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Krijger IM, Gort G, Belmain SR, Groot Koerkamp PWG, Shafali RB, Meerburg BG. Efficacy of Management and Monitoring Methods to Prevent Post-Harvest Losses Caused by Rodents. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1612. [PMID: 32917037 PMCID: PMC7552224 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of pest rodents around food production and storage sites is one of many underlying problems contributing to food contamination and loss, particularly influencing food and nutrition security in low-income countries. By reducing both pre- and post-harvest losses by rodents, millions of food-insecure people would benefit. As there are limited quantitative data on post-harvest rice losses due to rodents, our objectives were to assess stored rice losses in local households from eight rural communities and two rice milling factories in Bangladesh and to monitor the effect of different rodent control strategies to limit potential losses. Four treatments were applied in 2016 and 2017, (i) untreated control, (ii) use of domestic cats, (iii) use of rodenticides, (iv) use of snap-traps. In total, over a two-year period, 210 rodents were captured from inside people's homes, with Rattus rattus trapped most often (n = 91), followed by Mus musculus (n = 75) and Bandicota bengalensis (n = 26). In the milling stations, 68 rodents were trapped, of which 21 were M. musculus, 19 R. rattus, 17 B. bengalensis, 8 Rattus exulans, and 3 Mus terricolor. In 2016, losses from standardised baskets of rice within households were between 13.6% and 16.7%. In 2017, the losses were lower, ranging from 0.6% to 2.2%. Daily rodent removal by trapping proved to be most effective to diminish stored produce loss. The effectiveness of domestic cats was limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge M. Krijger
- Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands;
- Farm Technology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands;
- Dutch Pest and Wildlife Expertise Centre (KAD), Nudepark 145, 6702 DZ Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Gort
- Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Steven R. Belmain
- Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK;
| | - Peter W. G. Groot Koerkamp
- Farm Technology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Rokeya B. Shafali
- Association for Integrated Development-Comilla (AID-COMILLA), Raghupur, Rajapara, Jagannathpur, Comilla Sadar, Comilla 3500, Bangladesh;
| | - Bastiaan G. Meerburg
- Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands;
- Dutch Pest and Wildlife Expertise Centre (KAD), Nudepark 145, 6702 DZ Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Krijger IM, Ahmed AAA, Goris MGA, Cornelissen JBWJ, Groot Koerkamp PWG, Meerburg BG. Wild rodents and insectivores as carriers of pathogenic Leptospira and Toxoplasma gondii in The Netherlands. Vet Med Sci 2020; 6:623-630. [PMID: 32134214 PMCID: PMC7397885 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Small mammals such as rodents can to carry zoonotic pathogens. Currently, there is impaired knowledge on zoonotic pathogens in rodents and insectivores in the Netherlands. This limits opportunities for preventive measures and complicates risk-assessments for zoonotic transmission to humans. Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are present on a list of prioritized emerging pathogens in the Netherlands and were therefore the focus of this study. Both pathogens have the ability to survive under moist environmental conditions. In total, a group of 379 small mammals (rodents & insectivores) were tested on pathogenic Leptospira spp., and 312 on T. gondii. Rodents and insectivores were trapped at various sites, but mostly on pig and dairy farms throughout the country. Over five percent of the animals (5.3%, n = 379) tested positive for Leptospira DNA, and five of the animals (1.6%, n = 312) tested were positive for T. gondii DNA. The animals positive for T.gondii were all brown rats and the ones for Leptospira spp. were various species. Our results show that insectivores and rodents might be used as an indicator for the environmental contamination and/or the contamination in wildlife for Leptospira spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge M. Krijger
- Wageningen University & Research , Livestock ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
- Farm Technology GroupWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Ahmed A. A. Ahmed
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyOIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL) Academic Medical CentreUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Maria G. A. Goris
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyOIE and National Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis (NRL) Academic Medical CentreUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Bastiaan G. Meerburg
- Wageningen University & Research , Livestock ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
- Dutch Pest and Wildlife Expertise Centre (KAD)WageningenThe Netherlands
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Dorji N, Derks M, Dorji P, Groot Koerkamp PWG, Bokkers EAM. Herders and livestock professionals’ experiences and perceptions on developments and challenges in yak farming in Bhutan. Anim Prod Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/an19090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
The yak-based transhumant system is influenced by socioeconomic developments, regulations and environmental changes. Little is known about the impact of this on yak farming practices among different regions in Bhutan.
Aim and methods
The experienced changes in yak farming practices over the years and perceptions on developments were assessed through interviews with yak herders in three regions (west, n = 22; central, n = 20; east, n = 25) and with livestock extensionists (n = 28).
Key results
At present, forage shortage in the rangeland, yak mortality mainly due to (endangered) wild predators and, to a lesser extent, labour availability are the main concerns in all yak farming regions. These concerns have increased due to socioeconomic developments (e.g. education and other sources of income) and strong conservation policy, which affects the living environment of the yaks. Overall, the market to sell yak products and livestock extension services has improved, but forage shortage and yak mortality has increased over the years. However, some factors causing forage shortage are more specific to certain regions, e.g. competition with the horse population (west), cattle and cattle–yak hybrids (east), cordyceps collection (west and central) and prohibited burning of rangelands (central and east). Family labour available to herd yaks has slightly decreased, and the number of young family members (successors) to take over yak farming has decreased over the years.
Conclusions
On the basis of the experiences and perceptions of yak herders and extensionists, we conclude that increasing forage shortage in the rangelands, decreasing numbers of successors, and increasing yak predation by wild animals are the major threats to yak farming.
Implications
This study demonstrates that yak farming in Bhutan experiences an increasing pressure to sustain. Differences between regions make clear that a one blanket-policy will not be effective to preserve yak farming for the future.
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Wu L, Koerkamp PWGG, Ogink N. Uncertainty assessment of the breath methane concentration method to determine methane production of dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:1554-1564. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-12710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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van Dixhoorn IDE, Reimert I, Middelkoop J, Bolhuis JE, Wisselink HJ, Groot Koerkamp PWG, Kemp B, Stockhofe-Zurwieden N. Enriched Housing Reduces Disease Susceptibility to Co-Infection with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Virus (PRRSV) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) in Young Pigs. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161832. [PMID: 27606818 PMCID: PMC5015855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Until today, anti-microbial drugs have been the therapy of choice to combat bacterial diseases. Resistance against antibiotics is of growing concern in man and animals. Stress, caused by demanding environmental conditions, can reduce immune protection in the host, influencing the onset and outcome of infectious diseases. Therefore psychoneuro-immunological intervention may prove to be a successful approach to diminish the impact of diseases and antibiotics use. This study was designed to investigate the effect of social and environmental enrichment on the impact of disease, referred to as “disease susceptibility”, in pigs using a co-infection model of PRRSV and A. pleuropneumoniae. Twenty-eight pigs were raised in four pens under barren conditions and twenty-eight other pigs were raised in four pens under enriched conditions. In the enriched pens a combination of established social and environmental enrichment factors were introduced. Two pens of the barren (BH) and two pens of the enriched housed (EH) pigs were infected with PRRSV followed by A. pleuropneumoniae, the other two pens in each housing treatment served as control groups. We tested if differences in disease susceptibility in terms of pathological and clinical outcome were related to the different housing regimes and if this was reflected in differences in behavioural and immunological states of the animals. Enriched housed pigs showed a faster clearance of viral PRRSV RNA in blood serum (p = 0.014) and histologically 2.8 fold less interstitial pneumonia signs in the lungs (p = 0.014). More barren housed than enriched housed pigs developed lesions in the lungs (OR = 19.2, p = 0.048) and the lesions in the barren housed pigs showed a higher total pathologic tissue damage score (p<0.001) than those in enriched housed pigs. EH pigs showed less stress-related behaviour and differed immunologically and clinically from BH pigs. We conclude that enriched housing management reduces disease susceptibility to co-infection of PRRSV and A. pleuropneumoniae in pigs. Enrichment positively influences behavioural state, immunological response and clinical outcome in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inonge Reimert
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jenny Middelkoop
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - J. Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Henk J. Wisselink
- Central Veterinary Institute, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | | | - Bas Kemp
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Mul MF, van Riel JW, Meerburg BG, Dicke M, George DR, Groot Koerkamp PWG. Validation of an automated mite counter for Dermanyssus gallinae in experimental laying hen cages. Exp Appl Acarol 2015; 66:589-603. [PMID: 26002308 PMCID: PMC4481303 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-015-9923-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
For integrated pest management (IPM) programs to be maximally effective, monitoring of the growth and decline of the pest populations is essential. Here, we present the validation results of a new automated monitoring device for the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae), a serious pest in laying hen facilities world-wide. This monitoring device (called an "automated mite counter") was validated in experimental laying hen cages with live birds and a growing population of D. gallinae. This validation study resulted in 17 data points of 'number of mites counted' by the automated mite counter and the 'number of mites present' in the experimental laying hen cages. The study demonstrated that the automated mite counter was able to track the D. gallinae population effectively. A wider evaluation showed that this automated mite counter can become a useful tool in IPM of D. gallinae in laying hen facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique F Mul
- Wageningen UR Livestock Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands,
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Zhao Y, Aarnink AJA, De Jong MCM, Groot Koerkamp PWG. Airborne Microorganisms From Livestock Production Systems and Their Relation to Dust. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 2014; 44:1071-1128. [PMID: 32288664 PMCID: PMC7113898 DOI: 10.1080/10643389.2012.746064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Large amounts of airborne microorganisms are emitted from livestock production. These emitted microorganisms may associate with dust, and are suspected to pose a risk of airborne infection to humans in vicinity and to animals on other farms. However, the extent to which airborne transmission may play a role in the epidemic, and how dust acts as a carrier of microorganisms in the transmission processes is unknown. The authors present the current knowledge of the entire process of airborne transmission of microorganisms-from suspension and transportation until deposition and infection-and their relation to dust. The sampling and the mitigation techniques of airborne microorganisms and dust in livestock production systems are introduced as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Wageningen UR Livestock Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems EngineeringIowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | | | - Mart C. M. De Jong
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter W. G. Groot Koerkamp
- Wageningen UR Livestock Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
- Farm Technology Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Zhao Y, Aarnink AJA, Wang W, Fabri T, Groot Koerkamp PWG, de Jong MCM. Airborne virus sampling: Efficiencies of samplers and their detection limits for infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Ann Agric Environ Med 2014; 21:464-71. [PMID: 25292111 DOI: 10.5604/12321966.1120585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The airborne transmission of infectious diseases in livestock production is increasingly receiving research attention. Reliable techniques of air sampling are crucial to underpin the findings of such studies. This study evaluated the physical and biological efficiencies and detection limits of four samplers (Andersen 6-stage impactor, all-glass impinger "AGI-30", OMNI-3000 and MD8 with gelatin filter) for collecting aerosols of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). MATERIALS AND METHOD IBDV aerosols mixed with a physical tracer (uranine) were generated in an isolator, and then collected by the bioaerosol samplers. Samplers' physical and biological efficiencies were derived based on the tracer concentration and the virus/tracer ratio, respectively. Detection limits for the samplers were estimated with the obtained efficiency data. RESULTS Physical efficiencies of the AGI-30 (96%) and the MD8 (100%) were significantly higher than that of the OMNI-3000 (60%). Biological efficiency of the OMNI-3000 (23%) was significantly lower than 100% (P < 0.01), indicating inactivation of airborne virus during sampling. The AGI-30, the Andersen impactor and the MD8 did not significantly inactivate virus during sampling. The 2-min detection limits of the samplers on airborne IBDV were 4.1 log10 50% egg infective dose (EID50) m (-3) for the Andersen impactor, 3.3 log10 EID50 m (-3) for the AGI-30, 2.5 log10 EID50 m (-3) for the OMNI-3000, and 2.9 log10 EID50 m (-3) for the MD8. The mean half-life of IBDV aerosolized at 20 °C and 70% was 11.9 min. CONCLUSION Efficiencies of different samplers vary. Despite its relatively low sampling efficiency, the OMNI-3000 is suitable for use in environments with low viral concentrations because its high flow rate gives a low detection limit. With the 4 samplers investigated, negative air samples cannot guarantee virus-free aerial environments, which means that transmission of infectious agents between farms may still occur even when no virus has been detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Wageningen UR Livestock Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, USA
| | | | - Wei Wang
- Animal Health Service (GD), Deventer, The Netherlands
| | - Teun Fabri
- Animal Health Service (GD), Deventer, The Netherlands
| | | | - Mart C M de Jong
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
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De Vries JW, Aarnink AJA, Groot Koerkamp PWG, De Boer IJM. Life cycle assessment of segregating fattening pig urine and feces compared to conventional liquid manure management. Environ Sci Technol 2013; 47:1589-1597. [PMID: 23268735 DOI: 10.1021/es302951a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Gaseous emissions from in-house storage of liquid animal manure remain a major contributor to the environmental impact of manure management. Our aim was to assess the life cycle environmental consequences and reduction potential of segregating fattening pig urine and feces with an innovative V-belt system and to compare it to conventional liquid manure management, that is, the reference. Moreover, we aimed at analyzing the uncertainty of the outcomes related to applied emission factors. We compared a reference with two scenarios: segregation with solid, aerobically, stored feces and with liquid, anaerobically, stored feces. Results showed that, compared to the reference, segregation reduced climate change (CC) up to 82%, due to lower methane emission, reduced terrestrial acidification (TA) and particulate matter formation (PMF) up to 49%, through lower ammonia emission, but increased marine eutrophication up to 11% through nitrogen oxide emission from storage and nitrate leaching after field application. Fossil fuel depletion did not change. Segregation with liquid feces revealed lower environmental impact than segregation with solid feces. Uncertainty analysis supported the conclusion that segregating fattening pig urine and feces significantly reduced CC and additionally segregation with liquid feces significantly reduced TA and PMF compared to the reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerke W De Vries
- Wageningen UR Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 135, 6700 AC, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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