Source: NAF : 4D
¶ Unlike the danger of emerging human diseases directly resulting from disrupted infrastructure and living conditions following the earthquake in Haiti, the concern regarding livestock disease presents a different challenge. Haitian livestock production consists mainly of small-holder farms that grow crops and livestock primarily for their own consumption. Excess livestock are sold at market or used as a ‘bank account’ of sorts for payment and trade. Therefore, a major hurdle is obtaining baseline information about the type of livestock, the number of animals, their condition, and various production challenges faced by rural families in the different geographical regions in Haiti. Prior to the earthquake, livestock were already stressed by forage/feed limitations, parasite loads, vitamin and mineral deficiencies or excess, and lack of farmer education regarding production methods. Additionally, livestock feed sources are usually at their lowest point around February due to the dry season and crop harvests, thereby making the timing of the earthquake even more of a strain on an already stressed system. The potential destruction of animal shelters and neglect of normal production practices following the earthquake could present additional challenges and further decrease livestock growth, reproduction, and milk production. March and April begin the primary breeding season for goats and cattle in Haiti, therefore, additional stressors could cause detrimental effects upon this cycle’s kid and calf crop.
¶ Producer perspective might also not match with the true nature of disease risk in the livestock population. A previous study (1,2) of livestock diseases and production methods (from 1993 – old, I know, but it’s the only one I could find) describes how livestock owners were less likely to recognize production-related diseases as true problems; instead, catastrophic diseases like anthrax (‘Malcharbon’) were cited by Haitian farmers as the ‘most seen’ and ‘most serious’ of cattle diseases, even though the actual incidence is quite low. Parasitism (internal and external), feed deficiencies, and vitamin/mineral imbalances were observed to be the most serious production-related conditions; these were probably not as recognizable to producers, since they were chronically present for many years.
¶ Other disease concerns for the Haitian population include those affecting working animals and a variety of zoonotic diseases. Poor health of horses and donkeys translates directly to decreased productivity and livelihoods of their Haitian owners as they are relied upon to transport people, goods, water, etc. Zoonotic organisms like rabies, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, campylobacteriosis, escherichia coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus also pose significant risk to both animal and human populations – especially if milk is not pasteurized.
¶ As mentioned in the previous post, Ag in the Aftermath: Dearth of Haitian Agricultural Baseline Information, the sudden migration of Haitians out of the urban centers and back into the rural areas poses a risk of overburdening an agricultural system which was already stressed. The increased population numbers in rural areas also increases the risk of food-borne and/or zoonotic disease transmission among this new population, since already limited food safety and production practices were likely disrupted following the earthquake.
¶ So, what might be the current animal disease priorities for Haiti? In some cases, it’s very species-specific; however, I’ve selected some of the most significant that come to mind that are also, in general, multi-species in origin. The following is in no way a comprehensive list.
¶ I’ve struggle with the most intuitive way in which to classify them, but there remains overlap due to the nature of the system/diseases:
Production-related Diseases:
- Parasitism: Parasites are a major animal production problem worldwide, and in Haiti even more so. Internal parasites can cause a myriad of physical problems, to include anemia, decreased feed utilization, decreased growth, decreased production, and even death. The aforementioned study describes presumptive anemia caused by internal parasites of 42% in Haitian goats and 19% in Haitin cattle. This doesn’t take into account other outcomes associated with such parasites. In cattle, parasites such as liver flukes can cause a series of signs ranging from decreased production to fatal Clostridial disease. External parasites, such as ticks, can transmit diseases like Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis. In horses, West Nile Virus is spread through mosquitos. In general, the primary concern regarding internal parasites relates to decreased thrift.
- Malnutrition/Undernutrition: Haitian livestock were nutritionally stressed prior to the earthquake. Disruption in normal social functions following the event could lead to additional decreases in livestock growth, reproduction and milk production, especially since February has been reported as the lowest point in the year for feed availability. Support to animal nutritional intake will be critical in the months to come.
- Vitamin and Mineral Disturbances: Some regions in Haiti exhibit deficiencies and excesses of various nutrients in the soil, crops, and subsequently those animals that are raised on the forage. Previous studies examined vitamin and mineral concentrations in Haitian cattle and goats, which were significantly deficient in phosphorus, as well as partially deficient in vitamins A and E. The calcium content of feed was also shown to be quite elevated, thereby creating a disturbed calcium to phosphorus ratio, which can have a serious effect on growth, milk output, and fertility.
- Reproduction Dysfunction: Brucellosis and feed/mineral/vitamin deficiencies/excesses constitute the major reproduction-related disease risks for future livestock production. Brucellosis (see below) is also a zoonotic disease, causing serious human infection worldwide. Nutrition, parasite load, and disease states all factor into the capacity for livestock to reproduce. At the basis of things, sex is a luxury; if other factors are taxing an animal, their capacity to reproduce is greatly diminished. Production factors and human intervention (or lack thereof) are also major contributions. March and April constitute the initiation of the primary breeding season for goats and cattle in Haiti, therefore, factors associated with additional infrastructure disruption in Haiti will have a large influence on successful livestock reproduction. Support to nutritional requirements, recognition of estrus in cycling females, reduction in parasite loads, and vitamin/mineral supplementation will all have positive influence on determining the next year’s animal crop. Basic education and mineral supplementation, coupled with deworming programs might significantly increase production, but only if enacted fairly rapidly prior to the breeding season.
- Classical Swine Fever: A highly infectious disease of pigs that can have up to 90% mortality, CSF is considered enzootic in Haiti and has the potential to significantly affect swine population with the disrupted infrastructure and production systems. CSF can also be spread through feeding of uncooked garbage and infected pork products, such as sausage.
Zoonotic Diseases:
- Rabies: Rabies is of continuing concern regarding packs of dogs in the urban centers affected by the earthquake. Only a small proportion of the dogs in Haiti (Port-au-Prince has an estimated 150,000) have been vaccinated against rabies. This is, and will continue to be, an ongoing human and animal health concern, especially since stray dogs in packs will tend to become more aggressive and have different interactions now that their normal food supplies are disrupted.
- Brucellosis, Campylobacteriosis, E. coli, Salmonella: These constitute major food-borne/milk-borne illnesses associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk and contaminated food. Exposure to increased populations and increased demand for meat and milk in rural areas following the migration out of the cities poses a increased human health risk.
- Leptospirosis: Lepto can cause significant disease in animals, depending on whether it is a host-adapted strain or not. However, it is considered a serious human pathogen, usually associated with water or soil contamination post-disaster. Changes to human-animal contact due to disrupted infrastructure in Haiti increases the risk to the human population. Rodent, dog, and livestock urine (and milk) are sources of potential infection.
- Tuberculosis: Mycobacterium bovis, which can also affect humans, can be passed from cattle through unpasteurized milk. While I was unable to find information pertaining to the prevalence of M. bovis in Haiti, the organism is present worldwide in developing countries and can cause tuberculosis in humans.
- H1N1: H1N1 influenza is a both a human and animal concern following the Haiti earthquake, particularly with the migration of people from major urban centers to rural areas. H1N1 is now being show to affect humans, pigs, birds, dogs, cats, etc. While most rural-area production (e.g. swine production) consist of small-holder farms and not intensively managed production, the movement of people and animals post-earthquake poses ongoing risk for both human and animal transmission. Due to the nature of the production system, however, most animals are not confined to large groups in close quarters, thereby reducing risk of transmission among animal populations.
- West Nile Virus: WNV is mentioned here due to it’s potential impact on the working animals of Haiti, horses and donkeys. It manifests in horses, which are a rather susceptible species, as primarily neurological signs that can progress to permanent incapacitation and death. (also a Vector-borne Disease)
- HIV/AIDS: I decide to include HIV in this list, due to the potential increased risk for zoonotic infection in those who are immune-compromised. HIV/AIDS in the Haitian population can contribute to increased susceptibility to zoonotic disease and therefore, vulnerable populations should be monitored closely.
Vector-borne Diseases:
- Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis: Tick-borne disease causing acute anemia, abortion, sudden death, etc. These diseases are of major concern for multiple species, but in the context of food security, bovine disease is of primary concern.
References:
1. HP Veit, McCarthy F, Friedericks J, Cashin M, Angert R. A survey of goat and cattle diseases in the Artibonite Valley, Hait, West Indies. Rev Elev Med Pays Trop. 1993;46(1-2):27-38.
2. HP Veit, McCarthy F, Friedericks J, Cashin M, Angert R. The relationship of Haitian small farm management to goat and cattle diseases. Rev Elev Med Pays Trop. 1993;46(1-2):39-45.
