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White J, Taylor J, Brown PR, Henry S, Carter L, Mankad A, Chang WS, Stanley P, Collins K, Durrheim DN, Thompson K. The New South Wales Mouse Plague 2020-2021: A One Health description. One Health 2024; 18:100753. [PMID: 38798736 PMCID: PMC11127141 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
A mouse plague occurred in Eastern Australia from spring 2020 to winter 2021, impacting an area of around 180,000 km2. It harmed human physical and psychological health, damaged the natural and built environment, and endangered farmed, domestic and native animals. However, the mouse plague was overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as the end of the plague coincided with the arrival and surge of the COVID-19 delta strain in rural New South Wales (NSW). In this article, we systematically overview the multiple impacts of the plague and highlight their complex interactions. Using a One Health framework, we comprehensively review the i) human, ii) animal and iii) environmental impacts including economic dimensions. Given the damage that the mouse plague caused to infrastructure, we consider the environment from two perspectives: the natural and the built environment. This One Health description of the 2020-2021 mouse plague identifies priorities for preparedness, response and recovery at local, regional land levels to inform response and management of future mouse plague events in Australia. It also highlights the need for ongoing collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the human, animal and environmental health sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer White
- Health Protection, Hunter New England Local Health District, Booth Building, Wallsend Health Services Longworth Avenue, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Joanne Taylor
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Peter R. Brown
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Steve Henry
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Lucy Carter
- CSIRO Environment, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Aditi Mankad
- CSIRO Environment, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Wei-Shan Chang
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Priscilla Stanley
- Western NSW Local Health District, PO Box 4061, Dubbo, NSW 2830, Australia
| | - Kerry Collins
- CSIRO Environment, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - David N. Durrheim
- Health Protection, Hunter New England Local Health District, Booth Building, Wallsend Health Services Longworth Avenue, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Kirrilly Thompson
- Health Protection, Hunter New England Local Health District, Booth Building, Wallsend Health Services Longworth Avenue, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
- Flinders University, Sturt Rd, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
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Lee JM, Lee GH, Kim K. Attending veterinarians improve the research capability and psychological well-being of researchers in animal research institutes. Front Vet Sci 2024; 10:1340225. [PMID: 38249556 PMCID: PMC10797093 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1340225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of laboratory animals in biomedical research has significantly advanced scientific understanding, yet it raises ethical concerns about animal welfare and the mental health of researchers Recent research has highlighted the potential for stress and compassion fatigue among researchers working with distressed animals. Attending veterinarians (AVs) are crucial in mitigating the pain and stress experienced by animals and, by extension, researchers. However, the impact of AVs on researchers' psychological well-being remains understudied. This study explores how AVs contribute to researchers' research capability and psychological well-being in animal research institutions. AVs oversee animal housing, health, and welfare; their involvement is mandated or strongly recommended in developed countries. AVs enhance animal welfare by ensuring proper housing, nutrition, and social interaction. They monitor animal health, educate researchers on pain assessment, and promote compliance with post-surgical care. AVs also contribute to researchers' well-being by addressing euthanasia procedures, which can be emotionally challenging. Programs for rehoming animals after experiments offer an alternative to euthanasia and positively impact researchers' psychological well-being. Moreover, AVs promote workplace well-being by fostering positive workplace cultures, offering peer counseling, and providing social support. Programs considering animal welfare and researchers' emotions are crucial for a healthy research environment. In conclusion, AVs are essential in balancing scientific progress with animal welfare and researchers' psychological well-being. Therefore, their role should be recognized as vital in achieving social equity that considers the welfare of humans and laboratory animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Min Lee
- Research Ethics Team, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwang-Hoon Lee
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - KilSoo Kim
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Department of Veterinary Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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