Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biosurveillance Based on Test Orders from Veterinary Diagnostic Labs

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Infectious Disease Informatics and Biosurveillance

Part of the book series: Integrated Series in Information Systems ((ISIS,volume 27))

Chapter Overview

The threat of disease epidemics resulting from zoonotic pathogens is a valid concern for public health authorities and others involved with healthcare of people and animals. A significant number of epidemics over the past two decades have resulted from infection by a zoonotic pathogen. Detection of these outbreaks has typically relied upon the identification of human cases in spite of the fact that humans are a primary reservoir for a small percentage of zoonotic pathogens. Detection of an outbreak of zoonotic disease in animals before it has reached outbreak status in humans could provide the opportunity for earlier interventions that greatly reduce human morbidity and mortality. This chapter discusses test orders made to veterinary diagnostic laboratories as a potential source of data for bio-surveillance efforts and provides sample methods for evaluating these data. Examination of these data has provided promise of their utility for such surveillance systems and demonstrated the ability to detect outbreaks of certain diseases earlier than traditional reporting methods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • American Veterinary Medical Association, 2002, U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, AVMA, Schaumburg, IL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babin, S. M., Casper, J., Witt, C., Happel-Lewis, S. L., Wojcik, R. A., Magruder, S. F., et al, 2003, Early detection of possible bioterrorist events using sentinel animals. Paper presented at the 131st Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association, November 15–19, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backer, L., Grindem, C. B., Corbett, W. T., Cullins, L., and Hunter, J. L., 2001, Pet dogs as sentinels for environmental contamination, Sci Total Environ, 274:161–169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, P. C., Kaneene, J. B., Kirk, J. H., Wilke, M. A., and Martenuik, J. V., 1986, Development of a computerized dairy herd health data base for epidemiologic research, Prev Vet Med, 4(1):3–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Begier, E. M., Sockwell, D., Branch, L. M., Davies-Cole, J. O., Jones, L. H., Edwards, L., et al, 2003, The national capitol region’s emergency department syndromic surveillance system: Do chief complaint and discharge diagnosis yield different results? Emerg Infect Dis, 9(3):393–396.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bender, J. B., and Shulman, S. A., 2004, Reports of zoonotic disease outbreaks associated with animal exhibits and availability of recommendations for preventing zoonotic disease transmission from animals to people in such settings, J Am Vet Med Assoc, 224(7):1105–1109.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, C. A., Rolka, H., Walker, D., and Loonsk, J., 2005, BioSense: Implementation of a national early event detection and situational awareness system, MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 54(Suppl):11–19.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, 2006, Agencies launch warning system for animal diseases, (July 27, 2006); http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jul2506warning.html.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001, Updated guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems: recommendations from the guidelines working group, MMWR Recomm Rep, 50(RR-13):1–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Childs, J., Shope, R. E., Fish, D., Meslin, F. X., Peters, C. J., Johnson, K., et al, 1998, Emerging zoonoses, Emerg Infect Dis, 4(3):453–454.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cleaveland, S., Laurenson, M. K., and Taylor, L. H., 2001, Diseases of humans and their domestic mammals: Pathogen characteristics, host range and the risk of emergence, Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 356:991–999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conner, C. F., 2005, Review of efforts to protect the agricultural sector and food supply from a deliberate attack with a biological agent, a toxin or a disease directed at crops and livestock, Bio-Security and Agro-Terrorism, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, P. C., Dubovi, E. J., Castleman, W. L., Stephenson, I., Gibbs, E. P. J., Chen, L., et al., 2005, Transmission of equine influenza virus to dogs, (September 29, 2005); http://www.sciencexpress.org/10.1126/science.1117950.

  • Das, D., Metzger, K., Heffernan, R., Balter, S., Weiss, D., and Mostashari, F., 2005, Monitoring over-the-counter medication sales for early detection of disease outbreaks-New York City, MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 54(Suppl):41–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dato, V., Wagner, M. M., and Fapohunda, A., 2004, How outbreaks of infectious disease are detected: A review of surveillance systems and outbreaks, Public Health Rep, 119:464–471.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeGroot, B., 2005, The Rapid Syndrome Validation Project for Animals – Augmenting Contact with the Network of Accredited Veterinarians, NAHSS Outlook, (April), United States Department of Agriculture, Ft. Collins, CO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eidson, M., Kramer, L., Stone, W., Hagiwara, Y., and Schmit, K., 2001a, Dead bird surveillance as an early warning system for West Nile Virus, Emerg Infect Dis, 7(4):631–635.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eidson, M., Miller, J., Kramer, L., Cherry, B., and Hagiwara, Y., 2001b, Dead crow densities and human cases of West Nile Virus, New York State, 2000, Emerg Infect Dis, 7(4):662–664.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fienberg, S. E., and Shmueli, G., 2005, Statistical issues and challenges associated with rapid detection of bio-terrorist attacks, Stat Med, 24:513–529.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gill, J. S., McLean, R. G., Shriner, R. B., and Johnson, R. C., 1994, Serologic surveillance for the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, in Mnnesota by using white-tailed deer as sentinel animals, J Clin Microbiol, 32(2):444–451.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glickman, L. T., Moore, G. E., Glickman, N. W., Caldanaro, R. J., Aucoin, D., and Lewis, H. B., 2006, Purdue University-Banfield national companion animal surveillance program for emerging and zoonotic diseases, Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 6(1):14–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guptill, S., Julian, K. G., Campbell, G. L., and Marfin, A. A., 2003, Early-season avian deaths from West Nile Virus as warnings of human infection, Emerg Infect Dis, 9(4):483–484.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, S. L., Cheney, J. M., Taton-Allen, G. F., Reif, J. S., Bruns, C., and Lappin, M. R., 2000, Prevalence of enteric zoonotic organisms in cats, J Am Vet Med Assoc, 216(5):687–692.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. L., 2004, Electronic surveillance for emerging diseases, Paper presented at the National Veterinary Electronic Surveillance Meeting, July 8, 2004, Raleigh, NC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, H. A., Wagner, M. M., and Saladino, R. A., 2005, A New Method for Investigating Non-traditional Biosurveillance Data: Studying Behaviors Prior to Emergency Department Visits, RODS Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaye, D., and Pringle, C. R., 2005, Avian influenza viruses and their implication for human health, Clin Infect Dis, 40:108–112.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kruse, H., Kirkemo, A.-M., and Handeland, K., 2004, Wildlife as source of zoonotic infections, Emerg Infect Dis, 10(12):2067–2072.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mandl, K. D., Overhage, M. J., Wagner, M. M., Lober, W. B., Sebastiani, P., Mostashari, F., et al, 2004, Implementing syndromic surveillance: A practical guide informed by the early experience, J Am Med Inform Assoc, 11(2):141–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, C. D., Baker, W. G., Stark, L., Burgess, J., and Lewis, A. L., 1994, Comparison of chickens and pheasants as sentinels for eastern equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis viruses in Florida, J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 10(4):545–548.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council, 2005, Animal Health at the Crossroads: Preventing, Detecting, and Diagnosing Animal Diseases, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robotham, J., and Green, L. E., 2004, Pilot study to investigate the feasibility of surveillance of small animals in the UK, J Small Anim Pract, 45(4):213–218.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwabe, C. W., 1984, Veterinary Medicine and Human Health, 3rd ed., Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, L., Funk, J., Rajala-Schultz, P., Wallstrom, G., Wittum, T., Wagner, M., et al, 2007, Early outbreak detection using an automated data feed of test orders from a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, Springer Lect Notes Comput Sci, 4506:1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, L.E., 2007, Estimate of Human Population Representation from Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Orders, Health Monitoring Systems, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, L. E., Funk, J. A., Rajala-Schultz, P., Wagner, M. M., Wittum, T. E., and Saville, W.J. A., 2008, Evaluation of microbiology orders from veterinary diagnostic laboratories as a potential data source for early outbreak detection, Adv Dis Surveill, 6(2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonesson, C., and Bock, D., 2003, A review and discussion of prospective statistical surveillance in public health, J R Stat Soc A, 166(Part 1):5–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sosin, D. M., 2003, Draft framework for evaluating syndromic surveillance systems, J Urban Health, 80(2 Suppl 1):i8–i13.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tansey, B., 2006, Debate over pets’ role in spread of avian flu: No cases passed yet by dogs or cats, but experts want study, June 12, 2006, San Francisco Chronicle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tauni, M. A., and Österlund, A., 2000, Outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium in cats and humans associated with infection in wild birds, J Small Anim Pract, 41:339–341.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, L. H., Latham, S. M., and Woolhouse, M. E. J., 2001, Risk factors for human disease emergence, Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci, 356:983–989.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsui, F.-C., Espino, J. U., Dato, V. M., Gesteland, P. H., Hutman, J., and Wagner, M. M., 2003, Technical description of RODS: A real-time public health surveillance system, J Am Med Inform Assoc, 10(5):399–408.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, M. M., Robinson, J. M., Tsui, F. C., Espino, J. U., and Hogan, W. R., 2003, Design of a national retail data monitor for public health surveillance, J Am Med Inform Assoc, 10(5):409–418.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Woolhouse, M. E. J., 2002, Population biology of emerging and re-emerging pathogens,Trends Microbiol, 10(Suppl):S3–S7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtz, R. M., and Popovich, M. L., 2002, Animal Disease Surveillance: A Framework for Supporting Disease Detection in Public Health, Scientific Technologies Corporation Tuscon, AZ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, X., and Wagner, M., 2002, Modeling the effects of epidemics on routinely collected data, J Am Med Inform Assoc, 9(Suppl 6):S17–S22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Suggested Reading

  • Salman, M.D., ed., 2003, Animal Disease Surveillance and Survey Systems: Methods and Applications, Iowa State Press, Ames, Iowa.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Burroughs, T., Knobler, S., and Lederberg, J., eds., 2002, The Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases: Understanding the Impact on Animal and Human Health–Workshop Summary, National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karlen, A., 1995, Man and Microbes: Disease and Plagues in History and Modern Times, Simon and Schuster, New York, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smolinski, M.S., Hamburg, M.A., and Lederberg, J., eds., 2003, Microbial Threats to Health: Emergence, Detection, and Response, National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drexler, M., 2001, Secret Agents: The Menace of Emerging Infections, Joseph Henry Press, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwabe, C.W., 1984, Veterinary Medicine and Human Health, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.

    Google Scholar 

Online Resources

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Loren Shaffer

Authors
  1. Loren Shaffer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Loren Shaffer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Mathematics & Statistics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA

    Carlos Castillo-Chavez

  2. Eller College of Management, University of Arizona, E. Helen St. 1130, Tucson, 85721, Arizona, USA

    Hsinchun Chen

  3. Health Sciences Center, University of Washington, NE. Pacific St. 1959, Seattle, 98195, Washington, USA

    William B. Lober

  4. School of Veterinary Medicine, Dept. Medicine & Epidemiology, University of California, Davis, Shields Avenue 1, Davis, 95616, California, USA

    Mark Thurmond

  5. Eller College of Management, Dept. Management Information Systems, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85721, Arizona, USA

    Daniel Zeng

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Shaffer, L. (2011). Biosurveillance Based on Test Orders from Veterinary Diagnostic Labs. In: Castillo-Chavez, C., Chen, H., Lober, W., Thurmond, M., Zeng, D. (eds) Infectious Disease Informatics and Biosurveillance. Integrated Series in Information Systems, vol 27. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6892-0_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6892-0_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-6891-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-6892-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation