Prioritization of diseases of food-producing animals

Humblet et al 2012 prioritized 100 animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe using 57 prioritization criteria. The method of disease prioritization has been defined as the “organization of listed diseases into a hierarchy, considering their respective impacts”. Five aspects of a pathogen were considered: epidemiology, prevention/control, effects on economy/trade, zoonotic characteristics, and effect on society. [1]

Prioritization of diseases has acquired major interest within the past few years, especially from a prevention point of view and in the sector of public health. Such a method is needed within the context of emerging diseases because it is not known how severe socioeconomic consequences of outbreaks will be. This study included zoonoses and transmissible diseases common to humans and animals and reportable animal diseases, and involves interdisciplinary work of  animal and human epidemiologists; chief veterinary officers; experts in agricultural economics, animal welfare, and biodiversity; and experts on societal aspects of diseases.

The new model presented by the authors enables adaptations (vaccination becoming available, increased knowledge of a pathogen, viral mutations or genetic reassortments increasing host specificity). It may be applied to diseases affecting domestic (dogs, cats) pets or exotic pets (reptiles).

Classification of 100 diseases of food-producing animals and zoonoses into 4 subgroups
Classification and regression tree analysis showing grouping of diseases of food-producing animals and zoonoses into 4 subgroups by using overall weighted scores per disease as input, Europe. A) High importance and significant importance. B) Moderate importance and relatively low importance. See the Classification tree:  http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/18/4/11-1151-f2.htm

[1] Humblet MF, Vandeputte S, Albert A, Gosset C, Kirschvink N, Haubruge E, Fecher-Bourgeois F, Pastoret PP, Saegerman C: Multidisciplinary and Evidence-based Method for Prioritizing Diseases of Food-producing Animals and Zoonoses. Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Apr;18(4):e1. doi: 10.3201/eid1804.111151.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/18/4/11-1151_article.htm