scholarly journals Emergence of Viral Infections through Food Supply Chain: A Review

Author(s):  
Rafiya Munshi ◽  
Afsah Iqbal

All living organisms may act as host to a wide range of viruses, and can infect the human body causing severe illness or even death. Viruses have often been important in burdening infections and other illnesses and require special attention because of their different behaviour as compared to bacteria. Two highly pathogenic corona-viruses—severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)—supposed to be emerged from an wet market in china resulted in a global epidemic which took a tool on human lives and currently also the world is fighting a deadliest viral infection caused by a small pathogen possibly transmitted through the food chain in a wet market again in china. The environment is the reservoirs for many of these viruses and any human handling of animals carrying such viruses finds an easy route into human body. Besides, there had been various food borne outbreaks throughout the world due to contaminated agricultural produce, packaging, processed foods or through infected food handlers. Such incidents have prioritized the need for effective control measures, intensified research and risk assessment measures in controlling such outbreaks. This review highlights a brief description of viral transmissions, virus and human gut response and preventable strategies in the food chain to contain such infections.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukman Olagoke ◽  
Ahmet E. Topcu

BACKGROUND COVID-19 represents a serious threat to both national health and economic systems. To curb this pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a series of COVID-19 public safety guidelines. Different countries around the world initiated different measures in line with the WHO guidelines to mitigate and investigate the spread of COVID-19 in their territories. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of these control measures using a data-centric approach. METHODS We begin with a simple text analysis of coronavirus-related articles and show that reports on similar outbreaks in the past strongly proposed similar control measures. This reaffirms the fact that these control measures are in order. Subsequently, we propose a simple performance statistic that quantifies general performance and performance under the different measures that were initiated. A density based clustering of based on performance statistic was carried out to group countries based on performance. RESULTS The performance statistic helps evaluate quantitatively the impact of COVID-19 control measures. Countries tend show variability in performance under different control measures. The performance statistic has negative correlation with cases of death which is a useful characteristics for COVID-19 control measure performance analysis. A web-based time-line visualization that enables comparison of performances and cases across continents and subregions is presented. CONCLUSIONS The performance metric is relevant for the analysis of the impact of COVID-19 control measures. This can help caregivers and policymakers identify effective control measures and reduce cases of death due to COVID-19. The interactive web visualizer provides easily digested and quick feedback to augment decision-making processes in the COVID-19 response measures evaluation. CLINICALTRIAL Not Applicable


Author(s):  
Amruta Barhate ◽  
Prakash Bhatia

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has made the world to come to a standstill. What started as on 16th March 2020, as 114 confirmed cases of COVID‑19 in the country has now reached worrisome figures. The latest world scenario as per WHO as on 30th November, 2020 is as under-World data: 62,509,444 cases, deaths: 1,458,782; USA: 13,082,877 cases, deaths: 263,946; India: 9,431,691 cases, deaths 137, 139. It is evident that worldwide India is number two in case load and there’s no reason to prevent India from becoming number one unless appropriate corrective steps are taken.Methods: The present study has looked into various data sources available in public domain. The study covered a period of almost nine months i.e., from March 2020 to November 2020. The study revealed a steady increase in the number of COVID-19 cases from March 2020 with peak of pandemic occurring in the mid of September and then a steady decline of cases from October.Results: The data analysis shows that after peaking of cases in September, the epidemic will decline in a phased manner by the end of March 2021. Even though there is a decline seen from the month of October, spike of COVID-19 cases was seen in November in some of the states of India. Therefore, we can’t deny the possibility of a second wave of pandemic to occur in the month of December 2020 and January 2021.Conclusions: Hence appropriate and strict control measures have to be put in place for effective control of the Pandemic and its resurgence.


1991 ◽  
Vol 48 (S1) ◽  
pp. 110-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Stewart

Fish and invertebrates are subject to a wide range of disease agents. Many of their diseases are probably local in origin although a lengthy list of infections were probably imported via the vast array of exotic species which have been transferred to virtually all areas of the world. Since ail living organisms carry a full suite of microorganisms and larger parasites the likelihood of there being pathogens for local species among them is good. Introductions can occur in at least one of three separate ways: (1) intentional introductions for specific purposes, (2) accidental transport of biological agents via massive transfers of ballast waters or (3) through the ornamental or aquatic pet trade. Control measures and information services devised by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission and the Office International des Epizooties are described.


2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (13) ◽  
pp. 1642-1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hisamuddin ◽  
A. Tazeen ◽  
M. Abdullah ◽  
M. Islamuddin ◽  
N. Parveen ◽  
...  

AbstractCo-circulation of Chikungunya and Dengue viral infections (CHIKV and DENV) have been reported mainly due to transmission by commonAedesvector. The purpose of the study was to identify and characterise the circulating strains of CHIKV and DENV in DENV endemic region of New Delhi during 2016. CHIKV and DENV were identified in the blood samples (n= 130) collected from suspected patients by RT-PCR. CHIKV was identified in 26 of 65 samples (40%). Similarly, DENV was detected in 48 of 120 samples (40%). Co-infection with both the viruses was identified in five (9%) of the samples. Interestingly, concurrent infection with DENV, CHIKV andPlasmodium vivaxwas detected in two samples. CHIKV strains (n= 11) belonged to the ECSA genotype whereas DENV-3 sequences (n= eight) clustered in Genotype III by phylogenetic analysis. Selection pressure of E1 protein of CHIKV and CprM protein of DENV-3 revealed purifying selection with four and two positive sites, respectively. Four amino acids of the CHIKV were positively selected and had high entropy suggesting probable variations. Co-circulation of both viruses in DENV endemic regions warrants effective monitoring of these emerging pathogens via comprehensive surveillance for implementation of effective control measures.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christ Parker

Abstract O. cernua is an obligatory, non-photosynthetic root parasite which is native over a wide range across northeast Africa, southern Europe and western and southern Asia. In many of these areas it is a serious pest of Solanaceaeous crops such as Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) and S. melongena (aubergine) and occasionally S. tuberosum (potato). Species of Orobanche depend totally on their hosts for all nutrition and become an active sink for the host plant. This therefore results in a decrease in crop yield and as a result can have a major impact on the economy and livelihoods. Once established, the seed bank may last 10-20 years and there are no simple, economic control measures. Seeds of O. cernua are very small and inconspicuous and can be accidentally introduced into new areas as a contaminant of soil, seeds and machinery. There is potential for this species to invade many other areas of the world.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert M. Oyugi ◽  
Joshua K. Kibet ◽  
John O. Adongo

Abstract Background There is an exponential rise in the use of farming chemicals in agricultural practices ostensibly to increase food production. The chewing of fresh khat leaves and shoots has spread across the world from ancient khat producing regions in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Khat is a well-established socialization substance with stimulating characteristics. In this work, we have reviewed the deleterious impacts of several heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, iron in the khat plant and their health impacts. Survey on the health complications of farming chemicals used in khat production is also presented. Main body of the abstract The toxic effects of heavy metals and farming chemicals in plant matter such as khat leaves are a serious health concern. Heavy metals including cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), for instance, bio-accumulate in the body and the food chain as precursors for disease. It has been established that blood that has lead levels of 40–60 ug/dL is a precursor for serious health illnesses such as cardiac arrest and cancer. On the other hand, cadmium is reported to bind itself onto metallothioneins hence forming cadmium–metallothionein complex that is transported to all body organs causing deleterious cell damage. The entry of farming chemical into the food chain especially via the chewing of contaminated khat has been known to contribute to health problems such as cancer, hypertension and liver cirrhosis. khat is branded a ‘substance of abuse’ by the World Health Organization (WHO) because of the adverse health risks it causes to humans. Relevant articles published between 2010 and 2021, and archived in PubMed, Google Scholar, Medley, Cochrane, and Web of Science were used in this review. Short conclusion The health implications of heavy metals and farming chemicals arising from the consumption of contaminated khat shoots are a serious concern to the khat chewing community. Consequently, there is need to develop better farming practices that may minimize the absorption of heavy metals and farming chemicals by the khat plant. Information presented in this review is also important in sensitizing policy makers to advance control measures towards safer khat farming practices.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Cotten ◽  
Dan Lule Bugembe ◽  
Pontiano Kaleebu ◽  
My V T Phan

Abstract As the world is struggling to control the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there is an urgency to develop effective control measures. Essential information is encoded in the virus genome sequence with accurate and complete SARS-CoV-2 sequences essential for tracking the movement and evolution of the virus and for guiding efforts to develop vaccines and antiviral drugs. While there is unprecedented SARS-CoV-2 sequencing efforts globally, approximately 19 to 43% of the genomes generated monthly are gapped, reducing their information content. The current study documents the genome gap frequencies and their positions in the currently available data and provides an alternative primer set and a sequencing scheme to help improve the quality and coverage of the genomes.


2019 ◽  
pp. 128-141
Author(s):  
I. V. Karikh ◽  
V. V. Myrgorod-Karpova

Most countries in the world are building a state system of financial control and control over international finances, taking into account the fundamental principles laid down in international legal sources and on the basis of world experience. The realization of the task of ensuring sustainable economic, social and political development of Ukraine requires further investigation of the problems of establishing effective control over international finances and initiating the reform process in this field, which can become a key element in the complex systemic transformations in the financial sphere and the construction of a new financial system of the state. We believe that Ukraine should look for the most important challenges of today, drawing on international experience in this field, with a view to its further use. The importance and importance of using foreign experience is also closely linked to the process of state integration into the world community and the implementation of international practice of financial control. Therefore, it is crucial for Ukraine to study foreign experience of financial control and to borrow appropriate experience in this field in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the domestic financial control system. It should be noted that the global practice in the field of financial control is extremely voluminous and multifaceted, it has different approaches to the organization and implementation of control measures, most of which have been validated over time. N. Lazareva and GV Dmitrenko point out that the choice of a particular model is based on the relevant factors: the state of democratic development of society and the level of construction of civil society, the specifics of the distribution of powers between branches of government, the normalized form of government, historically accepted in the state form of government, historically the way of development of statehood and development of institute of financial control [2, p. 68; 3, p. 22]. Most countries in the world have gone a long way in finding ways to develop and build financial control. The highest financial control authorities in most countries of the world have endured a long period of searching for their effective functioning and implementation of really effective control measures. For example, the National Audit Office of Great Britain was formed in 1120, the Regular Audit Organization of Belgium - 1386, the General Chamber of Prussia - 1714, the Main Accountancy Chamber of the Principality of Warsaw - 1808, etc. [4, p. 127]. Such bodies were far from the current vision of public authorities in the area of financial control. However, they have become the prototype of the current institutions, with a defined range of tasks, functions, powers and goals for their implementation. Given the challenges and needs of today, the powers of such institutions and bodies have been expanded to control the cash provided or received in the form of international financial assistance. Unfortunately, historically Ukraine has been deprived of the possibility of gradually building state institutions in this area. Gaining independence in 1991 put the country in a position to address key challenges to economic development and the effective functioning of public authorities and government. Considering this fact, we consider that foreign experience in any sphere for Ukraine is the most valuable source of solving urgent problems, including the borrowing of the world practice of organization of financial control, control in the sphere of international finances and proper regulatory fixing of such mechanism. Keywords: international finance, international financial assistance, control over international finance in Ukraine.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingling Zheng ◽  
Qin Kang ◽  
Weiyao Liao ◽  
Xiujuan Chen ◽  
Shuai Huang ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundOn the present trajectory, COVID is inevitably becoming a global epidemic, leading to concerns regarding the pandemic potential in China and other countries.ObjectiveIn this study, we use the time-dependent reproduction number (Rt) to comprise the COVID transmissibility across different countries.MethodsWe used data from Jan 20, 2019, to Feb 29, 2020, on the number of newly confirmed cases, obtained from the reports published by the CDC, to infer the incidence of infectious over time. A two-step procedure was used to estimate the Rt. The first step used data on known index-secondary cases pairs, from publicly available case reports, to estimate the serial interval distribution. The second step estimated the Rt jointly from the incidence data and the information data in the first step. Rt was then used to simulate the epidemics across all major cities in China and typical countries worldwide.ResultsBased on a total of 126 index-secondary cases pairs from 4 international regions, we estimated that the serial interval for SARS-2-CoV was 4.18 (IQR 1.92 – 6.65) days. Domestically, Rt of China, Hubei province, Wuhan had fallen below 1.0 on 9 Feb, 10 Feb and 13 Feb (Rt were 0.99±0.02, 0.99±0.02 and 0.96±0.02), respectively. Internationally, as of 26 Feb, statistically significant periods of COVID spread (Rt >1) were identified for most regions, except for Singapore (Rt was 0.92±0.17).ConclusionsThe epidemic in China has been well controlled, but the worldwide pandemic has not been well controlled. Worldwide preparedness and vulnerability against COVID-19 should be regarded with more care.What is already known on this subject?The basic reproduction number (R0) and the-time-dependent reproduction number (Rt) are two important indicators of infectious disease transmission. In addition, Rt as a derivative of R0 could be used to assess the epidemiological development of the disease and effectiveness of control measures. Most current researches used data from earlier periods in Wuhan and refer to the epidemiological features of SARS, which are possibly biased. Meanwhile, there are fewer studies discussed the Rt of COVID-19. Current clinical and epidemiological data are insufficient to help us understand the full view of the potential transmission of this disease.What this study adds?We use up-to-data observation of the serial interval and cases arising from local transmission to calculate the Rt in different outbreak level area and every province in China as well as five-top sever outbreak countries and other overseas. By comparing the Rt, we discussed the situation of outbreak around the world.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-152
Author(s):  
Fahima Dilnawaz ◽  
Ranjita Misra ◽  
Sarbari Acharya

In the last few decades, viral infections have caused a greater number of health constraints worldwide. This havoc has created challenges for the healthcare system. Since the pandemic began, COVID-19 has killed more than 2.5 million people across the world. We are still witnessing deaths daily due to the deadly virus SARS-CoV-2 which is the causative agent for COVID-19. Thus, there is an increasing concern about finding an apt way to control the spread of this virus. Recently, the application of nanotechnology-based approaches has emerged as a ground-breaking step in the medical sector owing to their potential for accurate diagnosis and specific treatment in a wide range of health problems, including viral diseases. Therefore, the implementation of nanotechnology can be an articulate strategy to confront the rising distress of COVID-19. The present review particularly emphasizes the perception of several nanoformulation-based approaches as an appropriate means to safeguard mankind against COVID-19.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document