Objective:The study was conducted to investigate the effect of mastitis on postpartum conception in crossed cows (Local x Friesian or Sahiwal x Friesian) in Chittagong area of Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A total of 100 lactating cows were randomly selected from thirteen small and medium size commercial dairy farms. The cows were reared under traditional feeding and management systems. Age and number of parity of the cows were 2.5 to 6 years and 1-5, respectively. On-farm California Mastitis Test (CMT) and Whit Slide Test (WST) were performed with the milk samples to diagnose mastitis. Besides, productive and reproductive data were recorded by examining the animals and interviewing the farmers. Results: The incidence of mastitis was significantly (P=0.037) higher (76% for CMT and 62% for WST) in 3.5-4.5 years old cows and lower (P=0.037) (47% for CMT) in 2.5-3.5 years old cows. The highest percentage of CMT (72%) and WST (59%) positive cases were found in cows having parity number 2. The CMT (71%) and WST (53%) test results were similar in third parity cows. The first parity cows were less prone to mastitis (47%). Mastitis had significantly (P=0.002) negative effect on days required to first heat after parturition. Mastitis was also negatively correlated with calving interval (CI) (P=0.030). More the incidence of mastitis prolongs the calving interval and the highest percentage (85% for CMT and 71% for WST) of mastitis was found in cows having 380-400 days calving interval. Lowest mastitis (54% for CMT and 48% for WST) incidence detected cows' lowest calving interval. Significantly, more number of Service per Conception (SPC) was also required in cows having more incidence of mastitis (P=0.03). SPC was 4 for subclinical to clinical cases and 3 for clinical cases. Conclusion: Significant correlation between mastitis and post-partum conception is recorded in this study that may hamper reproductive performances.

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After a report of an unusually high number of crow deaths in Jessore, Bangladesh, a multidisciplinary team investigated the event in December 2018 to identify the etiologic agent, and the source and extent of the outbreak. We interviewed students, teachers, live bird sellers, poultry farm owners and cleaners for fever and cough symptoms. We reviewed the hospital records for acute respiratory distress syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We observed live bird market practices, crow roosts and their feeding behavior, and collected cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs from moribund and dead crows, and pooled environmental samples from live bird markets (LBMs) and farms. All samples were tested for influenza A/H5, H7 and H9 by RT-PCR. The H5 prevalence was 77.4% in samples obtained from crow roosts. Among environmental samples from the LBMs, 11.1% were positive for H5 and 5.5% had co-infections with H5 and H9. Our results indicate that the H5 influenza virus is circulating in LBMs and was transmitted to crows through their feeding on the waste. We recommend that continuous surveillance in wild birds and LBMs is required to understand the virus’s evolution, transmission pathways and potential source of infection. Improved waste management practices in LBMs and public awareness are needed to reduce the risk and stop spillover of avian influenza virus to humans in Bangladesh.