Akkina Judy

The Risk Identification Unit (RIU) of the US Dept. of Agriculture’s Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health (CEAH) conducts weekly surveillance of national livestock health data and routine coordination with agricultural stakeholders. In an initiative to increase the monitored species, health issues, and data sources, CEAH epidemiologists are building a surveillance system based on weekly counts of laboratory test orders along with Colorado State Univ. laboratorians and statistical analysts from the Johns Hopkins Univ. Applied Physics Lab. Initial efforts used 12 years of equine test records from 3 state labs covering most Colorado horse testing. Trial syndrome groups were formed based on RIU experience and published articles. Data analysis, stakeholder input, and discovery of laboratory workflow details were needed to modify these groups and filter test records to eliminate alerting bias. Customized statistical monitoring methods were sought based on specialized lab information characteristics and on likely presentation and health significance of syndrome-associated diseases.

An active syndromic surveillance system was designed to collect cattle health information from a sample of Texas cattle market sales. Texas Animal Health Commission livestock inspectors record the total number of animals observed along with the total number displaying clinical signs of interest grouped into body system categories (e.g. respiratory, neurologic, etc.). Inspection reports are submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services (VS) Risk Identification Team for monitoring. 

Objective

Implement a mobile technology platform to capture and transmit syndromic cattle data collected at Texas market sales. 

USDA-APHIS-VS utilizes several continuous data streams to increase our knowledge of animal health and provide situational awareness of emerging animal health issues. In addition, USDA- APHIS-VS often conducts pilot projects to see if regular data access and analysis are feasible, and if so, if the information generated is useful. Syndromic surveillance was developed for three goals: a syndromic monitoring system to identify new diseases, as an emerging disease early warning system, and to provide situational awareness of animal health status. Current efforts focus on monitoring diverse data, such as laboratory accessions or poison center calls, grouped into syndromic or other health indicator categories, and are not intended to identify specific pre-determined diseases or pathogens. It is essential to regularly evaluate and re-evaluate the effectiveness of our surveillance program. However, there are difficulties when using traditional surveillance evaluation methods, since the objectives and outcomes of monitoring novel data streams from pilot projects are not easily measurable. An additional challenge in the evaluation of these data streams is the identification of a method that can adapt to various context and inputs to make objective decisions. Until recently, assessment efforts have looked at the feasibility of regular analysis and reporting, but not at the utility of the information generated, nor the plausibility and sustainability of longer term or expanded efforts. 

Objective

To implement a systematic and uniform approach to evaluating data sources for syndromic surveillance within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) group.