The third outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N2 in less than seven years affected ostriches of South Africa's Western Cape during 2011. Twenty farms tested PCR positive for the presence of HPAI H5N2 between March and November 2011. Three HPAI H5N2 (AI2114, AI2214, AI2512) and 1 H1N2 (AI2887) viruses were isolated during this period, but H6N2 and H1N2 infections of ostriches were also confirmed by PCR. HPAI H5N2 isolate AI2114 produced an intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) score of 1.37 in chickens whereas isolate AI2214 produced an IVPI score of 0.8. The former virus had an additional, predicted N-linked glycosylation site at position 88 of the hemagglutinin protein as well as an E627K mutation in the PB2 protein that was lacking from AI2214. Four variations at HA0 were detected in the PCR-positive cases. Phylogenetically, the branching order of outbreak strains indicated a lack of reassortment between outbreak strains that implied a single outbreak source and a wild duck origin for the progenitor outbreak strain. The 2011 outbreak strains had no genetic relationships to the previous 2004 and 2006 HPAI H5N2 outbreak viruses. Molecular clock analysis based on the N2 neuraminidase genes estimated a recent common ancestor for the outbreak tentatively dated at September 2010. Deep sequencing results of 16 clinical PCR-positive samples yielded data in the range of 573 to 12,590 base pairs (bp), with an average of 4468 bp of total genomic sequence recovered per sample. This data was used to confirm the lack of reassortment and to assign samples into one of two epidemiologic groups to support epidemiologic tracing of the spread of the outbreak. One farm (no. 142), thought to have played a major epidemiologic role in the outbreak, was confirmed by deep sequencing to contain a mix of both epidemiologic virus groups.

Wild African Suidae, the common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus), were experimentally infected with classical swine fever (CSF) virus following the diagnosis of CSF subtype 2.1 in domestic pigs in South Africa in 2005. No data regarding the susceptibility or potential lesions of these African wild suids are available. Seven subadult warthogs and six bushpigs were captured and infected intranasally with the South African isolate. Two in-contact control animals of the same species in each experiment verified intra-species transmission. Surviving animals were euthanized after 44 days. Formalin-fixed tissue samples collected from them as well as animals euthanized during the trial were evaluated for histological lesions. The warthogs, which were clinically normal throughout the study, developed histological lesions that were inconsistently present and sometimes subtle. Three individuals, including one in-contact control, developed distinct lympho-plasmacytic cuffing in their brains. Subtle lesions included scant lympho-plasmacytic infiltration of various organs, occasionally accompanied by perivascular cuffing. In contrast, the bushpigs developed overt clinical signs similar to CSF in domestic pigs. Four of six animals, including two in-contact controls, died or were euthanized during the trial. On postmortem examination, intestinal necrosis and ulceration, purulent rhinitis and pneumonia were present. Affected animals developed lymphoid necrosis and depletion whilst surviving individuals showed perivascular cuffing in multiple organs. From the present work, we conclude that these wild Suidae are susceptible to CSF virus and intra-species transmission under experimental conditions can occur.

An incursion of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) into the domestic pig population in South Africa, identified in 2005, raised the concern that infection might spread to wildlife species and be maintained in these hosts. This study sought to determine whether two wildlife Suidae species present in South Africa, the bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) and the common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), could support productive CSFV infection. Both species could be infected with CSFV and transmitted infection to in-contact animals of the same species. Viral antigen and RNA genome were detected in blood/serum and animals that survived initial infection seroconverted approximately 10-14 days post-inoculation. Viral RNA remained detectable in nasal and saliva secretions for prolonged periods until monitoring ended at 42-44 days after initial challenge. These data suggest that both Suidae species could serve to spread circulating CSFV within wild populations, with implications for disease control.

Veterinary RecordVolume 157, Issue 21 p. 668-668 Letter Brucella canis in South Africa T. A. Gous, T. A. Gous PathCare Vet Lab, Private Bag X107, N1 City, Cape Town, 7463 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorW. J. Janse van Rensburg, W. J. Janse van Rensburg PathCare Vet Lab, Private Bag X107, N1 City, Cape Town, 7463 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorM. Gray, M. Gray Panorama Veterinary Clinic, PO Box 15394, Panorama, 7506 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorL. L. Perrett, L. L. Perrett VLA – Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorS. D. Brew, S. D. Brew VLA – Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorE. J. Young, E. J. Young VLA – Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorA. M. Whatmore, A. M. Whatmore VLA – Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorS. Gers, S. Gers Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Private Bag X5020, Stellenbosch, 7599 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Picard, J. Picard OVI, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, 0100 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this author T. A. Gous, T. A. Gous PathCare Vet Lab, Private Bag X107, N1 City, Cape Town, 7463 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorW. J. Janse van Rensburg, W. J. Janse van Rensburg PathCare Vet Lab, Private Bag X107, N1 City, Cape Town, 7463 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorM. Gray, M. Gray Panorama Veterinary Clinic, PO Box 15394, Panorama, 7506 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorL. L. Perrett, L. L. Perrett VLA – Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorS. D. Brew, S. D. Brew VLA – Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorE. J. Young, E. J. Young VLA – Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorA. M. Whatmore, A. M. Whatmore VLA – Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorS. Gers, S. Gers Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Private Bag X5020, Stellenbosch, 7599 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Picard, J. Picard OVI, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort, 0100 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 19 November 2005 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.157.21.668Citations: 2Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume157, Issue21November 2005Pages 668-668 RelatedInformation

Veterinary RecordVolume 157, Issue 9 p. 267-267 Letter Classical swine fever in South Africa after 87 years’ absence T. Sandvik, T. Sandvik OIE Reference Laboratory for CSF, VLA – Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorH. Crooke, H. Crooke OIE Reference Laboratory for CSF, VLA – Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorT. W. Drew, T. W. Drew OIE Reference Laboratory for CSF, VLA – Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorS. Blome, S. Blome EU Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorI. Greiser-Wilke, I. Greiser-Wilke EU Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorV. Moennig, V. Moennig EU Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorT. A. Gous, T. A. Gous Path Care Veterinary Laboratory, Private Bag X107, N1 City, Cape Town, 7463 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorS. Gers, S. Gers Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Private Bag 5020, Stellenbosch, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. A. Kitching, J. A. Kitching Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Private Bag 5020, Stellenbosch, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorG. Bührmann, G. Bührmann Directorate Veterinary Services, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg, 7607 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorG. K. Brückner, G. K. Brückner Directorate Veterinary Services, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg, 7607 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this author T. Sandvik, T. Sandvik OIE Reference Laboratory for CSF, VLA – Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorH. Crooke, H. Crooke OIE Reference Laboratory for CSF, VLA – Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorT. W. Drew, T. W. Drew OIE Reference Laboratory for CSF, VLA – Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 3NBSearch for more papers by this authorS. Blome, S. Blome EU Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorI. Greiser-Wilke, I. Greiser-Wilke EU Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorV. Moennig, V. Moennig EU Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorT. A. Gous, T. A. Gous Path Care Veterinary Laboratory, Private Bag X107, N1 City, Cape Town, 7463 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorS. Gers, S. Gers Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Private Bag 5020, Stellenbosch, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorJ. A. Kitching, J. A. Kitching Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Private Bag 5020, Stellenbosch, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorG. Bührmann, G. Bührmann Directorate Veterinary Services, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg, 7607 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorG. K. Brückner, G. K. Brückner Directorate Veterinary Services, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg, 7607 South AfricaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 27 August 2005 https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.157.9.267Citations: 15Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume157, Issue9August 2005Pages 267-267 RelatedInformation