Animal movement network analysis as a tool to map farms serving as contamination source in cattle cysticercosis

Abstract

Bovine cysticercosis is a problem distributed worldwide that result in economic losses mainly due to the condemnation of infected carcasses. One of the difficulties in applying control measures is the identification of the source of infection, especially because cattle are typically acquired from multiple farms. Here, we tested the utility of an animal movement network constructed with data from a farm that acquires cattle from several other different farms to map the major contributors of cysticercosis propagation. Additionally, based on the results of the network analysis, we deployed a sanitary management and drug treatment scheme to decrease cysticercosis’ occurrence in the farm. Six farms that had commercial trades were identified by the animal movement network and characterized as the main contributors to the occurrence of cysticercosis in the studied farm. The identification of farms with a putative risk of Taenia saginata infection using the animal movement network along with the proper sanitary management and drug treatment resulted in a gradual decrease in cysticercosis prevalence, from 25% in 2010 to 3.7% in 2011 and 1.8% in 2012. These results suggest that the animal movement network can contribute towards controlling bovine cysticercosis, thus minimizing economic losses and preventing human taeniasis.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of bovine cysticercosis in Brazil: current knowledge and way forward

“…In addition, we found 12 articles containing information about the spatial distribution of BCC inside/within the states (Table 1), 13 articles describing risk factors or variables associated with BCC occurrence ( Table 2) and 4 describing the economic burden of BCC [7,22,28,30]. Furthermore, a set of 10 studies performed in Brazil were also included, regarding at least one aspect presented in discussion section, such as efficacy of chemical treatment (n = 1) [62], preferential infection sites (n = 2) [63,64], development of serological tests (n = 4) [65][66][67][68] and measures for BCC control (n = 3) [69][70][71].…”

“…The use of animal movement network analysis to map farms serving as contamination sources have been studied in Brazil with interesting results. The detection of farms with risk of T. saginata infection using this network along with the proper sanitary management and human treatment resulted in a decrease in BCC prevalence, from 25% in 2010 to 1.8% in 2012 [71].…”

Burkholderia mallei : The dynamics of networks and disease transmission

“…The establishment of network communities is an emerging approach that has been used to describe species movement patterns (Gorsich et al., ), disease spread and prevention (Aragão et al., ; Kao, Green, Johnson, & Kiss, ; Motta et al., ), and implementation of target vaccination or as part of surveillance for Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease at the national level (MAPA, ). The identified communities may have a direct impact in the decision taken by the local stakeholders, such as the OVS.…”

“…The establishment of network communities is an emerging approach that has been used to describe species movement patterns (Gorsich et al, 2016), disease spread and prevention (Aragão et al, 2017;Kao, Green, Johnson, & Kiss, 2007;Motta et al, 2017) Sul, it is recommended to restrict movements within each community ( Figure 6). The maps of the communities found in our study were used to show the greatest equine trade areas and offer a valuable guide for the zoning of the horse trade in the studied area (Gorsich et al, 2016;Grisi-Filho et al, 2013).…”

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“…Therefore, the study of these network structures is an opportunity to understand the role of farm-to-farm contact in the transmission and dynamics of diseases. In Brazil, there have been relatively few studies analysing cattle transit in the whole country, or even individually in any of the 27 states (Aragão et al, 2017;Cipullo et al, 2016;de Sá et al, 2018;Grisi-Filho et al, 2013;Silva Júnior et al, 2017). Therefore, there is an information deficiency about the impact of the animal trade network on the spread of diseases in the country.…”