive an invitation is
obviously the zeal and enthusiasm that the network has shown in the past to keep the RIPROSAT network
young and active. Thus let us take the initiative so that our network remains the most active among all
networks supported by the DGCD! Those who intend to invest their time in this network must also know that
function of representative will bring them a lot of work and few benefits except the respect and the
recognition of the members and the institute. Meanwhile your national representative probably already
informed you that the function of representative of the (national or regional) network is vacant and that the
networks will have to decide whether the current representative retains his seat or another person will
take his place.
At the occasion of the New Year RIPROSAT has another pleasant surprise to announce to you under the
heading DOCUMENTATION. Do not wait too long before reacting as the number of specimens offered for
free is limited!
One hundred years ago the School for Tropical Medicine started its first course in Brussels, but it was only in
1934 that the School moved to Antwerp and became the Institute of Tropical Medicine. During the month of
November a lot of events were organized in order to celebrate this centennial. It started with a symposium
"S t r e n g t h e n i n g l i v e s t o c k s e r v i c e s i n t h e t r o p i c s " and the launching of a Belgian platform on
tropical animal health and production (be-troplive) on 16 November (you will be able to read more about it
in the next newsletter), at the end of which the building of the department of animal health was
inaugurated and dedicated to Prof. Mortelmans (1924-2005), who was its founding father. A bronze
relef panel representing Prof Dr. Jos Mortelmans and carved by the artist Mrs. Greet Van Puyenbroeck, will
find its final place in the hall of the building of the Department of Animal Health at the Kronenburgstreet 25.
On the first page of this letter you will see a photograph of this sculpture.
On 21 and 22 November a joint partner meeting was organized. Representatives of all 22 partner institutes of
ITM (from 17 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America) who are involved in the ITM-DGCD Framework
Agreement were invited to discuss past and future collaborations.
7
On 22nd November H.R.H. Princess Astrid, the eldest daughter of King Albert of Belgium, did officially
open our new campus ‘Rochus’ in the beautifully renovated cloister of the 17th century in the Rochus-street.
This event included also an academic session which had among the invited speakers Dr. Peter Piot, former
collaborator of ITM and currently head of UNAIDS, and Dr. Awa Coll-Seck, the director of the Roll Back
Malaria programme.
On 23 November the annual ITM colloquium took place ‘Tropical Medicine in the 21st century: switching
the poles’. The festivities were closed on Sunday 26 November with a large staff party to which all past and
present staff were invited. You can find more pictures of all these events at the website of the Institute
http://www.itg.be
Kind regards
Redgi De Deken
Visite chez le vétérinaire
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DOCUMENTATION
1. CADEAUX / PRESENTS
RIPROSAT vient d’acheter quelques livres professionnels de qualité
exceptionnelle afin de les offrir aux anciens comme présent de Nouvel
An. Les demandes peuvent être faites auprès de Noor Goemaere
([email protected]). Vu que nos voulons faire plaisir à plus de
personnes possible, nous vous prions de modérer vos demandes et de ne
demander au plus deux livres parmi les cinq ouvrages suivants :
RIPROSAT has just bought some professional books of exceptional quality that will be offered as a
Christmas to former students. Make your requests at Noor Goemaere ([email protected]). Considering we
try to please as many persons as possible, we beg you to moderate your requests and not to ask more than
two books among the five following works:
1. The Merck Veterinary Manual
10 exemplars
The 50th Anniversary Edition of the most trusted resource in veterinary medicine has been extensively
revised and updated and includes the latest discoveries, facts, and practices in animal health management. “
2. Surveillance épidémiologique en santé animale
15 exemplaires
Un ouvrage indispensable à tous nos anciens qui sont impliqués dans l’épidémiosurveillance.
Dufour B et Hendrickx P
Edité par CIRAD, AEEMA en 2005
ISBN 2-87614-599-5
3. Mémento de l’agronome
15 exemplaires
Le livre qui a tant de succès aussi bien auprès des agronomes que les vétérinaires
CIRAD; Gret; Ministère des affaires étrangères, 2002
1692 pp
ISBN 2-87614-522-7
4. Manuel de Zootechnie comparée Nord-Sud
Le livre, auquel plusieurs membres de notre département ont collaborés, vient d’être décerné le prix Raoul
Baron. Raoul Baron (1852-1908), initialement Professeur d’hygiène appliquée, créa le concept de
zootechnie. Il installa des unités d’élevage de bovins, d’ovins et de porcins au sein de l’Ecole nationale
vétérinaire d’Alfort, dont il fut Directeur de 1920 à 1923
INRA éditions, 2005
636 pp
ISBN 2-7380-1055-5
5. Role of Urban and Peri-Urban Livestock Production in Poverty Alleviation and Food
Security in Africa
E. Thys
Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences, Section of Natural and Medical Sciences, Memoirs in-8, New series,
Volume 26, fsc. 1., 2006
112 pp..
This work considers different aspects of urban livestock production in Africa and is partially based on a
series of surveys in which some alumni were involved (see previous issues of the RIPROSAT Newsletter).
The author put 10 books ready for interested alumni. More information can be found on the website of the
Academy http://users.skynet.be/kaowarsom/indexen.html.
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Pig production, animal-waste management and Environment protection: a case study in Thai
Binh Province, Northern Vietnam
Porphyre V. & Nguyen Que Coi (eds)
PRISE publications, Hanoi Vietnam, 2006
Those involved in pig production will be interested by this book published by PRISE Consortium which is a
multidisciplinary research platform to meet the challenges of livestock development and its externalities in
South East Asia. Twenty-five experts contributed to this book considering not only the technical aspects of
pig husbandry but also waste management practices and local fish farming. A CD-Rom accompanies this
book and contains detailed supplementary tables, maps, appendixes and background reading recommended
by the authors. 25 CD-Rom are available on request for those alumni interested in the subject and/or the area.
Tropical Medicine and International Health
We received several CD-ROMs containing content published in this international journal of Tropical
Medicine and International Health from February 1996 (Volume 1, Issue 1) to May 2005 (Volume 10, Issue
5) in a searchable format. To be able to use this CD you will need at least a Pentium II or higher, Windows
98 or more recent software and 40 MB of free hard disk space. Persons interested in acquiring this CD for
free may contact Noor ([email protected]).
DOCUMENTS TO DOWNLOAD / DOCUMENTS A TELECHARGER
“Scaling up innovative small stock management practices developed by IFAD projects”
IFAD released an interesting report, entitled “Scaling up innovative small stock management practices
developed by IFAD projects” funded under the Innovation Mainstreaming Initiative (IMI). The Report
contains case studies from various countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Morocco, Senegal, Sudan and Syria.
The Report was published in August 2004 and is worth reading, in case you have not yet done it. The Report
can be downloaded from the following website:
www.ifad.org/english/operations/pi/bgd/documents/innovation.pdf
Cities Farming for the Future - Urban Agriculture for Green and Productive Cities
VAN VEENHUIZEN R. (ed):
RUAF Foundation, IDRC and IIRR. 459 pages.
This book is available online on the website of RUAF and can be downloaded in parts (see
http://www.ruaf.org/node/961). Chapter 12 (Livestock keeping in urbanized areas, does history repeat itself?)
considers the urban livestock production aspects.
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AFRICAN ANIMAL FEEDS: TWO DECADES OF RESEARCH NOW
FREELY AVAILABLE ON THE WEB
The most comprehensive and authoritative web-based resource on the nutritional values of livestock feeds in
African agriculture has just been launched.
This month sees the launch of the ‘Sub-Saharan Africa Feed Information System’. This new web-based
resource provides free access to a comprehensive database providing the nutritional values of feedstuffs used
by small-scale farmers in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. SSA Feeds provides data on 14,571 samples of
459 livestock feeds, including herbaceous forages, fodder trees and shrubs, cereals and legumes, roots and
tubers, other food crops, concentrate feeds and agro-industrial by-products, mineral supplements and other
less common feeds. These feeds were analyzed in the animal nutrition laboratories of the International
Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the information made available through
an initiative of the Systemwide Livestock Programme (SLP) of the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
The site can be visited at the following address: http://www.vslp.org/ssafeed/
Feedback can be sent by emailing: [email protected]
For further information or media enquiries, please contact:
Salvador Fernández-Rivera, PhD
Senior Scientist (Ruminant Nutrition) and Coordinator, CGIAR Systemwide Livestock Programme (SLP)
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 251 (11) 646 3215
CONFERENCES
AVIAN INFLUENZA SYMPOSIUM
On behalf of the WPSA Turkish Branch, you are kindly invited to attend the “Avian Influenza Symposium”
which will be held in Istanbul -Turkey from 15 to 16 February, 2007.
The Symposium will offer a unique opportunity to exchange timely information on Avian Influenza. The
scientific programme will consist of invited speakers. The Symposium CDs will be distributed during
registration.
Deadline for early registration: January 22, 2006
Invited speakers
• Prof. Dr. H. M. Hafez, President of the World Veterinary Poultry Association, Head of the Institute
for Poultry Diseases, Free University Berlin, GERMANY
• Dr. L. Jennings, Clinical Virologist. Microbiology Department, Canterbury Health Laboratories,
Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
• Turkish Speakers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Research Institutes and the
Universities
For more information please contact:
Prof. Dr. Servet YALÇIN
Ege University, Faculty of Agriculture
Department of Animal Science
35100 İzmir-Turkey
Phone: +90 232 388 4000/1449 (ext)
Fax: +90 232 388 18 64
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AITVM 12TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Conference Organizing Committee cordially invites participants to present papers, to sponsor events or
to be involved in the activities of the 12th International Conference of the Association of Institutions for
tropical Veterinary Medicine (AITVM) which will be held in Montpellier (France) from August 20th to
23rd 2007.
The objectives of the conference are:
•
•
•
To share and exchange knowledge and experiences in various aspects of tropical animal health and
production.
To provide a forum for exchange and dissemination of information in the various fields of veterinary
science and related professions and to formulate recommendations.
To establish and strengthen relationships in professional development, education and research
through networking and collaboration of members and participants.
The theme of the conference will be: “Does control of animal infectious risks offer a new international
perspective?”
The scientific programme will focus in particular on:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Risk analysis
New vaccine and consequences of vaccination
Adoption of food safety standards
Aquaculture in the South
Education and continuous professional development
Veterinary Services under globalised scenario
Free communications on Veterinary Medicine, Animal nutrition, Wildlife diseases and Management are
welcome.
Abstract and paper prescription, conference registration, hotel arrangements and all the other information are
available on: http://aitvm2007.cirad.fr
For further information on the Conference, please contact:
12th AITVM Conference Secretariat
(Attn : Denise BASTRON)
CIRAD-Emvt - TA30/B
34398 Montpellier cedex 5 - France
Tel: 33 467 593 904
Fax: 33 467 593 795
[email protected]
6TH EUROPEAN VERTEBRATE PEST MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
The University of Reading, UK – 10-14 September 2007
An international symposium bringing together scientists in the field of vertebrate pest management from
Europe and beyond, to exchange information on problems, research and solutions; to provide opportunities
for collaboration in research and to ensure that management techniques employed are effective, humane,
environmentally safe and conform to current legislation.
For more information please contact: Colin Prescott ([email protected])
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ENVIRONMIN 2007
Bakgatla, Pilansberg Reserve, South Africa, 22-26 July, 2007
Environmental and Health Aspects of Mining, Refining and Related Industries
This year the aim of the Environmin conference is to facilitate interdisciplinary discussions about all
environmental and health issues concerned with the mining and refining of ores.
Scientific Committee (abstracts): [email protected]
Registration, enquiries and links to accommodation: http://www.kingfischer.co.za
13
BOURSES / FELLOWSHIPS
BOURSES BANQUE MONDIALE
L’IMTA a reçu une nouvelle réconfortante de la part de la Banque Mondiale (BM). Dorénavant les bourses
financées par le Japon + la BM seront uniquement attribuées à des étudiants sollicitant une bourse pour
suivre des formations organisées dans certains instituts figurant sur une liste composée par la BM. La BM
nous signale que l’ITMA figure sur la liste des instituts où les participants entrent en ligne de compte pour
une bourse. Un bon conseil à tous ceux qui veulent participer au cours: Faites également la demande de
bourse auprès de la Banque Mondiale. Ceci double vos chances pour l’obtention d’une bourse et
simulanément prouve votre motivation.
The World Bank informed the Institute of Tropical Medicine on the following:
“For nearly twenty years, the Joint Japan World Bank Scholarship Program JJWBSP has provided
valuable learning opportunities to students from the developing world, so they can contribute to
the development and progress in there own countries. Thanks to the generous contribution of the
government of Japan, almost 3600 scholarships have been awarded since 1997, to mid-career
professionals for masters degree studies in leading universities around the world.
Starting academic year 2007/2006, the JJ/WBGSP Regular Program will have a new structure with
eligibility limited to those applicants admitted to Master Degree studies in a pre-determined list of
cooperating universities. This list will be annually updated to reflect the number of scholars enrolled at
cooperating universities. The new structure will allow the program to better target the academic programs
most relevant to JJ/WBGSP objectives and to give better indications to potential candidates.
The list of hosting institutions for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship for the academic year 2007-2008
includes institutions that homed most of the JJ/WBGSP scholars during the last years as well as
institutions having specific partnership agreements with the JJ/WBGSP.
The World Bank is pleased to inform the Institute of Tropical Medicine of Antwerp that this Institute is
among the list of the JJ/WBGSP Regular Program hosting institutions for the academic year 20072008. The list will be posted on the World Bank website with links to all hosting institutions websites.”
So, a good advice to all those who want to take part in the MSTAH course: Apply also for a fellowship at the
World Bank. In doing so, your chances to obtain a grant are doubled and simulaneously it proves your
motivation.
BOURSES OFFERTES À NOS ANCIENS ÉTUDIANTS / PHD FELLOWSHIPS
ATTRIBUTED TO FORMER STUDENTS
IMTA a commencé en 2003 avec un programme doctoral d'études pour les anciens participants des cours
MSc. Dans le cadre de l'accord-cadre avec l'ITMA la DGCD offre annuellement trois bourses de doctorat.
Les bourses couvrent toutes les dépenses pendant une période de 4 ans. Ceci inclut lune allocation mensuelle
pendant maximum quatre ans, les voyages vers Anvers et les moyens pour mener à bien les travaux de
recherches dans le pays d'origine et à Anvers.
14
Cette année de nouveau, deux de vos collègues ont réussi à mettre la main sur deux de ces trois bourses.
Boukary Abdou Razac étudiera l'impact des pratiques de l’élevage sur la transmission de la tuberculose et de
la brucellose dans l'environnement urbain et périurbain de Niamey, alors qu'Anisur Rahman étudiera
l'épidémiologie et le contrôle de la brucellose au Bangladesh. A part le Département de Santé Animale
(DSA) d'autres départements de l'ITMA sont également impliqués dans ces études (par exemple les unités de
santé publique et des mycobactéries).
Anani Adéniran Bankolé et Ars Secka ont également réussi à acquérir une bourse de PhD attribuée par le
Conseil Flamand Interuniversitaire. Certains membres du DSA seront copromoteurs de ces thèses qui seront
effectuées essentiellement au Centre International de Trypanotolérance en Gambie.
-oOoITMA started in 2003 with a doctoral studies programme for former Master-course participants within which
annually three scholarships are offered by DGDC within the scope of the framework agreement with the
ITMA. The scholarships cover all expenses during a 4 -year period. This includes monthly living allowance
during maximum four years, travelling to Antwerp and means to do carry out research work in the home
country and in Antwerp. This year again, some of your colleagues succeeded in getting hold of two of those
three grants.
Boukary Abdou Razac will study the impact of livestock breeding practices on the transmission of
tuberculosis and brucellosis in the urban and peri-urban environment of Niamey, while Anisur Rahman will
study the epidemiology and control of brucellosis in Bangladesh. Apart of the Department Animal Health
other ITMA departments are also involved in these studies (e.g. the units of Public Health and of
Mycobacteria).
Anani Adéniran Bankolé and Ars Secka have also succeeded in acquiring a PhD fellowship attributed by the
Flemish Inter-University Council. Staff members of our department will co-promote these theses, which will
be carried out mainly at the International Trypanotolerance Center in The Gambia.
IFS REQUESTS SUGGESTIONS FOR WORKSHOPS IN 2007
The International Foundation for Science (IFS) is pleased to announce its Five Year Plan. An integral part of
the programme is to provide grantees in those countries with a weak scientific infrastructure with a Capacity
Enhancing Package of activities (CEP) which will complement and add value to the grant in the expectation
of "making every grant count".
These activities include mentorship, travel grants to international meetings/conferences and for training
purposes. Thematic workshops will also be a part of such training activities. If you are aware of visiting
scholar or research internship opportunities for IFS grantees we are also interested to learn of these.
We wish to provide a catalogue of such opportunities from which the grantee herself may make a selection.
We need your help to identify such activities taking place in 2007! Of course, IFS grantee participation in
any event or opportunity will be subject to the approval of the IFS Secretariat and the event organiser.
In that regard, we would be most grateful if you might apprise us of opportunities taking place in 2007 which
might possibly be of value to any of our grantees. Please identify the data for opportunities which you know
are open for participation by young scientists in their early career within the research areas covered by IFS.
•
•
name of event/opportunity
time and venue
15
•
•
•
name of organizer
short description (not more than 100 words)
email/web contact information
We are most grateful for your help and consideration in this endeavour.
On behalf of Dr Ingrid Leemans, with best regards,
Anders Kinding
Administrative Operations Manager
International Foundation for Science (IFS) Karlavägen 108, 5th floor
SE-115 26 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: +46 (0)8 545 818 06
Fax: +46 (0)8 545 818 01
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ifs.se
16
RESUMES DE THESES / THESIS ABSTRACTS
PHD THESES
The importance of Trypanosoma congolense strain diversity in the epidemiology of bovine
trypanosomiasis
JUSTIN MASUMU MULUMBU (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Promotors: P. Van den Bossche and M. Vercruysse
Date: 11/12/2006
Place: University of Ghent
Summary:
Previous studies on bovine trypanosomosis conducted throughout the tsetse-infested areas of Africa have
shown that the disease can present itself in various epidemiological situations with differing impact on
livestock production. The development of appropriate integrated control strategies requires a good
understanding of the factors contributing to those epidemiological situations. Up to now, most
epidemiological studies have concentrated on the role played by the vector, the host as well as the parasite in
the epidemiology of livestock trypanosomiasis sensu lato but have paid little attention to how interactions
between host, parasite and vector may change with changing epidemiological circumstances.
More specifically, little attention has been paid to the potential role plaid by trypanosome diversity and the
factors that may contribute to this diversity. The objective of this thesis was to study genetic diversity of
trypanosome strains isolated from cattle from a trypanosomiasis endemic are of eastern Zambia and study the
phenotypic characteristics that are important in disease epidemiology and disease impact i.e. strain virulence,
transmissibility and cross protection.
In the first chapter of this thesis, current knowledge and understanding of the implication of trypanosome
strain diversity as a factor influencing the epidemiology of bovine trypanosomosis and thus its impact on
livestock production are summarized. Special attention is paid to current knowledge of the genetic diversity
of the trypanosome population, the methods to determine this diversity and the phenotypic characteristics
associated to this diversity that may affect the epidemiology of the disease in livestock. Through this detailed
literature study gaps in the knowledge that require further investigation were identified.
In the second chapter, the development of a new technique for the characterization of Trypanosoma
congolense isolates is described. This molecular tool is a modified amplified fragment length polymorphism
(AFLP)-technique using one enzyme (Bgl II) and a single selective primer. This tool has a high resolution for
T. congolense isolates belonging to the Savannah subgroup. The reduced number of bands generated allows
the use of agarose or Elchrom gel for electrophoresis and no fluorochrome detection is required compared to
the traditional AFLP, which makes the test easier to use.
In the third chapter, the genetic diversity of T. congolense isolates collected from cattle in a trypanosomosis
endemic area is determined using this tool. In total, 37 isolates were collected from cattle sampled at 11
sampling sites situated on the plateau of eastern Zambia. The results of this study reveal a high genetic
diversity in the isolates. With the exception of the isolates collected at one sampling site, all the isolates
produced different genetic profile. Surprisingly, this high genetic diversity of trypanosome strains circulating
in livestock suggests a high degree of heterologous rather than homologous challenge in this trypanosomiasis
endemic.
In the fourth chapter, the virulence of isolates expressing different genetic profiles was characterised in mice.
The results from this study revealed substantial differences in the virulence of T. congolense strains
belonging the same subgroup (i.e. Savannah) and circulating in a single host species (cattle) grazed in one
geographic area. About 20% of the strains exhibited an extremely virulent profile while the remaining had a
17
moderate or low virulence profile explaining the low impact of the disease on livestock production in the
study area. Furthermore an uneven distribution of virulent strains was observed in this area confirming the
hypothesis that the impact of the disease in different trypanosomiasis areas is likely related to the virulence
profiles of strains circulating in livestock.
In the fifth chapter, trypanosome strains expressing different level of virulence were assessed for their
transmissibility by the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans. A total of 17 strains were compared with
three strains showing an extreme virulence while the remaining belonged to the moderate (6 strains) or low
(8 strains) virulence categories. The results of this study reveal substantial differences in the transmissibility
of T. congolense strains belonging to the same subgroup and collected from the same geographical location.
Highly virulent strains are much easier transmitted by tsetse flies compared to strains that have low
virulence.
In the sixth chapter, possible cross-reactions between trypanosome strains expressing different virulence
profiles were analyzed in mice. The results of this study show that batches of mice previously infected with a
low virulent strain and challenged with a virulent one developed an infection that was comparable to batches
only infected with the strain with low virulence. Since the highly virulent strain did develop in the mice
infected with the low virulent strain, the results suggest interference between strains of low and high
virulence. The presence of this interference may be an additional factor explaining the low impact of the
disease on livestock production in this trypanosomosis endemic area.
In the last chapter, our findings are discussed first with regard to the current knowledge related to genetic and
phenotypic variability in T. congolense. Then each trypanosome strain-related parameter is analyzed for its
possible implication on the epidemiology of bovine trypanosomiasis, with focus on the specific
epidemiological situation found in the study area. The possible implications of the findings presented in the
thesis for the identification of priority areas for trypanosomiasis control are discussed.
Susceptibilty of the tsetsefly (Glossina morstans morstans) to trypanosome infections
CHRISTOPHER KALUBA KUBI (Zambia)
Promotors: P. Dorny and P. Van den Bossche
Date: 14/12/2006
Place: University of Ghent
Summary:
Tsetse-transmitted trypansomiasis is one of the most important diseases hindering sustainable livestock
development in sub-Saharan Africa. The complex epidemiology of the disease is determined largely by the
proportion of trypanosome infected tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) transmitting the parasite in the tsetse
population which in turn depends on a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The work described in this
thesis focused on obtaining a better understanding of how some of the tsetse-related factors affect the
susceptibility of tsetse to trypanosome infections and discusses the implications for the epidemiology of
animal and human trypanosomiasis.
In Chapter 1, important aspects of the relationship between tsetse flies, trypanosomes and its host are
presented and the epidemiology trypanosomiasis and its control are reviewed.
Chapter 2 reviews tsetse-trypanosome interactions with emphasis on the factors affecting susceptibility of
tsetse to trypanosome infections and the epidemiological implications.
Chapter 3 states the objectives of the thesis. The general objectives were to study different aspects affecting
the susceptibility of the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans morsitans, to an infection with Trypanosoma
congolense or T. brucei and evaluate their importance in the epidemiology of animal and human
Trypanosomiasis.
18
In Chapter 4 the results of a study on the age/prevalence relationship of female G. m. morsitans in eastern
province of Zambia are presented. Congolense-type infections were identified in 4.8 % of the flies, while
vivax-type and immature type were identified in 1.8 % and 6.8 % of the flies respectively. The prevalence of
all three types of infections increased with age. The per capita rate at which field flies acquire new
trypanosome infections was found to be significantly higher for immature compared to mature infections.
These observations strongly suggest that tsetse acquire new midgut infections at any age and that maturation
of the infection is not limited to those obtained during the first blood meal.
In Chapter 5 experimental investigations confirmed earlier findings presented in chapter 4 that teneral flies
are more likely to acquire and develop a mature infection but that mature tsetse flies still remain susceptible
though at a significantly lower rate. However, the nutritional status of the fly at the time of the infective feed
affects the fly’s ability to acquire a T. congolense or T. brucei infection. Extreme periods of starvation in
adult flies (up to seven days) produced infections comparable to teneral flies. Moreover, the maturation rate
of T. brucei infections established in the midgut was significantly increased. We propose that under natural
conditions nutritional stress in adult tsetse flies contributes significantly to the epidemiology of tsetsetransmitted trypanosomiasis.
Chapter 6 presents results from investigations on the effect of starvation on the developmental process of
trypanosomes in tsetse fly midguts by examining changes in density, localisation and surface coat of the
trypanosomes. The expression of EP and GPEET procyclins seems to be independent of fly-related factors.
Furthermore, a preliminary study on changes in the tsetse’s immune response after starvation is presented.
Results of the studies showed that starvation reduced the rate of trypanosome elimination during the early
phase of infection but seems to have no effect on colonisation of the midgut by trypanosomes and the
expression of procyclins on the trypanosomes’ surface. Results of the study on immune response indicate
that in tsetse flies expression of certain immunopeptides is pathogen specific and seems to be down-regulated
in nutritionally stressed flies. However, further studies are required to confirm those results.
In Chapter 7, results from experiments to determine the ability of adult-trypanosome infected tsetse flies to
acquire a secondary trypanosome infection showed that adult flies with an existing T. brucei or T.
congolense infection remained at least as susceptible to a secondary infection when compared to noninfected flies of the same age. We conclude that a secondary infection with another trypanosome species has
no effect on an already established mature infection and that previous exposure to an infective blood meal or
presence of an immature infection has no effect on the development or maturation rate of the subsequent
infection. Our data helps to explain the aggregation of infections in the susceptible population of a tsetse
population and the large proportion of mixed infection observed in the field.
Chapter 8 present the findings of investigations on the effect of a single treatment of tsetse with
isometamidium chloride during the first blood meal on the tsetse’s subsequent susceptibility to infection with
T. congolense or T. b. brucei. Results show that a single treatment of flies with the trypanocide sufficed to
reduce its susceptibility to a trypanosome infection. This was also the case for infections with T. congolense
strains that were resistant to isometamidium chloride. We propose that the administration of isometamidium
chloride to tsetse flies in the first blood meal is an effective means to reduce the vector competence of tsetse
flies released during control campaigns using the sterile insect technique.
In the general discussion (Chapter 9), the most important results presented in the different chapters of the
thesis are highlighting and their implications for the epidemiology of tsetse transmitted-trypanosomiasis are
discussed.
In vitro quantitation of Theileria parva sporozoites for use in vaccination and sporozoites
neutralization assays
VICTOR MBAO (Zambia)
Promotors: P. Dorny and T. Marcotty
Date: 14/12/2006
Place: University of Ghent
19
Summary:
In Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, about 20 million cattle are at risk and more than a million die each
year from a disease known as East Coast fever (ECF). It is caused by a tick-borne protozoan parasite,
Theileria parva which is closely related to the mosquito-borne parasite (Plasmodium genus) causing malaria
in humans. The treatment and infection (I & T) method is presently the only way of immunising susceptible
cattle and is gaining wide application. It involves injecting cattle with stabilates of live parasite and
oxytetracycline. The immunising infective material consists of T. parva sporozoites extracted from infected
ticks and cryopreserved below -80°C. The production, testing, storage and delivery of these stabilates are
complex and expensive hence necessitate research for simpler and more cost effective processes.
This work optimised an in vitro tool that was then used in quantitating infectivity of T. parva sporozoites in
stabilates undergoing various production and storage associated processes. The unit of infectivity was a dose
expressed in tick equivalents that infects 50% of lymphocyte culture wells (ED50). Equivalence testing of
different methods consisted of estimating the ratio of their respective ED50 with a 95% confidence interval.
One study compared the infectivity of T. parva sporozoites extracted manually by mortar and pestle to that
by tissue homogenisers. Equivalence testing showed that the two methods had similar efficiency with the
homogenised material being at least 99% (95% CI: 0.99-1.30) as infective as that of the material extracted
manually. The recommendation was to base choice of method on costs and ease of standardisation.
In the second set of studies, infectivity of sporozoites suspended in MEM, RPMI, PBS or FCS and
repeatedly frozen stabilates was assessed. Comparison of stabilates showed that RPMI and MEM support
infectivity to the same degree (ED ratio = 1.03) (95% CI: 0.63-1.67) whereas PBS and FCS were 59 and
67% respectively, as efficient as MEM which was used as the standard medium. Refreezing stabilates
induced an infectivity loss of 35% per refreezing cycle
A third study examined the effect of snap freezing on stabilates with a view of reducing equipment used
during vaccine production. Vials of stabilate were immersed in liquid nitrogen directly after production
instead of slowly cooling to -80°C. The infectivity of snap-frozen stabilates was 24% that of stabilate frozen
by a programmed freezer. Although recovery was very low, the result showed that recovery of live
sporozoite was achieved and can be optimised.
Short-term storage of stabilates of two T. parva stocks on ice (4°C) and in a domestic freezer (-20°C) were
investigated in the fourth study. On ice, infectivity was lost at rates of 1 and 4% per hour for the two stocks.
At -20°C, sucrose and glycerol stabilates lost 98 and 61% of initial infectivity, respectively after a week of
storage.
The fifth study was an attempt at repeating a stabilate lyophilization with a view of optimising this long-term
storage method. Several protocols and parasite presentations were used. No sporozoite viability was evident
in the lyophilized materials by in vitro and in vivo methods in spite of well preserved sporozoite walls as
evidenced by PCR of ethidium monoazide stained samples.
In the sixth study, a Sporozoite Neutralization Assay (SNA) was optimised and used to quantitate effects of
immune sera originating from cattle experimentally infected with T. parva schizonts, live and dead
sporozoites. In spite of positive serological tests for PIM and p67 antibodies and in spite of the reputed
protective value of anti-PIM antibodies, in vitro neutralization of sporozoites could not be demonstrated.
However, the optimised protocol was validated on positive and negative control sera.
20
LIST OF MSC THESES 2005-2006
Name
CHAKA Hassen
HABIB
Mohamed
Ihab
RAHMAN
Anisur
MDLULI Sihle
SUMAYE Robert
David
SECKA Arss
AYAMDOOH
Evans Nsoh
AMENU Kebede
PETERSON
Francis
BALDE Jupiter
Title
Rift Valley Fever: a quantitative import risk assessment in simulation
model from exporting country's perspective
Diseases encountered in meat condemnation in Alexandria, Egypt: a
retrospective study and Bayesian assessment of the routine abattoir
inspection procedures
A cross-sectional survey to identify risk factors and clinical signs
associated with parasitic helminth infections of cattle in Mymensingh
district of Bangladesh
Survey of the seroprevalence of Brucellosis in sheep and goats in
Swaziland
Foot and Mouth Disease in Tanzania: spatio-temporal analysis of the
relative risk
Effectiveness of trypanosomosis control strategies in F1 crossbred
cattle at different levels of trypanosomosis risk in the Kombo districts
of The Gambia
The prevalence and economic importance of fasciolosis in Ghana: a
6-year analysis of abattoir records and mapping
Survey of farmers’ ethnoveterinary knowledge in Borecha and
Awassa-Zuria Districts, Ethiopia
African swine fever in Ghana (1999 - 2005): review of outbreaks and
control measures
Risk assessment of foodborne micro-organisms in a military hospital
food service facility in Dakar, Senegal
Survey of bovine brucellosis in Ecuador: performance of five
diagnostic tests
Molecular typing of multi-drug resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates from Rwanda
Theileria parva prevalence in unfed Rhipicephalus appendiculatus
ticks from Rwanda using PCR-RFLP
Correlation of the Mean Corpuscular Volume and other
haematological parameters with the age of hematocytes and the age
of the host in Belgian black and white dairy cattle
In Vitro Culture of Babesia bigemina from cryopreserved stabilate
ANGULO Olga
Alexandra
GUMI DONDE
Balako
CHANGULA
Katendi
MUNA Bernard
Chick
MENYONGA
RATSIU
Sehoaela John
MLILO
Development of real-time polymerase chain reaction based on the
Thethelani
Cox III mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid for rapid diagnosis of
Theileriosis
NGUYEN
Thu Taeniasis and Cysticercosis in a selected group of inhabitants from a
Huong
mountainous province in North Vietnam
BOURDANNE
Evaluation of trypanocidal drug resistance in trypanosome isolates
from Cameroon and other African countries
CHITANGA
Screening of trypanosome genes potentially involved in drug
Simbarashe
resistance through Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism
(SSCP) and Multidrug Resistance (MDR) gene quantification by realtime PCR in isometamidium sensitive and resistant strains
NGUMBI Anna The vectorial capacity of isometamidium-treated tsetse flies subjected
Flowino
to nutritional stress
NGUYEN Quynh Analysis of Rodent's livers for the presence of Trypanosomes using
Hoa
PCR-RFLP
VICTOR Bjorn
The production of a recombinant VHH fragments for species specific
diagnosis of T. solium.
21
Promoter
D.Berkvens
D.Berkvens
T.Marcotty
D.Berkvens
D.Berkvens
D.Berkvens
D.Berkvens
E.Thys
T.Marcotty
T.Marcotty
S.Geerts
S.Geerts
D.Geysen
T.Marcotty
T.Marcotty
Dirk Geysen
P.Dorny
V.Delespaux
V.Delespaux
P. Van Den
Bossche
D.Geysen
P.Dorny
Sur demande notre secrétariat ([email protected]) peut vous envoyer des fichiers pdf de ces thèses.
WORKSHOPS
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF BOVINE TRYPANOSOMOSIS AND
THEILERIOSIS AT THE GAME/LIVESTOCK INTERFACE IN KWAZULUNATAL PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
ITM, 17 November 2006
With financial support of the Flemish Community
This workshop was organised at the occasion of the end of a joint research project (January 2005- December
2006) between the Animal Health Department of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp and the
Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria. About 30
participants from South Africa, Kenya, the Netherlands and Belgium attended the workshop. Nine
communications were presented covering both themes of the project, i.e. theileriosis and trypanosomosis.
Interesting results were presented about the prevalence of trypanosomosis in cattle populations kept adjacent
to a game park and in buffaloes inside the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park of KwaZulu Natal. Some of the buffalo T.
congolense isolates were tested for their pathogenicity and compared with isolates from cattle herds near to
the park. Furthermore, data were shown on habitat preferences and control of Glossina austeni and G.
brevipalpis in this area. In the field of theileriosis the presentations focused on buffalo-derived Theileria
parva, the genetic diversity of the parasite and molecular tools to distinguish T. lawrencei and T. parva
populations. Those who are interested can ask for the abstract book (pdf file) by sending a request to Stanny
Geerts ([email protected]).
22
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR FRIEND, VIJAY PANDEY
Chers amis, collègues et anciens étudiants,
Au début de l’année 2007 je vous souhaite ainsi qu’à votre famille beaucoup de bonheur, la bonne santé, le
succès et la satisfaction professionnelle et familiale.
Dear friends, colleagues and ex-students
I wish you and your family a happy and prosperous year 2007. May this year bring you satisfaction both
professionally and socially and provide you success in all your endeavours.
In 2006 I had the opportunity to visit India, a developing country and would like to share some of my
thoughts with you. Often the connotation « developing country » is taken with a negative image which is not
always true. From a social, economic and scientific point of view, I noticed rapid changes in different fields
of life in India. In recent years there has been substantial progress in scientific fields, right from the space
technology, information & communication technology, pharmaceuticals to agriculture and animal husbandry,
to name only a few. These changes are reflected in an overall economic growth with an average of over 8 %
annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP).
Over 60 % of the Indian population lives in rural areas whose livelihood depends mainly on agriculture and
livestock. Though the rural population has not fully benefited from the economic growth of India, there are
signs of substantial progress in rural communities as well. The infrastructure and communication (roads,
electricity, transport, mobile phones etc.) is increasing rapidly in livestock sector, they have adopted a
holistic approach. Genetic improvement using local breeds, nutrition, disease control and commercialisation
all together form a package. For several decades there has been a sustained effort on milk production which
has led to « white » revolution and now milk is easily available everywhere. Research in breeding was
combined with research on feeding and disease control and development of the chain of commercialisation,
often through cooperatives. Small scale as well as large scale commercial ventures are visible everywhere.
The agricultural and livestock development is seen in the broad overall context of development in other
sectors of the economy.
What is the reason of this progress? Is it foreign aid, foreign capital, foreign know-how or is it indigenous?
From the visit of research institutes, universities, and private and public sector it becomes clear that it is
mainly the local capital and human resources which are the driving force of the change. In fact India is
investing more and more in other countries around the globe, and Belgium is one of the most important
destinations of Indian investors as it serves as a springboard to expand in other European markets. In India
one can see everywhere the spirit of entrepreneurship, self confidence and desire to compete internationally
in a frontierless knowledge based global economy. Most of the changes are driven by research &
development (R&D) and innovation, both in the public and private sectors. Indians have understood that
« knowledge is power ».
A working democracy, a good educational system, strong investment in Science & Technology, a fair legal
and banking system and especially the peace devoid of religious or ethnic extremism are the catalysers of
India’s progress. There are so many opportunities in the knowledge-based economy in India that instead of
« brain drain » there is now the « brain gain » as many scientists of Indian origin are returning back to India
or are establishing joint ventures. These foreign Indians are not attracted by nostalgia for India or by the taste
of Indian curry, but by the opportunities it offers for scientific and business activities. The foreign companies
are also investing in R&D activities in India as they find a qualified innovative human resource at a
reasonable cost and a suitable working environment.
But do not think that India is free of bureaucracy and corruption.
23
Indian example can be repeated in other developing countries in Africa and elsewhere. Having worked for a
long time in Africa and being a friend of Africa, naturally I think of Africa. In my opinion many African
countries are missing a political stability. The natural resources are not exploited properly and there is
insufficient investment in education and research. Unless we develop the local expertise and provide a
suitable infrastructure and environment for using the local talents it will be difficult to be self sufficient.
External aid/assistance can help but will never be enough to solve the problem. Moreover, aid/assistance is
never free; there is always a direct or indirect price to pay sooner or later. Sometimes, aid creates a syndrome
of dependency. It is important to look for local solutions and not blindly copy the others. The institutions in
the North, such as the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, can provide intellectual inputs through
training and collaborative research/development projects but at the end it is up to the nationals to use that
knowledge and further expand it to solve the local problems. We have very talented scientists in Africa and
they are capable of doing an excellent job provided that there are suitable opportunities and facilities. There
is also a need to consolidate the resources by cooperating between the countries of the region, as individually
it is difficult to attain the excellence under current economic conditions. A close cooperation between the
research institutes, both national and international institutes, is essential and a better option than each one
working separately. Appropriate policies in livestock sector at national and regional level for R&D, disease
control and commercialisation will only benefit everybody. The proverb « United we are strong » is certainly
true.
Encore une fois mes meilleurs vœux pour l’an 2007.
Vijay S. Pandey
Albert I laan 107
B-1800 Vilvoorde, Belgium
Tel./Fax: ++ 32 (0)2 251 84 36
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
24
ACTIVITIES OF NATIONAL NETWORKS
SYMPOSIUM ON EMERGENT DISEASES IN ANIMALS AND THEIR
CONSEQUENCES IN PUBLIC HEALTH
RIPROSAT- ECUADOR with the agreement of the Institute of Tropical Medicine “Prince Leopold” (ITM)
from Antwerp and a financial support form the General Directorate of Cooperation Development, organised
a Symposium on several emergent diseases including Avian Influenza, with national and international
lecturers who shared their experience. This activity certainly contributed to the fame of the ITM and
RIPROSAT-Ecuador.
The Symposium was addressed to professionals involved in animal production and animal health (poultry).
Some important aspects related to Avian Influenza and other emergent diseases were presented during the
first part of the conference. At the end of the symposium, main issues were discussed and analyzed in an
open forum where conclusions were drawn and different questions answered.
This meeting took place in the main conference room at the Trade Centre of Quito, on 23rd November. 159
participants attended the conference. Most of them were students from the different Universities in the
country.
Conference agenda:
Use of molecular biology to diagnose diseases transmited by Food from animal origin
Marcelo Grijalva, Ph.D. ESPE
Campilobacter, veterinary responsability?
María Belén Cevallos, M.Sc. UCE
From animals to the table, Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis
Alex Andrade DVMZ M.Sc. SESA
West Nile fever
Xavier Silva, M.Sc. University San Francisco of Quito
Epidemiology, Geographic information system and spatial analysis
Lenin Vinueza, M.Sc. IICA
West Nile fever, should it worry Ecuador?
Role of migratory and wild birds on the transmission of Avian Influenza
Katherine Soos, BSc, DVM, Ph.D. Wildlife Diseases Specialist, Canada
Virological characteristics of Avian Influenza
Rolando Rodas DVM Ph.D. FAO
Situation of Avian Influenza in Ecuador
Bolivar Valencia, DVM UCE
Control Program for Avian Influenza in Ecuador
THE WEBSITE OF RIPROSAT ECUADOR
RIPROSAT-ECUADOR designed also a web page, which shows the activities of the group.
The website address is www.riprosat.com.
The website was used to announce the symposium on emergent diseases organised by RIPROSATECUADOR. The members will continue to develop this website and they want to invite all Riprosat national
networks to have a space on this web page.
Members of RIPROSAT ECUADOR: Freddy Proaño, Alexandra Angulo, Marco Cisneros, Maria Augusta
Chávez, Lenin Vinueza, Maria Belén Cevallos and Richar Rodríguez,
25
HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA RISK, BIO-SECURITY AND
SMALLHOLDER ADVERSITY
Source: FAO’s pro poor livestock policy initiative
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was first reported in Southeast Asia in late 2003, although the
H5N1 virus is now considered to have emerged as early as 1996 when it was first identified in geese in
Guangdong Province in southern China. Since then it has spread rapidly and over large distances, with
outbreaks occurring in domesticated poultry and some wild bird populations in Mongolia, southern Russia,
the Middle East and, in 2005, in Europe and Africa.
Several epidemic waves have occurred in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The widespread practice of
smallholder backyard poultry keeping in these countries is frequently cited as one of the primary risk factors
for these outbreaks and the persistence of the virus in domestic poultry populations. Based on this
assumption, some governments are considering the prohibition of unconfined poultry flocks in order to
increase ‘bio-security’ in smallholder backyard production.
HPAI thus constitutes a serious threat to poor rural smallholder poultry producers, both directly, through
mortality, but probably even more so indirectly, through measures applied to control the disease. These
measures may be prohibitively expensive for resource-poor smallholder producers and thus could force them
to abandon poultry keeping altogether, depriving them of small but valuable amounts of protein in their diets,
much needed petty cash income, and, most importantly, an investment opportunity for escaping poverty.
Given these likely adverse impacts of restrictive policies on smallholder poultry growers, it is important to
examine the evidence base for such measures in terms of their effect on risks of HPAI.
The Risk of HPAI in Backyard Flocks
There is an assumption that because the majority of HPAI outbreaks have been reported in smallholder
backyard flocks, these operations are inherently more risky than other types of poultry operations. This
assumption was tested using published data from the 2004 HPAI epidemic and concurrent active surveillance
programme in Thailand.
The Thai poultry sector is very heterogeneous with commercial broiler enterprises, consisting on average of
3,500 birds per ‘flock’, constituting only two percent of all ‘flocks’ but accounting for nearly sixty percent of
the standing poultry population. On the other hand, backyard flocks, with an average flock size of 30 birds,
constitute approximately three quarters of flocks but account for only around one fifth of the standing poultry
population.
Estimation of the crude risk of HPAI infection in 2004 by flock type as defined by the Thai animal health
authorities showed that, for example, although layer flocks only constituted one percent of all flocks, they
accounted for five percent of all registered infected flocks. Quail flocks showed the highest risk of detected
HPAI infection, nearly reaching 1.6 percent. Against widely held expectations, backyard flocks showed the
lowest risk of detected HPAI infection, 0.05 percent, only one quarter that of layer and broiler flocks.
These results may reflect differences in ascertainment, HPAI being more readily detectable by in large
commercial operations and more likely to be brought to the attention of animal health authorities by these
operators. However, since the active surveillance programmes in place in Thailand were focused on
backyard operations, this potential ascertainment bias is unlikely to be the main explanation for the higher
risk of HPAI detection in commercial layer and broiler flocks than in backyard operations, and it appears
warranted to review the ‘bio-security’ of commercial operations.
Bio-Security of Commercial Poultry Operations
The confinement of large numbers of birds (as many as 50,000 in modern broiler houses in the US and
Thailand), at very high densities, poses significant challenges to ensuring bio-security. (Bio-security being
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broadly defined as any system that prevents the spread of infectious agents from infected to susceptible
animals.)
Birds need to be supplied feed, water and air, and, because confinement of thousands of animals requires
controls to reduce heat and regulate humidity, poultry houses require high volume ventilation. This results in
considerable movement of materials from and into the external environment.
Campylobacter spp, for example, similar to HPAI virus, move among avian host species, both domesticated
and wild and in both directions. The inability of conventional bio-security measures to prevent the movement
of Campylobacter in and out of modern broiler facilities was clearly demonstrated in a recent study of
Campylobacter-free broiler flocks in the USA, housed in sanitized facilities, using standard bio-security
measures, and fed Campylobacter-free feed and water.
Once a poultry flock is colonized with Campylobacter, the food, water and air within the house quickly
become contaminated and the air exiting the house via ventilation systems becomes a source of
Campylobacter to the external environment. Campylobacter strains with identical DNA fingerprints to those
colonizing broilers have been measured in air up to 30 m downwind of broiler facilities housing colonized
flocks.
There are additional mechanisms by which pathogens enter and leave ‘bio-secure’ poultry houses. For
example, insects may carry microbes in and out of facilities through ventilation systems and small openings
as demonstrated in a study in Denmark, which found that as many as 30,000 flies may enter a broiler facility
during a single flock rotation in the summer months.
Another major challenge to bio-security arises through the need to dispose of large amounts of animal waste
from these large poultry populations – each broiler chicken is estimated to produce about 1.7 kg waste over
its 6-7 week life span, i.e. a 50,000 broiler unit produces nearly 2 tons of waste per day. Land-disposed
poultry house wastes are attractive to wild birds due to the presence of spilled feed in these wastes. These
wild birds then may become infected and contaminate water supplies of other poultry operations, thereby
contributing to large distance transmission.
The above provides ample evidence for the potential of pathogens to move in and out of standard, reputedly
bio-secure, commercial poultry facilities, even in developed settings.
Individual versus Collective HPAI Risk
The risk of HPAI introduction into an individual flock is determined by its ‘contact’ pattern and the risk
mitigation measures in place. Thus, although backyard poultry keepers do not have bio-security measures in
place, their ‘risky’ contacts, at least in Thailand, seem to be rather limited, resulting in the counter-intuitive
finding that backyard poultry production is less risky, in terms of HPAI infection, than production in larger
and confined commercial poultry operations.
Collectively, however, simply as a result of their large numbers, backyard poultry keepers will account for
the majority of infected flocks, thereby jeopardizing the sanitary status of the poultry sector as a whole.
Given the much stronger political influence of commercial interests vis-à-vis smallholder producers there is a
clear danger that regulators will opt for ‘easy’ solutions, such as imposing measures to make subsistence
poultry production ‘safer’, e.g. forced housing or confinement of poultry. This will impose very high costs,
particularly upon a marginal group of entrepreneurs and household producers and may lead to an overall
reduction of HPAI outbreaks, but more as a result of the loss of household production flocks than as a result
of enhanced bio-security.
The imposition of measures which do not significantly reduce the risk of pathogen introduction and spread
but place severe economic burdens on society or groups thereof may be politically opportune but is socially
unjustifiable. Appropriate social investments to reduce health risk locally and nationally, which draw on the
current global momentum for rapid and intensive measures to control HPAI, can have the very significant
dividend of improving smallholder commercial viability, a pro-poor benefit that stands in sharp contrast to
the displacement effects many of the proposed control strategies threaten to cause.
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DES NOUVELLES DE LA PART DES MEMBRES / NEWS FROM FELLOW
MEMBERS
Alain Xavier Ky-Zerbo (CIPSAT 2001-2002 ; [email protected]) a quitté la lutte
antiacridienne pour représenter Eau-vive, une ONG française qui concerne le domaine de
l’appui au développement local. Vous trouvez plus d’informations sur www.eau-vive.org.
DES NOUVELLES
Mamadou Ouedraogo (CIPSAT 1999-2000 ; [email protected]) nous informe qu’il
travaille maintenant comme expert en statistique et suivi évaluation au Projet de Création des
Zones Libérées Durablement des tsé-tsé et de la trypanosomiase (PCZLD) au Burkina Faso.
Le Burkina fait partie des 6 pays (Ghana, Mali, Ouganda, Ethiopie, Kénia et Burkina Faso)
désignés pour conduire les projets pilotes initiés par le PATTEC (Campagne Panafricaine de
lutte contre les tsé-tsé). Sa nouvelle adresse est :
Avenue du Gouverneur Louveau, Rue 5-37
01 B.P 1087
Bobo-Dioulasso
Burkina Faso
Tél : (226) 20 97 15 21
Fax : (226) 20 97 09 55
Thérèse Sidpayété Nana (MSSAT 2004-2005 ; [email protected]) a obtenu de la part
de l’AIEA (Agence Internationale de L’Energie Atomique) une bourse pour un contrat de
recherche. Pendant 5 ans elle examinera la Péripneumonie Contagieuse Bovine (PPCB) et le
contrôle de la PPCB au Burkina Faso en particulier. Elle espère entamer le doctorat pendant
cette période.
Abdou Salla (CIPSAT 1995-1996 ; [email protected]) est fier de vous annoncer
l’élargissement de sa famille : un fils est né le jeudi 15 juin 2006. Félicitations !
Depuis juin 2006 Henri Banga Mboko (CIPSAT 1995-1996 ; [email protected])
est aux Etats-Unis pour une recherche postuniversitaire au Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire
de l’Université de Texas. Il sera de retour au Congo en avril 2007. Pour ceux qui désirent le
contacter, voici ses coordonnées :
(Office :) Gastrointestinal Laboratory
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M University (TAMU)
College Station 77843-4474 Texas (US)
Tel. : 001 979 209 4535
Fax : 001 979 458 4015
E-mail : [email protected]
(Home :) 204 Spruce Street Appt 2
College Station 77840-1281 Texas (US)
Mohamed El-adham Habib Ihab (MSTAH 2005-2006 ; [email protected]) is
pleased to be back in Belgium, where he has been accepted for a PhD on food safety at the
University of Ghent. His new address is :
Hundelgemsesteenweg 528
9820 Merelbeke
Belgium
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Françoise Nieberding (CIPSAT 1998-1999 ; [email protected]) nous annonce la
naissance de son troisième fils, Etienne, le 18 novembre 2006. Elle habite toujours Rue de
Temploux 14 à 5190 Spy. Nos félicitations à toute la famille !
DES NOUVELLES
C’est avec plaisir qu’Ayefouni Ale Gonh-Goh (CIPSAT 2002-2003 ; [email protected])
nous annonce qu’il est au Caire, en Egypte, où il peut visiter l’histoire ancienne de
l’humanité pendant un stage de 2 mois et demi. C’est une vraie aubaine pour lui !
On October 10th, Katendi Changula (MSTAH 2005-2006 ; [email protected]) and
Simbarashe
Chitanga
(MSTAH
2005-2006 ;
[email protected]
or
[email protected]) got engaged. They plan on getting married next year in Zambia,
but haven’t set the exact date yet. Our best wishes to the couple !
Sawa Camara (CIPSAT 2002-2003 ; [email protected]) travaille toujours au Centre de
Recherche Agronomique de Bareng (Pita, Guinée). Comme l’IRAG (Institut de Recherche
Agronomique de Guinée) a reconnu son diplôme de CIPSAT comme équivalent de DESS, il
attend sa deuxième évaluation pour être attaché de recherche. Aussi Sawa nous communique
que du 22 mai au 2 juin 2006, il a suivi le cours « Gestion de données Scientifiques », qui a
été organisé par le CTA en collaboration avec l’IRAG à Conakry.
Babacar Camara (CIPSAT 1997-1998 ; [email protected]) se trouve en France pendant
l’année académique 2006. Il y fait le Master Pro Qualité des Produits et Sécurité Alimentaire
à l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse (ENSAT).
Khadre Fall (CIPSAT 1999-2000 ; [email protected]) et Cheikh Sadibou Fall (CIPSAT
1993-1994) s’occupent du prochain symposium international du RIPROSAT en 2007, dont
vous pouvez lire plus ailleurs dans cette Lettre. Malheureusement, Khadre ne sera
probablement pas au Sénégal au moment du symposium, car il suit une formation au Centre
National d’Etudes Agronomiques des Régions Chaudes (CNEARC) de Montpellier à ce
moment-là, mais avec Cheikh Sadibou, le symposium sera en bonnes mains.
Bernard Chick Muna Menyonga (MSTAH 2005-2006; [email protected]) nous a
annoncé son mariage en septembre dernier. Nous souhaitons un beau futur à Bernard et son
épouse!
En mars 2006, François Tolenga Ketuka Djamba (CMVTZ 1982-1983;
[email protected]) a été nommé Coordinateur Provincial du Service de Quarantaine
Animale et Végétale (SQAV) au Kasai-Occidental (RDC). Il est chargé de la surveillance
épidémiologique et des échanges commerciaux.
Simplice Nouala Fonkou (CIPSAT 1998-1999 ; [email protected]) informs us that he
has been recruited as Animal Resource Officer at the Africa Union Interafrican Bureau for
Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in Nairobi. With his large experience in Central and West
Africa he will no doubt be an asset to IBAR.
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Des vrais amis ne sont pas toujours capables de vous aider mais ils ne vous laisseront jamais tomber.
A close friend is not always capable of helping you, but he will never let you down.
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CAMPUS ROCHUS
NEW AND OLD
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