9- Approach to suspected infectious disease outbreak- part 1

Question 1

List some key elements of prevention of an infectious disease outbreak

Answer 1

Good levels of hygiene and biosecurity
People trained in disease control
Good facility design & review/maintenance
Regular observation of animals and prompt intervention
Stress reduction for animals
Preventive treatments
Good nutrition

Question 2

Define Reportable diseases

Answer 2

by law, have to be reported to APHA when the causative agent has been identified (usually reported by laboratories)

Question 3

Define notifiable disease

Answer 3

are animal diseases that you’re legally obliged to report to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), even if you only suspect that an animal may be affected

Question 4

List some considerations for a farm animal infectious disease outbreak

Answer 4

Herd level investigation vs individual animal
Implications for animal movements, neighbours etc.
Do we need to reach a diagnosis? - does not always change the outcome
Food consumption implications?

Question 5

What is the index case

Answer 5

first known infected case

Question 6

List 5 examples of some questions that should be asked whilst taking the history during a outbreak

Answer 6

WHO- which groups/ people affected
WHAT- how many/ any died
WHEN- when was it first noticed
WHERE- multiple sites affected??
WHY- any changes recently/ new animals introduced