Research Publications (Food Safety)

During the first wave of COVID‐19 in China, the attack rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in children was much lower than in adults, and most child cases had mild symptoms (Dong et al 2020). However, the secondary attack rate of COVID‐19 among close contacts was later found similar between children and other age groups (Bi et al). In Wuhan, Hubei province, China, there was only one paediatric case of COVID‐19 officially reported before January 22, 2020.

There is growing evidence that climatic factors could influence the evolution of the current COVID‐19 pandemic. Here, we build on this evidence base, focusing on the southern hemisphere summer and autumn period. The relationship between climatic factors and COVID‐19 cases in New South Wales, Australia was investigated during both the exponential and declining phases of the epidemic in 2020, and in different regions.

Pets from COVID‐19 owners were screened for SARS‐CoV‐2 (April‐May 2020). From 23 pets, an asymptomatic cat showed positive RT‐qPCRs results from oropharyngeal swab (negative rectal swab). Remaining pets were negative. This suggests that cats can contract the virus from their infected owners and may act as potential hosts for SARS‐CoV‐2. Their role in carrying live or infectious viruses and disseminating them needs more investigation.

The outbreak of COVID‐19 as a pandemic has shaken the global health system and economy by their roots. This epidemic is still spreading and showing no signs of decreasing trend. Vaccination could be the only effective and economical means to control this pandemic. A number of research institutions and pharmaceutical companies have plunged into the race of vaccine development against COVID‐19 which are in various stages of development.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has become a global pandemic. Therefore, convenient, timely and accurate detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 is urgently needed. Here, we review the types, characteristics and shortcomings of various detection methods, as well as perspectives for the SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis. Clinically, nucleic acid‐based methods are sensitive but prone to false‐positive.

Pre‐clinical responses to fast‐moving infectious disease outbreaks heavily depend on choosing the best isolates for animal models that inform diagnostics, vaccines and treatments. Current approaches are driven by practical considerations (e.g. first available virus isolate) rather than a detailed analysis of the characteristics of the virus strain chosen, which can lead to animal models that are not representative of the circulating or emerging clusters.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is an emerging infectious disease first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. As of 19 February 2020, there had been 333 confirmed cases reported in Shanghai, China. This study elaborates on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID‐19 based on a descriptive study of the 333 patients infected with COVID‐19 in Shanghai for the purpose of probing into this new disease and providing reference.

Repurposing of existing anti‐viral drugs, immunological modulators and supportive therapies represents a promising path towards rapidly developing new control strategies to mitigate the devastating public health consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Myxoma virus (MYXV) is the aetiological agent of myxomatosis, a systemic, mostly lethal disease that affects European rabbits. Vaccination against it, although widespread, has not been completely effective and disease outbreaks still take place on farms which carry out vaccination programmes.

Brucellosis is an important occupational disease, mainly among veterinarians, because of their frequent contact with sick animals, contaminated secretions and live attenuated anti‐Brucella vaccines.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. Clinical presentation of hepatitis E mainly occurs as an acute and self‐limited disease, though chronic cases are now being commonly reported in immunocompromised individuals. In high‐income developed areas and non‐endemic regions, HEV is mainly transmitted by the zoonotic route through direct contact with infected animals or by consumption of contaminated meat products.

The ongoing circulation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 poses a threat to both poultry and public health. Adapting the constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework, we investigated perceptions of backyard, commercial broiler and layer chicken farmers to implement HPAI prevention and control measures in Bangladesh. Two cross‐sectional studies were conducted in 2016 and 2017 on 144 backyard, 106 broiler and 113 layer chicken farms.

Antimicrobials are the most important therapy to bovine mastitis. Bacterial infection and antibiotic treatment of mastitis cycles frequently in dairy farms worldwide, giving rise to concerns about the emergence of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria. In this study, we examined the microbial diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from raw milk from dairy farms in Jiangsu and Shandong provinces, China.

Numerous infectious diseases impacting livestock impose an important economic burden, and in some cases also represent a threat to humans and are classified as zoonoses. Some zoonotic diseases are transmitted by vectors and, due to complex environmental and socio‐ecconomic factors, the distribution of many of these pathogens is changing, with increasing numbers being found in previously unaffected countries.

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile and highly adaptable pathogen associated with a wide range of infectious diseases in humans and animals. In the last decades, concern has increased worldwide due to the emergence and spread of methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains shortly after this drug became a therapeutic option.

Animal tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) bacteria remains as one of the most significant infectious diseases of livestock, despite decades of eradication programs and research efforts, in an era where the livestock sector is amongst the most important and rapidly expanding commercial agricultural segments worldwide.

To deal with the limited literature data on the vectorial capacity of blood‐feeding arthropods (BFAs) and their role in the transmission of African Swine Fever virus (ASFV) in Metropolitan France, a dedicated working group of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety performed an expert knowledge elicitation. In total, 15 different BFAs were selected as potential vectors by the ad hoc working group involved.

Different and contrasting trends related to human migration and the implementation of health control programs influence the spread of drug‐resistant tuberculosis (TB). We analyzed the Mycobacterium tuberculosis population structure in Estonia, a high‐priority EU country for TB control, to detect the dynamic changes and underlying factors. The study collection included 278 M. tuberculosis isolates recovered in 1999 and 2014–2015.

Wild boars represent a potential dissemination source of important pathogens to public and animal health, since they can host several pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the health profile of wild boars hunted for population control in the state of Santa Catarina, south of Brazil. For this study, tissue and blood samples were collected from 61 wild boars hunted from October 2017 to November 2018.

ExPEC is an important pathogen that causes diverse infection in the humans extraintestinal sites. Although avian‐source phylogroup F E. coli isolates hold a high level of virulence traits, few studies have systematically assessed the pathogenicity and zoonotic potential of E. coli isolates within phylogroup F. A total of 1332 E. coli strains were recovered from chicken colibacillosis in China from 2012 to 2017. About 21.7% of chicken‐source E. coli isolates were presented in phylogroup F.

We evaluated the factors associated with the prevalence of antibodies against Brucella abortus in buffaloes in the municipality of Santarém, Western Pará, northern Brazil. The study was conducted on 60 farms, representing 25.8% of the total buffalo farms in the region. From those farms, a total of 426 buffaloes were sampled, males of any age and females more than 24 months of age, to avoid a false‐positive reaction in the serological test due to vaccination.

Spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) and Coxiella burnetii are intracellular bacteria that cause potentially life‐threatening tick‐borne rickettsioses and Q fever respectively. Sao Tome and Principe (STP), small islands located in the Gulf of Guinea, recently experienced a dramatic reduction in the incidence of malaria owing to international collaborative efforts. However, unexplained febrile illnesses persist. A One Health approach was adopted to investigate exposure to SFGR and C.

Babesia ovis is a tick‐transmitted protozoan haemoparasite causing ovine babesiosis in sheep and goats leading to considerable economic loss in Turkey and neighbouring countries. There are no vaccines available, therapeutic drugs leave toxic residues in meat and milk, and tick vector control entails environmental risks.