epidemiology

Question 1

what is epidemiology?

Answer 1

The study of
diseases in
populations

Question 2

what is clinical approach?

Answer 2

• Interested in an individual animal
• Physical exam
• Differential diagnosis
• Laboratory tests
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

Question 3

what is the Epidemiological approach?

Answer 3

• Do not necessarily need to define the agent causing the disease
• Identify that a disease of significance is present
• Observe differences between diseased and non-diseased animals
• Understand what factors are increasing or reducing risk of disease
• Determine what measures can be applied to reduce the risk

= allows for disease to be controlled even if the precise cause is not yet known

Question 4

vertical transmission

Answer 4

Disease transmitted
from one generation to
the next
* in utero (via placenta
* lactogenically

Question 4

what are fomites?

Answer 4

any inanimate object that can transmit pathogens from one host to the next

Question 4

outbreak investigation

Answer 4

Define the parameters of the disease: Characterise the cases, make a formal
case definition

How many animals are affected?

Passive Surveillance
Case numbers tabulated through the reporting of
clinically suspected or diagnosed cases of the
disease by the farmer or vet

active surveillance
Case numbers tabulated by actively looking for
cases (even those that may not be showing the
clinical signs) e.g. laboratory tests

PREVALENCE
the number of cases with the disease at a
specific point in time or over a specified
time period

INCIDENCE
the number of NEW cases with the disease
over a specified time period

Question 5

horizontal transmission

Answer 5

indirect: airborne, vector

direct: