Oral communication in 5th Annual Scientific Meeting on Zoonoses Research in Europe

June 6^th, 2009

Sanchez-Vizcaino JM.

Early detection and fast control are two of the primary aims in preventive human and veterinary medicine. However, fast movement of people, animals and animal products in our global world makes it difficult to keep away from the incursion and spread of diseases, particularly with the current situation of global warming. This complexity is even greater when the disease of concern is a novel disease or an emerging disease, in which epidemiology, susceptible species and transmission patterns are sometimes barely known.
Epidemiological and risk-based methods has been shown to provide useful information to better detect and manage disease. Among these methods it is valuable to note in particular risk assessment, modelling, social network analysis and digital simulations. Risk assessment has become commonly used to determine and manage the risk associated with animal and animal-product transactions. Modelling techniques are particularly useful for studying the epidemiology of diseases and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of several control strategies to be applied. The recent application of social network analysis to human and veterinary epidemiology has also provided a much better understanding of the transmission patterns of disease. Finally, digital simulations provide health authorities with continual training which aim to increase the speed of the alert response and control.
This keynote presents some of the most relevant applications of risk assessment, modelling, social network analysis and digital simulations in Spain. Shortcomings, challenges and ideas for future research are also discussed

	Servicio de Inmunología Viral y Medicina Preventiva (SUAT). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).