Purpose: This study evaluates the accessibility and availability of publicly accessible biosecurity resources in the Fall of 2021, as part of the IN-PREPared and Gearing Up for Safety program. The ...research into the quantity of material underscores the importance of these resources for disease threat awareness and highlights the need for improved biosecurity resource development for small-scale farming communities and overall biosecurity resources which impact global agricultural operations and food security. Design/methodology/approach: This review consisted of resources on agricultural biosecurity literature, websites, and training materials, involving over 125 agencies and organizations. This analysis provides insights into the distribution of resources across different regions and their availability based on farm scale and production type. Findings: Our research reveals both a geographic distribution trend of material that favors Midwestern states and significant disparities in available materials. Additionally, there are more resources that have content that focus on “general biosecurity’ and are focused on larger operations than that of small-farm biosecurity operations. International resources generally focus on overall importance of biosecurity and aspects of One Health. Practical Implications: This review underscores the crucial role of biosecurity resources in enhancing disease threat awareness and safeguarding the food supply and global impact of international trade within agriculture. This emphasizes the need to address resource deficiencies for small-scale farms, particularly regarding specific livestock concentrations. Theoretical Implications: The study confirms with previous research on limited resources, emphasizing the need for a more equitable approach to disseminating biosecurity information, especially for small-scale farming. Implications highlight the importance of resources, training, and informed decision-making for all farming communities, highlighting the significance of risk-based agricultural materials. Originality/Value: The research adds value by shedding light on the unequal distribution of biosecurity resources, especially concerning small-scale farming operations. While the study primarily focuses on livestock and animal health, it acknowledges the importance of crop biosecurity, thus contributing to a broader understanding of agricultural protection. The significance of collaboration and information sharing in the global context of biosecurity extends beyond national borders and requires a coordinated effort.
To assess and enhance the application of biosecurity measures in poultry farming, an objective measurement tool (Biocheck.UGent™) was already available for broiler and layer. This study describes the ...development, validation and application of a risk-based weighted scoring tool for breeder, turkey, duck, free-range layer and free-range broiler production. In collaboration with an expert panel (n= 38), five different questionnaires were developed, following the format of the existing Biocheck.UGent scoring tools. Weights were attributed to external (7–9 subcategories) and internal (3–4 subcategories) biosecurity categories, as well as to the corresponding individual questions within each subcategory. The biosecurity measures were prioritized and weighed based on their relative importance in preventing disease transmission. Upon completion of the questionnaire, and upload of all answers to the Biocheck.UGent website, the algorithm generates a biosecurity score varying between ‘’0’’ which equals the total absence of any biosecurity measure up to ‘’100’’ which refers to full application of all biosecurity measures. The final scoring systems are available online (https://biocheckgent.com/en) for free and have been used to assess biosecurity in 70 breeders, 100 turkeys, 23 ducks, 16 free-range broilers, and 15 free-range layer farms originating from 12 countries so far. On average, the overall biosecurity score (mean ± std. dev) was 78 ± 7 % for breeders, 73 ± 11 % for turkeys, 71 ± 8 % for ducks, 73 ± 8 % for free-range layers and 70 ± 13 % for free-range broilers. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in biosecurity (both at the overall and subcategory levels) across different poultry types. The overall farm biosecurity score for breeders was significantly higher than that for turkey (p <.001) and duck production (p = 0.001). External biosecurity levels were highest in breeders in comparison to turkeys (p < 0.001), ducks (p = 0.008) and broiler free-range (p = 0.005). There was a notable difference in internal biosecurity levels between duck and turkey (p = 0.041) production as well. The study contributed to the poultry biosecurity database which allows benchmarking of the biosecurity levels of the users’ farm results to national or international averages, indicating room for improvement and aiding to motivate stakeholders to enhance their biosecurity levels.
Biosecurity assessment in poultry farms is important for disease prevention and control. When specific biosecurity measures are assessed, they become more useful if they are quantified. While there ...are qualitative means to assess biosecurity, specific improvements can be implemented easily when compliance to biosecurity measures are quantified.
To quantify biosecurity measures in 124 layer farms in Central Luzon, a survey was carried out using a modified Biocheck.UGent biosecurity scoring system. The study revealed that external and internal biosecurity scores among layer farms in Central Luzon were widely spread out suggesting that compliance to various biosecurity measures differed from farm to farm. This further suggests that layer farms need to improve their biosecurity practices.
The overall biosecurity score of layer farms in the region is 65.9 % while the total regional scores for external and internal biosecurity are 63.3 % and 71.9 %, respectively. Bulacan had the highest overall biosecurity across provinces which was followed by Bataan. The two highest mean external biosecurity scores were those of the subcategories, supply of materials (mean = 87.1) and purchase of pullets (mean = 83.7) while the lowest was that of the category, transport of animals (mean = 50.6). In the internal biosecurity category, materials and measures between compartments had the highest mean score.
Low to negligible correlations between external and internal biosecurity were seen among layer farms except for the province of Tarlac. This suggests that a farm with low external biosecurity score also had low internal biosecurity score while high external biosecurity score was equated to high internal biosecurity score. Analysis also showed that large commercials farms had biosecurity ratings that were 6.84 higher compared to small commercial farms. Results of this study may be beneficial for farmers to make necessary improvement to increase level of compliance to biosecurity measures. Policies to impose, implement and monitor compliance may also be instituted.
The Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) is an audacious endeavor to obtain whole-genome sequences of representatives from all eukaryotic species on Earth. In addition to the project's technical and ...organizational challenges, it also faces complicated ethical, legal, and social issues. This paper, from members of the EBP's Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI) Committee, catalogs these ELSI concerns arising from EBP. These include legal issues, such as sample collection and permitting; the applicability of international treaties, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol; intellectual property; sample accessioning; and biosecurity and ethical issues, such as sampling from the territories of Indigenous peoples and local communities, the protection of endangered species, and cross-border collections, among several others. We also comment on the intersection of digital sequence information and data rights. More broadly, this list of ethical, legal, and social issues for large-scale genomic sequencing projects may be useful in the consideration of ethical frameworks for future projects. While we do not-and cannot-provide simple, overarching solutions for all the issues raised here, we conclude our perspective by beginning to chart a path forward for EBP's work.
Biotehnologia modernă este un domeniu relativ nou la nivel global şi a fost promovată de rezultatele semnificative înregistrate, în special în ultimii zece ani, de cercetarea aplicativă şi ...fundamentată a modificărilor genetice asupra diferitelor soiuri de plante şi a unor specii de animale. Obiectul de studiu al biotehnologiei moderne este reprezentat de modficările genetice, mai exact de organismele modificate genetic (OMG). Folosirea acestor microorganisme este salutată de statele care produc culturi modificate genetic în vederea obţinerii unor recolte cât mai mari şi mai rezistente la dăunători (ex. SUA, China, Argentina, Canada, Brazilia). La polul opus sunt statele care nu sunt foarte deschise faţă de folosirea noilor biotehnologii (ex. statele UE) care agrează, mai degrabă, o politică de prevenţie şi de precauţie în ceea ce priveşte extnderea domeniului.
To introduce horse owners, caretakers, and industry professionals to equine biosecurity concepts, the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension Equine Program offered a semi-self-paced, 6-week online ...certificate course. Our objective to improve content and its delivery was prompted by student feedback from year one before the second offering (January 2020 and January 2021, respectively). The Equine Biosecurity Online Certificate Course (EBOCC) used the Canvas learning management platform. To meet course objectives, adult learners viewed weekly asynchronous lectures on biosecurity concepts, practicing biosecurity at home and at shows/events, and communicating a biosecurity plan to clients and service providers. Weekly assignments alternated between discussion forums and a quiz to assess learning. Lecture notes and supportive resources (e.g., web articles or videos) were provided for each module. Students also wrote a biosecurity plan for their individual farm or horse ownership circumstance, prompted by 11 biosecurity principles. Knowledge gain was measured through pre- and post-course assessments and course satisfaction was considered through a course evaluation. The first offering resulted in knowledge gain (P ≤ 0.0008) though course evaluations indicated improvements were necessary for future delivery. The non-traditional students struggled with Canvas course navigation and desired more applied uses for equine biosecurity. Improved user-experience was created for year 2 using Canvas design options. Weekly modules were further developed to include deeper biosecurity concepts and applied uses. Learners in year 2 also demonstrated knowledge gain (P ≤ 0.0001) and greater course satisfaction (82%) compared with the first offering (67%). In total, 40 horse owners and industry professionals from 11 states and 5 countries (including the US) participated. The enrolled students personally owned 101 equids and cared for an additional 303 animals. Based on the information they learned, 93% of the students agreed or strongly agreed they would make at least one change in their horse operation or ownership with respect to biosecurity. Participants conveyed gratitude for the encouragement to write a biosecurity plan as part of their everyday management and disease preparedness, with 47% implementing at least one change before the course ending. Exposure to equine biosecurity through an online course provided students opportunity to increase knowledge and commit to biosecurity practices in the present and for the future. Utilizing course evaluations to constructively evaluate the delivery of this Extension course improved the impact of the lessons taught.
The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica harbours some of the most pristine marine environments remaining, but is increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures, climate change, and invasion by ...non-native species. Monitoring biotic responses to cumulative impacts requires temporal and spatial baselines and ongoing monitoring - traditionally, this has been obtained by continuous plankton recorder (CPR) surveys. Here, we conduct one of the longest environmental DNA (eDNA) transects yet, spanning over 3000 nautical miles from Hobart (Australia) to Davis Station (Antarctica). We evaluate eDNA sampling strategies for long-term open ocean biomonitoring by comparing two water volume and filter pore size combinations: large (12 L with 20 μm) and small (2 L with 0.45 μm). Employing a broad COI metabarcoding assay, we found the large sample/pore combination was better suited to open-ocean monitoring, detecting more target DNA and rare or low abundance species. Comparisons with four simultaneously conducted CPR transects revealed that eDNA detections were more diverse than CPR, with 7 (4 unique) and 4 (1 unique) phyla detections respectively. While both methods effectively delineated biodiversity patterns across the Southern Ocean, eDNA enables surveys in the presence of sea-ice where CPR cannot be conducted. Accordingly, 16 species of concern were detected along the transect using eDNA, notably in the Antarctic region (south of 60°S). These were largely attributed to hull biofouling, a recognized pathway for marine introductions into Antarctica. Given the vulnerability of Antarctic environments to potential introductions in a warming Southern Ocean, this work underscores the importance of continued biosecurity vigilance. We advocate integrating eDNA metabarcoding with long-term CPR surveys in the Southern Ocean, emphasising the urgency of its implementation. We anticipate temporal and spatial interweaving of CPR, eDNA, and biophysical data will generate a more nuanced picture of Southern Ocean ecosystems, with significant implications for the conservation and preservation of Antarctic ecosystems.The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica harbours some of the most pristine marine environments remaining, but is increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures, climate change, and invasion by non-native species. Monitoring biotic responses to cumulative impacts requires temporal and spatial baselines and ongoing monitoring - traditionally, this has been obtained by continuous plankton recorder (CPR) surveys. Here, we conduct one of the longest environmental DNA (eDNA) transects yet, spanning over 3000 nautical miles from Hobart (Australia) to Davis Station (Antarctica). We evaluate eDNA sampling strategies for long-term open ocean biomonitoring by comparing two water volume and filter pore size combinations: large (12 L with 20 μm) and small (2 L with 0.45 μm). Employing a broad COI metabarcoding assay, we found the large sample/pore combination was better suited to open-ocean monitoring, detecting more target DNA and rare or low abundance species. Comparisons with four simultaneously conducted CPR transects revealed that eDNA detections were more diverse than CPR, with 7 (4 unique) and 4 (1 unique) phyla detections respectively. While both methods effectively delineated biodiversity patterns across the Southern Ocean, eDNA enables surveys in the presence of sea-ice where CPR cannot be conducted. Accordingly, 16 species of concern were detected along the transect using eDNA, notably in the Antarctic region (south of 60°S). These were largely attributed to hull biofouling, a recognized pathway for marine introductions into Antarctica. Given the vulnerability of Antarctic environments to potential introductions in a warming Southern Ocean, this work underscores the importance of continued biosecurity vigilance. We advocate integrating eDNA metabarcoding with long-term CPR surveys in the Southern Ocean, emphasising the urgency of its implementation. We anticipate temporal and spatial interweaving of CPR, eDNA, and biophysical data will generate a more nuanced picture of Southern Ocean ecosystems, with significant implications for the conservation and preservation of Antarctic ecosystems.
Aims
To determine the prevalence of Aeromonas species in freshwater fish farms, factors affecting their prevalence and virulence factors associated with each species.
Methods and Results
In a ...cross‐sectional study from 128 farms in four districts of Uttar Pradesh, India, 11 species of Aeromonas were identified by gyrB sequencing including the first report of Aeromonas crassostreae from fish. Four species of Aeromonas were more prevalent (MP) in fish farms, A. veronii bv. sobria (50.0%) was the highest, followed by A. caviae (18.8%), A. veronii bv. veronii (11.7%) and A. dhakensis (7.0%). The less prevalent (LP) species were A. hydrophila, A. media, A. jandaei, A. allosaccharophila, A. salmonicida, A. crassostreae and A. taiwanensis. Spatial variation in the prevalence of Aeromonas species was observed. Dominance of biovar sobria ranged from 33.3 to 68.6%, notably lesser in farms with on‐farm biosecurity measures. The prevalence of biovar veronii was significantly associated with pangas fish, rainy season and farms with on‐farm biosecurity measures. The prevalence of LP species was significantly higher in mrigal fish and winter season. Multiple virulence factors (>6) were detected in 70.2% of the Aeromonas species. Significant association of β‐hemolysin, DNase, slime production, act, ahh1, aexT and lip was observed with different species of Aeromonas. Moreover, 75.8% of Aeromonas species possessed one or more enterotoxins genes (act/alt/ast).
Conclusion
Significant association of spatio‐temporal variables, host fish species and on‐farm biosecurity measures were observed on the prevalence of some of the Aeromonas species in freshwater fish farms. Most of the Aeromonas species harboured virulence factors indicating their potential for pathogenicity.
Significance and Impact of the Study
This is the first study that determined the prevalence and identified the factors that affect the prevalence of Aeromonas species in freshwater fish farms. This information will be useful in managing Aeromonas infection in fish and their risks to public health.
PDF
