ABSTRACT
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral disease caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of Capripoxvirus genus of Poxviridae family. It is a transboundary disease of the economic importance affecting cows, water buffaloes and deer. The disease is transmitted by arthropod vectors and causes high morbidity and low mortality. LSD was known to be once endemic in Saharan regions of Africa. However, over the past decade, it spread to the Middle East and Turkey. From 2015 onward, it has impacted the Balkan (southeast Europe) countries, Caucus (Eastern Europe) and Russia. LSD entered India, Bangladesh and China in July 2019. Since then, outbreaks of the disease have been reported from many Indian states and UTs namely Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir. Characteristic lumps on skin and high fever are considered as major signs while reduced milk production, infertility, early embryonic death and anorexia are some of the salient clinical manifestations of the disease. Additionally, nodules on mucosa of oropharynx, udder, genitalia and rectum are usually observed on examination.

ABSTRACT
In the present work a total of 228 pooled nasal swabs, 228 pooled tracheal swabs samples from the ailing birds and 152 pooled tracheal tissues, 152 pooled lung tissues from the dead birds were collected from the 19 suspected poultry farms in A.P. and were labelled farm wise and specimen wise. The DNA was extracted from the samples by using Trizol method. The PCR and SYBR Green real time PCR tests was standardized by targeting 16 s rRNA gene. The study found that 12 farms were found to be positive for E.coli, with percent positivity of 63.15% by PCR and 71.2% by SYBR Green Real Time PCR. Among the 12 positive farms, 92(40.35% nasal swabs),106(51.75% tracheal swabs),64 (42.10% tracheal tissues) and 72 (47.36% lung tissues) were positive for E.coli by PCR and 118(49.56% nasal swabs),128(56.14% tracheal swabs),68(44.73% tracheal tissues) and 77(50.65% lung tissues) were positive for E.coli by SYBR Green Real Time PCR, nasal swabs and tracheal swabs were positive with positivity of 40.35 and 51.75% respectively by PCR , 106 and 128, nasal swabs and tracheal swabs were positive with positivity 46.49 and 56.14% by SYBR Green Real Time PCR. This study found that the confirmatory diagnosis of respiratory infections in poultry is accurate when histopathology, isolation and molecular detection methods like PCR and SYBR Green Real time PCR are used.

ABSTRACT
The study was designed to investigate prevalence and risk factors of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) in Sonali chicken in Joypurhat District of Bangladesh. Twenty-five sonali chicken farms with sum of 33,735 birds of various age groups from five different upazila were observed for Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). The disease was diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical findings and postmortem lesions. The overall prevalence of IBD was 19.48% and mortality 5.85%. The highest prevalence 43.61% was significantly found (P<0.05) in Khetlal upazila and lowest 10.54% in kalai upazila. Chicken of 3 to 4 weeks age showed higher prevalence 21.68% than other age group. The prevalence was significantly higher in female 20.03% chicken than male 18.66%. Prevalence of IBD in sonali chicken was higher 46.15% in winter season and lowest 12.89% in rainy season. Vaccinated with AviPro® IB Ark (Elanco) significantly (P<0.05) reduces the prevalence and mortality rate of IBD. Prevalence was low in fumigated concrete farm. Treatment with a) Levofloxacine(10%) b) Vitamin-C (Ascorbic Acid-98%) c) Ph (Formic acid, Lactic acid, Propionic acid & HMTBa) d) Mollasses 5% e) Andopan significantly recovered the IBD infected chicken within 4±0.75 days. The necropsy findings of infected chicks revealed haemorrhages on thigh and breast muscles; enlarged, edematous, hyperemic and haemorrhagic Bursa of Fabricious followed by atrophy. In some cases, kidneys were found swollen. Therefore, it was concluded that susceptibility of chicks to IBD is influenced by its age, sex, season, vaccination and treatment with appropriate medicine have significant impact on Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD).

ABSTRACT
Poultry meat is one of the fastest growing components of Uganda’s meat production, consumption, and trade. However, it is estimated that more than 80 % of the small holder dominated sub-sector use traditional family-based production systems which limit production efficiency. This research analyzed the farmers’ characteristics and productivity of commercial broiler production units in Mukono District. Using a cross-sectional survey, 302 broiler farmers were randomly selected from five sub-counties of Mukono District. Data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics to characterize broiler farmers, whereas, ordinary least square regression analysis was carried out to assess factors affecting productivity of commercial broiler production units. Results showed that majority were males (53.31%) and married (92.72%). Most (60.26%) had primary as their highest level of education attained. The average age was 45 years with average household size of 7 members. Similarly; majority (91.04%) had land under poultry farming ranging from 0.25 to 3 acres. Feeds cost (P≤0.05), veterinary cost (P≤0.001), farmer’s level of education (P≤0.05), extension services (P≤0.001), age of a household head (P≤0.001), land ownership (P≤0.05), and labour type (P≤0.05), showed a positive and significant influence on productivity, whereas, poultry farming experience (P≤0.001), land under poultry farming (P≤0.001), distance to the nearest market (P≤0.05), and record keeping (P≤0.05), negatively and significantly influenced productivity. In conclusion, education level, land under poultry farming, and membership to a group were distinct among farmers who were productive and those that were not. Productivity of commercial broiler farming was majorly influenced by several farmers’ socio-economic characteristics.

ABSTRACT
Background: Detection of the virus or some of its specific components using WHO and OIE recommended standard laboratory tests is the only way to get a reliable diagnosis of rabies. Brain tissue is the preferred specimen for post-mortem diagnosis of rabies in both humans and animals. Higher biosecurity requirements, skill and transportation facilities required for collection and transport of brain or whole carcass to the laboratory is one of the reasons for the poor rabies surveillance in animals. Point of care testing with simple, reliable and easy to operate devices would be an ideal approach for providing rapid results. Methods: The study evaluated diagnostic performance of two reference tests, DFAT and RTPCR on skin specimen, to assess its suitability as an alternative of brain tissue for post mortem rabies diagnosis in animals. Brain tissue and skin sample belonging to different species of animals (n=90) collected at necropsy were compared using Fluorescent Antibody Test and RT PCR, internationally approved methods for rabies diagnosis. Results: Validation of RT-PCR on skin and DFAT on skin in comparison with DFAT on brain as gold standard gave a sensitivity of 98% (95% CI:94.1-100) and 80% (95%CI:71.8-88.2) respectively. Specificity was 100% in both tests. Conclusion: The findings highlight the potential of skin specimen for improving rabies surveillance in animals especially in resource poor countries.

ABSTRACT
This study was conducted in two locations, Kazgail and Um arada, Sheikan locality, North Kordofan State, Sudan. Objective of the study to evaluate the effects of production system on milk production and quality and calf performance. Thirty (30) dairy cattle were employed in this experiment. Cows were weighed and divided into two groups each with Fifteen (15 cow) in complete randomized design. Group A was located in Kazgail village and considered as close production system and group B in Um arada village as open production system. Data were analyzed by using T test for analysis of variance procedures and least significant difference (LSD) for mean separation. The results revealed that production system significantly (p<0.001) affected milk production, where group A had maintained higher milk yield compared with group B. the respectively milk yield were 153.60 and 65.57 Lb for Group A and B respectively. Results showed significant differences (p<0.05) between systems for the milk quality during first and second month of lactation period on fat content (4.67 vs 4.87% ) for A and B groups respectively and lactose content (4.61 vs 4.77%) for A and B groups respectively. Results revealed that calves birth weight significantly (p<0.05) affected by production system. The mean birth weights were (35.58 vs 31.98 kg) for A and B groups respectively. The study demonstrated that production system had no significant effect on weaning weight. Results showed that production system significantly (p<0.05) affect daily body weight gain. In conclusion, dairy cattle in different production system; showed variable milk production during lactation period and variation in milk composition during three month.

ABSTRACT
Surveillance of animal rabies is severely constrained in resource poor developing countries. The traditional reference method of brain testing has several limitations. Hence there is need for alternative method which is rapid, simple, sensitive and specific on a less invasive sample to scale up rabies surveillance. The present study evaluated the efficacy of Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) on skin specimen for post mortem screening of rabies in dogs. Skin sample and brain tissue of 56 dogs including two wild dogs which came for routine rabies surveillance were collected at necropsy. LFA on skin, LFA on brain and Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT) on brain were conducted. The diagnostic efficacy of LFA on skin was compared against FAT on brain, the reference method for rabies diagnosis. Correlation between LFA on skin and LFA on brain was also evaluated. The study found that LFA on skin has equal efficiency as that of LFA on brain for post mortem detection of rabies in dogs. It revealed a sensitivity of 96.6% and specificity of 100% against the traditional reference method of brain testing by FAT. Based on the results, LFA on skin looks promising as a practical field tool to improve reporting and strengthen surveillance. The findings warrant further evaluation on a large sample set under different field conditions.