Current Issues in Veterinary Science Flashcards
What are the clinical signs of Tuberculosis in Elephants?
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Exercise intolerance
- Coughing
How can TB be diagnosed in Elephants?
qPCR test via a trunk wash
What bacteria is responsible for TB?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
How is Tuberculosis spread?
Prolonged aerosol contact
What is the prevalence of TB in the US Zoos population of elephants?
5.1%= Asian elephants
0%= African elephants
What factors affect the spread of Tuberculosis through human-elephant interaction?
- Elephants for labour (logging)
- Elephants for entertainment (rescues, circuses)
- Management of populations
- Human-elephant conflict ( crop foraging, tourist trekking camps)
What drugs can be used to treat TB in elephants? And give an example
Antituberculosis drugs
e.g. Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol
What are the issues with using drugs to treat TB in elephants?
Moderate to severe side effects e.g. anorexia, decreased water intake, ataxia, tremors
How can zoonosis be reduced between humans and elephants to avoid the spread of TB?
- Regular testing
-Euthanasia of infected animals - Biosecurity measures inn captivity
- Vaccinations
How can the spread of TB be reduced?
- Barrier Nursing
- Quarantine
How can TB be controlled in wild population?
- Testing of dead elephants
- Epidemiological maps
How is African Swine Fever spread?
By Ticks
When have the 2 reported outbreaks of African Swine Fever occured?
- 1960-1995
- 2007 onwards
Why is African Swine Fever spread so easily?
- Viral infection
- highly virulent
- Acute clinical form= high mortality
- Subclinical or chronic >60% mortality rate
What are symptoms of African Swine Fever?
- Redness of skin
- High fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
