Fight against noncommunicable diseases

Thirty-six million people die each year from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease and stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. On 19-20 September 2011, global leaders are meeting at the United Nations in New York to turn the tide on NCDs.

Source: WHO

Cerebral Coenurosis in Sheep in Ethiopia

In a survey carried out in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) from November 2010 to March 2011, 4.7% (21/445) sheep were found affected with coenurosis. The prevalence of Coenurus cerebralis was 2.7% in males and 5.1% in females, though the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).. Postmortem examination revealed 1 to 5 cysts in each animal. The great majority of the cysts (94.4%) were located in the cerebral hemisphere while 5.4% were on both sides of the middle cerebellar hemisphere. A retrospective analysis of sheep slaughtered at the Institute during the last 13 years revealed 3.4% to 8.9% prevalence of the disease. Total annual financial loss due to condemnation of slaughtered animal brain or carcass was estimated at 8330 Ethiopian Birr (490 US$). The study indicates coenurosis to be an important parasitic disease resulting in great economic loss. 

Authors:
Asefa Deressa, Tesham Tilahun*, Ayele Tadesse*, Gashaw Gebrewold, Mekoro Beyene, Sileshi Negatu*
Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute, Addis Ababa, *Gondar University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Contributing author: Asefa Deressa, EHNRI, Addis Ababa

Bird Flu rears its head again

29 August 2011, Rome 

FAO today urged heightened readiness and surveillance against a possible major resurgence of the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza amid signs that a mutant strain of the deadly Bird Flu virus is spreading in Asia and beyond, with unpredictable risks to human health. 

The H5N1 virus has infected 565 people since it first appeared in 2003, killing 331 of them, according to WHO figures. The latest death occurred earlier this month in Cambodia, which has registered eight cases of human infection this year - all of them fatal.  Since 2003, H5N1 has killed or forced the culling of more than 400 million domestic poultry and caused an estimated $20 billion of economic damage across the globe before it was eliminated from most of the 63 countries infected at its peak in 2006. However, the virus remained endemic in six nations, although the number of outbreaks in domestic poultry and wild bird populations shrank steadily from an annual peak of 4000 to just 302 in mid 2008. But outbreaks have risen progressively since, with almost 800 cases recorded in 2010-2011. 

Source: FAO

Reward Scheme for Whistle Blowers for Information on Cases of Food Adulteration

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is in the process of drafting a reward scheme for whistle blowers for information on cases of food adulteration. It has invited suggestions from all stakeholders including public in this regard by 07-09-2011. 

Source: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

The Food Safety and Standards Regulations Come into Force

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has notified the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011 in the Gazette of India dated 1st August 2011. The following Regulations come in force on or after 5th August 2011.

• Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 
• Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 
• Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 (Part I, Part II) 
• Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2011 
• Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 
• Food Safety and Standards (Laboratory and Sample Analysis) Regulations, 2011