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Use of Network Analysis and Spread Models to Target Control Actions for Bovine Tuberculosis in a State from Brazil

Investigation article published in Microorganisms

January 22nd, 2021

Livestock movements create complex dynamic interactions among premises that can be represented, interpreted, and used for epidemiological purposes. These movements are a very important part of the production chain but may also contribute to the spread of infectious diseases through the transfer of infected animals over large distances. Social network analysis (SNA) can be used to characterize cattle trade patterns and to identify highly connected premises that may act as hubs in the movement network, which could be subjected to targeted control measures in order to reduce the transmission of communicable diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (TB). Here, we analyzed data on cattle movement and slaughterhouse surveillance for detection of TB-like lesions (TLL) over the 2016–2018 period in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) in Brazil with the following aims: (i) to characterize cattle trade describing the static full, yearly, and monthly snapshots of the network contact trade, (ii) to identify clusters in the space and contact networks of premises from which animals with TLL originated, and (iii) to evaluate the potential of targeted control actions to decrease TB spread in the cattle population of RS using a stochastic metapopulation disease transmission model that simulated within-farm and between-farm disease spread. We found heterogeneous densities of premises and animals in the study area. The analysis of the contact network revealed a highly connected (~94%) trade network, with strong temporal trends, especially for May and November. The TLL cases were significantly clustered in space and in the contact network, suggesting the potential for both local (e.g., fence-to-fence) and movement-mediated TB transmission. According to the disease spread model, removing the top 7% connected farms based on degree and betweenness could reduce the total number of infected farms over three years by >50%. In conclusion, the characterization of the cattle network suggests that highly connected farms may play a role in TB dissemination, although being close to infected farms was also identified as a risk factor for having animals with TLL. Surveillance and control actions based on degree and betweenness could be useful to break the transmission cycle between premises in RS




Cespedes-Cardenas N., Pozo P., Nunes-Lopes FP., Grisi-Filho JHH. and Alvarez J..




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Use of Network Analysis and Spread Models to Target Control Actions for Bovine Tuberculosis in a State from Brazil

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Use of Network Analysis and Spread Models to Target Control Actions for Bovine Tuberculosis in a State from Brazil



Participants:

Universidade de Sao PauloDepartamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP).

Universidad ComplutenseCentro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).

MAEVA SERVET, S.L.MAEVA SERVET, S.L..

Livestock and Agribusiness of State of Rio Grande do SulSecretary of Agriculture. Livestock and Agribusiness of State of Rio Grande do Sul (SEAPA-RS).

Universidad ComplutenseDepartamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).







Microorganisms
FACTOR YEAR Q
4.926 2021

PMID: 33499225

ISSN: 2076-2607



TITLE: Use of Network Analysis and Spread Models to Target Control Actions for Bovine Tuberculosis in a State from Brazil


JOURNAL: Microorganisms


NUMERACIÓN: 9(2):227


AÑO: 2021


PUBLISHER: MDPI AG


AUTHORS: Cespedes-Cardenas N., Pozo P., Nunes-Lopes FP., Grisi-Filho JHH. and Alvarez J..


2nd
Pilar Pozo Piñol
Last
Julio Álvarez Sánchez

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9020227


CITE THIS PUBLICATION:

Cespedes-Cardenas N., Pozo P., Nunes-Lopes FP., Grisi-Filho JHH. and Alvarez J. Use of Network Analysis and Spread Models to Target Control Actions for Bovine Tuberculosis in a State from Brazil. Microorganisms. 9(2):227. 2021. (A). ISSN: 2076-2607. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020227