Call for abstracts: ecohealth 2020

Ecohealth approaches are designed to promote the health of people, animals and ecosystems with attention to social and ecological justice, sustainability and the relationships required to achieve a healthy future. Ecohealth approaches rely on systems thinking and the complementary efforts of transdisciplinary teams.

For the last 15 years, the global ecohealth community has been bringing together individuals and organizations to discuss ecohealth approaches. This year, the eighth biennial ecohealth conference will be held in Durban, South Africa on 22–26 June 2020. 

Participants at ecohealth 2020 are expected to include researchers, policymakers, community leaders, postgraduate students, government departments and non-governmental organizations working on ecohealth approaches towards sustainable management of the health of people, animals and ecosystems.

The organizers of the conference have extended the deadline for the submission of abstracts to 25 March 2020. 

To register and submit an abstract, please visit https://ecohealth2020.co.za.

Photo credit: Women waiting to fetch water as cattle drink from a water pan in Taita Taveta, Kenya (ILRI/ Juliet Kariuki)

 

New study develops forecasting tools for better detection and control of dengue in Vietnam

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that commonly occurs in warm, tropical climates. It is characterized by high fever and flu-like symptoms that can last for up to one week. In a small proportion of cases, severe dengue may occur, leading to bleeding and low blood pressure. There is no specific treatment for infection but medication can be taken to control symptoms.

Climate change and rapid unplanned urbanization are among the factors that have brought people into more frequent contact with the vectors, thus contributing to further spread of disease.

According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of dengue has risen dramatically in recent decades, with an estimated 390 million dengue infections annually.

Vietnam is one of at least 100 countries where the disease is now endemic. Dengue infection in Vietnam is unstable but peaks from June to October annually.

As part of efforts to curb the spread of dengue in Vietnam, research efforts are being undertaken to develop tools that will enable timely detection and control of the disease. One such research study recently examined seasonal trends of dengue in Vietnam and used the data to develop a statistical model to forecast the incidence of the disease.

The study, published in PLOS ONE (27 Nov 2019), was carried out by a team of researchers from the International Livestock Research Institute and Vietnamese partners from Hanoi University of Public Health, the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

To develop the statistical risk forecasting model, the researchers used dengue surveillance data that had been collected by health centres in Vietnam’s 63 provinces between 2001 and 2012. In addition, they obtained monthly meteorological data from the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology and Climate Change. Land cover data were obtained from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer website of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The data were also used to develop risk maps of dengue incidence showing the distribution of the incidence of infection in the wet and dry seasons. The researchers are optimistic that with these new risk-based forecasting tools, policymakers and planners in Vietnam will be better able to predict dengue incidence in the country and thus respond in a timely manner to effectively control the disease.

Citation
Bett, B., Grace, D., Hu Suk Lee, Lindahl, J., Hung Nguyen-Viet, Phuc Pham-Duc, Nguyen Huu Quyen, Tran Anh Tu, Tran Dac Phu, Dang Quang Tan and Vu Sinh Nam. 2019. Spatiotemporal analysis of historical records (2001–2012) on dengue fever in Vietnam and development of a statistical model for forecasting risk. PLOS ONE 14(11): e0224353.

Photo credit: Crop-livestock systems in Vietnam (ILRI/Hung Nguyen)

 

Celebrating World Antibiotic Resistance Week 2019 with highlights of ILRI research on antimicrobial resistance

Each November, the World Antibiotic Awareness Week is commemorated to raise global awareness of antibiotic resistance and to encourage rational use of antibiotics to avoid further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

In collaboration with national, regional and international partners, scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) carry out research on antimicrobial resistance at the human–livestock interface. In recognition of World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019, we highlight some of our recent research outputs on antimicrobial resistance.

• Ahlberg, S., Korhonen, H., Lindfors, E. and Kang’ethe, E. 2016. Analysis of antibiotic residues in milk from smallholder farms in Kenya. African Journal of Dairy Farming and Milk Production 3(4): 152–158.
• Dulo, F., Feleke, A., Szonyi, B., Fries, R., Baumann, M.P.O. and Grace, D. 2015. Isolation of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli O157 from goats in the Somali region of Ethiopia: A cross-sectional, abattoir-based study. PLOS ONE 10(11): e0142905.
• Grace, D. 2015. Review of evidence on antimicrobial resistance and animal agriculture in developing countries. UK: Evidence on Demand.
• Hassell, J.M., Ward, M.J., Muloi, D., Bettridge, J.M., Robinson, T.P., Kariuki, S., Ogendo, A., Kiiru, J., Imboma, T., Kang’ethe, E.K., Öghren, E.M., Williams, N.J., Begon, M., Woolhouse, M.E.J. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. Clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance at the wildlife–livestock–human interface in Nairobi: An epidemiological study. Lancet Planetary Health 3(6): e259–e269.
• Hunduma, D., Alonso, S., Agga, G., Dego, O.K., Wieland, B., Desta, H., Grace, D. and Amenu, K. 2019. Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Salmonella in the milk and feces of lactating dairy cows and camels in Borana pastoral community, Ethiopia. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for Food Protection, Louisville, Kentucky, 21–24 July 2019. 
• ILRI. 2019. Health and antibiotics in Vietnamese pig production. ILRI Project Profile. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.
• Kakkar, M., Chatterjee, P., Chauhan, A.S., Grace, D., Lindahl, J., Beeche, A., Jing, F. and Chotinan, S. 2018. Antimicrobial resistance in South East Asia: Time to ask the right questions. Global Health Action 11(1): 1483637.
• Muloi, D., Fèvre, E.M., Bettridge, J., Rono, R., Ong’are, D., Hassell, J.M., Karani, M.K., Muinde, P., Bunnik, B. van, Street, A., Chase-Topping, M., Pedersen, A.B., Ward, M.J. and Woolhouse, M.E.J. 2019. A cross-sectional survey of practices and knowledge among antibiotic retailers in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Global Health 9(2): 020412.
• Muloi, D., Kiiru, J., Ward, M.J., Hassell, J.M., Bettridge, J.M., Robinson, T.P., Bunnik, B.A.D. van, Chase-Topping, M., Robertson, G., Pedersen, A.B., Fèvre, E.M., Woolhouse, M.E.J., Kang’ethe, E.K. and Kariuki, S. 2019. Epidemiology of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli carriage in sympatric humans and livestock in a rapidly urbanising city. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 54(5): 531–537. 
• Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases Research Team. 2019. Resistance to antibiotic drugs. Video. Nairobi, Kenya: Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases Research Team.

For more information, contact Arshnee Moodley (a.moodley@cgiar.org), antimicrobial resistance team leader at ILRI, or visit the website of the ILRI-hosted CGIAR Antimicrobial Resistance Hub.

Photo credit: World Health Organization

 

New study identifies factors affecting spread of brucellosis in humans and livestock in northeastern Kenya

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease that affects wildlife and livestock. People may get exposed to the disease through direct contact with an infected animal or consumption of raw or undercooked animal products. In humans, the disease is characterized by prolonged fever, body aches, joint pains and weakness, while in livestock, it mainly causes abortions and infertility. 

A study carried out in Garissa and Tana River counties of Kenya set out to identify the factors that affect the spread of brucellosis in people and livestock. Livestock and people from randomly selected households were recruited and serum samples were obtained and screened for Brucella antibodies to determine the level of exposure to Brucella spp. 

The study found that the chances of exposure to brucellosis in humans were at least three times higher in households that had at least one Brucella-seropositive animal compared to those that had none. 

This finding can be used to design risk-based surveillance systems for brucellosis, based on the locations of the primary cases of the disease, where each case of Brucella infection identified in livestock could signal potential locations of additional brucellosis cases in humans, and vice versa.

Citation

Kairu-Wanyoike, S., Nyamwaya, D., Wainaina, M., Lindahl, J., Ontiri, E., Bukachi, S., Njeru, I., Karanja, J., Sang, R., Grace, D. and Bett, B. 2019. Positive association between Brucella spp. seroprevalences in livestock and humans from a cross-sectional study in Garissa and Tana River Counties, Kenya. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 13(10): e0007506.

Photo credit: Boran women with sheep and goats at a traditional deep well water source, Garba Tulla, Isiolo, Kenya (ILRI/Fiona Flintan)

 

Celebrating One Health Day 2019 with a focus on ILRI’s One Health research

One Health Day is a global campaign marked annually on 3 November to bring attention to the need for a One Health approach to address the shared health threats at the human–animal–environment interface.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) carries out One Health research through its Animal and Human Health program which seeks to effectively manage or eliminate livestock, zoonotic and food-borne diseases through the generation and use of knowledge, technologies and products. 

We commemorate this year’s One Health Day by featuring a selection of the program’s recent research outputs on this important topic.

• Falzon, L.C., Alumasa, L., Amanya, F., Kang’ethe, E., Kariuki, S., Momanyi, K., Muinde, P., Murungi, M.K., Njoroge, S.M., Ogendo, A., Ogola, J., Rushton, J., Woolhouse, M.E.J. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. One Health in action: Operational aspects of an integrated surveillance system for zoonoses in western Kenya. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 6: 252. 
• Grace, D., Bett, B., Atherstone, C., Unger, F., Hung Nguyen-Viet and Sinh Dang-Xuan. 2019. International perspectives on One Health. Presentation at the Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference, Perth, Australia, 5–10 May 2019.
• Hu Suk Lee. 2019. Strengthening capacities for improving human and animal health in Southeast Asia using a One Health approach. Presentation at the third Global Official Development Assistance Forum for Sustainable Agricultural Development, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 13–15 May 2019.
• Hung Nguyen-Viet. 2019. Food safety and antimicrobial resistance research: A One Health perspective. Presentation at the Emerging Pathogen Institute seminar series, Gainesville, Florida, 26 July 2019.
• Lindahl, J.F., Vrentas, C.E., Deka, R.P., Hazarika, R.A., Rahman, H., Bambal, R.G., Bedi, J.S., Bhattacharya, C., Chaudhuri, P., Fairoze, N.M., Gandhi, R.S., Gill, J.P.S., Gupta, N.K., Kumar, M., Londhe, S., Rahi, M., Sharma, P.K., Shome, R., Singh, R., Srinivas, K. and Swain, B.B. 2019. Brucellosis in India: results of a collaborative workshop to define One Health priorities. Tropical Animal Health and Production.

For more information, contact Delia Randolph (d.randolph@cgiar.org) or Vish Nene (v.nene@cgiar.org), co-leaders of ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program.

Photo credit: Women waiting to fetch water as cattle drink from a water pan in Taita Taveta, Kenya (ILRI/Juliet Kariuki)

 

IMMANA announces call for applications for research grants on food systems and nutrition outcomes

The Innovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture and Nutrition Actions (IMMANA) program has called for a third round of applications for its competitive research grants. 

The research grants are aimed at accelerating the development of innovative and interdisciplinary methods, metrics and tools to advance scientific understanding of the linkages between agriculture and food systems and health and nutrition outcomes, in order to better inform policy and programmatic actions to improve nutrition outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

This workstream of the IMMANA program is led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. So far, 15 research grants of up to £250,000 have been awarded over two rounds (Round 1 and Round 2). There will be two funding rounds (Rounds 3 and 4) for the IMMANA Phase 2 grants. Each IMMANA grant will be a maximum of £250,000 and up to eight grants are expected to be awarded through a competitive selection process in each round (total of 16). Applications for Round 3 grants are now open.

For more information about eligibility, the selection process and timelines, visit https://immana.lcirah.ac.uk/grants.

Photo credit: Aflatoxin research at the BecA-ILRI Hub (ILRI/Paul Karaimu)

 

Celebrating Open Access Week 2019 with a focus on ILRI’s open access research on animal and human health

Open Access Week is celebrated globally every year during the last complete week of October. To mark Open Access Week 2019, we highlight some recent open access research articles authored and co-authored by scientists from the Animal and Human Health program of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). 

The program seeks to effectively manage or eliminate livestock, zoonotic and foodborne diseases that matter to the poor through the generation and use of knowledge, technologies and products, leading to higher farmer incomes and better health and nutrition for consumers and livestock.

Read about our research on antimicrobial resistance, food safety, One Health and zoonotic diseases from this selection of peer-reviewed, open access journal articles published this year:

• Ahmed, S., Dávila, J.D., Allen, A., Haklay, M., Tacoli, C. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. Does urbanization make emergence of zoonosis more likely? Evidence, myths and gaps. Environment and Urbanization 31(2): 443–460. 
• Amenu, K., Wieland, B., Szonyi, B. and Grace, D. 2019. Milk handling practices and consumption behavior among Borana pastoralists in southern Ethiopia. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition 38: 6. 
• Chauhan, A.S., George, M.S., Lindahl, J., Grace, D. and Kakkar, M. 2019. Community, system and policy level drivers of bovine tuberculosis in smallholder periurban dairy farms in India: A qualitative enquiry. BMC Public Health 19: 301. 
• Falzon, L.C., Alumasa, L., Amanya, F., Kang’ethe, E., Kariuki, S., Momanyi, K., Muinde, P., Murungi, M.K., Njoroge, S.M., Ogendo, A., Ogola, J., Rushton, J., Woolhouse, M.E.J. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. One Health in action: Operational aspects of an integrated surveillance system for zoonoses in western Kenya. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 6: 252. 
• Grace, D., Dipeolu, M. and Alonso, S. 2019. Improving food safety in the informal sector: nine years later. Infection Ecology & Epidemiology 9(1): 1579613. 
• Hassell, J.M., Ward, M.J., Muloi, D., Bettridge, J.M., Robinson, T.P., Kariuki, S., Ogendo, A., Kiiru, J., Imboma, T., Kang’ethe, E.K., Öghren, E.M., Williams, N.J., Begon, M., Woolhouse, M.E.J. and Fèvre, E.M. 2019. Clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance at the wildlife–livestock–human interface in Nairobi: An epidemiological study. Lancet Planetary Health 3(6): e259–e269. 
• Hung Nguyen-Viet, Sinh Dang-Xuan, Phuc Pham-Duc, Roesel, K., Nguyen Mai Huong, Toan Luu-Quoc, Pham Van Hung, Nguyen Thi Duong Nga, Lapar, L., Unger, F., Häsler, B. and Grace, D. 2019. Rapid integrated assessment of food safety and nutrition related to pork consumption of regular consumers and mothers with young children in Vietnam. Global Food Security 20: 37–44. 
• Kuboka, M.M., Imungi, J.K., Njue, L., Mutua, F., Grace, D. and Lindahl, J.F. 2019. Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk traded in peri-urban Nairobi, and the effect of boiling and fermentation. Infection Ecology & Epidemiology 9(1): 1625703.
• Muloi, D., Fèvre, E.M., Bettridge, J., Rono, R., Ong’are, D., Hassell, J.M., Karani, M.K., Muinde, P., Bunnik, B. van, Street, A., Chase-Topping, M., Pedersen, A.B., Ward, M.J. and Woolhouse, M.E.J. 2019. A cross-sectional survey of practices and knowledge among antibiotic retailers in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Global Health 9(2): 020412.
• Roesel, K., Ejobi, F., Dione, M., Pezo, D., Ouma, E., Kungu, J., Clausen, P.-H. and Grace, D. 2019. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of pork consumers in Uganda. Global Food Security 20: 26–36. 

For more information, contact Delia Randolph (d.randolph@cgiar.org) or Vish Nene (v.nene@cgiar.org), co-leaders of ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program.

Photo credit: International Open Access Week

 

New study explores the role of livestock products for nutrition in the first 1000 days of life

On World Food Day 2019, we highlight a recent article by scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute that summarizes the current state of knowledge on the role of livestock products for nutrition, with emphasis on the first 1000 days of life for individuals living in low-income countries.

Meat, milk and eggs are nutrient-rich products that could efficiently boost nutrient-poor diets either as part of the normal diet or if access is increased through interventions.

The article, published in the journal Animal Frontiers (Oct 2019), considers the nutritional importance of livestock products, the evidence base for their impact on health and nutrition, and the major externalities concerned with their production.

The authors note that promoting the intake of livestock products among resource-limited populations will require specific feasibility and sustainability studies to be conducted to ensure those foods are available and affordable to the target populations.

Citation
Alonso, S., Dominguez-Salas, P. and Grace, D. 2019. The role of livestock products for nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life. Animal Frontiers 9(4): 24–31. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfz033

Photo credit: An Ethiopian smallholder dairy farmer in the country’s Ghibe Valley (ILRI/Apollo Habtamu)

 

ILRI researchers propose traceability system for Kenya’s smallholder pig value chain

A traceability system in the smallholder pig value chain in Kenya could help address challenges related to production, diseases, markets, pork safety and public health, according to a new study published by scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Currently, Kenya does not have an operational livestock traceability system. Although a few systems have been piloted, these have only focused on the beef value chain and mostly in pastoralist areas. The smallholder pig value chain is suitable for the implementation of a traceability system as farmers usually keep a few pigs at a time and rely on a short marketing chain that is less complex.

The study, published in Tropical Animal Health and Production (16 Sep 2019), was based on a review of literature on pork traceability as well as on pig production in Kenya, with a focus on smallholder pig systems in western Kenya. Combined with the authors’ research experience in the region, the findings were used to inform the design of a traceability system for the smallholder pig value chain. 

Unique identification of animals is important for traceability. However, the review found that locally raised pigs were rarely identified. Farmers need to be made aware of the importance of identifying animals and recording their movements and how this can improve access to markets.

The study explains how a traceability system could support the surveillance of two important pig diseases in the region: African swine fever and porcine cysticercosis.

An effective traceability system could also enable the withdrawal of unsafe pork from the market, thereby helping to ensure the quality and safety of pork sold in local markets.

“Since meat inspection in the country has now been taken up by the county governments, we see traceability as an option that counties, in partnership with the private sector, could use to market themselves as producers of ‘safe and traceable’ pork”, the authors say. 

Starting with organized systems like commercial producer and trader groups, the concept can be piloted in the field to assess its practical application, paving the way for a national traceability system in line with the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health. 

The authors of the study note, however, that implementing traceability as a tool towards improved animal health and food safety would require the participation of all stakeholders in the value chain. Therefore, appropriate incentives would need to be explored to ensure widespread adoption of the intervention.

Citation

Mutua, F., Lindahl, J. and Randolph, D. 2019. Possibilities of establishing a smallholder pig identification and traceability system in Kenya. Tropical Animal Health and Production. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02077-9 

Photo credit: A plate served with fried pork and raw relishes (ILRI/Martin Heilmann)

 

New review article tackles the question: Can aflatoxin binders in foods be promoted safely and ethically?

There are too many issues with using lactic acid bacteria for aflatoxin binding for the practice to be safely promoted, according to a newly published review. The review adds that using aflatoxin binders in human food might even worsen food safety in the longer term.

“Use of binding agents in foods contradicts all the existing principles and regulations set to ensure food safety. If such a method is promoted, the efforts to combat the aflatoxin problem at farm level and throughout the value chain, to eliminate and reduce the contaminants, could be compromised,” the study says.

Aflatoxins continue to be a food safety problem globally, especially in developing regions. A significant amount of effort and resources have been invested to control aflatoxins. However, these efforts have not substantially decreased the prevalence nor the dietary exposure to aflatoxins in developing countries. 

One approach to aflatoxin control is the use of binding agents in foods, and lactic acid bacteria have been studied extensively for this purpose. However, when assessing the results comprehensively and reviewing the practicality and ethics of use, risks are evident and concerns arise. 

The study notes that aflatoxin binding research has approached the issue from a one-component ‘silver bullet’ solution instead of focusing on a comprehensive approach to aflatoxin control that considers good agricultural practices at the farm level and good manufacturing practices during production. 

Promoting increased diversity of diets, particularly of staple crops, may contribute towards reduced exposure to aflatoxins. Additionally, the role of food safety authorities needs to be strengthened to safeguard food quality in both formal and informal markets.

Citation

Ahlberg, S., Randolph, D., Okoth, S. and Lindahl, J. 2019. Aflatoxin binders in foods for human consumption—Can this be promoted safely and ethically? Toxins 11(7): 410.

Photo credit: Women threshing sorghum in Angonia Province, Mozambique (ILRI/Stevie Mann)