Case Definitions ADNIS

Ministry of Agriculture
Case definition
for
National notifiable diseases
June,2019
Addis Abab, Ethiopia
This manual is intended to assist animal health personnel in the Somali Regional State of
Ethiopia to properly define disease events and avoid misclassification of cases. It contains
case definition for 15 livestock diseases that are believed to have importance for food security,
livestock trade and public health in Ethiopia in general and in the Somali Regional State in
particular. Furthermore, it also includes protocol for livestock disease reporting in the Somali
Regional State.
The manual is prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations -
Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Unit (DRRU) in collaboration with the Federal Animal
and Plant Health Regulatory Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Livestock, Crop
and Rural Development Bureau of Somali Regional State with financial support from the
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) under
OSRO/ETH/906/USA,Improvementofpastoralists’livelihoodsofSomaliregionthrough
strengtheningacomprehensivelivestockdiseasesurveillance,monitoringandreporting system
project.
FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE)
The Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) is a multi-disciplinary technical and policy advisory centre based in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. SFE serves Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan
and Uganda -- each of which also has a country FAO Representative.
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publications and papers on the topic of this publication.
Table of Contents
Abbreviations and Acronyms...................................................................................................................4
Background................................................................................................................................................5
Definitions:.................................................................................................................................................6
Multiple species diseases.........................................................................................................................6
Foot and mouth disease (FMD)...........................................................................................................6
Anthrax...................................................................................................................................................7
Rabies (RAB)..........................................................................................................................................7
Rinderpest (RP).....................................................................................................................................8
Rift Valley fever (RVF)..........................................................................................................................8
East Coast fever (ECF)..........................................................................................................................9
Bluetongue.............................................................................................................................................9
Cattle Diseases........................................................................................................................................10
Lumpy skin disease.............................................................................................................................10
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP)..................................................................................11
Haemorrhagicsepticemia (HS)...........................................................................................................12
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).......................................................................................12
Blackleg (BL)........................................................................................................................................13
Sheep and goat diseases.......................................................................................................................13
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR)......................................................................................................13
Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP)................................................................................15
Sheep and Goat Pox (SGP)................................................................................................................15
Nairobi sheep disease (NSD).............................................................................................................16
Equine diseases.......................................................................................................................................16
African horse sickness (AHS).............................................................................................................16
Camel diseases........................................................................................................................................17
Camel pox............................................................................................................................................17
Swine Diseases........................................................................................................................................18
African swine fever (ASF)...................................................................................................................18
References...............................................................................................................................................20
Abbreviations and Acronyms
ADNIS Animal Disease Notification and Investigation System
FMD Foot-and-Mouth Disease
NAHDIC National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Centre
Office International des Epizooties/World Organization for Animal

OIE
Health
PDS Participatory Disease Surveillance
PPR Peste des Petits Ruminants
SGP Sheep and Goat Pox
TADs Trans-boundary Animal Diseases

INTRODUCTION
Evidence-based information about the status of animal diseases or their

antecedents is needed in the animal populations to apply prevention and control
strategies. In this effort, the systematic, continuous or repeated, measurement,
collection, collation, analysis, interpretation and timely dissemination of the diseases in
question in defined animal populations is very crucial. This process is called Animal
health surveillance1. When reporting is required by law, the diseases or conditions to be

reported are known as notifiable diseases or conditions2. In Ethiopia, we have some
diseases(26) considered notifiable diseases and the animal health care providers along
the disease reporting channels are expected to notify their cases. Before counting
cases, the animal health workers must decide what to count, that is, what to call a
case. Therefore, developing a standard case definition, that is, a set of standard criteria
for classifying whether an animal has a particular disease, syndrome, or other health
condition is very important. Use of an agreed up on standard case definition ensures
that every case is equivalent, regardless of when or where it occurred, or who identified
it2-3. For our surveillance purpose, three stages of case definitions were developed.
Suspected case is when the case is counted based on its clinical manifestations whereas
probable case is when the case is determined based on the combination of its clinical
manifestations, post mortem finding and epidemiological characteristics of the outbreak.
Finally, confirmed case is a case when the etiology of the disease is identified.
To define a case of disease event and reach a confirmatory diagrnosis, the standard case definition
involves results of the following four stages of investigation:
1. Clinical manifestation
2. Post-mortem findings
3. Epidemiological investigation
4. Laboratory findings
Case Definition: represents the specific clinical, post mortem, epidemiological and
laboratory criteria that must be met for a disease or condition to be notifiable.
A case definition is a set of criteria used to classify an animal or epidemiological unit as a case.
There are no rules about how sensitive or specific a case definition should be. At the early stage of an
outbreak investigation, the aim is to detect as many cases as possible. This requires a sensitive case
definition (e.g. a person with three or more loose stools in a 24-hour period). At a later stage, the clinical
picture is often clearer and the diagnosis confirmed by laboratory means. This allows the use of a more
specific case definition (e.g. laboratory-confirmed Salmonellainfection), which may then be used to
conduct further analytical studies. Criteria included in a case definition cannot be tested as a source of the
outbreak or as risk factors in subsequent analyses.
A single case definition that suits all needs rarely exists. Thus, it is quite common to change case
definitions during an investigation or to use different case definitions for different purposes. Many
investigators use the following or similar case definitions in parallel:
•
Confirmed cases that have a positive laboratory result (isolation of the causative agent or positive
serological test). This case definition has a high specificity;
•
Probable cases that have the typical clinical features of the illness but without laboratory
confirmation;
•
Possible cases that have fewer or atypical clinical features. This case definition has a high
sensitivity.
Standard case definition: is a case definition that is agreed upon to be used by

everyone within the country. Standard case definition can be classified as confirmed,
probable and suspected.
Case: Means an individual animal infected by a pathogenic agent, with or without
clinical signs.
Outbreak: Means the occurrence of one or more cases in an epidemiological unit.

CASE DEFINITIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE ADNIS
Introduction.
A case definition comprises a uniform set of criteria used to define a disease for the purposes of animal
disease surveillance and therefore enable cases to be consistently classified and counted (modified from
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC)
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR)

Etiology: Morbilivirus
Species affected: Sheep and goats, limited in camels
Stages Case definition
Stage 1: Clinical Suspect PPR in cases with:
Pyrexia, acute foul smelling diarrhea, coughing, high morbidity (can be low
in endemic areas) and high mortality (can be low in endemic areas).
Crusting round mouth and eyes.
Differential diagnoses
FMD, bluetongue and orf (mouth lesions)
Purulent eye and nose
Pasteurellosis and CCPP (respiratory distress)
discharges in a goat
Early mouth lesion showing areas of

dead cells
Stage 2: Post mortem Necrotic lesions in mouth and nose.
Engorgement and blackening of folds of large intestine (zebra striping)
Stage 3: Epidemiology In susceptible populations morbidity rates up to 90%, mortality rates of 50
– 80%. Highest in young stock.
Lower morbidity and mortality in endemic areas
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: animals in acute stage - conjunctival swabs, nasal
secretions, whole blood with anticoagulant. From carcass – mesenteric
lymph nodes, lung, spleen intestinal mucosa. Specimens to be kept cool.
Demonstration of PPR antigen in AGID.
Demonstration of PPR virus using competitive ELISA
Case classification:
if the criteria under stage 1 is met, the case will be considered as suspected PPR
If the criteria under stage 1,2 and 3 are met it will be considered as Probable PPR
if the criteria under stage 4 is met the case will be considered as Confirmed PPR
Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP)
Etiology:Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae
Species affected:Goats (very occasionally sheep)
Species affected Case definition
Stage 1: Clinical Suspect CCPP in cases with:
Pyrexia, laboured breathing, inability to move – stand with fore legs
wide apart, neck is extended and stiff, and in some cases continuous
salivation (drooling), nasal discharge, coupled with high morbidity and
case fatality rates. In the peracute form animal die in 1 to 3 days with
minimal respiratory signs.
Differential diagnoses:
PPR (mouth lesions), pasteurellosis (respiratory distress)
Stage 2: Post mortem Unilateral fibrinous pleuropneumonia, lung hepatisation (similar in
appearance to liver tissue), large volume of yellowish pleural fluid.
Enlarged and oedematous mediastinal lymph nodes.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Causal organism: Mycoplasma capricolumsubspcapripneumoniae
In naïve populations high morbidity rates, can approach 100%,
mortality rates of ca 70% affecting all age and sex groups.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: Pleural fluid, ling tissue from interface between
normal and hepatinsed tissue. Isolate causative agent in cultures of
lung tissue and / or pleural fluid. Rush to lab as agent is fragile.
Detect CCPP-specific antibodies in serum collected from a suspected
case.
Sheep and Goat Pox (SGP)
Etiology: Capripox virus
Species affected: Domestic and wild breeds of sheep and goats
Species affected Case definition
Stage 1: Clinical Suspect SGP in cases with:
Hard swellings over body surface, especially groin, axilla and perineum.
Lachrymation and nasal discharge, labored and noisy breathing.
Enlarged superficial lymph nodes. Lesions on mucous membranes of
eyes, nose and mouth.
Differential diagnoses
Papules in the mouth of
sheep PPR, orf, Pasteurellosis respiratory distress)
Necrotic lesion in the skin

of goat
Stage 2: Post mortem Often only one lung affected – severe and extensive pox lesions,
enlarged oedematous and haemorrhagic mediastinal lymph nodes.
Stage 3: Epidemiology High morbidity rates, can approach 100%, mortality rates of ca 70%
affecting all age and sex groups. Subclinical infections do occur.
Highest morbidity and mortality rates in naïve / imported stock.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: skin papule biopsy. PM papules, lung lesiions,
lymph nodes.
Isolate causative agent in cultures of lung tissue and / or pleural fluid.
Detect CCPP-specific antibodies in serum collected from a suspected
case..
Rift Valley fever (RVF)

Etiology: Bunya virus of the genus phlebo virus (mosquito born)
Species affected: ruminants and including Human beings. But highly
pathogenic for sheep and cattle, goats and camels are also important hosts.
Stage 1: Clinical Suspect RVF in cases when:
After heavy rain / flooding many abortions and high mortality rates
(70-100%) in young stock. Affected young stock show pyrexia,
weakness and bloody / fetid diarrhea, necrosis and haemorrhages in
liver.
Differential diagnosis (many)

Aborted fetus Bluetongue, Nairobi sheep disease, other causes of abortion.
Stage 2: Post mortem Small haemorrhages common in internal organs
Stage 3: Epidemiology Zoonotic disease caused by single serotype of Bunyaviridae. Vector-
borne (Culicoides spp) hence epizootics related to increased numbers
of the vector – for example, unseasonal heavy rainfall and
flooding.High morbidity.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: blood with anticoagulant. Post mortem samples
of liver, spleen and brain. Assure biosecurity of staff.
Isolate causative agent in culture, or in antigen capture ELISA.
Detect RVF-specific antibodies in serum collected from a suspected
case using ELISA.
Foot and mouth disease (FMD)

Etiology: Foot-and-mouth disease virus,an aphthovirus
Species affected: All cloven hoofed animals. Cattle more seriously affected
than small ruminant.
Stage 1: Clinical Suspect FMD in cases when:
There is lameness in a number of animals (so unwilling to move),
salivation, vesicles/lesions on tongue, gum, cheeks, lips
Cattle more seriously affected than small ruminants.
Differential diagnosis (many)

Bluetongue, PPR, (rinderpest)
Lesion on the foot and

mouth
Stage 2: Post mortem Mouth lesions. Small haemorrhages common in internal organs
Stage 3: Epidemiology Caused by picornavirus with seven serotypes and many strains / sub-
types within each. Immunity against one serotype does not confer
immunity against other serotypes. High rate of mutation (genetic drift)
complicates epidemiology and control of the disease. In naïve
populations high morbidity and low mortality in cattle (deaths mainly
in calves). Clinical signs are mild in affected populations in which (the
causal sub-type of) FMD is endemic.
Stage 4: Laboratory In laboratory equipped for containment of Group 4 pathogens.
Specimens required: ideally epithelium from unruptured or freshly
ruptured vesicles or vesicular fluid. Demonstrate FMD virus antigen
using indirect ELISA.
Demonstrate FMD non-structural antibodies using ELISA
East Coast fever (ECF)

Etiology: Theileria parva
Species affected: Cattle and buffalo (Synercuscaffa)
Stage 1: Clinical Pyrexia, anorexia, swollen lymph nodes, respiratory distress, death
usually in less than 7
Stage 2: Post mortem Swollen lymph nodes, very heavy, wet lungs with airways full of froth
(the cause of deaths). Petechial haemorhagesthroughout gastro-
intestinal tract.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Serious, often fatal (case fatality rate up to 100%) tick-borne disease of
cattle transmitted by the brown ear tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus
and caused by the protozoan parasite Theileriaparvaparva. The entire
cattle population of Ethiopia is uniformly highly susceptible to ECF and
introduction of the agent and vector would lead to one or a few index
cases and if these are not promptly detected and stamped out then
escalating numbers of cases and deaths in all age groups will follow.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: lymph node biopsy smears,
Demonstrate characteristic T. parvaschizonts in lymphocytes in lymph
node biopsy smear
Rabies (RAB)
Etiology:
Species affected: All mammals including humans
Stage 1: Clinical A fatal viral disease. The central nervous system is infected and leads
to a range of nervous signs. In dogs there are two clinical syndromes
(or a combination of these): furious rabies is characterized by extreme
behavioural changes including aggressionand attack behavior; in dumb
rabies animals show weakness, paralysis and loss of coordination
leading to respiratory failure and death. There may be salivation due to
reduced ability to swallow. The paralytic phase leads to respiratory
failure.
Infected cattle become aggressive and physically dangerous to humans.
Stage 2: Post mortem Nothing specific. Base suspicions of rabies on behavior before death. In
dogs depraved appetite may lead to unusual bodies in stomach
Stage 3: Epidemiology Infection most commonly from bite (saliva contains virus) of a rabid
animal. The incubation period varies from a few weeks to a few
months – depending on the site of the infected bite and the distance,
along peripheral nerves to the central nervous system. In Ethiopia
responsible for some 43 deaths per million persons per year (very high)
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: head on ice.
FAB (gold standard) test of brain smear. Intracellular inclusion bodies
(Negri bodies) may be seen, especially in the Purkinje cells of the
cerebellum
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP)
Etiology: Mycoplasma mycoides sub-species mycoides small colony type (bovine
biotype)
Species affected: Cattle
Stage 1: Clinical Infectious and contagious disease causing anorexia, fever, and
respiratory signs. Open-mouthed and painful breathing and coughing,
grunt on exhalation. Affected animals stand with head and neck
extended and forelegs spread apart. May be swelling of throat and
dewlap.
Differential diagnosis (many possibilities)
Extended neck and
Bovine pasteurellosis, ECF (lung lesions), bovine tuberculosis (chronic
spreading of forelegs
cases).
Stage 2: Post mortem Large quantities of straw coloured fluid in pleural cavity, pleural
adhesions. Affected lungs are solid and show marbling – often
unilateral.
Marbling appearance
of CBPP affected lung
Stage 3: Epidemiology Highly contagious disease of (mainly) respiratory system caused by
infection with Mycoplamsamycoidesmycoides.. Incubation period of 3-
8 weeks. Mortality rate can reach 50%. An outbreak typically begins
after movement of an infected animal into a naïve herd when 50% of
animals may be clinically affected. Some 25% of recovered individuals
become chronic carriers.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: nasal discharge / swabs. Post nortem – lungs with
lesions, pleural fluid, broncho-pulmonary lymph nodes.
Isolation and identification of M mycoidesmycoides using IFA or PCR.
Haemorrhagic septicaemia
Etiology: Pasteurella multocida

Stage 1: Clinical Haemorrhagicsepticaemia (HS) is a (major) disease of cattle
characterised by an acute, highly fatal septicaemia with high morbidity
and mortality rates. Swelling of neck / brisket.
Differential diagnoses: blackleg (sudden death), anthrax, pneumonic
pasteurellosis.
Stage 2: Post mortem Widespread haemorrhages, oedema head, pharynx, brisket.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Seasonal occurrence during times of stress, especially in the rainy
season. Very high case fatality rates. Individual cases difficult to
diagnose. In Africa generally sporadic but massive epizootics can occur.
In endemic areas most cases are seen in young stock.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: blood samples. Post mortem – long bone (from
which to harvest bone marrow.
Identification of agent – IHA, AGID and PCR.
Lumpy skin disease

Etiology: capripox virus
Species affected Cattle
Stage 1: Clinical Painful skin nodules 2-5cm diameter all over body which ulcerate, pox
lesions in mouth, mucopurulent discharge from eyes and nose.
LSD nodules
Stage 2: Post mortem Skin nodules, pox lesions throughout respiratory and alimentary tracts
Stage 3: Epidemiology Causal organism: capripox virus. Morbidity rates of 5 to 45%, mortality
up to 10%. Mechanical transmission by arthropods (biting flies,
possibly also ixodid ticks) and occurrence tends to be seasonal at times
(rains).
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: Skin biopsy of nodules. Post mortem – skin
nodules, lymph nodes, lung lesions
Virus isolation and identification using ELIS, PCR, FA etc.
Anthrax
Etiology: Bacillus anthracis
Species affected: Mainly herbivores but all mammals including man can be
affected
Stage 1: Clinical Zoonotic disease. Usually a peracute or acute disease manifested by
sudden death and (often) a dark colouredbloody (blood does not
readily clot) discharge from natural body openings.
Stage 2: Post mortem Carcass is bloated, absence of rigor mortis and rapid decomposition of
the carcass are seen. A post mortem examination should not be
undertaken if anthrax is suspected as cause of death.However typical
post mortem findings include widespread haemorrhages, enlarged
dark colouredand maybe semi-fluid spleen
Stage 3: Epidemiology The disease is commonest and most serious in the so called ‘anthrax
incubator areas’ with alkali calcareous soils rich in organic matterin
warm areas where the vegetative form of B anthracis can persist.
Flooding and soil disturbance in these areas can lead to severe
outbreaks of the disease (such outbreaks tend to occur infrequently).
Elsewhere the disease occurs sporadically.
Stage 4: Laboratory Blood smear carefully taken from ear vein. Characteristic uptake of
polychrome methylene blue stain on blood smears (pink capsule, blue
body) of the square-ended bacteria.
Nairobi sheep disease (NSD)

Etiology:
Species affected: Sheep and goats
Stage 1: Clinical Non-contagious viral tick-borne disease of sheep and goats
characterised by haemorrhagic gastroenteritis and high mortality rate.
The major vector is Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (not known to exist
in Ethiopia) but other ticks including R. pulchellus and Amblyomma
variegatum both of which are present in Ethiopia can serve as
vectors.Diarrhoea often leading to fetid dysentery. Mucopurulent nasal
discharge.
Stage 2: Post mortem Enlarged and oedematous lymph nodes, haemorrhagic gastro-enteritis,
lymphatic tissue enlarged with spleen several times normal size and
engorged with blood
Stage 3: Epidemiology One record of seropositive hair sheep in Harar. Otherwise not known
to exist in Ethiopia. Case fatality rates of 70 – 90% in sheep (lower in
goats). Seasonal occurrence depending upon abundance of the tick
vector. NSDV is the most pathogenic virus known for sheep.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: heparinized blood. Paired serum samples. Post
mortem – spleen mesenteric lymph ndes.
Cell culture for primary isolation followed by detection of antigen using
AGID, CF or ELISA. PCR.
Bluetongue
Etiology: Bluetongue virus
Species affected: Domestic and wild sheep (primarily), and including cattle,
goats and camels.
Stage 1: Clinical Vector-borne (Culicoides spp) viral disease. Clinical signs vary (in part
depending on virus strain) but can include haemorrhages and
ulceration in oral and nasal mucosae, excess salivation, swollen lips and
tongue(sometimes with cyanosis), inflamed coronary band (leading to
lameness), profuse diarrhea. Abortion.
Differential diagnoses: early foot and mouth disease, vesicular
stomatitis,rinderpest.
Stage 2: Post mortem Inflammation and ulceration of mucous membranes, congestion,
swellings and haemorrhages (eg on heart), coronitis, swollen lymph
nodes, swelling and congestion of liver and spleen. Haemorrhages /
petechiae on the wall at the base of the pulmonary artery are very
characteristic.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Caused by an orbivirus which has 24 subtypes. Non-contagious and
transmitted by Culicoides midges, seasonal incidence coincides with
abundance of this vector. One report of detection of bluetongue virus
antibodies in Ethiopia (9.7% in highlands, 92.9% in lowlands). Cattle
and goat infections often sub-clinical. In sheep morbidity rates can
approach 100% but usually ca 15% Mortality rates usually 2 – 30% but
can be higher.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: blood with anticoagulant. Post mortem spleen,
lymph nodes and red bone marrow.
Isolation and culture of virus (eggs and cell culture) followed by
identification of the virus preferably using monoclonal antibodies.
Antibody detection using AGID and ELISA.
Camel pox
Species affected Camel
Stage 1: Clinical Usually a fairly benign disease of camels characterized by fever, facial
oedema, and pocks on lips and teats. Young camels can suffer from a
generalized form of the disease with pocks throughout body: this may
lead to deaths.
Differential diagnoses: sarcoptic mange, contagious ecthyma.
Stage 2: Post mortem Multiple pox-like lesions on mucous membranes of mouth and
respiratory tracts which are generally 0.5 – 1.3 cms in diameter (but up
to 4-5 cm).
Stage 3: Epidemiology Caused by Orthopox virus. In adults morbidity rates typically 5 – 28%
and in young stock can be 25 – 100%.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: blood (in viraemic stage) skin biopsies. Post
mortem – tissue samples from affected organs.
PCR, ELISA, cell culture, electron microscopy.
Newcastle disease
Species affected Many species of birds, chickens are highly susceptible
Stage 1: Clinical Rapid onset of clinical signs which vary widely depending on strain
(virulence group), species, etc. The velogenic strain is the most serious
and the most common. In early stages usually see greenish / white
diarrhea, later respiratory signs including dyspnoea, cyanotic
discoloration and swelling of the head, and then nervous signs such as
torticollis and incoordination. The mesogenic strain id less serious and
the lentogenic strain is mild.
Differential diagnosis. Highly pathogenic avian influenza, infectious
laryngotracheitis, fowl cholera.
The thermotolerant I-2 vaccine should be employed far more.
Stage 2: Post mortem Petechiae in proventriculus and submucosa of gizzard are typical.
Severe inflammation of duodenum. Swollen head, etc.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Caused by avian Paramyxovius – 10 serotypes. Epidemics in rural
village poultry, can be once or twice per year depending upon breed,
age structure of populations and immunity. Seasonal, mainly rainy
season. Higher mortality rates in young birds - in one study 40 to 99%
in young birds and 27 – 78% in adults. . Three strains of one sero-type,
genomes evolve over time and become more diverse with impacts
upon virulence and pathogenicity.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: oronasal swabs, faeces. Post mortem – oronasal
swabs, specimens of lung, kidney, intestine, spleen, brain.
Virus isolation (eg in eggs) followed by identification of virus using
haemagglutination, PCR etc.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
Species affected Many bird species especially domestic poultry
Stage 1: Clinical Sudden onset, severe depression, affected birds depressed and huddle
together. Swelling and cyanosis head (eg comb and wattles) and neck.
Conjunctivitis and respiratory signs – eg open mouth breathing. May be
nervous signs
Differential diagnosis: (velogenic) Newcastle disease, fowl cholera,
infectious laryngotracheitis
Stage 2: Post mortem Oedema of head and neck, swollen and cyanotic wattle and comb,
petechial haemorrhages on serosal surfaces, widespread
haemorrhages and oedema throughout carcass. Lesions are non-
specific and multi-systematic.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Causal agents are Influenza A viruses, H5N1 and recently H5N8.
Vigilance is required as mutations (common in influenza type A viruses)
can convert a virus of low pathogenicity to one of high pathogenicity.
Sudden onset, mortality rates of up to 100%, 89% reported in Nigerian
village flocks.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: swabs from oropharynx and cloaca. Post mortem,
samples from trachea, lungs, air sacs, intestine, spleen, kidney, brain,
liver and heart.
Virus isolation and characterization –eg PCR
Infectious bursal disease (IBD), Gumboro disease

Species affected Poultry – chickens
Stage 1: Clinical Sub-clinical infection seen in chicks < 3 weeks of age in which maternal
antibodies provide protection against clinical signs but not against
infection of the bursa (of Fabricius). Damage to the bursa leads to
persistent immunosuppression and resultant poor response to
vaccines and poor defence against infectious diseases.
In birds aged 3-6 weeks of age (with a large bursal mass) acute highly
contagious disease occurs. Sudden onset, severity depends on virus
strain. Affected birds are depressed, have ruffled feathers and peck at
vent, and often have watery diarrhea. Milder in birds of 6 - 16 weeks of
age. Clinical disease can occur in birds up to ca 20 weeks of age.
Basically a disease manifested by inflammation and subsequent
atrophy of the bursa.
Stage 2: Post mortem Petechial haemorrhages in thigh and pectoral muscles, and junction of
proventriculus and gizzard. Changes in the bursa start with swelling
and presence of yellow transudate, to cream colour, to presence of
petechealhaemorrhages, to gray colour to shrinkage to 1/3 of normal
size over aperiod of 8 days. Mortality rates can be 30-40% in less than
3 days.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Caused by an Avibirnavirus. A Disease of young chickens. Morbidity
rates up to 90%. Occurs in commercial and village flocks in Ethiopia.
Mutations cause genetic and pathogenic variants that continue to
cause disease in chickens.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: Post mortem – Bursa of Fabricius.
Virus isolation and detection of antigen. AGID used to detect virus in
the bursa.
African swine fever (ASF)
Species affected Suidae. Clinical disease in domestic pigs.
Stage 1: Clinical A highly contagious haemorrhagic fever leading to a wide range of
clinical signs. Severity depends on virus strain.
Virulent strains cause high fever, depression, blueish purple
extremities (seen in white-skinned animals) and haemorrhages on ears
and abdomen. Animals then become comatose and die 2-10 days after
infection.
Infection with milder strains leads to loss of weight,pneumonia, skin
ulcers and swollen joints.
Differential diagnosis: classical swine fever, erysipelas, pasteurellosis,
acute salmonellosis.
Stage 2: Post mortem Haemorrhages in lymph nodes and internal organs,
petichealhaemorrhages in kidneys, may be enlarged friable spleen.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Caused by Asfarviridae virus. Virus persists in natural hosts (warthogs,
bush pigs and in the vector Ornithodoros ticks). Mortality rates can be
ashigh as 100%. In infections with moderate virus strains mortality
rates in range 30 to 70%.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: blood in anticoagulant. Post mortem – blood in
anticoagulant, samples fromspleen, lymph nodes, tonsils and kidney.
Many methods are used to identify ASFV including PCR, ELISA and FAB.
African horse sickness (AHS)

Species affected Equids
Stage 1: Clinical Pulmonary form: high fever, depression, frothy fluid from nostrils, signs
pulmonary oedema, respiratory failure leading to deaths. 90% case
fatality rate.
Cardiac form: High fever, conjunctivitis, abdominal pain, progressive
dyspnea. Oedema below jaw, conjunctiva and in supraorbital fossa. 50
– 70% case fatality rate.
Stage 2: Post mortem Pulmonary: pulmonary oedema, distended heavy lugs, thoracic lymph
nodes oedematous, congestion in gastric fundus
Cardiac: Petichae and eccymoses on epi- and endocardium,
hydropericardium, oedematous lungs. Gelatinous infiltration of
subcutis and intramuscular tissues.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Caused by Orbiviruswith 9 serotypes. It is vector borne (culicoides
midges, some mosquitoes, some ticks – Hyalomma spp and
Rhipicephalus spp). Seasonal occurrence depending on vector
abundance – eg after rains. Clinical disease most serious in horses, less
so in mules and donkeys.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimens required: Blood in anticoagulant. Post mortem samples
from spleen, lung, lymph nodes.
Virus isolation (suckling mice, tissue culture) and virus identification
using PCR,ELISA of Virus neutralization.
Marek’s disease
Species affected Poultry
Stage 1: Clinical Highly contagious viral (herpes) neoplastic (lymphomatous)and
neuropathic disease of chickens, primarily young birds. Several clinical
manifestations, or combinations thereof:
 Classical – asymmetrical paralysis in 1 or more limbs, in birds 16 –
35 weeks of age. CNS involvement.
 Acute – In previously uninfected flocks, depression, paralysis and
death in up to 80% of cases. In birds 4-8 weeks of age.
 Ocular – grey coloration of iris due to infiltration by lymphocytes,
unequal size of pupils, blindness
 Cutaneous – round firm lesions in reddened feather follicles
 Immunosuppression – impaired T-lymphocytes means that
affected birds are susceptible to other infections such as
coccidiosis, E coli, etc. Progressive limb paralysis and loss of ability
to stand.
Differential diagnoses: lymphoid leukosis, Newcastle disease, IBD.
Stage 2: Post mortem Depends upon clinical form. Proliferation of lymphoid tissue.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Infection results from inhalation of virus-bearing dust from skin /
feather follicles of infection birds. Young birds are the most
susceptible. Occurs in commercial and traditionally managed poultry
flocks. Widely cited as a major viral disease of poultry in Ethiopia.
Stage 4: Laboratory Serology – IFA and ELISA. Virus identification using PCR or radial
immunoprecipitation test.
Rinderpest (RP)
Species affected Cattle, buffalo, some large antelopes.
Stage 1: Clinical Fever, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharge, enlarged superficial
lymph nodes, acute diarrhea. Death in 6 to 12 days.
Stage 2: Post mortem Carcass dehydrated, emaciated and soiled with dung (from diarrhea).
Mucopurulent discharge from nostrils, sharply demarcated necrotic
lesion in mouth, zebra striping in colon.
Stage 3: Epidemiology The disease has been eradicated – official declaration of global
freedom from rinderpest made in 2011. Caused by a Morbillivirus, one
serotype and 3 lineages - lineages 1 and 2 (causing a mild disease in
cattle) were in Africa, and lineage 3 in Asia).
Mortality rates approached 100% though lower in areas where disease
was enzootic.
Stage 4: Laboratory Virus identification using AGID, ELISA.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)

Species affected Cattle
Stage 1: Clinical A transmissible slowly progressive neurological fatal disorder of cattle
that results from damage to brain tissue caused by an abnormal
infective form of a surface protein – a prion which is misfolded.
Affected animals may show: nervous or aggressive behavior,
depression, hypersensitivity to sound and touch, abnormal posture,
lack of coordination, weight loss, depressed milk yield. Death occurs
within 3 months of first clinical signs.
Stage 2: Post mortem Microscopically vacuolation and spongiform degeneration in brain grey
matter.
Stage 3: Epidemiology Not reported from Africa. Peak incidence in animal 4-5 years of age.
Typical BSE results from ingestion of feed containing prions. Atypical
BSE (not associated with infected feed) can arise from spontaneous
mis-folding of prion proteins and have been found in 13 out of 3.6
million cattle >8 years of age and 13 out of a 17 million cattle of all ages
(4 and 0.8 per million)1.
Stage 4: Laboratory Specimen required: medulla oblongata.
Diagnosis only by specific tests of brain tissue (classically from medulla
oblongata) – commercial test kits available, immunochemical and
1
Atypical BSE in France 2001 to 2007. Biacabe et al, Emerg Infect Dis, 2008 14(2), 298-300
immunohistochemical.

Case Definitions ADNIS

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Case Definitions ADNIS

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Ministry of Agriculture

FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE)

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Comments and information exchange: FAO-SFE invites comments and exchange of

ADNIS Animal Disease Notification and Investigation System

FMD Foot-and-Mouth Disease

NAHDIC National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Centre

Office International des Epizooties/World Organization for Animal

PDS Participatory Disease Surveillance

PPR Peste des Petits Ruminants

SGP Sheep and Goat Pox

TADs Trans-boundary Animal Diseases

Evidence-based information about the status of animal diseases or their

health surveillance1. When reporting is required by law, the diseases or conditions to be

Standard case definition: is a case definition that is agreed upon to be used by

Outbreak: Means the occurrence of one or more cases in an epidemiological unit.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR)

Early mouth lesion showing areas of

Necrotic lesion in the skin

Rift Valley fever (RVF)

Differential diagnosis (many)

Foot and mouth disease (FMD)

Differential diagnosis (many)

Lesion on the foot and

East Coast fever (ECF)

Stages Case definition

Lumpy skin disease

Nairobi sheep disease (NSD)

Infectious bursal disease (IBD), Gumboro disease

African horse sickness (AHS)

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)

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