Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an evolving arbovirus reported across tropical, subtropical and temperate climatic zones globally. This study reveals prominent BEFV outbreaks in India, emerging annually during monsoons in subtropical areas accompanied by a congenial abundance of the vector population. PCR‐based detection of viral genomic RNA in the blood samples collected during outbreaks of 2018–2019 for the first time confirmed the presence of BEFV in India. Phylogenetic analysis based on the glycoprotein gene of BEFV showed the current isolates to have high sequence homology with Middle Eastern lineage with nearly 97%, identity to Turkey (BEFV Ad12/TUR) and Israel (Israel 2006) isolates.

Aim:The study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of antibodies to Capripoxviruses among small ruminants of Odisha, India.Materials and Methods:A total of 500 random serum samples collected from 214 sheep and 286 goats across 10 agro-climatic zones of Odisha, were screened using whole virus antigen-based indirect ELISA for antibodies against Capripoxviruses. Results were analyzed by suitable statistical methods.Results:Screening of 500 serum samples showed seropositivity of 8.88% and 31.47% in sheep and goats, respectively, for Capripoxviruses. The prevalence rate according to agro-climatic zone ranged from 0% (North Eastern coastal plain zone) to 48.57% (North central plateau zone) for goat pox, and 0% (Western undulating zone and North central plateau) to 22.22% (South Eastern ghat zone) for sheep pox. The difference in prevalence rates among the various agro-climatic zones was statistically significant (p<0.05) for goats, but not for sheep. Antibody prevalence rates among various districts were recorded to be the highest in Jagatsinghpur (30%) for sheep pox and Dhenkanal (80%) for goat pox.Conclusions:The study revealed serological evidence of Capripoxvirus infection in sheep and goat populations in the study area, in the absence of vaccination. Systematic investigation, monitoring, and reporting of outbreaks are necessary to devise control strategies.

The molecular characterization of three Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) isolated from backyard chickens in the state of Haryana, India, was undertaken. Two genotype II strains and one genotype XIIIc class II isolate with genome sizes of 15,186 and 15,192 nucleotides (nt), respectively, were identified.

Contagious pustular dermatitis is a disease that primarily infects small ruminants and possesses zoonotic potential. It is caused by orf virus (ORFV), a member of the genus Parapoxvirus . In this study, we evaluated an ORFV outbreak in goats in Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India, during 2017. The transboundary potential of this virus was evaluated by constructing phylogenetic trees. The complete genome sequence of an ORFV isolate named Ind/MP/17 was found to be 139,807 bp in length with 63.7% GC content and 132 open reading frames (ORFs) flanked by 3,910-bp inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). An investigation into evolutionary parameters such as selection pressure (θ = dN/dS) and nucleotide diversity (π) demonstrated that ORFV has undergone purifying selection. A total of 40 recombination events were identified, 21 of which were evident in the Ind/MP/17 genome, indicating its ability to generate new variants. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00705-022-05443-5.

A pot culture experiment was conducted to find out the effect of different inoculum levels of nematode on the plant growth and nematode multiplication on okra plant. Findings revealed that significant reduction occurred in plant growth parameters viz., shoot length, root length, fresh shoot and root weight, dry shoot and root weight of plant inoculated with 1000 juveniles and above per pot. The highest gall index and egg masses were also recorded at inoculums levels of 1000 and 10000, respectively. Nematode population in soil increased progressively with an increase in nematode inoculum level from 10 to 10000 J 2 / kg of soil. Maximum population was recorded at inoculum level of 10000 J 2 / kg of soil followed by 1000 J 2 / kg of soil which were statistically at par. The reductions in growth parameters and nematode infestations were found to be directly proportional to the inoculums level. Considering the spectacular decline in plant growth parameters and steep rise in number of galls and eggmasses in infected roots caused by Meloidogyne incognita at the inoculum level of 1000 J 2 /kg soil and above, so it is considered that 1000 J 2 M. incognita /kg soil happened to be damaging the thresh hold in okra. How to view point the article : Mahalik, J.K. and Sahoo, N.K. (2016). Effect of inoculum density of root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.).

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Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes Newcastle disease (ND) in poultry. The ND is a highly contagious disease, which is endemic in several countries despite regular vaccination with live or killed vaccines. Studies on NDV in India are mostly targeted toward its detection and characterization from disease outbreaks. A surveillance study was undertaken to determine NDV prevalence throughout the state of Haryana from March 2018 to March 2020 using a stratified sampling scheme. The state was divided into three different zones and a total of 4,001 choanal swab samples were collected from backyard poultry, commercial broilers, and layers. These samples were tested for the M gene of NDV using real-time RT-PCR. Of the 4,001 samples tested, 392 were positive (9.8% apparent prevalence; 95% CI: 8.9–10.8%) for the M gene. Of these 392 M gene positive samples, 35 (8.9%; 95% CI: 6.4–12.3%) were found to be positive based on F gene real-time RT-PCR. Circulation of NDV in commercial and backyard poultry highlights the importance of surveillance studies even in apparently healthy flocks. The information generated in this study should contribute to better understanding of NDV epidemiology in India and may help formulate appropriate disease control strategies for commercial and backyard birds.

Newcastle disease (ND), caused by Newcastle disease virus (NDV), is a contagious disease that affects a variety of domestic and wild avian species. Though ND is vaccine-preventable, it is a persistent threat to poultry industry across the globe. The disease represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in chickens. To better understand the epidemiology of NDV among commercial and backyard chickens of Odisha, where chicken farming is being prioritized to assist with poverty alleviation, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two distinct seasons during 2018. Choanal swabs (n = 1361) from live birds (commercial layers, broilers, and backyard chicken) and tracheal tissues from dead birds (n = 10) were collected and tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of matrix (M) and fusion (F) genes of NDV. Risk factors at the flock and individual bird levels (health status, ND vaccination status, geographical zone, management system, and housing) were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Of the 1371 samples tested, 160 were positive for M gene amplification indicating an overall apparent prevalence of 11.7% (95% CI 10.1–13.5%). Circulation of virulent NDV strains was also evident with apparent prevalence of 8.1% (13/160; 95% CI: 4.8–13.4%). In addition, commercial birds had significantly higher odds (75%) of being infected with NDV as compared to backyard poultry (p = 0.01). This study helps fill a knowledge gap in the prevalence and distribution of NDV in apparently healthy birds in eastern India, and provides a framework for future longitudinal research of NDV risk and mitigation in targeted geographies—a step forward for effective control of ND in Odisha.