Development of improved analytical methods for use in animal health and in foodborne disease surveillance for source attribution

Traditional indicator-based livestock surveillance has been focused on case definitions, definitive diagnoses and laboratory confirmation. The use of syndromic disease surveillance would increase the population base from which animal health data are captured and facilitate earlier detection of new and re-emerging threats to animal health. Veterinary practitioners could potentially play a vital role in such activities. In a pilot study, specialist private veterinary practitioners (PVP) working in the English pig industry were asked to collect and transfer background data and disease incident reports for pig farms visited during the study period. Baseline data from 110 pig farms were received, along with 68 disease incident reports. Reports took an average of approximately 25 minutes to complete. Feedback from the PVPs indicated that they saw value in syndromic surveillance. Maintenance of anonymity in the outputs would be essential, as would timely access for the PVPs to relevant information on syndromic trends. Further guidance and standardisation would also be required. Syndromic surveillance by PVPs is possible for the pig industry. It has potential to fill current gaps in the collection of animal health data, as long as the engagement and participation of data providers can be obtained and maintained.

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Mobilising community-based research on zoonotic infections: A case study of longitudinal cohorts in Vietnam

Gateways International Journal of Community Research and Engagement ◽

10.5130/ijcre.v8i1.3922 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 23-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Karen Saylors ◽

Tue Ngo Tri ◽

Toan Tran Khanh ◽

Kiet Bach Tuan ◽

Heiman FL Wertheim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Participatory Research ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Disease Surveillance ◽

Animal Health ◽

Community Based Research ◽

Zoonotic Infections ◽

Response Capacity ◽

Domestic Livestock ◽

Study Sites

We initiated the Vietnam Initiative on Zoonotic Infections (VIZIONS) research program to better understand the epidemiology of disease transmission at the human–animal interface in Vietnamese rural communities and to integrate One Health approaches to disease surveillance. We established a longitudinal community cohort study of individuals with occupational exposure to animals, which involves concurrent targeted sampling from domestic livestock species and follow-up monitoring of human clinical cases. The project was implemented by government agencies at the provincial and district levels of the public health and animal health sectors in Vietnam. Engaging with rural communities builds response capacity at the grassroots level, and has improved dialogue between local stakeholders responsible for monitoring human and animal health. Here we describe the process of initiating participatory research and cohort field implementation over the first year in two study sites in Vietnam.Keywords: Vietnam, participatory research, zoonoses, field epidemiology

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More appropriate disease control policies for the developing world : policy and trade issues

Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.4102/ojvr.v76i1.77 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J.C. Mariner

Keyword(s):

Disease Control ◽

Critical Points ◽

Disease Transmission ◽

Disease Surveillance ◽

Animal Health ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Community Based ◽

Market Effects ◽

Disease Impact ◽

Health Situation

Investment in disease control should be targeted to critical points that provide the greatest benefit to the livelihoods of livestock-dependent stakeholders. Risk-based targeting should balance the impacts of diseases against the feasibility of their control. This requires sensitive and specific surveillance systems that provide representative overviews of the animal health situation for accurate assessment of disease impact and transmission patterns. Assessment of impact should include household and market effects. The key in surveillance is involving livestock owners using active methods that ensure their disease priorities are addressed. Epidemiological targeting of interventions to critical points in disease transmission cycles should be done to obtain maximal disease reduction. Interventions should be delivered in full partnership with both private and community-based stakeholders to assure high uptake and sustainability. In developing countries, approaches such as participatory disease surveillance and community-based animal health programs have been effective and comply with international animal health standards.

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Animal health : present and future

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.1977.0132 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 281 (980) ◽

pp. 181-191

Keyword(s):

Disease Surveillance ◽

High Performance ◽

Large Scale ◽

Animal Health ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

New Production ◽

Financial Investment ◽

Veterinary Surgeons ◽

Acceptable Quality ◽

High Standards

The importance of the health of farm livestock is considered in relation to the need to economically produce enough human food of an acceptable quality. The control and eradication of important diseases is discussed. Success in this work has allowed the development of high performance breeds by genetic selection. It has also encouraged the development of large scale units and intensive husbandry techniques. These new production methods require high standards of management from all concerned, and represent considerable financial investment. Biochemists, geneticists, physiologists, veterinary surgeons, all have a part to play in the modern livestock industry. The work of the State Veterinary Service is seen as catalytic. The possible development of a disease surveillance unit is discussed, also the type of information required by both veterinary surgeons and farmers.

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