Biosecurity: tools, behaviours and concepts

Discovering topics and trends in biosecurity law research: A machine learning approach

This study employed machine learning techniques, specifically Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), to analyze 559 articles on biosecurity legislation from 1996 to 2023. The LDA model identified nine key research topics, including Agricultural Management and Production, Biosafety and Environmental Impact, Biological Invasion and Regulation, Biosecurity Legislation and Prevention, Agriculture and Environmental Relations, Virus Infection and Governance, Health Risk Assessment and Detection, Disease Prevention and Biotechnology, and Policy Control and Research. The findings reveal significant trends: an increasing focus on Biosecurity Legislation and Prevention and a declining interest in Agricultural Management and Production. Geographically, Australia, Canada, and the United States lead in biosecurity research, exhibiting diverse research topics. Journal-level analysis highlights central topics such as Agricultural Management and Production, Biosecurity Legislation and Prevention, and Health Risk Assessment and Detection. This study's use of LDA reduces subjective bias, providing a more objective analysis of global biosecurity legislation literature. The research underscores the importance of expanding geographical scope, integrating advanced machine learning models, adopting interdisciplinary approaches, and assessing policy impacts to enhance biosecurity strategies globally.

Electrochemical microfluidic sensing platforms for biosecurity analysis

Biosecurity encompasses the health and safety of humans, animals, plants, and the environment. In this article, "biosecurity" is defined as encompassing the comprehensive aspects of human, animal, plant, and environmental safety. Reliable biosecurity testing technology is the key point for effectively assessing biosecurity risks and ensuring biosecurity. Therefore, it is crucial to develop excellent detection technologies to detect risk factors that can affect biosecurity. An electrochemical microfluidic biosensing platform integrates fluid control, target recognition, signal transduction, and output and incorporates the advantages of electrochemical analysis technology and microfluidic technology. Thus, an electrochemical microfluidic biosensing platform, characterized by exceptional analytical sensitivity, portability, rapid analysis speed, low reagent consumption, and low risk of contamination, shows considerable promise for biosecurity detection compared to traditional, more complex, and time-consuming detection technologies. This review provides a concise introduction to electrochemical microfluidic biosensors and biosecurity. It highlights recent research advances in utilizing electrochemical microfluidic biosensing platforms to assess biosecurity risk factors. It includes the use of electrochemical microfluidic biosensors for the detection of risk factors directly endangering biosecurity (direct application: namely, risk factors directly endangering the health of human, animals, and plants) and for the detection of risk factors indirectly endangering biosecurity (indirect application: namely, risk factors endangering the safety of food and the environment). Finally, we outline the current challenges and future perspectives of electrochemical microfluidic biosensing platforms.

Biosecurity in the workplace and a QMS during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey for Peruvian goods companies

Objectives. This study analyzes the differences between goods companies with a Standard No. ISO 9001:2015 quality management system (QMS) and those without, in terms of implementation of biosecurity measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study shows whether having a QMS helped companies to implement the biosecurity measures required to continue operating during a pandemic. Methods. The sample was composed of 145 Peruvian goods companies. The empirical data were collected through a questionnaire sent to company presidents, general managers and department heads. The questionnaire focused on four biosecurity dimensions in the workplace: protocols, preventive actions, biosecurity processes and risk management. Results. The study found that companies with a QMS (Standard No. ISO 9001:2015) significantly differed from companies without in the implementation of three of the four biosecurity dimensions. Conclusions. This study is useful for academia and companies because it identifies the main differences between certified and non-certified companies, in terms of adoption of biosecurity measures. This study highlights the importance of a QMS to respond to hazardous situations like a global health crisis, but also provides useful information for the strategic decision-making process of companies.

Emerging advances in biosecurity to underpin human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health

One Biosecurity is an interdisciplinary approach to policy and research that builds on the interconnections between human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health to effectively prevent and mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species. To support this approach requires that key cross-sectoral research innovations be identified and prioritized. Following an interdisciplinary horizon scan for emerging research that underpins One Biosecurity, four major interlinked advances were identified: implementation of new surveillance technologies adopting state-of-the-art sensors connected to the Internet of Things, deployable handheld molecular and genomic tracing tools, the incorporation of wellbeing and diverse human values into biosecurity decision-making, and sophisticated socio-environmental models and data capture. The relevance and applicability of these innovations to address threats from pathogens, pests, and weeds in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems emphasize the opportunity to build critical mass around interdisciplinary teams at a global scale that can rapidly advance science solutions targeting biosecurity threats.

Willingness to adopt personal biosecurity strategies on thoroughbred breeding farms: Findings from a multi-site pilot study in Australia's Hunter Valley

There are almost 9,500 full-time employees in Australia's thoroughbred horse breeding industry. During foaling, they can be exposed to bodily fluids and mucous membranes which may present risks for zoonotic disease. These risks can be mitigated through personal biosecurity strategies. The aim of this study was to identify which personal biosecurity strategies were more or less likely to be adopted by workers. Seventeen participants representing 14 thoroughbred breeding farms and three equine veterinary practices in Australia's largest thoroughbred breeding region trialed up to 16 stakeholder-nominated personal biosecurity strategies over the 2021 foaling season. The strategies encompassed personal protective equipment (PPE), zoonotic disease awareness, policies and protocols, supportive environments, and leadership. Strategy adoption was monitored through three repeated self-audit surveys designed around the Transtheoretical Model of change (TTM) and findings were reviewed in exit interviews. For all survey waves in aggregate, 13 strategies were practiced by at least 50.0% of participants. Participants were most likely to use a ready-made foaling box (98.0%), communicate the message that PPE usage is a personal responsibility (94.1%) and use ready-made PPE kits (88.2%). However, 31.4% had no intention of doing practice sessions and/or dummy runs for PPE use and 27.5% had no intention of using a buddy system on farm/practice to check use of PPE. Whilst these rates indicate workers' willingness to adopt and maintain personal biosecurity strategies, they also indicate capacity for more practices to be implemented more often. Overall, the findings highlight the need for personal biosecurity interventions to be sensitive to the demands of the annual thoroughbred breeding calendar, the size of the breeding operation and the availability of skilled staff.

Exploring farmers' understanding of and responses to endemic animal health and welfare issues in the UK

BACKGROUND

This paper uses two endemic health conditions to explore farmer understandings of and responses to livestock health and welfare issues.

METHODS

The findings are based on a survey of 42 livestock farmers in the north of England, exploring how they manage lameness in sheep and cattle and bovine viral diarrhoea in cattle. We identify similarities and differences in their approaches.

RESULTS

Two themes emerge. (1) The importance of difference between animal types (i.e., beef cattle, dairy cattle and sheep), which highlights the 'complex' and 'multifactorial' nature of animal health and welfare. It is necessary to unpack this to understand the interplay of animal, resource and management issues in farmer responses. (2) Previous research has identified 'lack of knowledge' as a key welfare issue. Our findings reveal farmers are in fact seeking, acquiring and sharing knowledge on practices related to the management of animal health however individual circumstance and context influence how this translates in practice.

CONCLUSION

Our research highlights the importance of integrating different perspectives and knowledges as a way of understanding and responding to animal health and welfare concerns. Facilitating knowledge exchange both within and between different groups and sectors is vital in achieving this.