Environmental Animal Health Management Quiz

Animal Husbandry and Biosecurity

• Husbandry practices are implemented to improve animal health, welfare, and productivity on a farm.
• Biosecurity measures protect animal populations from disease outbreaks. A critical measure is proper sanitation and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of pathogens.
• Overcrowding can stress animals, leading to weakened immune systems and making them more susceptible to diseases.
• Fencing is important for animal health management. It helps prevent the spread of diseases by keeping animals separated from each other and from wild animals, reducing the risk of contact and transmission.
• Farmers should be aware of the diseases associated with specific habitats and the potential for disease transmission.
• Practices that improve biosecurity on-farm include:
  • Vaccination: Protecting animals from specific diseases
  • Quarantine: Isolating new animals to prevent the spread of diseases
  • Pest control: Reducing the presence of disease-carrying insects and animals
  • Proper sanitation and hygiene: Cleaning and disinfecting living areas, feed and water containers, and equipment
• Prolonged journeys can stress animals, weakening their immune systems and increasing susceptibility to diseases.
• Preventative measures in general husbandry practices focus on preventing diseases. Treatment is not considered a preventative measure.
• Minimizing disease risk:
  • Early detection and prompt treatment of sick animals.
  • Good hygiene and sanitation to reduce the spread of harmful organisms.
  • Vaccinations for common illnesses, and regular parasite control.
• On-farm biosecurity measures focus on protecting animals from diseases. Animal breeding is not a direct factor in bio-security measures; however, genetic diversity plays a role in resilience to diseases.
• Fodder refers to any type of plant material used as feed for livestock.
• Pasture quality can be improved through proper fertilization, weed control, and rotational grazing.
• Animal nutritional status is essential because it affects their overall health and immune response.
• Total bio-security is difficult to achieve due to the complex interplay of factors – including animal movement, environmental conditions, and human practices – that influence disease transmission.
• Fodder crops: Legumes (alfalfa, clover), grasses (ryegrass, fescue), and browse (trees and shrubs)
• The purpose of biosecurity on farms is to protect animals from diseases and prevent the spread of diseases within and between farms.

Environmental Animal Health Management

• Environmental Animal Health Management (EAHM) focuses on understanding and managing the relationship between animal health, the environment, and human activities.
• The primary stakeholders involved in EAHM include:
  • Farmers and livestock producers
  • Veterinarians and animal health experts
  • Government agencies
  • Researchers
  • Community members
• The Sub-Regional Environmental Animal Health Management Initiative primarily targets the Southeast Asian region.
• The authors of the technical report on EAHM are associated with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
• One key outcome expected from the EAHM Initiative is the strengthening of national animal health systems and the control of zoonotic diseases.
• The report is classified as a Technical Report, and it has received 261 citations.

Animal Production and Disease Control

• Animal production systems that incorporate sound animal management practices are crucial for enhancing smallholder production, particularly in developing countries.

• The use of cattle and buffalo dung as fertilizer in rice fields can contribute to the spread of parasitic diseases. This is because the parasite's lifecycle can be completed in the rice paddy environment.

• Fasciolosis in cattle can be controlled through proper grazing management, regular deworming, and the use of appropriate anthelmintic drugs.

• Surra, a blood-borne parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma evansi, is a significant concern in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and South America.

• Follow-up field investigations at the provincial level are conducted to help identify specific areas where disease outbreaks are more frequent, understand the causes of outbreaks, and develop targeted control strategies.

• Animals suffering from Fasciolosis generally have a lower production efficiency compared to healthy animals. They may also experience weight loss, anemia, and reduced milk production.

• Policies are general guidelines or principles, while laws are legally binding rules. Policies can be implemented to guide the development of laws.

• Farmers in areas affected by Fasciolosis often neglect the disease due to factors such as:

  • A lack of awareness about the disease and its impact.
  • Limited access to veterinary services.
  • Financial constraints.

• Disease control policy formulation should be based on:

  • Epidemiological data: Understanding the disease's prevalence and distribution.
  • Biological factors: Understanding how the disease spreads and its impact on animals.
  • Socioeconomic factors: Considering the economic impact of the disease and the available resources for control.
  • Environmental factors: Understanding how the environment influences disease transmission.

• Duck or chicken manure mixed with cattle dung for rice field fertilization can reduce the parasite's lifecycle by competing with the development of parasite larvae.

• Policy briefs provide condensed and accessible information on important policy issues, aiding in the policy formulation process.

• The increasing demand for animal products in Southeast Asia is driven by factors like:

  • Population growth.
  • Rising incomes.
  • Changing dietary preferences.

• A key symptom of animals infected with Fasciolosis is anemia, leading to weakness and reduced productivity.

• Animals infected with Fasciolosis are typically in poorer health than healthy animals, often exhibiting weight loss, reduced milk production, and lethargy.

• Legislation concerning animal production and health is considered necessary for:

  • Protecting animal health and welfare.
  • Ensuring safe and healthy animal products for consumers.
  • Preventing the spread of diseases.

• The process of disease control policy formulation should include stakeholder engagement to ensure policies are practical and effective.

• If the increasing demand for animal products is not met by local production, it can lead to increased reliance on imports, potentially causing food security issues.

African Trypanosomiasis

• Gray et al. (2008) focused on analyzing the distribution of African trypanosomiasis and its impact on livestock production.
• Controlling the disease in livestock populations involves integrated pest management strategies such as:
  • Tsetse fly control: Reducing tsetse fly populations through strategies like insecticide spraying, traps and targets.
  • Drug treatment: Using trypanocides to kill trypanosomes in infected animals.
  • Vector-resistant livestock: Breeding livestock that are less susceptible to tsetse fly bites.
• The strategic review of traps and targets for tsetse control was contributed to by a team of researchers including Dr. G.J. Vale and Dr. S.J. Torr.
• Sporadic outbreaks of Surra in the Philippines can lead to significant economic losses for livestock producers and the potential spread of the disease to other regions.
• Wint (2007) employed spatial analysis techniques to analyze animal disease distribution patterns, identifying regions at higher risk.
• African Trypanosomiasis is specifically mentioned alongside its impact on ruminant production.
• The publication by Vale and Torr (2004) focused on the evaluation of tsetse traps and targets for controlling African trypanosomiasis.
• The publication reviewing Surra in the Philippines is associated with the University of the Philippines Los Baños.