BackgroundSchistosomiasis is neglected tropical parasitic disease affecting both humans and animals. Due to the human health impact, population genetic studies have focused on the three main human-infecting schistosome species: Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium and S. japonicum. Here we present novel data on the population genetic structure of Schistosoma bovis, a highly widespread and prevalent schistosome infecting ruminants, and therefore of veterinary importance.MethodsAdult S. bovis were sampled in the two main abattoirs of Cameroon (Yaoundé and Douala). Twenty-two cows originating from four distinct localities were sampled and a total of 218 parasites were recovered. All parasites were genotyped using a panel of 14 microsatellite markers and a sub-sample of 91 parasites were sequenced and characterized with the mitochondrial (cox1) and nuclear (ITS) genetic markers.ResultsNo significant difference in allelic richness, heterozygosity, nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity was observed between the populations. Additionally, no strong genetic structure was observed at the country scale. Our data also show that S. bovis is more polymorphic than its sister species, S. haematobium, and that the haplotype diversity is similar to that of S. mansoni while the nucleotide diversity does not significantly differ from that of S. haematobium. The resulting negative Tajima’s D* and Fu and Li’s D* indices could be a signature of population demographic expansion. No S. haematobium/S. bovis hybrids were observed in our populations, thus all samples were considered as pure S. bovis.ConclusionsThis study provides novel insights into genetic diversity and population genetic structure of S. bovis. No strong genetic structure was observed at the country scale but some genetic indices could be associated as a signature of population demographic expansion.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3307-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The epidemiology of avian influenza is unknown in Cameroon despite the two outbreaks that occurred in 2006 and 2016-2017, respectively. In order to fill the gap, an attempt was made to provide some basic information on the epidemiology of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Cameroon. Thus, data were collected from follow-up reports of the second HPAI outbreaks prepared by the veterinary health officials of Cameroon and sent to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Two HPAI virus strains (H5N1 and H5N8) turned out to occur, with H5N1 virus involved in the Center, South, West, and Adamawa regions outbreaks and H5N8 involved in the Far North outbreak only. The affected hosts were the laying hens, backyard chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, ducks, broiler and layer breeders, and geese for the H5N1 virus and the Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), pigeon, ducks, backyard chickens, and guinea fowls for the H5N8 virus. The first outbreak took place in Mvog-Betsi poultry complex in the Center region on the 20th May 2016 and spread to other regions. The mortality rate varied from 8% to 72% for H5N1 virus and was 96.26% for the H5N8 strain in Indian peafowl. No human case was recorded. The potential supporting factors for disease dissemination identified on the field were the following: poultry and eggs dealers moving from one farm, market, or town to another without any preventive care; poor biosecurity measures on farms and live poultry markets. After the first HPAI H5N1 virus outbreak in 2006, the second HPAI outbreak ten years later (2016-2017) involving two virus strains is a cause of concern for the poultry industry. The Cameroon Epidemio-Surveillance Network needs to be more watchful.

Background Points of Entry (POEs) are at the frontline for prevention, detection and response to international spread of diseases. The objective of this assessment was to ascertain the current level of existing International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities of designated airports, ports and ground crossings in Cameroon and identify critical gaps for capacity building for prevention, early warning and response to public health threats including COVID-19. Methods Data were collected from April to May 2020 in 5 designated POEs: Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport (YIA), Douala international Airport (DIA), Douala Autonomous Port (DAP), Garoua-Boulai ground crossing, Kye-Ossi ground crossing which were all selected for their high volume of passenger and goods traffic. The World Health Organization (WHO) assessment tool for core capacity requirements at designated airports, ports and ground crossings was used to collect data on three technical capacities: (i) communication and coordination, (ii) Capacities at all times and (iii) capacities to respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC). Results All the investigated POEs scored below 50% of capacities in place. YIA recorded the highest percentage for all groups of capacities, coordination and communication and for core capacity at all times with a percentage of 42%, 58% and 32% respectively. For core capacity to respond to PHEIC, all the POEs recorded below 50%. The DAP and all ground crossings lacked trained personnel for inspection of conveyances. Only DIA had a public health emergency plan. There is no isolation/quarantine and transport capacity at the POEs. Conclusion All POEs assessed did not meet IHR standards and need significant improvement to fulfill the IHR requirements. Unstructured communication channels between stakeholders make the implementation of IHR challenging. A coordination mechanism, with clear functions and structure, is necessary for well-coordinated response efforts to health emergencies at POEs. This assessment will serve as a baseline to inform planning and IHR implementation at designated POEs in Cameroon.

The present work was to study the effects of Desmoduin adscendens, Khaya grandifoliola, Xylopia phloiodora extracts on growth parameters and selected blood parameters of broilers chickens. A total of 252 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 4 groups. Chickens of control batch received commercial hepatoprotective (Hepaturyl 1 g/l) and the experimental groups received a formulation based on 3 extracts hepatoprotective plants at a concentration of 200, 100 and 50 mg/kg body weight. The mortality rate of control and experimental groups was 6.3% and 4.7% respectively. Average weight of batches at day 48 was, 2.6 for the control, 2.7 for the batch 2, 2.6 batch 3 and 2.5 kg batch 4 with an average consumption index ranging from 1.6 for the control and 1.7 for the experimental groups. Liver function in broilers was not altered (The values of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were 5-25 IU/l and 50-350 IU/l respectively). Cholesterolemia, proteinemia and the triglyceridemia increased with the age of the animals (0.6- 4.1 mmol / l; 21-83 g / l; 0.3- 3.8 g / l respectively). The kinetics of the humoral immune response against infectious bursal disease was not influenced. This work has shown that the use of the formulation as hepatoprotective in chick drinking water shows results similar to those of commercial hepatoprotectors.Keywords: Broilers, hepatoprotective plants, hepatic functioning, growth performances, immune response

Although the potential for livestock production is high in Central Africa, it is not an important economic activity because of disease constraints, primarily trypanosomiasis transmitted by tsetse flies. Recently, a growing number of vector-borne diseases have also emerged in that region. Indeed, there is a progressive expansion of trypanosomiasis in known tsetse-free areas in the Far North of Cameroon, mechanically transmitted by Tabanidae. In the beginning of year 2019, there was an epidemic of African horse sickness (AHS) in Cameroon for the first time. In the meantime, AHS was also declared in Chad and reported in Nigeria. Besides, new cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF) are regularly detected in both Cameroon and Chad. The relative significance of most vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in livestock is difficult to quantify, because there is no study on their socioeconomic impact. But, certain VBDs have significant impact on food production, and others such as RVF can be transmitted to humans. Impact of VBDs on human health, animal health and trade, as well as the transboundary nature of these diseases means there is a need for regional coordination and cooperation to address challenges. This can be successfully achieved with One Health approach.