One Health Surveillance Approach Focusing on High-Risk Occupations to Identify Hotspots of Zoonoses in India
Abstract
A multidisciplinary team including EpiPointe, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) in Ludhiana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and the University of Sydney (USYD) propose to develop an efficient One Health surveillance approach to assess the epidemiology of Brucella in multiple transmission settings in India. This approach is based on the premise that individuals in high-risk occupations, such as veterinary health professionals (VHPs), experience increased risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens and can serve as indicators to identify hotspots of increased transmission in India. Surveillance of zoonotic pathogens is challenging due to the size and diversity of India combined with a complex economy of small-scale farmers. These factors result in gaps in surveillance and estimation of prevalence, particularly at the local level, making it difficult to identify key areas of increased transmission. The proposed study aims to address these gaps by developing an efficient One Health approach that is feasible and enables greater coordination at the local level to inform national intervention and prevention strategies. This study will be initiated in two sites in India in the first three years of the period of performance. In the option years, we will expand the study to include an additional ecologic setting in India based on the data from the first three years. Through the conduct of this study we will strengthen surveillance and diagnostic capacity for zoonotic select agents and develop a network of professionals prepared to address and investigate emerging biothreats in India.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 2022
- Source ID
- HDTRA12210004
Entities
People
- Falgunee Parekh
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency