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1.
Aust Vet J ; 100(4): 181-186, 2022 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35122431

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Identify veterinarians' practices, recommendations and perceptions when preventing tetanus in horses in Australia. METHODS: Graduated members of Equine Veterinarians Australia participated in an online survey about the prevention of tetanus in horses in Australia. RESULTS: Of 77 respondents (response rate ~ 8%), 50 (65%) reported that they had attended collectively 145-152 cases of tetanus in horses in Australia (1.1 cases of tetanus observed/10 veterinarian-years since qualification). The estimated case fatality rate (CFR) was at least 79%. Puncture wounds were most frequently suspected as the entry point (32%; n = 47). Five respondents (7%) reported cases of localised tetanus. Three respondents reported generalised tetanus within 2 weeks of tetanus antitoxin (TAT) administration. Respondents did not report any cases of tetanus in horses which had been vaccinated according to manufacturer's recommendations. All respondents recommended vaccination, but over 50% (N = 45) stated 'lack of veterinary recommendation' as often or sometimes a reason why clients did not vaccinate horses. Opinions varied on the use of TAT for peri-exposure prophylaxis; 67% of respondents dosed TAT independent of body weight, with the rest dosing according to body weight. Cases of Theiler's disease related to the use of TAT were not reported in Australia by respondents. DISCUSSION: The caseload of equine tetanus appears relatively low among equine veterinarians in Australia. Consistent with the literature, estimated CFR was high. Respondents' recommendations and perceptions about tetanus vaccination were generally consistent but varied regarding TAT usage. Evidence for TAT usage is limited and we recommend studies of TAT efficacy in horses.


Subject(s)
Horse Diseases , Tetanus , Veterinarians , Animals , Australia , Horse Diseases/prevention & control , Horses , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tetanus/prevention & control , Tetanus/veterinary
2.
Sci Total Environ ; 819: 153043, 2022 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35032529

ABSTRACT

Wet markets sell fresh food and are a global phenomenon. They are important for food security in many regions worldwide but have come under scrutiny due to their potential role in the emergence of infectious diseases. The sale of live wildlife has been highlighted as a particular risk, and the World Health Organisation has called for the banning of live, wild-caught mammalian species in markets unless risk assessment and effective regulations are in place. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a global scoping review of peer-reviewed information about the sale of live, terrestrial wildlife in markets that are likely to sell fresh food, and collated data about the characteristics of such markets, activities involving live wildlife, the species sold, their purpose, and animal, human, and environmental health risks that were identified. Of the 56 peer-reviewed records within scope, only 25% (n = 14) focussed on disease risks; the rest focused on the impact of wildlife sale on conservation. Although there were some global patterns (for example, the types of markets and purpose of sale of wildlife), there was wide diversity and huge epistemic uncertainty in all aspects associated with live, terrestrial wildlife sale in markets such that the feasibility of accurate assessment of the risk of emerging infectious disease associated with live wildlife trade in markets is currently limited. Given the value of both wet markets and wildlife trade and the need to support food affordability and accessibility, conservation, public health, and the social and economic aspects of livelihoods of often vulnerable people, there are major information gaps that need to be addressed to develop evidence-based policy in this environment. This review identifies these gaps and provides a foundation from which information for risk assessments can be collected.


Subject(s)
Animals, Wild , Communicable Diseases , Animals , Commerce , Public Health , Zoonoses
3.
Aust Vet J ; 99(9): 388-391, 2021 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34109613

ABSTRACT

In northern Australia, wild dog populations potentially interact with domestic dogs from remote communities, which would create opportunities for disease transmission at the wild-domestic interface. An example is rabies, in the event of an incursion into northern Australia. However, the likelihood of such wild-domestic interactions is ambiguous. Hybridisation analyses based on 23 microsatellite DNA markers were performed on canine-origin scats collected in bushland areas around remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Peninsula Area, Queensland. Sufficient DNA was extracted from 6 of 41 scats to assess the percentage of dingo purity. These scats most likely originated from two 'pure' domestic dogs (0% dingo purity), one hybrid (20% dingo purity) and three 'pure' dingoes (92%-98% dingo purity). The two domestic dog samples were collected in the vicinity of communities. The location of two of the dingo-origin samples provides genetic evidence that dingoes are present in areas close to the communities. The availability of anthropogenic food resources likely creates opportunities for interactions with domestic dogs in the region. The hybrid sample demonstrates the occurrence of antecedent contacts between both populations by means of mating and supports the likelihood of a spatio-temporal overlap at the wild-domestic interface. This represents the first genetic survey involving a wild dog population of equatorial northern Queensland, with evidence of dingo purity. Our results have implications for potential disease transmission within a priority area for biosecurity in northern Australia.


Subject(s)
Dog Diseases , Rabies , Animals , Australia , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dogs , Hybridization, Genetic , Microsatellite Repeats , Queensland , Rabies/veterinary
4.
Aust Vet J ; 99(4): 114-118, 2021 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33398884

ABSTRACT

Free-roaming domestic dogs in Indigenous communities of northern Australia have the potential to spread diseases at the wild-domestic dog interface. Hunting activities with domestic dogs, commonly practiced in Indigenous communities, also create opportunities for wild-domestic dog interactions in the bush, providing pathways for potential disease spread. Data from a camera-trap study conducted in remote Indigenous communities of northern Australia were used to explore spatial and seasonal opportunities for interactions between dingoes and unsupervised domestic dogs. For each type of dog, activity indices, based on detection events per camera station with an adjustment for sampling effort, were mapped across the study area and plotted against distance to communities. Unsupervised domestic dogs were mostly active in proximity (<1 km) to the communities. However, there was a noticeable peak of activity further in the bush away from the communities, especially in the wet season, coinciding with areas commonly used for hunting activities. In contrast, the activity of dingoes was more homogeneous within the study area, with a higher peak of activity around the communities during the dry season, and in bush areas distant (>10 km) to communities during the wet season. Overall, our findings suggest that interactions between dingoes and unsupervised community dogs are more likely to occur around the communities, particularly during the dry season, whereas in the wet season, there is increased opportunity for interactions in distant areas in the bush between dingoes and, presumably, hunting dogs.


Subject(s)
Dog Diseases , Animals , Australia , Dogs , Seasons
5.
Aust Vet J ; 98(3): 100-102, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32115680

ABSTRACT

Hydatid disease in beef cattle has been reported to be widespread throughout Australia, but cattle bred and raised in the Northern Territory were previously believed to be free of the disease. Between 2010 and 2016, 1061 cattle from the Northern Territory were slaughtered at a New South Wales abattoir and inspected for hydatid disease. The proportion of cattle reported infected with hydatid disease was 3.5%. Individual cattle identification numbers indicated that the cattle included in the study had most likely remained within the Northern Territory from birth until immediately prior to slaughter, so were assumed to have become infected within the region. We suspect that the sylvatic cycle of Echinococcus granulosus transmission could be responsible for infection of cattle in this region.


Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases , Echinococcosis/veterinary , Echinococcus granulosus , Red Meat , Animals , Cattle , New South Wales , Northern Territory
6.
J Small Anim Pract ; 61(2): 127-136, 2020 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32017114

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To describe heart rhythm during collapse events in boxer dogs using ambulatory electrocardiogram and determine the predictive value of frequent or complex ventricular ectopy for collapse associated with ventricular tachycardia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 659 ambulatory electrocardiogram recordings from 429 boxer dogs were identified from a database in the UK. Summary statistics described the frequency and complexity of ventricular ectopy during all recordings, recordings in which collapse occurred and associated boxer demographics. Positive predictive values were calculated to investigate whether frequent ventricular ectopy was useful to predict heart rhythm during episodes of collapse. RESULTS: Of the 659 ambulatory electrocardiogram recordings, 250 recordings showed <50 single ventricular beats (Group 1), and frequent (≥50) or complex ventricular ectopy were observed in 409 recordings (Group 2). A total of 90 collapse events were observed in 72 ambulatory electrocardiograms from 68 dogs, comprising 30 dogs in Group 1 and 38 dogs in Group 2. In both groups, sinus rhythm was the most frequent collapse rhythm, followed by neurally mediated collapse and then ventricular tachycardia. The proportion of dogs that displayed ventricular tachycardia-associated episodic collapse given that they had frequent (≥50) or complex ventricular ectopy in the study population was 0.11 [95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.21]. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results challenge the preconception that UK boxer dogs with collapse will have ventricular tachycardia and, consequently, the authors recommend definitive diagnosis of the cause of episodic collapse to guide selection of therapeutic drugs.


Subject(s)
Tachycardia, Ventricular/veterinary , Ventricular Premature Complexes/veterinary , Animals , Dog Diseases , Dogs , Electrocardiography, Ambulatory , Heart Rate
7.
Prev Vet Med ; 181: 104534, 2020 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30243654

ABSTRACT

Social structure creates heterogeneity of interactions between individuals, thus influencing infectious disease spread. The objective of this study was to describe and characterise the social structure of free-roaming dog populations in three communities in the Torres Strait, Australia. Dogs in Kubin, Saibai, and Warraber communities were collared with GPS units that recorded locations at 15 s intervals for up to 1 week, and datasets were obtained from 24 (62% of the dog population), 23 (53%) and 21 (51%) dogs in each community, respectively. An association (potential contact) between dogs was defined as proximity within a spatio-temporal window of 5 m for 30 s. Networks were constructed for each dog population: 1. nodes were individual dogs, and 2. edges were weighted according to the duration of spatio-temporal association between pairs of dogs as a proportion of their simultaneous time monitored. Network statistics were calculated for each population and the robustness of networks to the duration of association between pairs of dogs was assessed in terms of efficiency, degree distribution and fragmentation (number of components). Dog social networks had 'small-world' structures, with characteristic clustering and low average shortest-path length between individuals. Overall, all three networks were highly connected in terms of degree distribution and global and local efficiency, but the median tie strength (2-13.5 min) was low. Centrality and the duration of association (tie-strength) between dogs were significantly different between communities. The Kubin network was least robust to fragmentation when ties of short duration were successively removed (14 components with minimum tie strength of 2 h). In contrast, the Warraber dog network was relatively robust with 7 components at minimum tie strength of 2 h as well as high local efficiency within components. We conclude that whilst infectious disease that requires a short duration of contact for transmission is likely to spread rapidly between and within clusters in all three networks in this study, fragmentation of networks - once ties of short duration are removed - is likely to limit spread of disease that requires a longer duration of direct contact. The network information in this study is useful as a foundation for disease spread modelling and to investigate control strategies such as movement restrictions in dog populations.


Subject(s)
Dogs/psychology , Social Behavior , Animals , Dog Diseases/transmission , Female , Geographic Information Systems , Male , Queensland , Social Networking
8.
Aust Vet J ; 97(8): 268-276, 2019 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31209868

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This survey aimed to understand hunting practices involving domestic dogs in remote Indigenous communities in northern Australia and, in the context of disease transmission, describe the domestic-wild dog interface and intercommunity interactions of hunting dogs during hunting activities. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 13 hunters from communities of the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) of Queensland gathered information on demographics of hunters and hunting dogs, hunting practices and past encounters with wild dogs during hunting trips. Social networks that described the connections of hunters between NPA communities from hunting expeditions were developed. RESULTS: Most hunters interviewed were not aware of any diseases that could be transmitted to dogs (n = 11) or humans (n = 9) from wild animals while hunting. More than half (n = 7) of the respondents had experienced at least one wild dog encounter during hunting in the year prior to the interview. A map of the relative risk of interactions between wild and hunting dogs during hunting trips allowed the identification of high-risk areas in the NPA; these areas are characterised by dense rainforests. The social networks at the community level resulted in relatively large density measures reflecting a high level of intercommunity connectedness. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to our knowledge of Australian Indigenous hunting practices and supports the potential for disease transmission at the domestic-wild dog interface and intercommunity level through contacts between hunting dogs during hunting activities. Insights from this study also highlight the need for educational programs on disease management in Indigenous communities of northern Australia.


Subject(s)
Animals, Domestic , Animals, Wild , Disease Transmission, Infectious/veterinary , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Rabies/veterinary , Animals , Demography , Dog Diseases/transmission , Dogs , Female , Male , Northern Territory/epidemiology , Rabies/epidemiology , Rabies/transmission
9.
Aust Vet J ; 96(12): 487-494, 2018 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30478842

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To generate domestic dog demographic information to aid population and disease management in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the Northern Peninsula Area, Queensland, Australia. METHODS: Sight-resight surveys using standard and modified methods were conducted to estimate the free-roaming dog population size. A cross-sectional questionnaire of dog owners was used to gather dog demographic information and investigate owners' dog management behaviours. A survey was also conducted to estimate the total dog population size. RESULTS: The mean total dog population size was estimated to be 813 (range, 770-868). The roaming dog population was 430 or 542 (95% confidence interval (CI) 254-608; 95% CI 405-680, standard and modified methods, respectively). Therefore, the roaming population represents 52.8% or 66.7% of the total population based on the sight-resight methodology. We surveyed 65 dog owners who owned 165 dogs (1 : 1 ratio of male : female dogs). Only 14% (95% CI 9-19) of dogs were sterilised and significantly more males were entire (P = 0.02). Although most dogs were pets (65%), hunting dogs were significantly more likely to be taken outside of the resident community (P < 0.001). The birth rate was 2.4 puppies/dog-owning house/year, which was higher than the death rate (1.7 dogs/dog-owning house/year). In the previous 12 months, 90% of the 109 deaths were dogs aged 0-2 years old. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that most of the dog population in the NPA is free-roaming and that the population has increased, likely because of a lack of population management strategies such as sterilisation. This information will be used to develop population and disease management strategies in the NPA.


Subject(s)
Demography/statistics & numerical data , Dogs , Animals , Australia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander , Ownership/statistics & numerical data , Queensland , Sterilization, Reproductive/statistics & numerical data , Sterilization, Reproductive/veterinary , Surveys and Questionnaires
10.
Zoonoses Public Health ; 65(1): e54-e65, 2018 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28990371

ABSTRACT

Previous studies estimate that one-third of the annual global burden of rabies (~20,000 cases) occurs in India. Elimination of canine rabies is essential to reduce this burden. Surveillance of animal cases can assess both the risk to humans and the efficacy of control strategies. The objective of this study was to describe the spatial and temporal occurrence of reported confirmed cases of rabies in animals in Punjab, India, from 2004 to 2014. We analysed passive surveillance data on 556 samples submitted from 2004 to 2014 to GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Regression and time series analyses were conducted to understand seasonal and long-term variation of cases and identify cross-correlation of monthly cases between species. Spatio-temporal analyses assessed spatial autocorrelation of date of reporting, mean geographic centres of disease occurrence and clustering of cases using Kulldorff's space-time permutation statistic. The annual number of submissions and proportion of confirmed cases were consistent throughout 2004-2014. Most submissions (320; 57.6%) were confirmed rabies cases, including dogs (40.6%), buffalo (29.7%) and cattle (23.1%). Regression analysis of monthly cases in dogs showed seasonal variation with significant increases in cases in March and August. Monthly case numbers in buffalo decreased over time. Long-term temporal trend was not detected in dog and cattle cases. Time-series models identified significant cross-correlation between dog and buffalo cases, suggesting that buffalo cases were spillover events from dogs. Significant spatio-temporal variation or clusters of cases were not detected. These results indicate that rabies cases in animals-and therefore, the potential for exposure to humans-were temporally and spatially stable during 2004-2014 in Punjab, India. The endemic nature of rabies transmission in this region demands a coordinated, sustained control programme. This study provides baseline information for assessing the efficacy of rabies control measures and developing seasonally targeted dog vaccination and rabies awareness strategies.


Subject(s)
Communicable Disease Control/organization & administration , Endemic Diseases/veterinary , Rabies/veterinary , Animals , Endemic Diseases/prevention & control , India/epidemiology , Rabies/epidemiology , Rabies/prevention & control , Rabies Vaccines , Vaccination , Zoonoses
11.
Prev Vet Med ; 139(Pt A): 20-32, 2017 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28364829

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to trial point of truth calibration (POTCal) as a novel method for disease prioritisation. To illustrate the application of this method, we used a previously described case-study of prioritisation of exotic diseases for the pig industry in Australia. Disease scenarios were constructed from criteria which described potential impact and pig-producers were asked to score the importance of each scenario. POTCal was used to model participants' estimates of disease importance as a function of the criteria, to derive a predictive model to prioritise a range of exotic diseases. The best validation of producers' estimates was achieved using a model derived from all responses. The highest weighted criteria were attack rate, case fatality rate and market loss, and the highest priority diseases were the vesicular diseases followed by swine fevers and zoonotic encephalitides. Comparison of results with a previous study in which probabilistic inversion was used to prioritise diseases for the same group of producers highlighted differences between disease prioritisation methods. Overall, this study demonstrated that POTCal can be used for disease prioritisation. An advantage of POTCal is that valid models can be developed that reflect decision-makers' heuristics. Specifically, this evaluation of the use of POTCal in animal health illustrates how the judgements of participants can be incorporated into a decision-making process. Further research is needed to investigate the influence of scenarios presented to participants during POTCal evaluations, and the robustness of this approach applied to different disease issues (e.g. exotic versus endemic) and production types (e.g. intensive versus extensive). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of POTCal for disease prioritisation.


Subject(s)
Animal Husbandry/methods , Decision Support Techniques , Health Priorities , Swine Diseases/epidemiology , Animal Husbandry/economics , Animals , Australia/epidemiology , Humans , Regression Analysis , Surveys and Questionnaires , Swine , Swine Diseases/economics , Victoria/epidemiology , Zoonoses/economics , Zoonoses/epidemiology
12.
Zoonoses Public Health ; 64(2): 156-160, 2017 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27362859

ABSTRACT

The proximity of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to canine rabies-endemic countries in South-East Asia presents a risk of incursion of this disease into PNG and the rest of the Oceanic region. The objective of this study was to identify the highest risk routes for entry of dogs - associated with movement of people - into PNG from canine rabies-endemic countries. A structured, in-country expert-elicitation workshop was used, and 20 entry routes were identified. The highest risk routes were three land routes from Papua, Indonesia (hunters, traditional border crossers and unregulated, unchecked 'shopper-crossers') and two sea routes (fishing and logging). These results will be used to direct more detailed risk assessments to develop surveillance strategies and incursion response plans.


Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/transmission , Expert Testimony , Rabies/veterinary , Animals , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dogs , Humans , Papua New Guinea , Population Surveillance , Rabies/epidemiology , Rabies/transmission , Risk Factors , Travel , Zoonoses
13.
Equine Vet J ; 49(3): 389-394, 2017 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27383615

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In human subjects, arytenoid chondritis can be caused by chemical trauma of mucosa attributable to gastro-oesophageal reflux. Although a similar process may be involved in the aetiopathogenesis of arytenoid chondritis in horses, the oesophageal lumen pH in this species is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To determine if gastro-oesophageal reflux occurs in horses by characterising oesophageal lumen pH. STUDY DESIGN: Blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover, experimental study. METHODS: Luminal oesophageal pH in six yearling horses was recorded over four 24 h periods using an ambulatory pH recorder attached to a catheter with two electrodes (proximal and distal) inserted into the oesophagus. Recordings of pH were made during three management protocols. Initially, horses grazed in a paddock (Protocol A). Horses were then moved to stables to simulate sale preparation of Thoroughbred yearlings, and were given either omeprazole (Protocol B) or placebo paste (Protocol C) orally once per day. Protocol A was repeated for each horse (after a 13 day washout period) between Protocols B and C. Summary statistics described pH range and frequency of pH changes. Associations with predictor variables were investigated using linear mixed-effects models. Data are presented as the mean ± s.d. RESULTS: Oesophageal lumen pH ranged from 4.90 to 9.70 (7.36 ± 0.27 and 7.18 ± 0.24 for the proximal and distal electrodes, respectively) and varied frequently (1.2 ± 0.9 changes/min and 0.8 ± 0.8 changes/min for the proximal and distal electrodes, respectively). Oesophageal lumen pH was associated with time since concentrate feeding, activity and time of day, but not with treatment of omeprazole. MAIN LIMITATIONS: A small number of horses were used and measurement periods were limited. CONCLUSIONS: Gastro-oesophageal reflux occurs in clinically normal yearling horses. Although omeprazole had no detectable effect, oesophageal lumen pH recorded during this study did not fall within the therapeutic range of omeprazole.


Subject(s)
Animal Husbandry , Esophagus/physiology , Horses/physiology , Omeprazole/pharmacology , Proton Pump Inhibitors/pharmacology , Animals , Cross-Over Studies , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Omeprazole/administration & dosage , Proton Pump Inhibitors/administration & dosage
14.
Epidemiol Infect ; 143(14): 2911-22, 2015 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25876939

ABSTRACT

Disease prioritization is motivated by the need to ensure that limited resources are targeted at the most important problems to achieve the greatest benefit in improving and maintaining human and animal health. Studies have prioritized a range of disease types, for example, zoonotic and foodborne diseases, using a range of criteria that describe potential disease impacts. This review describes the progression of disease prioritization methodology from ad hoc techniques to decision science methods (including multi-criteria decision analysis, conjoint analysis and probabilistic inversion), and describes how these methods aid defensible resource allocation. We discuss decision science in the context of disease prioritization to then review the development of disease prioritization studies. Structuring the prioritization and assessing decision-makers' preferences through value trade-offs between criteria within the decision context are identified as key factors that ensure transparency and reproducibility. Future directions for disease prioritization include the development of validation techniques, guidelines for model selection and neuroeconomics to gain a deeper understanding of decision-making.


Subject(s)
Communicable Disease Control/methods , Communicable Diseases/epidemiology , Communicable Diseases/veterinary , Cost of Illness , Epidemiologic Methods , Animals , Decision Support Techniques , Health Services Administration , Humans
15.
Aust Vet J ; 93(1-2): 13-9, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25622703

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess industry expert opinion on the likely occurrence of entry and exposure routes relevant to a potential incursion of highly pathogenic (HP) porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus from south-east Asia to Australia. DESIGN: Expert opinion elicitation of pig-industry stakeholders using a face-to-face questionnaire. RESULTS: Pig industry experts identified exposure routes involving the disposal of food waste to have the highest probability of occurrence. They were also concerned about the exposure of commercial pigs to humans acting as fomites of PRRS virus, and to feed and additives imported from south-east Asia. They did not consistently agree on the probability of occurrence of entry routes. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the expert elicitation technique was useful in rapidly assessing opinion from a large group of pig industry experts regarding exposure of pigs in Australia to HP-PRRS virus. The results of this survey were used to direct a risk assessment of an incursion of HP-PRRS.


Subject(s)
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/transmission , Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus/pathogenicity , Animal Feed/virology , Animal Husbandry , Animals , Asia, Southeastern , Australia , Humans , Restaurants , Risk Assessment , Solid Waste/adverse effects , Surveys and Questionnaires , Swine , Waste Disposal Facilities , Zoonoses/transmission
16.
Epidemiol Infect ; 143(10): 2043-58, 2015 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25500338

ABSTRACT

Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease (EID) events can have devastating human, animal and environmental health impacts. The emergence of EIDs has been associated with interconnected economic, social and environmental changes. Understanding these changes is crucial for EID preparedness and subsequent prevention and control of EID events. The aim of this review is to describe tools currently available for identification, prioritization and investigation of EIDs impacting human and animal health, and how these might be integrated into a systematic approach for directing EID preparedness. Environmental scanning, foresight programmes, horizon scanning and surveillance are used to collect and assess information for rapidly responding to EIDs and to anticipate drivers of emergence for mitigating future EID impacts. Prioritization of EIDs - using transparent and repeatable methods - based on disease impacts and the importance of those impacts to decision-makers can then be used for more efficient resource allocation for prevention and control. Risk assessment and simulation modelling methods assess the likelihood of EIDs occurring, define impact and identify mitigation strategies. Each of these tools has a role to play individually; however, we propose integration of these tools into a framework that enhances the development of tactical and strategic plans for emerging risk preparedness.


Subject(s)
Civil Defense , Communicable Disease Control/methods , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/diagnosis , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/therapy , Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control , Emergency Medicine/methods , Animals , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention & control , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/veterinary , Humans , Sentinel Surveillance , Veterinary Medicine/methods
17.
Prev Vet Med ; 113(4): 565-79, 2014 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24502944

ABSTRACT

Highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) has spread through parts of south-east Asia, posing a risk to Australia. The objective of this study was to assess the probability of infection of a feral or domestic pig in Australia with highly pathogenic PRRS following ingestion of illegally imported raw pork. A conservative scenario was considered in which 500 g of raw pork was imported from the Philippines into Australia without being detected by border security, then discarded from a household and potentially accessed by a pig. Monte Carlo simulation of a two-dimensional, stochastic model was used to estimate the probability of entry and exposure, and the probability of infection was assessed by incorporating a virus-decay and mechanistic dose-response model. Results indicated that the probability of infection of a feral pig after ingestion of raw meat was higher than the probability of infection of a domestic pig. Sensitivity analysis was used to assess the influence of input parameters on model output probability estimates, and extension of the virus-decay and dose-response model was used to explore the impact of different temperatures and time from slaughter to ingestion of the meat, different weights of meat, and the level of viraemia at slaughter on the infectivity of meat. Parameters with the highest influence on the model output were the level of viraemia of a pig prior to slaughter and the probability of access by a feral pig to food-waste discarded on property surrounding a household. Extension of the decay and dose-response model showed that small pieces of meat (10 g) from a highly pathogenic PRRS viraemic pig could contain enough virus to have a high probability of infection of a pig, and that routes to Australia by sea or air from all highly pathogenic PRRS virus endemic countries were of interest dependent on the temperature of the raw meat during transport. This study highlighted the importance of mitigation strategies such as disposal of food-waste from international traffic as quarantine waste, and the need for further research into the probability of access to food-waste on properties by feral pigs.


Subject(s)
Commerce , Meat/virology , Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/transmission , Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus/physiology , Animals , Australia , Models, Theoretical , Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/virology , Probability , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Swine
18.
Prev Vet Med ; 113(1): 103-17, 2014 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24211032

ABSTRACT

Diseases that are exotic to the pig industry in Australia were prioritised using a multi-criteria decision analysis framework that incorporated weights of importance for a range of criteria important to industry stakeholders. Measurements were collected for each disease for nine criteria that described potential disease impacts. A total score was calculated for each disease using a weighted sum value function that aggregated the nine disease criterion measurements and weights of importance for the criteria that were previously elicited from two groups of industry stakeholders. One stakeholder group placed most value on the impacts of disease on livestock, and one group placed more value on the zoonotic impacts of diseases. Prioritisation lists ordered by disease score were produced for both of these groups. Vesicular diseases were found to have the highest priority for the group valuing disease impacts on livestock, followed by acute forms of African and classical swine fever, then highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. The group who valued zoonotic disease impacts prioritised rabies, followed by Japanese encephalitis, Eastern equine encephalitis and Nipah virus, interspersed with vesicular diseases. The multi-criteria framework used in this study systematically prioritised diseases using a multi-attribute theory based technique that provided transparency and repeatability in the process. Flexibility of the framework was demonstrated by aggregating the criterion weights from more than one stakeholder group with the disease measurements for the criteria. This technique allowed industry stakeholders to be active in resource allocation for their industry without the need to be disease experts. We believe it is the first prioritisation of livestock diseases using values provided by industry stakeholders. The prioritisation lists will be used by industry stakeholders to identify diseases for further risk analysis and disease spread modelling to understand biosecurity risks to this industry.


Subject(s)
Decision Support Techniques , Health Priorities , Swine Diseases/prevention & control , Zoonoses/prevention & control , Animals , Australia , Swine
19.
Prev Vet Med ; 113(1): 118-31, 2014 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24211106

ABSTRACT

We describe stakeholder preference modelling using a combination of new and recently developed techniques to elicit criterion weights to incorporate into a multi-criteria decision analysis framework to prioritise exotic diseases for the pig industry in Australia. Australian pig producers were requested to rank disease scenarios comprising nine criteria in an online questionnaire. Parallel coordinate plots were used to visualise stakeholder preferences, which aided identification of two diverse groups of stakeholders - one group prioritised diseases with impacts on livestock, and the other group placed more importance on diseases with zoonotic impacts. Probabilistic inversion was used to derive weights for the criteria to reflect the values of each of these groups, modelling their choice using a weighted sum value function. Validation of weights against stakeholders' rankings for scenarios based on real diseases showed that the elicited criterion weights for the group who prioritised diseases with livestock impacts were a good reflection of their values, indicating that the producers were able to consistently infer impacts from the disease information in the scenarios presented to them. The highest weighted criteria for this group were attack rate and length of clinical disease in pigs, and market loss to the pig industry. The values of the stakeholders who prioritised zoonotic diseases were less well reflected by validation, indicating either that the criteria were inadequate to consistently describe zoonotic impacts, the weighted sum model did not describe stakeholder choice, or that preference modelling for zoonotic diseases should be undertaken separately from livestock diseases. Limitations of this study included sampling bias, as the group participating were not necessarily representative of all pig producers in Australia, and response bias within this group. The method used to elicit criterion weights in this study ensured value trade-offs between a range of potential impacts, and that the weights were implicitly related to the scale of measurement of disease criteria. Validation of the results of the criterion weights against real diseases - a step rarely used in MCDA - added scientific rigour to the process. The study demonstrated that these are useful techniques for elicitation of criterion weights for disease prioritisation by stakeholders who are not disease experts. Preference modelling for zoonotic diseases needs further characterisation in this context.


Subject(s)
Data Interpretation, Statistical , Decision Support Techniques , Health Priorities , Models, Theoretical , Swine Diseases/prevention & control , Zoonoses/prevention & control , Animals , Australia , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Swine
20.
Arch Insect Biochem Physiol ; 14(3): 121-9, 1990.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-2134173

ABSTRACT

Juvenile hormone III biosynthesis by corpora allata of adult female Leucophaea maderae was measured by an in vitro radiochemical assay. In fed females, JH III synthesis increases more than 20-fold after mating to a peak of 55 pmol/pair/h on day 9 and then rapidly declines. This increase in JH III synthesis concomitant with rapid oocyte growth in mated females is not observed in virgin females. The corpora allata from starved, virgin females appear to be inactive. The addition of 150 microM 2E,6E-farnesol (a) JH III precursor) to the incubation medium stimulates the corpora allata from starved, virgin females less than the corpora allata from starved, mated females. Both feeding and mating are necessary for the expression of a normal cycle of JH III synthesis in this cockroach.


Subject(s)
Cockroaches/metabolism , Corpora Allata/metabolism , Juvenile Hormones/biosynthesis , Animals , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Farnesol/pharmacology , Female , Food Deprivation/physiology , Juvenile Hormones/metabolism , Methionine/metabolism , Oocytes/growth & development
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