“I don't go to Meetings”: understanding farmer perspectives on bovine TB and biosecurity training

Hamilton, Lindsay; Evans, Nick; Allcock, James

doi:10.1136/vr.104995

Cited by 21 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…However, when we consider this and the good explanatory power of the land parcels network metrics, we could speculate that the cattle dataset might hide some contact patterns. This could occur due to the inability to isolate M. bovis in all herd breakdowns or in all cattle, or due to unrecorded movements, with cattle grazing in several land parcels belonging to the same farm but not contiguous to the farm [50,51]. In general, the landscape and the farmland fragmentation and distribution in space, which is ignored when considering farms’ main building locations only, might play a crucial role in disease dissemination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylodynamic analysis of an emergentMycobacterium bovisoutbreak in an area with no previously known wildlife infections

Rossi

Crispell

Brough³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Understanding how an emergent pathogen successfully establishes itself and persists in a previously unaffected population is a crucial problem in disease ecology. In multi-host pathogen systems this problem is particularly difficult, as the importance of each host species to transmission is often poorly characterised, and the epidemiology of the disease is complex. Opportunities to observe and analyse such emergent scenarios are few.Here, we exploit a unique dataset combining densely-collected data on the epidemiological and evolutionary characteristics of an outbreak of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, bTB) in a population of cattle and badgers in an area considered low-risk for bTB, that has no previous record of either persistent infection in cattle, or of any infection in wildlife.We analyse the outbreak dynamics using a combination of mathematical modelling, machine learning and Bayesian evolutionary analyses. Comparison to M. bovis whole-genome sequences from Northern Ireland confirmed this to be a single introduction of the pathogen from the latter region, with evolutionary analysis supporting an introduction directly into the local cattle population at least six years prior to its first discovery in badgers. Once introduced, the evidence supports M. bovis epidemiological dynamics passing through two phases, the first dominated by cattle-to-cattle transmission before becoming established in the local badger population.These findings emphasise the importance of disease surveillance for early containment of outbreaks, in particular for pathogens not causing immediately evident symptoms in the infected host, and highlight the utility of combining dynamic modelling and phylogenetic analyses for understanding the often complex infection dynamics associated with emergent outbreaks.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phylodynamic analysis of an emergentMycobacterium bovisoutbreak in an area with no previously known wildlife infections

Rossi

Crispell

Brough³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…This paper provides a valuable insight into farmer thinking and opinions on bTB, including the expressed sense of powerlessness and lack of control. In a survey of farmers from Northern Ireland, Hamilton et al ( 24 ) found that farmers felt “utterly powerless and in an intractable position that promoted a sense of despair that paralyzed them and made new learning unappealing and seemingly pointless”. The findings were consistent with Enticott et al ( 25 ) who found that farmers believe they are unable to do anything about bTB but are keen for the government to intervene to help control the spread of bTB.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Engaging With Farmers to Explore Correlates of Bovine Tuberculosis Risk in an Internationally Important Heritage Landscape: The Burren, in the West of Ireland

et al. 2022

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Bovith recene tuberculosis (bTB) continues to be a pathogen of concern in several countries globally. Analysis of areas that have higher incidences of bTB outbreaks has demonstrated how risk is not equally distributed, and local data collection, analysis and participatory engagement is required to develop tailored approaches. The Burren, an internationally important heritage landscape, has been an area of higher bTB incidence for many years in Ireland, and owing to its unique geology and farming heritage a survey was developed to engage with local farmers to gain greater insight into farming practices and bTB control to inform tailored approaches. The survey gathered data on the farm and animal management approaches being used within the Burren, including local farming techniques like the use of “winterage” (grazing exposed limestone dominated uplands). Thematic analysis of free text responses was undertaken. Quantitative data were then explored using statistical models to assess associations with recent (<3 years) self-reported bTB breakdown risk. There was a high number of responses demonstrating a high degree of willingness to engage on the issue. Thematic analysis suggested that wildlife and its management (culling and vaccination), testing quality, and its impact on the bTB scheme, and pessimism around eradication were important themes. Statistical analysis suggested that increasing bTB risk was primarily related to increasing herd-size and the percentage of herd owner's land inaccessible to those attempting to locate badger setts. There was less evidence for associations relating to the amount of time, or which season (i.e., summer), farmers utilized “winterage”. The results of the study will feed back directly to local bTB management plans and further stakeholder engagement and is an exemplar for local tailoring of national control measures in situations of high incidences of bTB outbreaks in particular areas.

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“…Skills imparted need to reach the frontline actors where the first contact with pathogens take place. Some trainings at this operational level have not been taken up by the farmers with enthusiasm [ 26 , 27 ]. Trainers of trainers’ programs would ensure continuation of training for longer periods of time sustaining consistent training.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reasons for and barriers to biosafety and biosecurity training in health-related organizations in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia: findings from GIBACHT training needs assessments 2018-2019

Rutebemberwa¹,

Aku²,

Zein³

et al. 2020

Pan Afr Med J

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Introduction the Global-Partnership-Initiated-Biosecurity-Academia for Controlling Health Threats (GIBACHT) consortium conducts a biosafety and biosecurity training for fellows from Africa, the Middle East and Asia. To achieve a multiplier effect, fellows conduct trainings in their own organizations. It was during such trainings that training needs assessments were done assessing reasons for and barriers to biosafety and biosecurity training. Methods this was a cross sectional assessment. Trainings were conducted from April to July 2018 and April to June 2019. In 2018, training needs were explored using a structured tool. Responses were coded using manifest content analysis and key issues identified. In 2019, respondents quantified the identified key issues using a Likert scale. Proportions of those who strongly agreed, agreed, neither agreed nor disagreed, disagreed or strongly disagreed were calculated and results presented in tables and charts. Results in 2018 and 2019, there were 183 and 191 respondents respectively. About 96% of respondents in 2018 supported training in biosafety and biosecurity citing individual, community and global benefits. Barriers highlighted included governance, financial, human resource, information and infrastructure challenges. In 2019, majority of respondents indicated inadequate guidelines dissemination, lack of financial resources, inadequate personnel, lack of equipped laboratories and lack of instructional materials among major barriers. Conclusion support for biosafety and biosecurity training was high though systemic barriers exist. Improving human resource capacity and provision of instructional materials can be achieved through training programs. However, systemic assessments need to be done before each training as different organizations have different barriers.

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“I don't go to Meetings”: understanding farmer perspectives on bovine TB and biosecurity training

Cited by 21 publications

References 17 publications

Phylodynamic analysis of an emergentMycobacterium bovisoutbreak in an area with no previously known wildlife infections

Phylodynamic analysis of an emergentMycobacterium bovisoutbreak in an area with no previously known wildlife infections

Engaging With Farmers to Explore Correlates of Bovine Tuberculosis Risk in an Internationally Important Heritage Landscape: The Burren, in the West of Ireland

Reasons for and barriers to biosafety and biosecurity training in health-related organizations in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia: findings from GIBACHT training needs assessments 2018-2019

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