A Qualitative Study of State-Level Zoonotic Disease Surveillance in New England

• Published in: Zoonoses and public health Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 131 - 139
• Main Authors: Scotch, M., Mattocks, K., Rabinowitz, P., Brandt, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-03-2011
• Subjects: Animal diseases; Animals; Databases, Factual - standards; Databases, Factual - statistics & numerical data; Disease control; Disease transmission; Humans; Infectious diseases; Information Dissemination; Interprofessional Relations; New England - epidemiology; Public health; Public Health - methods; Qualitative research; Sentinel Surveillance - veterinary; state public health veterinarian; state veterinarian; surveillance; Zoonoses; New England; New England states
• ISSN: 1863-1959; 1863-2378
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01319.x

Summary
Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases transmittable between animals and humans and outbreaks of these diseases in animals can signify that humans are also infected (or vice versa). Thus, communication between animal and human health agencies is critical for surveillance. Understanding how these agencies conduct surveillance and share information is important for the development of successful automated zoonotic monitoring systems. Individual interviews were conducted with 13 professionals who perform animal or human zoonotic disease surveillance in one of the New England states. Questions centred on existing surveillance methods, collaborations between animal and human health agencies, and technological and data needs. The results showed that agencies routinely communicate over suspected zoonotic disease cases, yet there are barriers preventing automated electronic linking of health data of animals and humans. These include technological barriers and barriers due to sensitivity and confidentiality of information. Addressing these will facilitate the development of electronic systems for integrating animal and human zoonotic disease surveillance data.