Emergency management of disasters involving livestock in developing countries

Abstract

Different disasters have similar consequences on the health and welfare of livestock. Numerous geophysical disasters can exacerbate epizootics, resulting in the deaths of many animals and the reduction of production efficiency. These disasters also present a considerable threat of spoilage of processed foods, endangering public health. Furthermore, large-scale disasters involving animals can modify the long-term stability of national economies, the environment and social structures. The authors discuss the vulnerability of the livestock industry to natural disasters and the impact of floods, droughts and transboundary diseases and pests on national economies. Examples are given on how some losses can be avoided, evaluated and compensated. The role of the veterinarian is presented in relation to work conducted by other relief organisations in cases of emergency. In developing countries, mitigation programmes should focus on strengthening global animal health services. Preparedness needs to be community based, with education provided in a timely manner. Effective recovery from disasters should be based on mitigation programmes, including international trade and mutual aid agreements between neighbouring countries to supply appropriate goods and environmentally and culturally appropriate breeds of livestock. Disaster relief for the care of livestock should be recognised as a form of humanitarian assistance, given the benefits to be derived for public health and the socio-economic implications of successful intervention.

Epidemiologic Methods Lessons Learned from Environmental Public Health Disasters: Chernobyl, the World Trade Center, Bhopal, and Graniteville, South Carolina

“…CBPR maximizes participation rates and minimizes attrition by engaging the participants in the entire research process [49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68]. Therefore, CBPR strategies are crucial when studying a community impacted by an environmental disaster [69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77]. A longitudinal study using CBPR is currently evaluating pulmonary function among a cohort of Graniteville millworkers with baseline pulmonary function tests recorded prior to the chlorine spill.…”

Identifying the research gap of zoonotic disease in displacement: a systematic review

“…Southeast Asia [38], Philippines [27], Thailand [17,38], China [17], India [17,18,32], Nepal [37], Pakistan [22], Taiwan [17,18], Puerto Rico [16], Central and South America [39] Argentina [18], Brazil [18], Nicaragua [39], Caribbean [24], Haiti [15,39], Austria [29], Bulgaria [29], Germany [29], France [29], Russia [29]. Africa [3,40], Algeria [41], Chad [6], Malawi [2], Niger [6], Indonesia [24], Myanmar [6], Nepal [37], Thailand [38], Syria [28], Cuba [24], Haiti [15,39]. [28], including in neighbouring countries, as shifting control of geographical locations between government and opposing forces in Syria challenged disease surveillance and control [64].…”

Disaster management in India: the case of livestock and poultry

“…For example, through the ages, the Somali pastoralists have developed effective survival mechanisms to mitigate the impact of droughts and increase the chances of their own survival and that of their livestock. For example, they rear two or more species of livestock as a buffer against the loss of animals in drought, and members of the clan who can afford it offer animals to the less fortunate members (14). In developing countries, local resources and expertise, which can identify common hazards and prioritise mitigation and planning strategies to reduce the impact of disasters, need to be integrated with government initiatives.…”