Journal of Veterinary Medicine and One Health

Animal Health, Human Health and Development

S M Thumbi, C N Kimwele — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0800

No Abstract.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)’s engagement towards Rabies Elimination in Africa

Sat, 14 Dec 2019 14:21:38 -0800

This review article highlights the role of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) towards dog-mediated rabies elimination in Africa. It provides a brief description of rabies and its global impact on humans and the role of the OIE in the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. In addition, it addresses the OIE international standards on rabies, the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway as a tool to assess the quality of Veterinary Services, the partnership with other international organizations under the “One Health” umbrella as applied in the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies, the rabies vaccine bank, the training of OIE national Focal Points, and laboratory twinning projects as a means to enhance capacity in the fight against dog-mediated human rabies in Africa. The article concludes by presenting specific pilot projects being undertaken by the OIE in Africa - as proof of concept - in view of scaling up activities in the African continent.

Formalin Inactivated infectious Bursal Disease Virus Vaccine Immunogenicity in Indigenous Chickens in Kenya

Sat, 14 Dec 2019 14:23:00 -0800

Background: Infectious bursal disease vaccination failure and subsequent outbreaks in vaccinated chickens are a challenge in poultry production. This could be due to use of live vaccines which may revert to virulence resulting in disease. Further, live vaccines may become non-viable due to poor handling and yield no immune response. Killed vaccines developed using indigenous strains could offer solutions to the challenge. Immunogenicity of five formalin inactivated virus isolates from field outbreaks in Kenya were determined. The isolates, designated as E3, E9, E19, E34 and, E42, were prepared at 10⁴EID₅₀and each inoculated into six 4 week old specific antigen negative (SAN) indigenous chicks. 0.3mls was administered intramuscularly at day 0, 14 and 21 and titres levels measured at inoculation (baseline), days 14, 21, 28 and 35.

Results: Immune responses were detected by Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All the isolates elicited detectable immune response by day 14. Antibody titre values by day 21 were above 396 and considered positive. Highest titre value (9140) was recorded on day 28 in response to E19. Titres variations between isolates were not statistically significant (p=0.9639).

Conclusions: All isolates were immunogenic. Isolates E3 and E19 consistently yielded high titres and were recommended as most suitable for development for use in a vaccination regimen.