ORCID Profile
0000-0001-8183-3212
Current Organisation
The University of Edinburgh
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-05-2018
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 04-11-2020
Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd
Date: 17-05-2023
DOI: 10.12688/GATESOPENRES.13369.2
Abstract: Background: The California mastitis test (CMT) is a simple cow-side indicator of the somatic cell count (SCC) in milk, providing a useful tool in identifying cases of subclinical mastitis in cattle. Mastitis, and in particular subclinical mastitis, is a major concern in Ethiopia and Nigeria, yet detection is challenging due to cost and access to commercial CMT reagents. Methods: Commercially available domestic detergents from Ethiopia and Nigeria were compared (n = 3 for each country) with the UK commercial CMT reagent in their ability to detect high SCC ( ,000 cells/ml milk). Sensitivity and specificity of the CMT test were calculated for the different detergents and positive and negative predictive values were established. Results: The average sensitivities of the tests ranged from 28-75% for the Ethiopian detergents and 68-80% for the Nigerian detergents, compared to 76% for the UK domestic detergent. Test specificities were 84-98%, 93-97% and 96%, respectively. Conclusions: Overall, the detergents demonstrated higher specificity than sensitivity. Nigerian detergents performed better than the Ethiopian products, however, the study identified suitable domestic detergents from both Ethiopia and Nigeria, comparable to the UK commercial CMT reagent, and we recommend their use as alternative CMT reagents for livestock-keepers to aid in cost-effective diagnosis of mastitis.
Publisher: CABI Publishing
Date: 17-06-2015
Abstract: Family poultry production, which encompasses both extensive and small-scale intensive management systems, is practiced by many households in low-income food-deficit countries. Despite low production levels and potentially high losses due to disease, predation and theft, scavenging systems offer the advantage of requiring minimal land, labour and capital inputs. Human undernutrition remains a major public health challenge globally, contributing to over 3 million preventable maternal and child deaths each year. Animal source foods, including poultry (meat and organs) and eggs, can provide high-quality protein and micronutrients in bioavailable forms which, even in small quantities, substantially increase the nutrient adequacy of traditional diets based on staple crops. Women are recognized as key players in family poultry production systems and successful engagement with this sector should incorporate gender-sensitive approaches. It has been shown that agricultural interventions which target women are more likely to lead to positive nutritional outcomes. A multi-disciplinary research approach, multi-sectoral involvement within government institutions and the implementation of policies which target smallholder farmers is needed in order to maximize the potential impact of improvements to family poultry systems on food and nutritional security.
Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd
Date: 20-09-2021
DOI: 10.12688/GATESOPENRES.13369.1
Abstract: Background: The California mastitis test (CMT) is a simple cow-side indicator of the somatic cell count (SCC) in milk, providing a useful tool in identifying cases of subclinical mastitis in cattle. Mastitis, and in particular subclinical mastitis, is a major concern in Ethiopia and Nigeria, yet detection is challenging due to cost and access to commercial CMT reagents. Methods: Commercially available domestic detergents from Ethiopia and Nigeria were compared (n = 3 for each country) with the UK commercial CMT reagent in their ability to detect high SCC ( ,000 cells/ml milk). Sensitivity and specificity of the CMT test were calculated for the different detergents and positive and negative predictive values were established. Results: The average sensitivities of the tests ranged from 28-75% for the Ethiopian detergents and 68-80% for the Nigerian detergents, compared to 76% for the UK domestic detergent. Test specificities were 84-98%, 93-97% and 96%, respectively. Conclusions: Overall, the detergents demonstrated higher specificity than sensitivity. Nigerian detergents performed better than the Ethiopian products, however, the study identified suitable domestic detergents from both Ethiopia and Nigeria, comparable to the UK commercial CMT reagent, and we recommend their use as alternative CMT reagents for livestock-keepers to aid in cost-effective diagnosis of mastitis.
Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd
Date: 14-03-2022
DOI: 10.12688/GATESOPENRES.13542.1
Abstract: Background: The use of artificial insemination (AI) has great potential to improve smallholder dairy herds in Africa, however high costs and often poor success rates have been discouraging. Effective AI requires accurate oestrus detection and the measurement of progesterone (P4) can be used to indicate oestrus as well as non-pregnancy. A cow-side progesterone lateral flow test, P4 Rapid , was evaluated as an aid to detect oestrus and non-pregnancy in Kenyan dairy cows, and assessed for association with AI efficiency. Methods: A total of 527 cows were enrolled in the study, from two counties in central and southern Kenya. Cattle in the test group (n = 308) were presented when suspected to be in oestrus and tested with the P4 Rapid (low P4 = oestrus, medium P4 = inconclusive, high P4 = not in oestrus regnant). Cattle with low P4 were inseminated. Cattle in the control group (n = 219) were inseminated when oestrus behaviour was detected i.e. standard practice. Results: Of the total P4 Rapid tests performed (n = 745), 1.5% were inconclusive, with the true accuracy of the test between 87-97%. Conception rates were not significantly higher in the test group (83.9%) compared to the control group (77.9%). Abortion rates were not significantly different between the control (9.5%) and test groups (8.2%). In the test group, 6.2% (19/308) cows showed a medium or high P4 level on day 0 and 9 of these were subsequently found to have been already pregnant. Conclusions: The data indicated that the P4 Rapid test can be a useful tool to assist farmer decision-making in the confirmation of correct timing for AI, and importantly may avoid unnecessary inseminations in pregnant animals, thus reducing the risk of AI-induced abortion.
Publisher: F1000 Research Ltd
Date: 20-09-2022
DOI: 10.12688/GATESOPENRES.13542.2
Abstract: Background: The use of artificial insemination (AI) has great potential to improve smallholder dairy herds in Africa, however poor success and, in some situations, high costs in Kenya, have been discouraging. Effective AI requires accurate oestrus detection and the measurement of progesterone (P4) can be used to indicate oestrus as well as non-pregnancy. A cow-side progesterone lateral flow test, P4 Rapid , was evaluated as an aid to detect oestrus and non-pregnancy in Kenyan dairy cows, and assessed for association with AI efficiency. Methods: A total of 527 cows were enrolled in the study, from two counties in central and southern Kenya. Cattle in the test group (n = 308) were presented when suspected to be in oestrus and tested with the P4 Rapid (low P4 = oestrus, medium P4 = inconclusive, high P4 = not in oestrus regnant). Cattle with low P4 were inseminated. Cattle in the control group (n = 219) were inseminated when oestrus behaviour was detected i.e. standard practice. Results: Of the total P4 Rapid tests performed (n = 745), 1.5% were inconclusive, with the true accuracy of the test between 87-97%. Conception rates were not significantly higher in the test group (83.9%) compared to the control group (77.9%). Abortion rates were not significantly different between the control (9.5%) and test groups (8.2%). In the test group, 6.2% (19/308) cows showed a medium or high P4 level on day 0 and nine of these were subsequently found to have been already pregnant. Conclusions: The data indicated that the P4 Rapid test can be a useful tool to assist farmer decision-making in the confirmation of correct timing for AI, and importantly may avoid unnecessary inseminations in pregnant animals, thus reducing the risk of AI-induced abortion.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 19-08-2022
DOI: 10.3390/ANI12162126
Abstract: Morbidity and mortality of young stock present economic and production challenges to livestock producers globally. In Ethiopia, calf morbidity and mortality rates, particularly due to diarrhea and respiratory disease, are high, limiting production, incomes, and the ability of farmers to improve their livelihoods. In this paper, we present findings from the combined experience of the Young Stock Mortality Reduction Consortium, which conducted epidemiological and intervention testing in calves across three production systems. This innovative alliance identified Cryptosporidium parvum and E. Coli K99 as the most common causes of diarrhea in pastoral and peri-urban calves Strongyloides spp. as the most common fecal parasite in mixed crop–livestock and peri-urban calves and bovine adenovirus, parainfluenza virus-3, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus as the most common respiratory pathogens in peri-urban calves. Furthermore, by improving producer knowledge with respect to fundamental livestock husbandry, feeding, housing, and neonatal care practices, calf mortality risk across production systems was reduced by 31.4 to 71.4% compared to baseline (between 10.5 and 32.1%), whereas risk of diarrhea was reduced by 52.6–75.3% (baseline between 11.4 and 30.4%) and risk of respiratory disease was reduced by 23.6–80.8% (baseline between 3.3 and 16.3%). These findings have informed scaling strategies and can potentially contribute to improved livestock productivity and human livelihoods in Ethiopia.
Publisher: CABI Publishing
Date: 2016
Abstract: Since the advent of agricultural support services, animal health programming has most often appeared as a linear and top-down activity with information and resources flowing from educated, official senders or communicators (the 'haves') to ignorant, passive recipients (the 'have nots') who work and live with animals. The lack of consideration for the experience and perception of those at the animal-human interface can negatively impact the efficacy of animal health programming. In development practice generally, and more recently in the veterinary field, the importance of open communication and participation with programme participants has been identified as integral to success. This paper reviews recent and extensive programming for rinderpest and highly pathogenic avian influenza to identify how participatory tools and approaches have been used and adapted for disease surveillance and response. In emphasizing the role that communication and local peoples' knowledge and experiences can play in shaping animal health programming, this paper contends that participatory methods can help promote both animal and human health. The success of future programming however will require greater interdisciplinary collaboration and communication, along with the integration and validation of multiple sources of evidence and knowledge. This can contribute to the development of adequate strategies for risk reduction and efficient incentives for the adoption of risk reduction guidelines.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-11-2017
DOI: 10.1111/AVJ.12645
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2017
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: Australia
No related grants have been discovered for Johanna Wong.