Who do you know? Zoonotic disease communication networks of livestock producers, veterinarians, human health professionals, and emergency managers

Lauri Baker,Angela Lindsey,Mariah Bausch,Ashley Mcleod-Morin

doi:10.37433/aad.v1i2.41

Lauri Baker, Angela Lindsey + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v1i2.41

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Abstract

Zoonotic disease epidemics are on the rise with emerging diseases being identified that affect humans and animals alike. An understanding about communication networks of those involved in managing a zoonotic disease outbreak is necessary to develop a strong communication response in the event of a zoonotic disease outbreak. The purpose of this study was to explore the communication networks of livestock producers, veterinarians, human health professionals, and emergency managers related to zoonotic disease. In-depth interviews were conducted with 41 people within key areas of one state in an effort to understand how communication networks may be activated during a crisis. This study revealed a wide range of information sources that livestock producers, medical professionals, veterinarians, and emergency managers seek information from. The results from this study also highlight the communication gaps, such as veterinarians not communicating with livestock producers, emergency managers not communicating with medical professionals and livestock producers, and a lack of communication between medical professionals and livestock producers. It is recommended that professionals who play a key role in zoonotic disease outbreaks, such as livestock producers, veterinarians, human health professionals, and emergency managers, cultivate and maintain relationships outside their usual professional group beyond times of disease outbreaks.

Highlights

Introduction and Problem StatementZoonotic diseases pose a major threat to society as these are not commonly seen by producers or veterinarians (Moennig, 2000), which makes diagnoses and control of an outbreak difficult
The most effective way of controlling zoonotic diseases is through communication and education (Ashlock et al, 2009; Zinsstag et al, 2007), but gaps exist in what is known about communication networks and the information shared through these networks
Zoonotic diseases make up about 60% of infectious diseases seen in humans (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention One Health, n.d.); there are 196 emerging diseases that infect humans, livestock, and wildlife

Summary

Introduction

Zoonotic diseases pose a major threat to society as these are not commonly seen by producers or veterinarians (Moennig, 2000), which makes diagnoses and control of an outbreak difficult. Zoonotic diseases make up about 60% of infectious diseases seen in humans (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention One Health, n.d.); there are 196 emerging diseases that infect humans, livestock, and wildlife. Of these diseases, there are 15 deadly zoonotic diseases affecting humans (Gebreyes et al, 2014). In addition to health impacts, zoonotic diseases pose a significant threat to the economy. According to Narrod et al (2012), zoonotic diseases have an estimated cost of $20 billion to the global economy within the past decade affecting both industrialized and developing countries

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