First case of pithomycotoxicosis in sheep in the Netherlands

Assessing the Presence of Pithomyces chartarum in Pastureland Using IoT Sensors and Remote Sensing: The Case Study of Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal)

Spores from the fungus Pithomyces chartarum are commonly found on Azorean pastures. When consumed by cattle along with the grass, these spores cause health issues in the cattle, resulting in animal suffering and financial losses. For approximately two years, we monitored meteorological parameters using weather stations and collected and analyzed grass samples in a laboratory to control for the presence of spores. The data confirmed a connection between meteorology and sporulation, enabling the prediction of sporulation risk. To detect the presence of spores in pastures rather than predict it, we employed field spectrometry and Sentinel-2 reflectance data to measure the spectral signatures of grass while controlling for spores. Our findings indicate that meteorological variables from the past 90 days can be used to predict sporulation, which can enhance the accuracy of a web-based alert system used by farmers to manage the risk. We did not detect significant differences in spectral signatures between grass with and without spores. These studies contribute to a deeper understanding of P. chartarum sporulation and provide actionable information for managing cattle, ultimately improving animal welfare and reducing financial losses.

Monitoring and Surveillance of Small Ruminant Health in The Netherlands

In contemporary society and modern livestock farming, a monitoring and surveillance system for animal health has become indispensable. In addition to obligations arising from European regulations regarding monitoring and surveillance of animal diseases, The Netherlands developed a voluntary system for the monitoring and surveillance of small ruminant health. This system aims for (1) early detection of outbreaks of designated animal diseases, (2) early detection of yet unknown disease conditions, and (3) insight into trends and developments. To meet these objectives, a system is in place based on four main surveillance components, namely a consultancy helpdesk, diagnostic services, multiple networks, and an annual data analysis. This paper describes the current system and its ongoing development and gives an impression of nearly twenty years of performance by providing a general overview of key findings and three elaborated examples of notable disease outbreaks. Results indicate that the current system has added value to the detection of various (re)emerging and new diseases. Nevertheless, animal health monitoring and surveillance require a flexible approach that is able to keep pace with changes and developments within the industry. Therefore, monitoring and surveillance systems should be continuously adapted and improved using new techniques and insights.