Disease Control, Prevention and On-Farm Biosecurity: The Role of Veterinary Epidemiology

Domesticated and non-domesticated animals, including wildlife, deliver significant financial and nonfinancial benefits to the human community;however, disease can have a dramatic impact on the morbidity, mortality, and productivity of these animal populations and hence can directly and indirectly affect the human communities associated with them. This manuscript provides an overview of the important features to consider for the prevention and control of disease, with a focus on livestock diseases,and highlights the key role veterinary epidemiology plays in this endeavor. Measures of disease frequency and the type of epidemiological studies required to identify risk factors for diseases are summarized,with a focus on the use of these in the implementation of measures to control disease. The importance of biosecurity in maintaining disease-free flocks/herds is discussed and the steps taken to implement good biosecurity measures are outlined. It is concluded that a sound knowledge of veterinary epidemiology is required when developing control programs for disease and implementing biosecurity programs at a farm, regional, and national level.

Adoption of HPAI biosecurity measures： The Chinese broiler industry

Highly pathogenic avian influenza （HPAI） contamination via wild birds and rodents poses a threat to food security and safety. As chicken meat comprises an increasing proportion of diet in China, it is useful to determine whether broiler farmers are adopting wild bird and rodent controls to minimize the risk of HPAI impacts on food supply. Our study surveyed a cross sectional sample of 331 Chinese broiler farmers in six provinces. We find that only 47% of farmers （mainly farmers with large herds） adopted control measures against wild birds and rodents, while 14% adopted no measures. Farm size was the biggest driver of adoption followed by proportion of farm revenue derived from broiler production. However, southern farmers were at a far greater probability of non-adoption. We suggest that assistance in the form of education/training programs and subsidized traps or baiting controls across smaller producers could help raise of the adoption level toward more effective HPAI control.

Biosecurity Practices and Geospatial Map of Ontario Backyard Poultry Flocks

The CFO （Chicken Farmers of Ontario） has taken important steps to increase biosecurity practices within backyard poultry flocks in order to thwart infectious diseases. The present study originally intended to describe biosecurity practices within this milieu, so as to determine their nearest neighbor and density, as well as the average distance between backyard and commercial broiler flocks. To that effect, paper questionnaire and survey interviews were used （May-July, 2011）, while backyard and commercial broiler chicken flocks were geocoded. The response rates collected from the study produced these findings regarding： growers＇ health practices toward flocks, hygienic precautions relative to the production area, regularity of bird inspection and cleaning after each folk, protocol used to dispose of dead birds, mixing （or lack thereof） of flocks with other livestock, as well as the average distance between small flocks and commercial farms. The study concludes that education material should focus on improving the growers＇ understanding of issues examined in the study, focusing on areas of weakness in respect to biosecurity practices.

The Potential Role of Smart Mobile Technology in Mitigating Ireland’s Tourism Biosecurity Risk

The use of smart mobile technology could potentially ease Ireland’s level of biosecurity risk from tourism. Smart mobile technology is capable of improving communication of biosecurity monitoring, mitigation, and eradication measures to tourists in Ireland. The scope of this research is to assess biosecurity communication from Ireland’s major ports, state agencies, and governing bodies involved in outdoor recreational activities. The aim of this paper is to assess Ireland’s biosecurity communication for any smart mobile technology in national agencies. A mixed method approach was utilised which consisted of content analysis as well as structured qualitative interviews. Analysis has revealed that no evidence of smart mobile technology for biosecurity communication is in place for tourists arriving in Ireland’s ports or in national agencies. The importance of timely communication of biosecurity measures and alerts seems to not have been recognised. The use of this technology could mitigate the risk of tourists vectoring dangerous microbes and aiding biological invasions. This paper concludes that a low emphasis on adopting smart mobile technology could be unnecessarily contributing to Ireland’s biosecurity risk. It offers an opportunity to be improved before a serious biosecurity breach occurs possibly resulting in a lost tourist season or expensive eradication programmes as has been witnessed in other destinations worldwide.

Biosecurity Threats about the Combination of Aerobiology, Morphology and Genetic Manipulation of Fungal Spores

The passive flight of large numbers of mitospores ensures propagation and survival of many fungal species. Moreover, many fungi have a surplus DNA context which allows for easier manipulation and tampering, especially when inserting eukaryotic genes and translation systems. These facts taken together suggest a high prominence of the sporogonic airborne fungi in biosecurity/biodefence priority lists, but due to the low virulence and mortality of the fungal pathogens, they do not figure high, or, sometimes, not at all. The disruptive effect of biosecurity fungal threats is important per se and genetic manipulations are to further it. Novel, long range and high-persistence sampling methods, using robotics and unmanned systems already fielded in other applications may extend surveillance and responsive sampling. Effects-based, proteomic approaches may provide a solution for deliberate incidents, while polyphasic taxonomy may resolve spontaneous incidents and assist medical diagnosis, but in the biosecurity context, where mass collection and processing of samples and speed in producing robust results are vital, complex approaches might be proved more of a hindrance than an asset.

Dual Use and Biosecurity: the Case of the Avian Flu H5N1

The classical dual use problem—the potential for harmful as well as beneficial application of scientific findings—has become more immediate in biotechnology than in most other fields of science. Terrorist misuse of the information on the development of pathogenic organisms can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Therefore, particular in biosciences researchers are faced with the dilemma to find a proper balance between the right to know and the dangers of knowing. In this paper this dilemma is illustrated by the research on the influenza A virus subtype H5N1, commonly known as “bird flu”. The pros and cons of the full publication on the development of a dangerous airborne type are discussed.

Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for codes of conduct for scientists:Promoting responsible sciences and strengthening biosecurity governance

Formulated and endorsed by the international scientific community,the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines are a set of ten guiding principles and standards of conduct designed to promote responsible sciences and strengthen biosecurity governance at national and institutional levels.It may be used to develop new or enhance,supplement,and update the existing codes of conduct adaptive to a specific context and responsive to the bio-risks arising from the rapid advances in biological sciences.

Key issues in the implementation of the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists: A survey of biosecurity education projects

In order to effectively implement the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists,biosecurity awareness-raising and education are essential because if these are not in place scientists will not understand the need for biosecurity codes of conduct.In an effort to assist in the implementation of the guidelines,a smallscale survey was carried out in early 2022 of biosecurity awareness-raising and education projects that have been developed over the last two decades to discover what resources and experience have been accumulated.It is argued that the survey demonstrates that much of what is needed to implement the guidelines effectively has been developed,but that there are specific deficiencies that need to be remedied quickly.In particular,an updated teaching resource covering the core issues related to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention(BTWC)and the problem of dual use in scientific research needs to be made widely available and translated into at least the six official United Nations(UN)languages.Additionally,more specialists from the Humanities with expertise in ethics need to become involved in biosecurity awareness-raising and education activities.While advantage should be taken now of the available national,regional and international networks of people involved in related activities,it is suggested that in the longer term cooperation in biosecurity awareness-raising and education will benefit from the development of an equivalent organisation to the International Nuclear Security Education Network(INSEN)organised through the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA).

Unveiling the Threat: Case Reports of Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Sanctuary Chimpanzees

Primate sanctuaries across Africa play a pivotal role in the rescue and rehabilitation of confiscated and rescued wild primates, many of whom have had extensive contact with humans prior to their arrival and throughout the rehabilitation process, heightening the risk of disease transmission. While tuberculosis is not naturally occurring in free-living chimpanzees, it has been extensively observed in captive primates that have been in close proximity to humans or other captive primates infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This case report delves into an outbreak of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis among juvenile chimpanzees within a sanctuary, detailing the associated diagnostic challenges and treatment approaches. The five cases had close contact with a caregiver infected with tuberculosis, subsequently transmitting the infection to other in-contact chimpanzees. Prolonged treatment, employing the human protocol of quadri-therapy (rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol), followed by bi-therapy (rifampicin and isoniazid), resulted in complete resolution for all five cases. These cases underscore the critical importance of maintaining high levels of biosecurity, implementing effective quarantine measures, and adhering to strict hygiene practices when working with non-human primates.

Significance of and outlook for the Biosecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China

The Biosecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China is the first basic,comprehensive,systematic,and overarching law of biosecurity in China,involving biosecurity risks,national biosecurity governance,and systems for minimizing the biosecurity threats.This article elaborates on the formulation,content,features,and significance of the law,and provides an outlook for its evolution.

Newcastle Disease in Chickens of Smallholder Farmers at Krang Yov Commune S’ang District,Kandal Province

The study was conducted in Krang Yov commune,S’ang district,Kandal province and was conducted in three villages,including Kampong Po,Andong and Svay Damnak village.In the total,88 families were selected for interview by using snowball technic of nonprobability sampling.According to the results of the interviews,it showed that the number of farmers who raised chickens and had participated in training was very low number,ranging from 10.71%to 34.38%.For chicken raising system,the free ranging was the most popular by allowing the chicken to scavenge around the village,however,the total confinement was also applied.The local breed was more popular and the purpose of raising was for selling meat,however there were few households that raised the fighting cock for hobby.The number of chickens owned per household,was mostly less than 20 birds,while,the average number of birds per household ranged from 16.82 birds to 37.66 birds.However,the average number of birds per household was significant different between the households who have participated in chicken raising training and those who never participated(p<0.05),accounting for 47.52 birds and 19.85 birds,respectively.For the chicken feed,most of the farmers in those three villages used the concentration feed to offer the chicken,especially for supplementation,but,the whole rice was also used to supplement feed.The vaccination for chicken was significant different among the villages(p<0.05),in which the household in Kampong Po village had highest percentage of vaccinating their chicken,40.63%,than those in Svay Damnak and Andong village.The Newcastle vaccination was the more popular in those areas.But,all of the households have experienced with the disease,especially ND(Newcastle Disease)accounting for 67.05%,followed by influenza and fowl pox.When chicken got sick,most of farmers had treated their chicken with different methods,especially buying the medicine from the store and treatment by themselves were mostly applicable.Regarding the specific case of Newcastle disease,most of farmers were familiar with this disease and it frequently occurred in dry season and the knowledge on biosecurity measurement was very high,during suspected cases.However,the real practice with bird infected with Newcastle disease was limited since they treated the affected bird,and few farmers left their affected chicken in the flock,which could cause further spreading of this disease in the flock and village.

DNA Barcoding of Insects and Its Direct Application for Plant Protection

The introduction of invasive insect pests across national borders has become a major concern in crop production. Accordingly, national plant protection organizations are challenge to reinforce their monitoring strategies, which are hampered by the weight and size of inspection equipment, as well as the taxonomic extensiveness of interrupted species. Moreover, some insect pests that impede farmer productivity and profitability are difficult for researchers to address on time due to a lack of appropriate plant protection measures. Farmers’ reliance on synthetic pesticides and biocontrol agents has resulted in major economic and environmental ramifications. DNA barcoding is a novel technology that has the potential to improve Integrated Pest Management decision-making, which is dependent on the ability to correctly identify pest and beneficial organisms. This is due to some natural traits such as phenology or pesticide susceptibility browbeaten by IPM strategies to avert pest establishment. Specifically, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence information was applied effectively for the identification of some micro-organisms. This technology, DNA barcoding, allows for the identification of insect species by using short, standardized gene sequences. DNA barcoding is basically based on repeatable and accessible technique that allows for the mechanisation or automation of species discrimination. This technique bridges the taxonomic bio-security gap and meets the International Plant Protection Convention diagnostic standards for insect identification. This review therefore discusses DNA barcoding as a technique for insect pests’ identification and its potential application for crop protection.

Surveillance of emerging infectious diseases for biosecurity

Emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, continue to pose significant threats to human beings and their surroundings. In addition, biological warfare, bioterrorism, biological accidents, and harmful consequences arising from dual-use biotechnology also pose a challenge for global biosecurity. Improving the early surveillance capabilities is necessary for building a common biosecurity shield for the global community of health for all. Furthermore, surveillance could provide early warning and situational awareness of biosecurity risks. However, current surveillance systems face enormous challenges, including technical shortages, fragmented management, and limited international cooperation. Detecting emerging biological risks caused by unknown or novel pathogens is of particular concern. Surveillance systems must be enhanced to effectively mitigate biosecurity risks. Thus, a global strategy of meaningful cooperation based on efficient integration of surveillance at all levels, including interdisciplinary integration of techniques and interdepartmental integration for effective management, is urgently needed. In this paper, we review the biosecurity risks by analyzing potential factors at all levels globally. In addition to describing biosecurity risks and their impact on global security, we also focus on analyzing the challenges to traditional surveillance and propose suggestions on how to integrate current technologies and resources to conduct effective global surveillance.

Challenges and recent progress in the governance of biosecurity risks in the era of synthetic biology

Considerable progress has been achieved in basic research and the biotechnological application of biological sciences in recent years.Synthetic biology integrates systems biology,engineering,computer science,and other disciplines to achieve the“modification of life”or even the“creation of life”via the redesign of existing natural systems or the development of new biological components and devices.However,the research and application of synthetic biology can create potential risks,such as aggravation of species with complex gene modifications,threats to species diversity,abuse of biological weapons,laboratory leaks,and man-made mutations.Without a suitable governance system,such research activities could result in harm to humans,plants,and animals,as well as to natural ecological systems.In this article,we first briefly summarize technical progress in synthetic biology in recent years and the potential bioethical and biosecurity risks,and then describe current international treaties,guidance documents,and national regulatory measures designed to address potential harm caused by the dual-use property of synthetic biology,including the Biological Weapons Convention,the Convention on Biological Diversity,and the Model Code of Conduct for Biological Scientists(Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists).In addition,we also present some recommendations for better governance of synthetic biology research and applications in China,including strengthening the biosecurity capacity,improving the biosecurity regulatory system,and promoting multilevel international cooperation to effectively address the potential biosecurity risks of synthetic biology.

Regulation and management of the biosecurity for synthetic biology

Synthetic biology(SynBio)is a high-profile interdiscipline combining engineering with science.As a dual-purpose discipline,SynBio is bringing large changes to many fields and providing great benefits to humans.However,due to its characteristic of complexity and uncertainty,SynBio also presents potential biosafety and biosecurity risks.Biosecurity risks refer to unauthorized access,loss,theft,misuse,diversion or intentional release.If a biosecurity accident happens,it would pose a huge threat to humans and nature.Therefore,it is crucial to establish a set of regulations and management practices for the biosecurity risks of SynBio.In this paper,we summarized the sources of the biosecurity risks of SynBio,from its research materials,products,technologies,information to Do-it-yourself synthetic biology.We reviewed and analyzed the current situation of regulation and management of biosecurity for SynBio in the international community and in China.We found that in most countries and regions,SynBio risks commonly follow the regulation and management of Genetically Modified Organisms which has loopholes if applied to the regulation for SynBio without any amendments.Here,we proposed suggestions for the Chinese-featured regulation and management of biosecurity for SynBio,including a top-to-bottom governing framework,a think-tank implementation mechanism,a Synthetic Biology Laboratory Biosecurity Manual safeguarding system,and strengthening biosecurity education on synthetic biology and self-regulation awareness among relevant personnel.Through this work,we aim to improve the standardized process of biosecurity regulation and management for SynBio in China and thereby map out a peaceful,profitable,and practical development path for synthetic biology.

Biosafety and biosecurity in the era of biotechnology:The Middle East region

Biotechnology became a paradigm-shifting science among all subfields of biology.The benefits of biotechnology have reached many practical fields,whether human health,animal,and/or agricultural.However,wherever there is a biotechnology practice,there is an associated biohazard with it,and its negative impact may reach all living entities including humans.Therefore,the cooperation of the leading institutions in this field has culminated in creating the concepts and applications of biosafety and biosecurity.The countries of the Middle East are considered biotechnology-practicing and have shown a clear acceptance to this field.But unfortunately,the Middle East region is one that is facing the most multichallenges,which would constitute real and noticeable concern at the local and international levels.Such challenges represented by wars and armed conflicts,deteriorating economic conditions,the large number of refugees,and the spread of many epidemics.Thus,limiting the region’s ability to deal with the surrounding biological hazards and struggling the way to the one health concept.Therefore,this article aims to shed light on the activities of the Middle East countries in the field of biotechnology and to address potential biological threats,whether natural such as the spread of viruses,or intentional such as biological attacks and bioterrorism.The article also shows the capacity of the countries of the region in the field of biosafety and biosecurity based on available information.Accordingly,some countries are lacking the required level of preparedness to face potential biological threats.Multi-institutional and international cooperation between the concerned countries will significantly enhance the capacity of the region in biosafety and biosecurity to meet the level of biological risk.Search methodology:wide range of related keywords(based on the section)combined with the name of the region,or one country individually have been searched using available search engines and databases such as google scholar and PubMed.After scanning the content of the found results,irrelevant articles have been excluded.Figures 2,3,4,6,and 7 were created by biorender.com.

Synthetic biology:Recent progress,biosafety and biosecurity concerns,and possible solutions

Synthetic biology is a new interdisciplinary research area that uses engineering principles as guidelines for biological investigation.With research goals to modify existing biological systems or to create new ones,the recent applications of synthetic biology have expanded approaches and tools for conventional biological research.In this article,we first briefly review the development and progress of synthetic biology over the past decade.Although the contributions of synthetic biology to basic life science research,human health,environmental protection,and even economic growth have been widely observed,potential biosafety,biosecurity,and ethical risks related to synthetic biology have also emerged in recent years as technology becomes less expensive,more mature,and more accessible.We provide a brief assessment of the risks associated with the possible misuse or abuse of this technology in various areas and discuss concerns from three points of view:biosafety,biosecurity risks,and ethics.Finally,to address challenges arising from the rapid progress of synthetic biology,technical,ethical,and regulatory measures were developed or discussed in recent years,including laboratory level precautionary measures for biosafety and biosecurity related to synthetic biology(such as genetic safeguards and firewalls),ethical codes of conduct for biological scientists,and regulations or oversight rules from personal,national,and international perspectives.A brief summary of these efforts is provided.

Biosafety and biosecurity law in Thailand:From legislation to practice

Thailand has continuously established biosafety and security laws since 1932.The present law,the Pathogens and Animal Toxins Act 2015,was established for the controlled production,possession,sales,import,export,and transit of pathogens and animal toxins.The law is in accordance with the current world situation—that is,outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging diseases and the development of modern biotechnology,such as genetic modification of pathogens with the potential for beneficial or harmful use.The principles of the pathogen control measures of Thai law are similar to those of foreign laws in countries such as Canada,the United States,Singapore,and the People’s Republic of China.Control measures are based on the risk levels of pathogens to humans,animals,and the environment.This review briefly presents details of the law’s development in Thailand.Details are given in comparison with those of other countries;the export and import of pathogens and animal toxins according to EU export controls are also discussed.The practice and experience of applying the law in Thailand are also presented.Dissemination of enforcement details will ensure effective legal biosafety and biosecurity control measures in Thailand.This may be useful for establishing a law involving regulatory controls for biosafety and biosecurity.

Biosafety and biosecurity

With the profound changes in the international security situation,the progression of globalization,and the continuous advancement of biotechnology,the risks and challenges posed by major infectious diseases and bioterrorism to the international community are also increasing.Biosafety,therefore,presents new opportunities for international cooperation and global governance.The world has become more integrated and now shares a common destiny in terms of biosafety.In the face of the current risks and challenges,the international community must work together to avert threats,advance mutual interests,and safeguard global biosecurity.In the context of the current situation regarding biosafety and biosecurity,we conducted the present analysis,and present here some appropriate countermeasures.