Toxocariasis is an important cosmopolitan zoonotic disease mainlycaused by Toxocara spp., a type of soil transmitted helminth (STH) on cats and dogs. In this study, 80 soil samples were taken from four public playgrounds and six neighbourhood playgrounds in Ipoh, Perak between October and December 2016 to determine the status of soil contamination with the eggs of Toxocara spp. Results showed that 32.5% from the total soil samples were positive with Toxocara spp. eggs. Overall, five out of ten of the sampling sites were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. Besides that, the relationship between the soil condition and the occurrence of the Toxocara spp. eggs in soils were also investigated. The findings showed that increase of moisture and pH of the soils contributed to the increase of contaminationwith Toxocara spp. eggs. Sandy soils were found significantly contaminated with the eggs of Toxocara spp. compared to theother types of soil. Therefore, appropriate preventive measures such as treatment of soil, regular monitoring and deworming of dogs and cats as well as awareness programmes to the public are important.

The occurrence of veterinary drug residues in chicken meat originating from 320 small and medium scale chicken slaughterhouses in Peninsular Malaysia was determined. 637 chicken meat samples were examined for tetracycline (TCs), sulphonamide (SAs) and quinolone residues using a microbiological inhibition test and was further confirmed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS). The presence of TC residues were confirmed in 10 (1.6%) samples, and 1 (0.2%)sample was confirmed in compliance to the established maximum residue limit (MRL) for residues of quinolone. A total of 6 (0.9%) samples were above the MRL for TC. The samples were from Pulau Pinang, Terengganu and Kelantan. Among those tested in compliance, the main analytes found for TC and quinolone werechlortetracyclines (CTC), enrofloxacin and mixture of chlortetracycline (CTC) and oxytetracycline (OTC). No samples were found to contain sulfonamides residues.

Animal-to-human brucellosis transmission methods in Kajiado NorthSub - Count y, Kenya are inadequately documented. The Sub- County’s main livelihood is livestock-keeping, putting it at risk to brucellosis infections. Objective of this study was to determine the knowledge of brucellosis among animal and humanhealth workers. These workers were stationed in Kajiado North Sub-County and were the key informants of this study from whom qualitative data was collected. The data was analysed based on emerging themes, e.g. brucellosis significance in the community, livestock birthing and milk hygiene. Results revealed that brucellosis a significant disease in the community, informants were knowledgeable on the need for pre-purchase livestock examination, the need for proper disposal of livestock abortive material and on good milk hygiene measures. However, it was found that not all had adequate knowledge about brucellosis transmission through livestock birthing. The results indicated that measures to control and prevent brucellosis transmission to man, and between animals were inadequate as health workers were unable to adequately advise the community. It is recommendedthat health workers should be trained on all methods of brucellosis transmission, especially transmission during livestock births.

Infectious diseases of livestockare a major threat to global animal health and welfare and their effective control is crucialfor agronomic health, for safeguarding and securing national and international food supplies and for alleviating rural povertyin developing countries. Some devastating livestock diseases are endemic in many parts of the world and threats from old and new pathogens continue to emerge, with changes to global climate, agricultural practices and demography presenting conditions that are especially favourable for the spread of arthropod-borne diseases into new geographical areas. Zoonotic infections that are transmissible either directly or indirectly between animals and humans are on the increase and pose significant additional threats to human health and the current pandemic status of new influenza A (H1N1) is a topical example of the challenge presented by zoonotic viruses (Tomley and Shirley, 2009). Malaysia, being one of the members of the World Organisation forAnimal Health (OIE) which is responsible for setting standards for control of animal diseases. For year 2017, the list included 116 animal diseases, infections and infestations, many of which are zoonotic in nature. As such, this paper discusses the commonzoonotic infections diagnosed in the five Regional Veterinary Laboratories which are spread across the country and entrustedto carry out diagnostic tests to aid in the treatment and control of animal diseases. A total of almost half a million samples weretested comprising more than a million tests to help the Department of Veterinary Services control and eradicate economically important diseases to safeguard the animal population. Of these, zoonotic diseases comprise a small but significant entity which needs careful attention (Chandrawathani et al., 2017) Dora Tan (1981) reported that among the many zoonotic diseases prevalent in Malaysia, are leptospirosis, rabies, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, toxoplasmosis,ornithosis, Q fever and monkeypox which have been investigated at the lnstitute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur. The regional laboratories have full capability to conduct tests to confirm parasitic, viral and bacterial infections except for rabies andavian influenza, which was diagnosed in the Veterinary Research Institute. However, preliminary tests for avian influenza wascarried out in regional laboratories.

Ear mite (Otodectes cynotis)is a very common cause of otitis externaand it is one of the clinically importantdiseases of cats and dogs. A study on earmite infestation was carried out on straycats around the vicinity of Kota Bharutown. This study was done to establish theincidence of positive infections by directsmear of skin scrapings from cats. A total of34 skin scraping and ear swab samples weretaken from stray cats around Kota Bharu,Kelantan. The study was conducted in fourlocations around the Kota Bharu district,namely; Pasar Pasir Tumbuh, Pasar MedanBuluh Kubu, Kampung Kraftangan andRural Transformation Centre in Tunjung.A total of 7 samples from RTC Tunjungarea were positive for these mites, observedunder the microscope. This area also hasa wet market where the stray cats live andas the environment is damp and dirty, it isthe perfect environment for the spread ofthe mites. This information is vital for thecontrol of stray animal populations whichindirectly affect human health.

Malaysia has experienced four waves of H5N1 outbreak but no humandeaths were recorded which is in 2004, 2006, 2007 and latest outbreak in 2017 at Kelantan. The objective of this paper is tocollect, analyse and summarise the data of HPAI cases from the outbreak from 1 March to 22 June 2017. A total of 1,634 cases, 8,544 samples were received at the Registration Unit and Virology Section, Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Kota Bharu (RVLKB) for diagnosis and surveillance of H5N1 during this period. The samples received were pooled organs and intestines from post-mortem (41 cases) and cloaca swabs in tryptose phosphate buffer from surveillance (1,593 cases), which were sent to RVL, Kota Bharu and Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh, Perak (VRI). They were processed and diagnosed using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT qPCR) technique to detect and subtyping of the virus. Total positive cases for H5N1 were 53 out of 1,634 with 18 diagnostic cases and 35 surveillance cases. All positive cases during outbreak were detected from 43 locations from six districts of Kota Bharu, Bachok, Pasir Puteh, Pasir Mas, Tumpat and Tanah Merah, with 19 locations in Kota Bharu which is thehighest affected by H5N1, seven locations in Bachok, four in Pasir Putih, six in PasirMas, six in Tumpat and one in Tanah Merah. Many factors could have led to the acute spread of the virus between the districts like chicken smuggling, legal and illegal poultry trade, migration of infected wild birds and others. Understanding the source of outbreak and how it spread is important to control, eradicate and prevent the spread of the disease as it is zoonotic and infects human.

Stray dogs are carriers of several zoonotic diseases such as leishmaniasis and canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) as a result of poor nutrition, low hygienic conditions and lack of veterinary care. Thus, the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) conducted a survey to determine the parasite pathogens such as blood protozoans, gastrointestinal parasites and ectoparasites in stray dogs with the collaboration of the Kuala Lumpur City Council Pest Control Unit. Skin, organ, faecal and blood samples were analysed and results indicate that Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis and microfilaria of Dirofilaria immittis are the common parasites species found in the blood and organ samples in 2014. The faecal floatation technique showed the presence ofhelminth ova such as Trichuris, Ancylostoma and Toxocara species. All skin samples were positive for Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. As strays are closely linked to human habitats such as market and housing areas, it is vital that stray population control is strategically implemented to safeguard these common zoonotic infections from spreading to humans.

Salmonella is known as one of the important food-borne pathogenthat causes salmonellosis in human and animals worldwide. A prevalence study on salmonellosis was conducted on wild rats in Kelantan. From April to June 2015, a total of 36 rats and house shrews sent to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Kota Bharu, Kelantan were examined for the presence of Salmonella. These animalswere caught from various locations in the state and were sent to the laboratory either as live or dead specimens. Post mortem wasconducted and intestines were taken for detection of salmonellosis. Results showed that of the 32 rats and 4 shrews examined, 5 (15.6%) rats and 3 (75%) shrews were found positive and on serotyping fourserotypes of Salmonella were identified which are Salmonella ser. Kalamu (62.5%), Salmonella ser. Thyphimurium (12.5%), Salmonella ser. Weltevreden (12.5%) and Salmonella ser. Brancaster (12.5%). In conclusion, positive identification of Salmonella in wild rats indicates that there is a possible transmission of the pathogento humans due to constant contact between the two. Thus appropriate measures are needed to control these pests population to prevent spread of diseases to the humans and animals.

Human brucellosis, a neglected zoonosis is endemic in KajiadoCounty in both man and livestock. The Kajiado County community’s mainlivelihood is livestock-keeping which puts it at risk. The study objective was to determine the community’s knowledge and practices, and the association between the two in relation to brucellosis. Results revealed three predictors of practices the community undertook that put them at risk of contracting brucellosis. The predictors were respondent’s education status (p=0.002 [CI 0.272-0.749] OR 0.451), knowledge of importance of pre-purchaselivestock breeding soundness (p=0.007 [CI 1.207-3.356] OR 2.013), and knowledge that livestock abortions could result in human disease (p=0.027 [CI 1.070-2.974] OR 1.783). This meant that respondents without formal education were nearly half less likely to undertake practices that prevented transmission of brucellosis than those withformal education. Respondents who knew that livestock examination was important for breeding soundness were twice more likely to engage in practices that prevented brucellosis transmission than those whodid not know. Respondents who knew that livestock abortions could lead to diseases in man were nearly twice more likely to engage in practices that prevented transmission of brucellosis than those whodid not know that livestock abortions could lead to diseases in man. It was concluded that the community’s knowledge and practices that promote brucellosis were inadequate. Two key recommendationswere drawn. There was need to create awareness in the community on the risk factors and practices that contribute to occurrence of human brucellosis. There was need for using qualified animal health providers to mitigate the disease in animals.

Brucellosis in goats is mainly caused by the bacterium Brucellamelitensis, which is one of the most important pathogenic species in the world. In Malaysia, the annual prevalence data of brucellosis was recorded in goats and the control strategy of the disease basedon test and cull of infected animals. This strategy has caused huge economic losses to farmers and government alike. Therefore, whole genome sequencing of B. melitensis local strain is essential forimproving the current vaccine. B. melitensis strain VRI 6530/11 wasobtained from veterinary research institute biobank, Ipoh. The strain was submitted for classical identification procedures and the total genomic DNA was extracted by using DNeasy blood and tissue kit(QIAGEN). The concentration and purity of DNA were determined by using agarose gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometer (DNA/RNA) assay respectively. The genome was sequenced by using IlluminaHiSeq platform with insert size ~200 bp. A total of 1.0 Gb data was generated from the sample. More than 95% of sequencing data was retained in the sample after quality filtering, this indicatethe sequencing reads are of high quality. Final assembly had 33 scaffolds with total size ~3.28 Mb, 44 contigs, GC content is 57.25%, N50 is 293,291. A total of 3,238 protein coding genes, 48 tRNAs and 3rRNAs were predicted and over 87% of the genes were functionally annotated. Genome sequencing of a local B. melitensis strain is the first of its kind in Malaysia and work from this study can contribute towards the development of a new effective vaccine for the control ofthe disease in the country.