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Atapattu U, Colella V, Traub RJ, Wiethoelter A. Knowledge, attitude, and practices of veterinarians towards canine vector-borne pathogens in Sri Lanka. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012365. [PMID: 39074136 PMCID: PMC11309419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBP) have a worldwide distribution and show a high prevalence in tropical countries such as Sri Lanka. Some CVBP are zoonotic, with dogs identified as reservoir hosts for human subcutaneous dirofilariasis and potentially for spotted fever rickettsioses and re-emergent brugian filariasis in Sri Lanka, making these pathogens emerging public health issues in the country. Veterinarians are crucial in monitoring, preventing, and controlling these pathogens in dogs. Therefore, it is imperative to understand veterinarians' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding CVBP to mitigate their impact. A survey was designed and administered electronically to veterinarians residing and practising in Sri Lanka. Responses were evaluated using descriptive, univariable, and multivariable analyses to investigate associations between demographic factors, knowledge, attitude, and practices related to CVBP. Out of the 170 participating veterinarians, nearly 70% had moderate or high knowledge. However, the awareness of zoonotic pathogens, Brugia spp. (16%) and Rickettsia conorii (18%), was low, and a considerable number of veterinarians were unaware of the zoonotic nature of Dirofilaria repens. Based on multivariable analysis adjusting for experience and self-rated knowledge, new graduates had higher odds of knowledge compared to experienced veterinarians (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.7-23, p = 0.028). Questions assessing the attitude towards CVBP indicated that most participating veterinarians comprehend and agree with their importance. Nearly all participants agreed that ectoparasite control is the best option to prevent CVBP infections (91%, 153/167) and that for effective treatment of CVBP, a definitive diagnosis is required (81%, 135/167). However, veterinarians recommended suboptimal treatments for some CVBP, like Babesia gibsoni. Better practices were associated with being a companion animal practitioner (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.7, p = 0.032) and having a low to moderate canine caseload (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3-10.4, p = 0.038). Limited knowledge of zoonotic CVBP among veterinarians, along with suboptimal treatment, might contribute to dogs acting as reservoirs and high prevalence of these pathogens in Sri Lanka. Therefore, continued veterinary education is recommended to improve knowledge and practices, which in turn will help to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and control of these infections in Sri Lanka to ensure the well-being of dogs and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ushani Atapattu
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vito Colella
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca J. Traub
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anke Wiethoelter
- Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Enticott G, Earl L, Gates MC. A systematic review of social research data collection methods used to investigate voluntary animal disease reporting behaviour. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:2573-2587. [PMID: 34843177 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14407] [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: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Voluntary detection of emerging disease outbreaks is considered essential for limiting their potential impacts on livestock industries. However, many of the strategies employed by animal health authorities to capture data on potential emerging disease threats rely on farmers and veterinarians identifying situations of concern and then voluntarily taking appropriate actions to notify animal health authorities. To improve the performance of these systems, it is important to understand the range of socio-cultural factors influencing the willingness of individuals to engage with disease reporting such as trust in government, perceived economic impacts, social stigma and perceptions of 'good farming'. The objectives of this systematic review were to assess how different social research methodologies have been employed to understand the role these socio-cultural dimensions play in voluntary disease reporting and to discuss limitations to address in future research. The review uncovered 39 relevant publications that employed a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies including surveys, interviews, focus groups, scenarios, observations, mixed-methods, interventions and secondary data analysis. While these studies provided valuable insights, one significant challenge remains eliciting accurate statements of behaviour and intentions rather than those that reflect desirable social norms. There is scope to develop methodological innovations to study the decision to report animal disease to help overcome the gap between what people say they do and their observable behaviour. A notable absence is studies exploring specific interventions designed to encourage disease reporting. Greater clarity in specifying the disease contexts, behavioural mechanisms and outcomes and the relationships between them would provide a more theoretically informed and policy relevant understanding of how disease reporting works, for which farmers, and in which disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Enticott
- Cardiff School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lynsey Earl
- Diagnostic and Surveillance Services, Biosecurity New Zealand - Tiakitanga Pūtaiao Aotearoa, Ministry for Primary Industries - Manatū Ahu Matua, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - M Carolyn Gates
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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3
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Surveillance Opportunities and the Need for Intersectoral Collaboration on Rabies in Sri Lanka. J Vet Med 2019; 2019:7808517. [PMID: 31380448 PMCID: PMC6657605 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7808517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sri Lanka is progressing towards its goal of eliminating human rabies. This goal rests on programs designed to limit canine rabies, which in turn requires a combination of targeted dog rabies control and a better understanding of the movement of the virus between domestic animals, people, and wildlife. Coordinated and integrated surveillance of the disease between human and animal health sectors underpins successful rabies elimination. Our objective was to review surveillance data from 2005 to 2014 to assemble the first multispecies synthesis of rabies information in Sri Lanka and, in doing so, assess needs and opportunities for a One Health approach to rabies surveillance in the country. Our descriptive epidemiological findings were consistent with other studies showing a decline in human cases, endemic and unchanging numbers of dog cases, a relationship between human density and the occurrence of human and animal cases, and significant gaps in understanding trends in rabies incidences in livestock and wildlife. Assessing the trends in the data from the three government organizations responsible for rabies surveillance was difficult due to lack of information on animal population sizes, unquantified sampling biases due to inequities in access to diagnostic capacities, regulatory and administrative barriers, and a continued reliance on clinical means to establish a diagnosis. The information required for a comprehensive rabies control programme was not standardized or consistent, was not in one place, showed significant gaps in completeness, and was not amenable to routine and rapid analysis. Achieving rabies elimination in Sri Lanka would benefit from harmonization of diagnostic and information management standards across animal and human health sectors as well as equitable access to diagnostic capacity for all regions and species.
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Neo JPS, Tan BH. The use of animals as a surveillance tool for monitoring environmental health hazards, human health hazards and bioterrorism. Vet Microbiol 2017; 203:40-48. [PMID: 28619165 PMCID: PMC7130562 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
It discusses the use of animal sentinels for surveillance. It discusses the use of animals as a surveillance tool for monitoring environmental health hazards. It discusses the use of animals as a surveillance tool for monitoring human health hazards. It discusses the use of animals as a surveillance tool for monitoring bioterrorism. It discusses the One Health approach.
This review discusses the utilization of wild or domestic animals as surveillance tools for monitoring naturally occurring environmental and human health hazards. Besides providing early warning to natural hazards, animals can also provide early warning to societal hazards like bioterrorism. Animals are ideal surveillance tools to humans because they share the same environment as humans and spend more time outdoors than humans, increasing their exposure risk. Furthermore, the biologically compressed lifespans of some animals may allow them to develop clinical signs more rapidly after exposure to specific pathogens. Animals are an excellent channel for monitoring novel and known pathogens with outbreak potential given that more than 60 % of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate as zoonoses. This review attempts to highlight animal illnesses, deaths, biomarkers or sentinel events, to remind human and veterinary public health programs that animal health can be used to discover, monitor or predict environmental health hazards, human health hazards, or bioterrorism. Lastly, we hope that this review will encourage the implementation of animals as a surveillance tool by clinicians, veterinarians, ecosystem health professionals, researchers and governments.
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Hattendorf J, Bardosh KL, Zinsstag J. One Health and its practical implications for surveillance of endemic zoonotic diseases in resource limited settings. Acta Trop 2017; 165:268-273. [PMID: 27769875 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 10/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Surveillance of zoonotic disease requires special attention because the animal and human health sectors are involved. A proliferation of scholarly literature and technical guidelines exist for early detection of exotic and re-emerging diseases and to demonstrate freedom from disease as part of international trade agreements. In contrast, literature focussing on surveillance of endemic zoonotic diseases is relatively rare. In this article, we describe and discuss the main aspects to consider when planning a surveillance system for endemic zoonotic diseases in a resource-limited country. We describe advantages and disadvantages of different active and passive surveillance systems and explore how risk-based sampling might improve efficiency and reduce costs, and which tools are available to identify high-risk populations.
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Murray GM, Cassidy JP, Clegg TA, Tratalos JA, McClure J, O'Neill RG, Sammin DJ, Casey MJ, McElroy M, Earley B, Bourke N, More SJ. A retrospective epidemiological analysis of risk factors for a primary necropsy diagnosis of bovine respiratory disease. Prev Vet Med 2016; 132:49-56. [PMID: 27664447 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a multifactorial disease and the primary cause of both bovine morbidity and mortality in Ireland. The risk factors associated with a primary necropsy diagnosis of BRD among cattle in the traditional (non-feedlot) husbandry systems prevalent in Ireland have not been investigated previously. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate those risk factors among cattle of all ages over an 8 year period. A total of 3,090 BRD cases and 5,236 controls were matched by submitting veterinary practitioner. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to examine the association of selected animallevel, herd-level and environmental risk factors with case or control status using a conditional logistical regression model. Male cattle aged more than 31 days were significantly more likely to record a primary necropsy diagnosis of BRD than female cattle. Older cattle of both sexes were at increased odds of a BRD necropsy diagnosis than younger calves with the exception of female cattle aged greater than 165 days. The risk of a primary necropsy diagnosis of BRD increased with increasing herd size and decreased with increasing time in days since the last animal movement into the submitting herd. There were significantly reduced odds of a primary necropsy diagnosis of BRD in the summer (June to August) when compared with the autumn (September to November). These findings identify significant risk factors for a necropsy diagnosis of BRD under non-feedlot-type husbandry conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Murray
- Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Doonally, Sligo, Ireland.
| | - J P Cassidy
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - T A Clegg
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - J A Tratalos
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - J McClure
- Irish Cattle Breeders Federation (ICBF), Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - R G O'Neill
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - D J Sammin
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - M J Casey
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - M McElroy
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - B Earley
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre (AGRIC), Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - N Bourke
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - S J More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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STRUCHEN R, HADORN D, WOHLFENDER F, BALMER S, SÜPTITZ S, ZINSSTAG J, VIAL F. Experiences with a voluntary surveillance system for early detection of equine diseases in Switzerland. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 144:1830-6. [PMID: 26846449 PMCID: PMC9150615 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816000091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical observations made by practitioners and reported using web- and mobile-based technologies may benefit disease surveillance by improving the timeliness of outbreak detection. Equinella is a voluntary electronic reporting and information system established for the early detection of infectious equine diseases in Switzerland. Sentinel veterinary practitioners have been able to report cases of non-notifiable diseases and clinical symptoms to an internet-based platform since November 2013. Telephone interviews were carried out during the first year to understand the motivating and constraining factors affecting voluntary reporting and the use of mobile devices in a sentinel network. We found that non-monetary incentives attract sentinel practitioners; however, insufficient understanding of the reporting system and of its relevance, as well as concerns over the electronic dissemination of health data were identified as potential challenges to sustainable reporting. Many practitioners are not yet aware of the advantages of mobile-based surveillance and may require some time to become accustomed to novel reporting methods. Finally, our study highlights the need for continued information feedback loops within voluntary sentinel networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. STRUCHEN
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - D. HADORN
- Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Bern, Switzerland
| | - F. WOHLFENDER
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Institut suisse de médecine équine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - S. BALMER
- Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Bern, Switzerland
| | - S. SÜPTITZ
- Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Bern, Switzerland
| | - J. ZINSSTAG
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - F. VIAL
- Veterinary Public Health Institute, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland
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Burns TE, Stephen C. Finding a Place for Systems-Based, Collaborative Research in Emerging Disease Research in Asia. ECOHEALTH 2015; 12:672-684. [PMID: 26582581 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-015-1072-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The need to adequately predict, prevent and respond to infectious diseases emerging unexpectedly from human-animal-environmental systems has driven interest in multisectoral, socio-economic, systems-based, collaborative (MSC) research approaches such as EcoHealth and One Health. Our goals were to document how MSC research has been used to address EIDs in Asia, and to explore how MSC approaches align with current priorities for EID research in Asia. We gathered priorities for EID research from the peer-reviewed and grey literature, documented organizational descriptions of MCS research approaches, and analysed a series of EID MSC projects. We found that priority areas for EID research in Asia included (1) understanding host-pathogen-environment interactions; (2) improving tools and technologies; (3) changing people's behaviour; and (4) evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. We found that the unifying characteristics of MSC research were that it was action-oriented and sought to inspire change under real-world conditions at the complex interface of human and natural systems. We suggest that MSC research can be considered a type of 'pragmatic research' and might be most useful in describing change in complex human-animal-environmental systems, accelerating research-to-action, and evaluating effectiveness of interventions in 'real world' settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa E Burns
- Centre for Coastal Health, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5S5, Canada.
| | - Craig Stephen
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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Delabouglise A, Antoine-Moussiaux N, Phan TD, Dao DC, Nguyen TT, Truong BD, Nguyen XNT, Vu TD, Nguyen KV, Le HT, Salem G, Peyre M. The Perceived Value of Passive Animal Health Surveillance: The Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Vietnam. Zoonoses Public Health 2015; 63:112-28. [PMID: 26146982 PMCID: PMC4758386 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Economic evaluations are critical for the assessment of the efficiency and sustainability of animal health surveillance systems and the improvement of their efficiency. Methods identifying and quantifying costs and benefits incurred by public and private actors of passive surveillance systems (i.e. actors of veterinary authorities and private actors who may report clinical signs) are needed. This study presents the evaluation of perceived costs and benefits of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) passive surveillance in Vietnam. Surveys based on participatory epidemiology methods were conducted in three provinces in Vietnam to collect data on costs and benefits resulting from the reporting of HPAI suspicions to veterinary authorities. A quantitative tool based on stated preference methods and participatory techniques was developed and applied to assess the non-monetary costs and benefits. The study showed that poultry farmers are facing several options regarding the management of HPAI suspicions, besides reporting the following: treatment, sale or destruction of animals. The option of reporting was associated with uncertain outcome and transaction costs. Besides, actors anticipated the release of health information to cause a drop of markets prices. This cost was relevant at all levels, including farmers, veterinary authorities and private actors of the upstream sector (feed, chicks and medicine supply). One benefit associated with passive surveillance was the intervention of public services to clean farms and the environment to limit the disease spread. Private actors of the poultry sector valued information on HPAI suspicions (perceived as a non-monetary benefit) which was mainly obtained from other private actors and media.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Delabouglise
- AGIRs-Animal and Integrated Risk Management Research Unit, CIRAD-French Agricultural Research Center for International Development, Montpellier, France.,LADYSS, Enjeux Sanitaires et Territoires, CNRS, University Paris-ouest Nanterre-La Défense, Nanterre, France
| | - N Antoine-Moussiaux
- AGIRs-Animal and Integrated Risk Management Research Unit, CIRAD-French Agricultural Research Center for International Development, Montpellier, France.,FARAH-Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - T D Phan
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Rural Development, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - D C Dao
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - T T Nguyen
- National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - B D Truong
- Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - X N T Nguyen
- Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - T D Vu
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Rural Development, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - K V Nguyen
- National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - H T Le
- Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - G Salem
- LADYSS, Enjeux Sanitaires et Territoires, CNRS, University Paris-ouest Nanterre-La Défense, Nanterre, France
| | - M Peyre
- AGIRs-Animal and Integrated Risk Management Research Unit, CIRAD-French Agricultural Research Center for International Development, Montpellier, France.,National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Gates MC, Holmstrom LK, Biggers KE, Beckham TR. Integrating novel data streams to support biosurveillance in commercial livestock production systems in developed countries: challenges and opportunities. Front Public Health 2015; 3:74. [PMID: 25973416 PMCID: PMC4411973 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reducing the burden of emerging and endemic infectious diseases on commercial livestock production systems will require the development of innovative technology platforms that enable information from diverse animal health resources to be collected, analyzed, and communicated in near real-time. In this paper, we review recent initiatives to leverage data routinely observed by farmers, production managers, veterinary practitioners, diagnostic laboratories, regulatory officials, and slaughterhouse inspectors for disease surveillance purposes. The most commonly identified challenges were (1) the lack of standardized systems for recording essential data elements within and between surveillance data streams, (2) the additional time required to collect data elements that are not routinely recorded by participants, (3) the concern over the sharing and use of business sensitive information with regulatory authorities and other data analysts, (4) the difficulty in developing sustainable incentives to maintain long-term program participation, and (5) the limitations in current methods for analyzing and reporting animal health information in a manner that facilitates actionable response. With the significant recent advances in information science, there are many opportunities to develop more sophisticated systems that meet national disease surveillance objectives, while still providing participants with valuable tools and feedback to manage routine animal health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Carolyn Gates
- Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- EpiCenter, Institute for Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Lindsey K. Holmstrom
- Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Keith E. Biggers
- Texas Center for Applied Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tammy R. Beckham
- Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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A focused ethnographic study of Alberta cattle veterinarians' decision making about diagnostic laboratory submissions and perceptions of surveillance programs. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64811. [PMID: 23741397 PMCID: PMC3669388 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The animal and public health communities need to address the challenge posed by zoonotic emerging infectious diseases. To minimize the impacts of future events, animal disease surveillance will need to enable prompt event detection and response. Diagnostic laboratory-based surveillance systems targeting domestic animals depend in large part on private veterinarians to submit samples from cases to a laboratory. In contexts where pre-diagnostic laboratory surveillance systems have been implemented, this group of veterinarians is often asked to input data. This scenario holds true in Alberta where private cattle veterinarians have been asked to participate in the Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network-Veterinary Practice Surveillance, a platform to which pre-diagnostic disease and non-disease case data are submitted. Consequently, understanding the factors that influence these veterinarians to submit cases to a laboratory and the complex of factors that affect their participation in surveillance programs is foundational to interpreting disease patterns reported by laboratories and engaging veterinarians in surveillance. A focused ethnographic study was conducted with ten cattle veterinarians in Alberta. Individual in-depth interviews with participants were recorded and transcribed to enable thematic analysis. Laboratory submissions were biased toward outbreaks of unknown cause, cases with unusual mortality rates, and issues with potential herd-level implications. Decreasing cattle value and government support for laboratory testing have contributed to fewer submissions over time. Participants were willing participants in surveillance, though government support and collaboration were necessary. Changes in the beef industry and veterinary profession, as well as cattle producers themselves, present both challenges and opportunities in surveillance.
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12
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Robinson PA, Epperson WB. Farm animal practitioners' views on their use and expectations of veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Vet Rec 2013; 172:503. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.101366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. A. Robinson
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit; Department of Agriculture & Rural Development; Upper Newtownards Rd Belfast BT4 3SB UK
| | - W. B. Epperson
- Department of Pathobiology & Population Medicine; College of Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi State University; Starkville MS USA
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