Computer Vision Applied to Detect Lethargy through Animal Motion Monitoring: A Trial on African Swine Fever in Wild Boar
New research article published in Animals journal.
Early detection of infectious diseases is the most cost-effective strategy in disease surveillance for reducing the risk of outbreaks. Latest deep learning and computer vision improvements are powerful tools that potentially open up a new field of research in epidemiology and disease control. These techniques were used here to develop an algorithm aimed to track and compute animal motion in real time. This algorithm was used in experimental trials in order to assess African swine fever (ASF) infection course in Eurasian wild boar. Overall, the outcomes showed negative correlation between motion reduction and fever caused by ASF infection. In addition, infected animals computed significant lower movements compared to uninfected animals. The obtained results suggest that a motion monitoring system based on artificial vision may be used in indoors to trigger suspicions of fever. It would help farmers and animal health services to detect early clinical signs compatible with infectious diseases. This technology shows a promising non-intrusive, economic and real time solution in the livestock industry with especial interest in ASF, considering the current concern in the world pig industry.
Fernández-Carrión E., Barasona JA., Sánchez A., Jurado C., Cadenas-Fernández E., Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM.
Open access articleOpinion Article by Prof. José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno "ASF continues to tour"
The virtual edition of the SEPOR fair starts responding to the challenges in animal and public health
The measures taken against covid in pigs have been exposed (26/10/2020)
The rector Joaquín Goyache has carried out an analysis of emerging diseases and their effects on the society and the economy. In his speech, Professor José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno presented the latest advances in the development of the ASF vaccine.
II Master's Degree in Business Administration and Management focused on the Animal Health Industry
Session hosted by Prof. José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno and MSD Managing Director for Spain and Portugal, Juan Carlos Castillejo at VISAVET UCM. (23/10/2020)
This Master's, in its second edition, aimed to cover the demand for training in an area focused on the business world in the field of animal health. It is organised by the Vet+i Foundation and the ESIC Business & Marketing School, with the support of Veterindustria.
The topics covered in the session were: One Health approach, the importance of Public-Private Relations, the industry Trend, Present and Future Challenges, including a visit to the Veterinary Health Surveillance Centre (VISAVET).
IAEA organizes a Cycle of webinars to support molecular biology laboratories designated for the diagnosis of COVID-19
Sandra Barroso Arevalo has participated by teaching the following topics:
- Seminar 2. "Sampling (including transport) and sample pooling" in the Spanish and English versions "
- Seminar 3. "Interpretation of amplification results: technical interpretation of PCR results and epidemiological interpretation"
- Seminar 4. "Problem solving"
Link to the Web with the presentations: https://humanhealth.iaea.org/HHW/
Webinar on ASF organized by ChilePork, with the intervention of Prof. José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno
15/10/2020. The Professor highlighted the importance of strengthening biosecurity measures on farms with the objective of avoiding ASF.
Their interventions were: "2020, the year of pandemics", "Global situation of ASF and its health and economic impact", "The future of ASF", "The impact of COVID-19", "The importance of Biosecurity” and “Chile, a country well prepared for the future ”.