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Program: Epidemiology and economics of diseases
  • Title (NL) Epidemiology and economics of diseases
  • Period 2002 - unknown
  • Status Current
Abstract
bullet Abstract The research line epidemiology of animal diseases is focussed on unravelling the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and/or spread of diseases in farm animal populations. Our aim is to identify risk and preventive factors for the spread or clinical manifestation of animal diseases acting at the primary production stages and quantify their effects. The diseases studied in this line can be categorized into three groups: 1) diseases that are important because of their (sub)-clinical manifestation within individual herds, 2) animal diseases with control programmes above the level of the individual farm, and 3) diseases or infections that are important because of public health. In addition, our aim is to develop new quantitative methods to study these diseases
Although the range of diseases that we study is wide, the research has a strong coherence with respect to the methods that we use to study the underlying mechanisms of disease at the population level. Besides the classical epidemiological toolbox that includes observational studies and the associated analytical methods, we use mathematical modelling and animal experiments for this purpose. In our approach, the mathematical modelling is essential for defining hypotheses, for unravelling the complexity of transmission events and to evaluate the possible effect of control measures. Furthermore, experimental epidemiology enables us to establish causal associations between risk and preventive factors and disease transmission, whereas field studies enable us to quantify their effects in the target population. Especially in the field, study design and estimation methods are critical to distinguish true effects from confounding and bias. Therefore, research focuses on methods to estimate treatment effects, methods to analyse multi-level data and diagnostic optimisation to measure disease in animal populations. In addition, new mathematical and analytical methods are developed to better describe the specific aspects of a disease.
Estimation of effects in populations requires in-depth knowledge of the disease at the level of the individual animal. Consequently, we also try to gain knowledge of the pathogenesis of diseases at the individual level and the role of genetics. We do this by either studying these characteristics ourselves, or by close cooperation with other research groups. Finally, we use economic methods to establish the economic significance of epidemiological findings. Research in this area aims to provide data to support the decision-making process in optimising animal health management, mainly at the herd level.
In conclusion, the research line epidemiology of animal diseases focuses on population level mechanisms of disease and development of new analytical tools, while also addressing pathophysiological, genetical and economical aspects of disease. Consequently, the results of this line are pivotal for prevention of and intervention against diseases in animal populations and the proper design of animal health and quality assurance programmes on the farm as well as on the level of a production chain or geographical area.
Related organisations
bullet Secretariat Departement Gezondheidszorg Landbouwhuisdieren (UU)
Related people
bullet Project leader Prof.dr. J.A. Stegeman
Classification
bullet A22000 Animal husbandry
bullet D21500 Histology, cell biology
bullet D21800 Immunology, serology
bullet D22100 Microbiology
bullet D22600 Zoology
bullet D43000 Economics
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