2009 JAN 12 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "We present a simulation model which explicitly captures the movement of wild animals over the landscape and the effect which herd mobility has on the temporal and spatial course of an epidemic. Using the example of classical swine fever in feral pig populations in the tropical savannas, we demonstrate that seasonal factors influencing population density and movement patterns are an important factor in the transmission of the disease," researchers in Nedlands, Australia report ...read more

  2009 JAN 12 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "Salmonellosis in calves has economic and welfare implications, and serves as a potential source of human infections. Our objectives were to assess the risk of Salmonella spread following its introduction into a herd of pre-weaned calves and to evaluate the efficacy of control strategies to prevent and control outbreaks," researchers in the United States report.

  "To meet these objectives, we developed a model of Salmonella transmission within a pre-weaned group of calves based on a well documented outbreak of salmonellosis in a calf-raising operation and other literature. Intervention scenarios were evaluated in both deterministic and stochastic versions of the model. While the basic reproduction number (R-0) was estimated to be 2.4, simulation analysis showed that more than 60% of the invasions failed after the introduction of a single index case. With repeated introduction of index cases, the probability of Salmonella spread was close to 1, and the tested control strategies were insufficient to prevent transmission within the group," wrote C. Lanzas and colleagues, Cornell University, Medical Department ...read more

  2009 JAN 12 - (VerticalNews.com) -- According to a study from Scotland, "A 12-year-old male neutered Miniature Poodle with confirmed pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism was treated with trilostane. After three doses, it developed clinical and laboratory changes suggestive of isolated hypocortisolism ('atypical hypoadrenocorticism'), which persisted and progressed for more than 3 months despite immediate withdrawal of the trilostane. ...read more