Detection of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides in cases of suspected animal poisoning from 2022 to 2025
Tzu-Ming Huang
Abstract
A total of 611 suspected animal poisoning cases were submitted from local animal disease control centers and animal welfare organizations from 2022 to 2025. Organophosphate and carbamate pesticides were detected using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Carbamate pesticides were detected in 131 cases and organophosphate pesticides in 32 cases. Carbofuran was the most commonly detected pesticide and was found in 68 cases. Other detected compounds included methomyl (56 cases), terbufos (16 cases), phorate (16 cases), carbaryl (1 case), and propoxur (1 case). In addition, carbofuran and methomyl were detected simultaneously in 5 cases. Dogs were the predominant species involved in the positive cases (104 cases, or 64%). The other species involved included wild birds (40 cases), cats (12 cases), pigs and macaques (3 cases, respectively), and goats (1 case). These toxicity test results provide information for the public about welfare and environmental sustainability, serve as a reference for revising relevant agricultural policies, and promote animal protection and environmental sustainability concepts.
Development and Evaluation of Differential Diagnostic Assays for Taiwan Bat Lyssaviruses 1 and 2
Shu-Chia Hu
Abstract
Taiwan Bat Lyssavirus 1 (TWBLV-1) was first detected in Pipistrellus abramus in Taiwan in 2016, followed by the first detection of Taiwan Bat Lyssavirus 2 (TWBLV-2) in Nyctalus plancyi velutinus in 2018. As of April 2026, through a multi-agency surveillance network, Veterinary Research Institute has tested a total of 915 submitted bat specimens. Among these, four P. abramus were found to be infected with TWBLV-1, while two N. p. velutinus were positive for TWBLV-2. To establish a rapid method for differentiating the two virus species, this study developed a differential RT-qPCR assay targeting sequence variations within the nucleoprotein (N) gene of TWBLV-1 and TWBLV-2. Additionally, five commercially available FITC anti-rabies conjugates were evaluated for their performance in detecting TWBLV-1 and TWBLV-2. The results demonstrated substantial differences in the suitability of these reagents for the detection of the two viruses. The findings of this study provided valuable information for bat lyssavirus surveillance and for the selection of appropriate diagnostic reagents in Taiwan.
Participation in the Regional Workshop on Lumpy Skin Disease, Peste des Petits Ruminants and Other Priority Transboundary Animal Diseases in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Jen-Chieh Chang
Abstract
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) are important transboundary animal diseases listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). In recent years, both diseases have continued to spread across Asia, posing significant impacts on the livestock industry and international trade. To strengthen regional cooperation and enhance the capacities of Member Countries in disease prevention and control, the WOAH Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific (RRAP) and the Sub-Regional Representation for South-East Asia (SRR-SEA) jointly organized the Regional Workshop on Lumpy Skin Disease, Peste des Petits Ruminants and Other Priority Transboundary Animal Diseases in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 15 to 17 June 2026. The workshop brought together veterinary authorities from WOAH Member Countries in the Asia-Pacific region, international experts, and WOAH Reference Laboratories. The programme covered the global and regional epidemiological situations of LSD and PPR, animal health surveillance, maintenance of disease-free status, laboratory diagnosis, regional strategic planning, One Health collaboration, and capacity building. Breakout sessions involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) were also conducted to complete stakeholder analyses, SWOT analyses, and priority action planning for LSD and PPR. In addition to sharing Taiwan's achievements in the surveillance, prevention, and control of LSD and PPR, participation in the workshop also provided valuable insights into regional disease risk trends and future WOAH policy directions. The workshop concluded that LSD is gradually becoming an important endemic disease in Asia, while PPR has entered a critical stage of the Global Eradication Programme. Maintaining disease-free status, implementing risk-based surveillance, strengthening laboratory networks, and promoting international cooperation will be the key priorities for future disease prevention and control, and the outcomes of this workshop provide valuable references for strengthening Taiwan's surveillance of transboundary animal diseases, disease control policy planning, and international collaboration.