The focus of APHI activities is the promotion of health of animal populations for the benefit of society. Specific activities conducted by Institute scientists, students, and collaborators involve an extremely diverse range of expertise and talents.
Alanna Kirby, MS and her advisor, Dr. Traub-Dargatz collaborated with Equine Guelph during the past year in an initiative supported by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation and Vétoquinol Canada Inc., to create an advanced online biosecurity resource for horse owners. The new, updated Biosecurity Risk Calculator is now available on Equine Guelph’s website. Full article>
The North American Animal Disease Spread Model (more commonly known as NAADSM) is a computer program used to simulate the spread of disease in animal populations and to evaluate different disease control strategies, thereby providing information for emergency response plans and policy. Full article>
In veterinary medicine, effective risk communication helps veterinarians and animal owners weigh risks and decide on actions that will ultimately improve animal health, prevent disease, and create effective disease-control policies. As a result, the field of veterinary medicine is recognizing the value of risk communication in animal health research and learning. Dr. Shana Gillette is one of a handful of faculty nationwide who conduct risk communication research in an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Full article>
Dr. Francisco Olea-Popelka pursues his work in veterinary epidemiology with a global perspective. This interest began 12 years ago while working as a veterinarian on a project concerning zoonotic diseases – specifically brucellosis and tuberculosis – in Chile, his native country. Full article>
Researchers within the Animal Population Health Institute are working on a joint project with College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University to gather data from livestock producers. Cattle, swine, sheep, and goat producers in Colorado and Kansas are asked to characterize the movements of animals, people, and equipment that occur on livestock operations by responding anonymously to four short surveys during 2011.
Data concerning the number and types of “contacts” livestock experience will provide an essential component in a computer model to evaluate the potential for spread of infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease among farms, ranches, and other livestock operations in the western central United States. The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Livestock Association and Colorado Wool Growers Association support this important research effort. For additional information and sign-up form: www.livestockcontactstudy.org
Since the Animal Population Health Institute’s (APHI) inception in 2002, the Institute has been cooperating with the Wildlife Livestock Disease Investigations Team (WiLDIT) for domestic animal and wildlife interface studies through the Program of Economically Important Infectious Animal Diseases (PEIIAD). Full article>
In August 2010, Dr. Simone Titus was appointed as the Animal Health Expert for the Caribbean Region. Dr. Titus is implementing a one-year project entitled the Caribbean Regional Trade Initiative to address concerns regarding food security, food production, and trade in animals and animal products in the region. Full article>