The use of WhatsApp to identify previously undiagnosed and underreported ruminant and equine diseases in Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

This study explores the use of WhatsApp as a tool for identifying previously undiagnosed and underreported diseases in ruminants and horses in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The research, carried out from January 2022 to December 2023, involved a WhatsApp group of 302 public service and private sector veterinarians. The contacts were categorized as those that resulted in a necropsy by the veterinary diagnostic laboratory, the sending of a sample for histopathological analysis, or the non-sending of material. The results demonstrate the efficiency of using WhatsApp for diagnosing underreported diseases such as anaplasmosis, haemonchosis, rabies, blackleg disease, Mannheimia haemolytica pneumonia, bovine herpesvirus encephalitis, multiple mineral deficiency in cattle and copper poisoning in sheep, thus increasing diagnostic efficiency for veterinary laboratories. The tool also facilitated communication, resulting in an increase in conclusive diagnoses, the identification of previously undiagnosed diseases such as Chlamydia pecorum encephalomyelitis in buffalo, peripheral neuropathy in cattle, phosphorus deficiency in cattle, vitamin A deficiency, and perinatal pneumonia caused by Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae in cattle. In addition, it was possible to identify underreported occurrences, such as cases of abortion and neonatal diarrhea and to implement the correction of diagnostic approaches in real-time via WhatsApp. The study concludes that WhatsApp improves communication between field veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories, providing valuable information on disease occurrence and diagnostic challenges.