Why travel insurance is important – Part 2

Travel insurance is a very vital part of travelling. It makes travel easier more pleasurable and more memorable. I have travelled to many parts of the world and have experienced the need of it. Once you leave your home to a faraway place you have always dreamt to visit, you might have different experiences than what you have heard, read or dreamt about. First of all you must purchase insurance with the airlines or the shipping company, if it is not included in your travel pacakage by your tavel agent. It not very expensive but it is a small part of the whole travel package. There is a very good possibility of loosing your luggage if you have to change your flight. Sometimes the baggage gets delayed for days in that event your travel insurance will be of help. Sometimes you might loose it for good. In that event you can contact your travel insurance and if you have declared the price of the articles that you were carrying, then you get the money for the lost articles. It is quiet possible you might get hurt or meet with an accident in the place you are travelling and you have to visit a doctor there and even extend your stay in that new place. In that case having travel insurance is of grave importance. The place that you visit could have a alltogether different waether i.e. if you live in a temperate place and visit a desert and if its your first time you might experience medical problems like heat stroke if you go out to hike for example in Australia. You might have a similar problem if you go up in the mountains to climb over the mountain peaks and experience breathing problems because of lack of oxygen if its your first time. If you live in the plains and the places you visit are different then you may take time to get acclimatised. You may catch cold or have fever or food allergies for which your travel health insurance will be of great help. It gives you the freedom to see a local doctor there, get medicines make yourself healthy again and resume with your travel. If you are used to eating just your food where you live, you might get allergies to some foods or drinks in a new place, which none of your friends have ever talked about.

I will give an example of my own. I was hiking on a rugged mountainous path in a remote area far from home. I was in my full hiking gear, I had hiking boots, clothes and my back pack had the first aid kit. While going uphill the hiking path got narrow and I started touching the the branches of small trees and shrubs close to me. One of the branch had thorns coming out of it and it touched, slided and scracted my arm. I immediatlly opened my first-aid kit and bandaged that part. Upon returing to the hotel I had a reaction in whole body. I had red spots and itching. I had forms given to me by my tavel agent to see a doctor. I filled the forms and gave them to the receptionist at the hotel lobby. She contacted me to a doctor, who examined me and told me that I am having an allergic reaction in my body after the the scratch I had by the branch of the tree that I came in contact with. He gave me some medicines and asked me to take rest for twenty four hours. I did just that and found myself healthy and ready for more adventure the next day. I was really glad that I had purchased the travel insurance and travel health insurance prior to my travel.

Laos Travel Tips: Getting there and getting around

Laos suffers from a terrible misconception that it is a difficult country for travelers. This misconception is perpetuated by its neighbors, mainstream travel media, and many “official” travel guides. Laos is not extensively sold over the internet, and the government is a bit anti-social, which does not earn it points with tourism officials and visiting diplomats. However, traveling to Laos and traveling within Laos is not difficult and for the most part travel within the country is not expensive, either.

The first point to be taken care of when traveling to Laos is the visa. You will need one, but how to get one? Laos does not maintain a large network of embassies, but it does require a visa for entry. Not having a local embassy to visit, many travelers write off the country because they believe that you can’t get in without a visa. However, rather than maintain an expensive embassy network, Laos has opted for a much more direct path that is the soul of simplicity. Upon arriving in the country, you purchase a visa directly from customs officials. It is $50 USD, payable in cash, for the very fancy stamp. There are not waiting times, interviews, or required documents. However you arrive, at the first border checkpoint you simply state your desire for entry, pay the fee, get the stamp, and go on your way. The entire entry process takes less than 10 minutes.

Moving beyond the visa barrier, let us return back to the logistics of traveling to and within the country. You can travel Laos by air, bus, or boat. Which method you select depends both on the season and your personal appetite for adventure.

Traveling by air, one arrives in Laos at either the capital, Vientiane, or in the main tourist attraction of Luang Prabang. Flights to both are available daily from Bangkok, Hanoi, and Phnom Penh, primarily on Lao Air although other regional carriers also serve the country. Weekly flights are available from Chang Mai, Siem Reap and a number of other secondary cities throughout Southeast Asia. For internal flights between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, daily service is available for less than $100 each way with a flight time of less than an hour.

A caveat on air flights: Online purchases are limited. It has historically been necessary to work with a travel agent to book tickets, so many travelers wait until they are in SE Asia to buy these tickets. Purchased 2-3 days in advance, prices will still be less than $200, even for one way tickets. Same

Discover Thailands Priceless Beauty

The Benjarong is Thailand’s priceless contribution to Asian pottery. Once the prized possession of royal palaces and upper-class Thais, it is today, the pride and perfection of ancient Thai craftsmanship.

But what exactly is the Benjarong and why does it possess such magical qualities with sheer beauty and serenity? Read on to unravel the history and making of this ancient masterpiece.

History of the Benjarong

During the early Ayutthaya period (1350 – 1767), Thai craftsmen made a somewhat crude multi-colored earthenware known today as the Benjarong – a term based on the Sanskrit words panch, meaning five, and rang, meaning colors, thus literally referring to the ‘five-colored.’ The style of painting multi-colored enamels on a white porcelain base was influenced by the Chinese Ming dynasty, and by the 17th century, the Benjarong became an exclusive household possession of rulers and high nobility – marking a period where high quality Benjarongs with unique Thai designs were produced. Colored enamels added over the glaze were fused to the surface in a descending scale of temperatures. The Benjarongs were also decorated with swirling flame-like motifs and Thai-style thepanoms, or celestial beings. These were made exclusively for the royal household as utilitarian items, such as rice bowls, stem plates and covered water jars. Shortly after, artisans applied 12 or 18 carat gold onto Benjarongs to enhance their appearance.

The Making of a Benjarong

The making of the Benjarong is a long and arduous process requiring great patience and complete dedication. A prolonged heat treatment is required after the object is made, and once again after the hand painting is done. The drying process of the hand painting cannot be accelerated by using a fan or blower, as this prevents the colors from fusing into the ceramics.

The process:

1.The ceramic ware is hand made into the specific size and shape desired.
2.The ceramic ware is heated at over 500 degrees for over 6-7 hours.
3.A few hours is spent on polishing the baked ceramic ware to smoothen the surface.
4.A thin layer of glaze is applied onto the smoothened ceramic ware.
5.The ceramic ware is heated once again to give it a glazed and polished surface.
6.A craftsman then hand paints some designs onto the polished ceramic ware.
7.Every color needs to be completely dried in order to apply a new color, taking from hours to days to complete.
8.The finished hand painting on the ceramic ware is left to dry for another 6 hours.
9.The painted ceramic ware is heated once again at over 500 degrees for 5-6 hours, as this ensures that the colors are fused into the Benjarong.

The Benjarong today is one of the most popular types of ceramics in Thailand. Known to be the most exquisite for its hand painted designs, it is of little wonder that these masterpieces are exclusively produced by only the most talented and highly skilled of Thai artisans.

Holidays – Adventures in India.

If you are looking to go on holiday somewhere a bit different this year why not consider India as your destination?
Just the name of this country immediately sends your imagination into a frenzy of spicy aromas, endless activity and colourful culture. From the glorious frozen sights you can find in the Himalayas to the sun soaked sands of Goa, India’s drastically different landscapes clash just as perfectly as its modern and traditional cultures.

There are not many holidays where you can expect to see the latest sports car pull up next to a cart being towed by a couple of cattle. The open relationship India has between modern living and traditional values is unlike anywhere else on the planet, and yet it still works. You can easily find chic Manhattan style bars and restaurants between time beaten ruins on the high streets of Delhi, and it takes a little time to get used to.

Depending on your budget your stay can be very different when in India. You could decide to stay in one of the thousands of standard hotels dotted around the country that offer basic yet comfortable rooms at very agreeable prices. However if your wallet allows it you could really spoil yourself and lather in luxury in one of the 5 star hotels in the cities. The standard of these is pretty much the same as any western city, but you will (depending on your currency) likely be paying less than you would for a night in London or New York.

If you are a student or on a gap year, India is certainly a good option for it’s cheap holidays. There youth hostels and young peoples housing in virtually every part of India at very low costs. You can expect to have the bare minimum of amenities due to most of these buildings being fun by families and not businesses, but the experience of fending for yourself with friends is extremely rewarding.

So, depending on if it’s last minute holidays to India you’re looking for or luxury breaks in the sun – there is a huge selection of breaks you can book online.

Just be sure you don’t forget to take some snap shots while on safari watching for Tigers, or miss the majesty of the Taj Mahal in Agra, you should sample the surprisingly modern club scenes in the major cities and of course take the time to sample some truly amazing food. India quite possibly has it all!

So depending on if it’s last minute holidays to India you’re looking for or luxury holidays in the sun – there is a huge selection of luxury and cheap holidays you can book to India.

Travel Insurance – Get Cracking With Backpacking

Backpacking is a popular method of holidaying, enjoyed by all ages – from students to young professionals.

Whether it be trekking through Thailand, surfing the coasts of Australia or exploring the more spiritual side of India, these trips offer the opportunity to get away from it all and experience other cultures.

But travelling on a budget means that backpackers have an increased risk of crime and suffering some kind of injury abroad – from slips and trips to nips and bites from the local fauna.

It is important to ensure that suitable travel insurance is in place before setting off on such an excursion. Before setting off, travellers should be wary of the costs involved and also ensure they have the correct type of cover for their trip.

There are a number of different cheap travel insurance policies which are specially tailored to meet the needs of backpackers. These policies cover a wide range of factors associated with travelling, and can vary in timescales – ranging from a week to two years.

Backpacker policies can prove to be more affordable than single trip travel insurance policies. It is advisable that potential packers double check the policies and ensure that a number of factors are in place to help cover them through their trip:

• Emergency Medical Cover – helps cover any costs in the event of you requiring medical assistance
• Rescue and Repatriation – helps to cover costs in the event of a medical emergency rescue
• Baggage and Possessions Cover – an essential part of your cover that helps cover costs of valuables should they be lost or stolen during the trip. Check that the policy also covers admin costs should your passport need to be reissued.
• Personal Money – provides compensation cover for any lost cash or travellers’ cheques, although the limit tends to be low
• Personal Liability – legal cover for any accident or injury you might accidentally inflict on another person
• Holiday Cancellation – should you need to cut your trip short early due to unforeseen circumstances, provides compensation for any monies lost as a result
• Travel Delay – helps provide compensation for any money lost due to a delayed departure, although this may only apply after a certain amount of time

A wide range of special cover options can be selected to cater for the needs of a backpacking excursion – including protection to cover extreme sports such as bungee jumping and scuba diving, as well as winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

Visiting Chiang Mai – Top 10 Attractions And Activities

Visitors to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand come for the quaint, unhurried pace of life, the bargain shopping and the potential to break out on retreats into the mountains and jungle with a trekking trip. Whatever your reason for coming, Chiang Mai promises plenty of opportunities for excitement, relaxation and historic journeys into the city’s past.

A trip to Mae Sa

A 30-minute drive to Mae Sa is a fun event for the entire family, as the area is packed with activities. Tourists venture out for the orchid nurseries; the well-known Elephant Camp where visitors can ride elephants and watch performances including a football match played by elephants; a snake farm and bungee jumping. Finally, the Mae Sa Waterfall offers a place to relax or perhaps go hiking.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai is well-known for its handicrafts, silk and large markets. This all comes to a focus at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, a veritable shopper’s dream. Stretching the entire length of Chang Klan road, this market has become more of a tourist’s domain than it once was. Here you’ll find an assortment of jewellery, clothing, antiques, silver, all manners of souvenirs and knock-off designer items. It’s open every evening until midnight. This is where you’ll find many of Chiang Mai hotels.

Doi Inthanon National Park

Situated south of Chiang Mai, Doi Inthanon National Park is a unique wildlife preserve and often makes for a comfortable cool weather retreat after spending time in the city. It’s the tallest mountain in Thailand at a grand height of 8,415 feet. Camping is permitted in the park and the natural surroundings make for an excellent getaway. This is one of the best places for trekking in Northern Thailand.

Wat Phratat Doi Suthep

Overlooking the Old City of Chiang Mai, the mountain of Doi Suthep holds one of Thailand’s most sacred temples. The 300-stair climb leads you to the large chedi and golden spire. This large temple complex dates back to the 14th century and the view of the city achieved from the marble courtyard is worth the trip alone. No trip to Chiang Mai is complete without visiting Doi Suthep. Ask the concierge at the hotels for assistance getting up there, it’s one of the most important in Thailand.

Thai massage and spas

Places to get a massage can literally be found on almost every street of the Old City, and prices range depending on quality and accessibility. Thai massage is world-renown, and some of the most skilled masseurs can be found in the more upscale spas, which also offer body scrubs and detox and beautification treatments. Even at these high-end facilities, the money spent is still fantastic value when compared to the superb quality of the treatment.

Chiang Mai Zoo

Don’t be surprised if a local asks you if you’ve visited the zoo yet—most likely, they’re wondering if you’ve seen the pair of pandas which are on loan from China, an endless source of pride for locals. These are only two of the more than 6,000 animals on display at the zoo which sits at the base of Suthep Mountain, from where there are wonderful views of the city.

Courses and training

Chiang Mai overflows with all sorts of courses in which tourists can enrol for only a few days or weeks at a time. Due to the affordable prices and the comfortable atmosphere in Chiang Mai, visitors are tempted to dig in and stay a while. So whether you’re looking to learn the art of Thai massage, perfect your Thai cooking skills or study Thai boxing, you’ll find it here for every level and length of time. When in Thailand this is highly recommended.

The Old City

A tour of the Old City is easily done on foot or by bike, and is the best way to come face-to-face with Chiang Mai’s legacy. Portions of the old wall were restored in the 19th century, and the 700-year-old moat that surrounds the city has been beautifully preserved. The city gates have also been restored, and each marks an important commercial avenue in or out of the city. Temples are spread across the entire Old City, and some of the more important include Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phrasingh and Wat Chiang Mai.

Adventure sports

Any number of adventure sports can be organised through travel agencies in Chiang Mai. Some of the more popular outings include white-water rafting on the Mae Tang River, which is 1 hour, 30 minute drive out of town; mountain biking on Doi Suthep with the added bonus of spending time at the temple if you make it all the way to the top, and rock climbing at Crazy Horse Buttress. There’s also an outdoor climbing wall located to one side of the Night Bazaar. Trekking in Chiang Mai is perhaps the biggest drawcard

Trekking Northern Thailand

It’s impossible to list the major attractions of Chiang Mai without mentioning trekking. Tour guide operators use the city as a springboard from which to organise trips into the surrounding mountainous jungles. Expeditions are packed with a variety of activities and range from daytrips to several night journeys that include hiking, elephant riding and bamboo rafting. Routes are planned around hill tribe villages, where overnight accommodation is provided. Trekking is the best way to see rural Northern Thailand.

Remember to book your Chiang Mai hotels early in the high season.

Travel Health Products Yellow Fever Centre Travel Vaccinations And Travel Clinics London

When look for a Travel Clinics London it is a excellent idea to check with your own surgical treatment first as some Travel Vaccinations are available at Globetrotters Travel Clinics Travel Clinics London

The One Stop Shop For All Of Your Travel Health Needs The recent massive increase in business and recreational travel outside of the UK, has led to the need for dedicated Travel Health Centers. This is because a considerable proportion of travelers end up with a health problem ranging from Diarrhea to Malaria or Yellow Fever. Most of the health problems contracted through traveling is preventable through appropriate travel health advice, precautionary measures and vaccinations. With GP appointment times under ever increasing pressure, the ability of practices to provide adequate time and training for such a complex and demanding field is under stress. This has created a need for travelers to have access to alternative Travel Health service providers. Globetrotters Travel Clinics has been established to meet this need.

Globetrotters is a personal service provided by experienced travel health nurses, Globetrotters was accredited yellow fever centres and offer full pre and post travel health screenings as well as all available travel vaccinations.

We are dedicated to providing quality travel health advice and services, as well as premium Level Travel Health products.

With vaccine preventable illnesses accounting for only a small proportion of Health problems whilst abroad, at Globetrotters we give individuals, business travellers and students the advice and information they need to stay healthy both whilst overseas and on their return.

Maison et respect de l’environnement: étroitement liés

Dans notre monde moderne, il faut qu’à la maison le respect de l’environnement soit une des règles de vie de ses occupants, car notre planète est en danger et ce plus que jamais.

L’avenir de la planète passe impérativement par la maison, par le foyer, là où l’on peut très facilement poser des gestes qui vont à l’encontre du respect de l’environnement. Une maison saine et écologique doit être équipée de tout ce qui peut aider efficacement et durablement à la protection de l’environnement. C’est déjà un plus de savoir que plusieurs organismes nationaux agissent dans le sens de la protection de l’environnement, mais il faut aussi que les citoyens dans leurs foyers agissent également dans le même sens.

La maison et le respect de l’environnement peuvent être étroitement liés à condition de l’équiper correctement et de faire des gestes simples à l’intérieur de celle-ci. Il faut y installer des appareils qui consomment le moins d’énergie possible, l’isoler correctement contre la chaleur et le froid afin utiliser au minimum le ventilateur, climatiseur et le chauffage. Les ampoules devraient être changées pour des ampoules fluocompact qui consomment environ 80% moins d’énergie que les ampoules régulières. Il faut cependant porter attention aux marques d’ampoules qui contiennent du mercure et s’assurer de disposer de celles-ci dans les endroits prévus à cet effet et non pas à la poubelle, car cela ira contaminer les sols des sites d’enfouissement.

Adopter l’habitude de faire le tri sélectif dans sa maison est un geste de respect envers l’environnement, car celui-ci facilite le recyclage de certains déchets et réduit les déchets dans les sites d’enfouissement. Par des gestes tout simples et quotidiens de protection de l’environnement, nous pouvons changer le cours des choses en pensant à nos enfants. Revoir ses habitudes peut faire beaucoup de bien alors aucune hésitation à avoir.

Envie d’agir pour la planète ? Commencez par la maison et le respect de l’environnement sera ainsi le plus simple et efficace!

Backpacking: Travelling in Comfort!

It is useful to be able to compare room rates at a number of hostels in your preferred destination. Backpacking can be a wonderful experience. Book a room in a hostel today, so that you aren’t roomless on your arrival.

People from all walks of life and every corner of the world stay in hostels. Backpacker Hostels are very affordable. Expand your horizons – Taking excursions away from your original plan is part of what makes backpacking fun.

Safeguard your important documents and money – Get one of those thin money belts that fit inside your clothes. That way you can carry your passport and money with you at all times. Tip of the day – Always carry your student or youth card because you may be able to get a discount. Many hostels offer a wide range of activities – from city tours to white water-rafting.

Travel in comfort – Bring a pillow with you for those long bus journeys. Almost all hostels offer lockers, either free of charge or for hire so that people staying in dormitories can lock up their valuables. During the daytime, there is usually a lockout time from early morning to late afternoon when the rooms are being cleaned.

Planning that seems so trivial at home can become complicated when you are in a strange place. Today, many hostels are not unlike budget hotels where the only significant difference is the price. Many hostels provide access for wheelchair users, and specially adapted rooms are becoming more common. Many hostels in the country are so quiet you can hear your heart beat.

Clinical Observation on Mycobiota of Postmortem Samples of Commercial Broiler Suspected Forhemorrhagic Proventriculitis and Gizzard Erosion in Nepal

A new disease condition has emerged affecting replacement pullets. It affects the birds between 2 to 10 weeks of age. The mortality rate varies between 1 to 10% and ultimately the flock is left with creation of several small poorly feathered and pale chicks. Though it has not been possible to establish the exact cause of this condition, following three points has been taken in consideration. Hemorrhagic Proliferative Proventriculitis and Gizzard Erosion  is an illness that involves one or more infectious agents.One the cause suspected for it is mycotic origion. The digestive tract and endocrine organs may be primary targets for these agents.The spectrum of signs or lesions are either caused by or exacerbated by nutritional, husbandry and hygienic factors.The response to the treatment is often poor but the symptomatic treatment with toxinbinder like toxolivum liquid,hepatocare, alongwith immunomodulaters like immunocare,and promin has significantly helped in ameliorating the mortality. Similar condition has been widely reported in broilers under various names like Malabsorption syndrome, infectious Proventriculitis, infectious runting syndrome, pale bird syndrome and stunting syndrome. Same condition is likely to be emmerging as a problem for coomercial broiler after 3rd week age.

Review of Litrature:

Mycotoxins T2 toxin produced by fusarium is a caustic irritant. It causes necrosis of mucosa of proventriculus, gizzard and feather epithelium. Citrinin which is basically a nephrotoxin can also cause fissures in the gizzard Oosporein – In oosporein poisoning one may notice that the proventriculus has enlarged circumference at the isthumus and the mucosa is covered with pseudomembranous exudate (necrosis may occur at the isthumus).Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) – Lesions occur in proventriculus, gizzard, liver and spleen. Theproventriculus is dialated and the mucosa is thickened by hyperplasia and ulceration. Mucosal necrosis may occur in gizzard (Dr Manuel Contreras and Dr Douglas Zavieso).

Infectious Factors Adenovirus – According to case reports, gizzard erosion is characterised by adenovirus intranuclear inclusion bodies in epithelial cells. Reovirus infection could be a factor in the pathogenesis of histamine associated proventricular enlargement  High levels of Dietory biogenic amine’s like histamine, 3HT, 5HT,histidine, dopamine, gizzerosine and serotonine, can be found in dietary constituents such as tankage fish meal, corn screening, soyabean meal, vitamin premixes, fats, poultry meal, meat and bone meal. The biogenic amines are decarboxylation breakdown products of amino acid catabolism and these amines are considered toxic to animals. The potential for biogenic amine build-up is real in animal by product meal and is the result of breakdown of the product. Histamine is produced in the poultry feed under proper temperature and moisture conditions by microbial decarboxylation of histidine. Reduced growth, poor feathering and proventricular enlargement have been associated with histamine toxicity in chickens. Histamine toxin problem in chicken generally has been associated with the intake of fish meal which contain high level of histidine Gizzerosine is a compound found in overheated fish meal due to interaction of caesine with histidine and acts as a factor causing gizzard erosion or ulceration in chicks. It can also be formed if the temperature of fish meal increases by incorrect handling during transportation or storage particularly in hot weather( Martin D. Ficken,) .

Then gizzerosine concentration of burnt fish meal would be low because of degradation of protein. However it is also likely that fish meal with good colour, odour, taste and physical properties may contain a large enough quantity of gizzerosine.Gizzerosine stimulates proventricular gland secretarycells to release excessive hydrochloric acid. Gizzard lesions result from the runway digestive effects of hyperacidity. Opportunistic bacteria may subsequently colonise the nutrient rich biodetrius. The cells of the glandular alveoli of the proventriculus secrete hydrochloric acids and pepsinogen (pepsin) which is a digestive enzyme required for initial digestion of proteins. Any lesion in the preventricular glands will interfere with the secretion of pepsin with subsequent impairment of protein digestion and utilisation. The results are poor production performance, unthriftiness and poor feed conversion. This could also explain why some of the birds affected with this condition pass undigested or poorly digested feed in faeces (G. D. Butcher) .

. A Reo virus strain (SS 412 stain) was isolated from an outbreak of proventriculitis/malabsorption of syndrome; the role of this reovirus strain in that outbreak was proven in experimental studies. Further studies have demonstrated that chicks from breeder hens which have been vaccinated with oil imulsion SS 412 virus vaccine were protected against. Proventriculitis following experimental challenge with the SS 412 reovirus strain. Anaerobic bacteria like clostridia are sometimes found as secondary invaders resulting in either ulcerative enteritis or necrotic hepatitis. It will be interesting to study the effect of viruses also since both of them cause the lesions in the proventriculus (G. D. Butcher).Other Factors Rather than ameliorating the effects of malabsorbtion syndrome, vitamin A caused a further reduction in body weight and bone ash according to a study. Supplementation of vitamin E significantly reduced both mortality and the effects of disease in body weight gain in an outbreak of pale bird syndrome in broiler chicks of 3 weeks. Amino acid imbalance (lysine and methoinine especially), excess dietary copper sulfate, lack of dietary fibre, deprivation of food and water have also been found to be responsible for the heamorhagic prolifirative proventriculitis and gizzard erosion. Lesions Proventriculi lose their normal flusiform shape and normal constriction at the junction with gizzard are diffusely enlarged and have a thickened and turgidwall. Thickening of the wall is more marked upon incising the proventriculus.The proventricular glands protrude irregularly from the mucosal surface, lose their normal pattern and contain milky fluid that could be expressed with slight pressure. The gizzard is often smaller than normal and flabby. The gizzard peels off easily with haemorrhagic ulceration of the gizzard wall(Dr. Avinash Dhawale) . An clinical epidemiological investigation of Acute sudden death syndrome due to which 31 mules from a herd of 9oo died within the period of 2006-7-12 to2006-10-21 in Udayapur District Nepal. These animals were being used for good transportation work in hilly region of Nepal. On rout these animals were being fed only whole maize and grame.Normally healthy looking animals started dying suddenly. Initially suspected for acute bacterial disease and treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and vaccinated with bacterial vaccine.On close observation of herd their feed stuff revealed grains fed to these animal during rainy season was found 20% moldy in appearance. On Postmortem examination acute severe congestion and hemorrhages in liver, lung, spleen heart, intestinal mucosa were found.Histopathological examination of tissue from these organs revealed infiltration of mononuclear cell in tissue indicative of chronic nature of condition.Continous use of apparently 15-20% moldy grain (maize, gram) was used as feed. On laboratory analysis of sample of same grain was found to be containing 60-110CFU/gm of Penicillium spp of fungus ( Dr.Karki et.al http://www.alumbo.com/article/43263.  Feed contamination can lead to nutrient losses and detrimental effects on animal health and production. Feed mould counts ranged from <1× 102 to 1× 105 cfu/g. The most frequent genus isolated was Aspergillus (40.54%), followed by Penicillium (18.38%) and Fusarium (16.22%) K. M. Keller1, B. D. Queiroz1, L. A. M. Keller1, J. M. M. Ribeiro1, L. R. Cavaglieri2 , M. L. González Pereyra2, A. M. Dalcero2 and C. A. R. Rosa1. High levels of fungal species and mycotoxins (the toxins produced by some fungi) have been identified in equine feeds. This contamination can result in nutrient losses from the food, and negatively impact the health and productivity of horses. The most common fungi identified in this study were Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium, and the amount of fungi in the feed exceed the proposed limit of 104 cfu per gram Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, September 08 2007, Article # 10366

 .

 

Materialand Methodes                                                                                                                                                                                

Observation of flock

                                   

Flock size

Age/week

Morbidity

Mortality

100-500

(30)

4-6

25-100

2-10

500-1000

(50)

4-6

100-200

10-20

1000-1500

(130)

4-6

200-300

20-30

1500-2000

(74)

4-6

300-350

30-35

            lesions observed during postmorten

•         Anemic appearance, poor growth, pale skin

•         Mucous in URT.

•         Distorted shape of proventriculus,gizzard.

•         Swollen large ,small intestine.

•         Liver pale, enlarged with white spate.

•         Enlarged spleen.

•         Emphymatouse lung.

•         Ascites.

•         Milky fluid oozing from Proventricular gland.

•         Hemorrhage in Proventricular muscle.

•         Yellow tinge with white ulceration in gizzard.

Mycology Laboratory Examination

S.N.

Species

Total

positive

negative

Isolate fungus

no

1

Avian

284

194

90

Penicillium spp.

Candida spp.

110

 

84

 

Treatment adviced

Broadespectrum antibiotics,Liquide toxinbider like toxolivum,Hepatocare, Immunomodulaters like immunocare,and promin for a week.

Result and Discussion: Mcological screening of postmortem samples of liver,spleen,proventriculus of bird revealed the presenceFungus spp like Penicillium,Aspergillus in 194 samples out of 284 samples were cultured in potato dextrose agar medium during  the period 2007-7-1 to 2008-3-1.The postmortem lesions and age of flock had the similarities as reported by other workers.As there has not yet any observation of mycobiota of poultry lesion carried out this finding serves as a preliminary information inthis regard need to be further validated.As modern poultry feed milling operation toxinbinder is being used but still it is not going to suffient to combat the effect of mycotoxin produced by storage fungus.This finding indicates that after 3rd week of age brioler need to be suplimented with liquid toxinbinder to reduce the loss from this emmerging disease syndrome need to be looked into.

 

References:

1;Cause of gizzard erosion and Proventriculitis in broilers. Dr Manuel Contreras and Dr Douglas Zavieso Poultry International July 2006 pp16-20 Cyclopiazonic acid production by Aspergillus flavus and its effects on broiler chickens. J W Dorner, R J Cole, L G Lomax, H S Gosser, and U L Diener Appl Environ Microbiol. 1983 September; 46(3): 698–703.

2:DISEASES OF POULTRY: Martin D. Ficken, D.V.M., Ph.D., Dip. A.C.V.P., A.C.P.V. College of Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State Universit Raleigh, North Carolina

3:Feed Passage in Broilers – A Complex Problem G. D. Butcher, DVM, Ph.D., A. H. Nilipour, Ph.D., R. D. Miles, Ph.D. University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL., Amir H. Nilipour, PhD, Director of Investigation and Quality Assurance, Grupo Melo, S.A., Panama, Republic of Panama .

4:http://www.wattnet.com/Archives/Docs/701pi36.pdf?CFID=25710&CFTOKEN=74030876 gizzard erosion Proventriculitis poultry A new disease condition has emerged affecting replacement pullets in India. — By Dr. Avinash Dhawale .

5:The Mycobiota and Toxicity of Equine Feeds:Journal Veterinary Research Communication volume 31,number 8 November 2007: K. M. Keller1, B. D. Queiroz1, L. A. M. Keller1, J. M. M. Ribeiro1, L. R. Cavaglieri2 , M. L. González Pereyra2, A. M. Dalcero2 and C. A. R. Rosa1(1)  Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Veterinária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2;Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Argentina Accepted: 28 August 2006  Published online: 6 February 2007

 

6: Unacceptably High Fungal Levels Identified in Horse Feeds by: Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, September 08 2007, Article # 10366 The Horse.com

 

7: Clinical-Epidemiological Investigation of Moldy Corn Poisoning in mules due to Penicillium spp and its treatment by using toxinbinder, herbal liver tonic.immunomodulater at Udayapur District, Nepal 1: Dr.Kedar Karki Vet. Officer,Dr.Poornima ManandharSVO Central Vet. Laboratory. Tripureswor Kathmandu Nepal http://www.alumbo.com/article/43263

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