Consider the following statements regarding Epizootic Haemorrhagic Dis...
Authorities in the UK say they are "closely monitoring" the spread of Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) that has been recorded in Spain, Portugal and Southern Italy recently.
About Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD):
- It is an insect-born disease caused by a virus and affecting wild and domestic ruminant species.
- It has become an emerging disease in cattle, and was added to the World Organisation of Animal Health list of notifiable diseases in May 2008.
- It is a disease of animals, not humans, so there are no human or public health issues.
- The causative agent, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), belongs to the Orbivirus genus.
- Transmission: EHDV is transmitted between ruminant hosts by Culicoides midges, tiny biting flies commonly known as “no-see-ums” or gnats that are smaller than mosquitoes and other flies.
- Clinical signs: Fever, weakness, lack of appetite, more saliva than usual, difficulty swallowing, skin rash on the udder, bleeding (skin and internal tissues), swollen red skin near hooves, swollen lining of the mouth, mouth ulcers, difficulty breathing and sudden death (particularly in deer).
- Treatment: There is no treatment for HD in wildlife populations, and no commercially available vaccine to protect against EHD.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
Consider the following statements regarding Epizootic Haemorrhagic Dis...
Statement 1: It is an insect-born disease caused by a virus.
Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is indeed an insect-borne disease caused by a virus. It primarily affects wild and domestic ruminants such as deer, cattle, and sheep. The virus responsible for EHD belongs to the genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae. It is transmitted through the bite of certain species of biting midges, which act as vectors for the virus. When infected midges feed on the blood of susceptible animals, they transmit the virus, leading to the development of the disease.
Statement 2: Its spread has been declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.
This statement is incorrect. The World Health Organization (WHO) primarily focuses on human health, while Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD) primarily affects animals. Therefore, the spread of EHD has not been declared a public health emergency by the WHO.
Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease primarily affects animals, particularly ruminants like deer, cattle, and sheep. It is not considered a significant threat to human health. However, it can have significant economic consequences for the livestock industry, especially in areas where EHD outbreaks occur frequently.
EHD outbreaks commonly occur in regions with suitable environmental conditions for the breeding and survival of the biting midges responsible for transmitting the virus. These midges thrive in warm and humid environments, which allow them to reproduce and spread the virus more effectively.
When EHD outbreaks occur, infected animals can show symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, excessive salivation, respiratory distress, and internal and external bleeding. In severe cases, the disease can lead to high mortality rates among affected animals.
Although EHD does not directly impact human health, it is crucial to monitor and control the disease to prevent its spread among animal populations. This is particularly important for the preservation of wildlife and the prevention of economic losses in the livestock industry.
In conclusion, Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is an insect-borne disease caused by a virus that primarily affects animals, particularly ruminants. While it is not considered a public health emergency by the World Health Organization, it is important to monitor and control the disease to protect animal populations and prevent economic losses.
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