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Scientific and technical review: Epidemiologic information systems
222
T.R. AMES, R.A. ROBINSON
Department of Clinical and Population Sciences University of Minnesota College of Veterinao, Medicine 1365 Gortner Avenue St. Paul, MN55108 L:SA
EPIDEMIOLOGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Scientific and Technical Review: Epidemiologic Information Systems. R.S. Morris (Editor), Office International des Epizooties, Paris, 1991,244 pp., FF 175/US$ 32, ISSN: 0253-1933. The Scientific and Technical Review of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) is published quarterly for the use of veterinary and medical professionals. The title of this particular issue is 'Epidemiological Information Systems', coordinated by Dr. R.S. Morris, and it contains a selection of invited papers "chosen to demonstrate a spectrum of innovative approaches currently being taken in various countries to collect, process and interpret data of value in the operation of veterinary services. The objective in selecting topics was less to attain comprehensiveness than to draw to the attention of OIE Member Countries developments which are of international importance and which may otherwise not have been as widely recognized as they deserve to be." This book provides an updated summary of information, containing ten papers organized in chapters each written by international experts and authorities in the field, on how information can be collected from the field and ways in which data can be organized and analyzed. The first group of three papers (by Dr. R.S. Morris, Drs. A. McLeod and L. Tyler, and Drs. L. Blajan and T. Chillaud) deals with step by step approaches to the application of microcomputers in handling and exchanging animal health information internationally. The two papers which follow, by Drs. A.E. Sollod and C. Stem, and Drs. O. Faugere, P. Merlin and B. Faugere, describe applications of epidemiologic principles to the management of animal health information of nomadic livestock populations, with specific examples of national and individual farm applications. The subsequent five chapters deal with specific epidemiologic techniques finding use in veterinary medicine. Chapter 6, by Dr. C. Fourichon, describes the application of methods for investigating the relationship between health and the environment under intensive husbandry conditions. Drs. R.L. San-
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son, D.U. Pfeiffer and R.S. Morris, in the next chapter, describe the application of geographic information systems (GIS) for use in animal disease control, including the ability to store information regarding demographic and causal factors and disease incidence on a geographical background, as well as a variety of spatial analysis functions. The chapter by Dr. M. Hugh-Jones describes the satellite imaging technique for obtaining disease-related data from orbiting satellites. This information can be used to display and compare vegetation classes and biomass, ground temperature and moisture, comparable over time (habitats for disease-transmitting vectors, etc. ). It can be used with GIS data sets as well as to provide maps to identify changes in risk maps by using imagery collected on different dates. The next chapter, by Dr. J.W. Wilesmith, illustrates techniques to investigate the role of wild animals as reservoirs of animal infections/diseases, using specific examples. The final chapter, by Dr. S.C. Hathaway, deals with the application of risk assessment methods in making veterinary public health and animal health decisions, emphasizing quantitative risk assessment and its role in public policy decision making that must assess the risks of new disease-control programs relative to potential benefits. In addition, many practical examples are given of the use of quantitative risk assessment in health maintenance in animals and, thereby, eventually in man. The worldwide importance of the availability and use of epidemiologic information systems for improving health maintenance, be it at the herd, regional, national or international level, is effectively presented by internationally known experts. This type of information has not been presented together in a book previously. The book consists of ten concise, but general, chapters on epidemiological information systems and their application in a world of international animal trade, where preventing infection and maintaining health is the cost-effective method of choice. This publication would be a valuable reference to anyone interested in a thorough review of the current information on epidemiological methods in the management of animal health programs. STEEN BECH-NIELSEN
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine The Ohio State University 1900 Coffey Road Columbus, OH 43210 USA
T.R. AMES, R.A. ROBINSON
Department of Clinical and Population Sciences University of Minnesota College of Veterinao, Medicine 1365 Gortner Avenue St. Paul, MN55108 L:SA
EPIDEMIOLOGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Scientific and Technical Review: Epidemiologic Information Systems. R.S. Morris (Editor), Office International des Epizooties, Paris, 1991,244 pp., FF 175/US$ 32, ISSN: 0253-1933. The Scientific and Technical Review of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) is published quarterly for the use of veterinary and medical professionals. The title of this particular issue is 'Epidemiological Information Systems', coordinated by Dr. R.S. Morris, and it contains a selection of invited papers "chosen to demonstrate a spectrum of innovative approaches currently being taken in various countries to collect, process and interpret data of value in the operation of veterinary services. The objective in selecting topics was less to attain comprehensiveness than to draw to the attention of OIE Member Countries developments which are of international importance and which may otherwise not have been as widely recognized as they deserve to be." This book provides an updated summary of information, containing ten papers organized in chapters each written by international experts and authorities in the field, on how information can be collected from the field and ways in which data can be organized and analyzed. The first group of three papers (by Dr. R.S. Morris, Drs. A. McLeod and L. Tyler, and Drs. L. Blajan and T. Chillaud) deals with step by step approaches to the application of microcomputers in handling and exchanging animal health information internationally. The two papers which follow, by Drs. A.E. Sollod and C. Stem, and Drs. O. Faugere, P. Merlin and B. Faugere, describe applications of epidemiologic principles to the management of animal health information of nomadic livestock populations, with specific examples of national and individual farm applications. The subsequent five chapters deal with specific epidemiologic techniques finding use in veterinary medicine. Chapter 6, by Dr. C. Fourichon, describes the application of methods for investigating the relationship between health and the environment under intensive husbandry conditions. Drs. R.L. San-
223
son, D.U. Pfeiffer and R.S. Morris, in the next chapter, describe the application of geographic information systems (GIS) for use in animal disease control, including the ability to store information regarding demographic and causal factors and disease incidence on a geographical background, as well as a variety of spatial analysis functions. The chapter by Dr. M. Hugh-Jones describes the satellite imaging technique for obtaining disease-related data from orbiting satellites. This information can be used to display and compare vegetation classes and biomass, ground temperature and moisture, comparable over time (habitats for disease-transmitting vectors, etc. ). It can be used with GIS data sets as well as to provide maps to identify changes in risk maps by using imagery collected on different dates. The next chapter, by Dr. J.W. Wilesmith, illustrates techniques to investigate the role of wild animals as reservoirs of animal infections/diseases, using specific examples. The final chapter, by Dr. S.C. Hathaway, deals with the application of risk assessment methods in making veterinary public health and animal health decisions, emphasizing quantitative risk assessment and its role in public policy decision making that must assess the risks of new disease-control programs relative to potential benefits. In addition, many practical examples are given of the use of quantitative risk assessment in health maintenance in animals and, thereby, eventually in man. The worldwide importance of the availability and use of epidemiologic information systems for improving health maintenance, be it at the herd, regional, national or international level, is effectively presented by internationally known experts. This type of information has not been presented together in a book previously. The book consists of ten concise, but general, chapters on epidemiological information systems and their application in a world of international animal trade, where preventing infection and maintaining health is the cost-effective method of choice. This publication would be a valuable reference to anyone interested in a thorough review of the current information on epidemiological methods in the management of animal health programs. STEEN BECH-NIELSEN
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine The Ohio State University 1900 Coffey Road Columbus, OH 43210 USA