Investigating public support for biosecurity measures to mitigate pathogen transmission through the herpetological trade

Abstract

The expanding global trade in herpetofauna has contributed to new infectious disease dynamics and pathways that allow for the rapid spread of pathogens geographically. Improved biosecurity is needed to mitigate adverse biodiversity, economic and human health impacts associated with pathogen transmission through the herpetological trade. However, general lack of knowledge of the pathogen transmission risks associated with the global trade in herpetofauna and public opposition to biosecurity measures are critical obstacles to successfully preventing pathogen transmission. In 2019 we administered a survey to 2,007 members of the public in the United States of America to ascertain their support for interventions to prevent the spread of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), ranaviruses, and Salmonella through the herpetological trade. We presented survey respondents with different potential hazards associated with pathogen transmission through this trade, namely ecological, economic, and human health impacts. We used structural equation models to determine how these different hazards and respondents’ characteristics influenced respondents’ support for quarantine and veterinary observation of herpetofauna imported into the United States, mandatory tests for diseases of concern, and best practices to reduce stress and improve the care of live herpetofauna during transport to the United States. Respondents’ values and their perceived susceptibility and sensitivity to different hazards associated with pathogen transmission were key determinants of their support for biosecurity. Respondents with strong biospheric and altruistic values demonstrated sensitivity to ecological and human health impacts associated with pathogen transmission, whereas respondents with strong egoistic values demonstrated sensitivity to economic impacts. Respondents had limited knowledge of Bd, Bsal or ranaviruses, the size of the herpetological trade, or how this trade may contribute to pathogen transmission. Improved outreach and education on pathogen transmission through the herpetological trade is required, but it is important that messages are tailored to people with different values to elicit their support for biosecurity.

Engaging stakeholders in wildlife disease management: Hunters' willingness to adopt and support biosecurity actions to prevent the spread of rabbit hemorrhagic disease

“…Respondents reported sensitivity to both the ecological and economic risks associated with RHDV2, as well as recognizing the susceptibility of the domestic rabbit trade and hunting to RHDV2. Consistent with previous studies, respondents' willingness to engage in or support biosecurity actions was positively correlated with their risk perceptions (Gramza et al, 2016; Pienaar et al, 2022; Slunge & Boman, 2018). Outreach and education pertaining to RHDV2 should articulate the adverse impacts of RHDV2 on lagomorph populations, biodiversity, hunting, and other economically important domestic rabbit industries.…”

“…People's risk perceptions depend on the specific hazards being evaluated (e.g., RHDV2 transmission at the wild‐domestic lagomorph interface), their familiarity with or knowledge of these risks, their risk sensitivity (i.e., weight they place on risk), and their attitudes towards the agents generating risk (e.g., the domestic trade in lagomorphs; Hanisch‐Kirkbride et al, 2013; Needham et al, 2017). People may respond differently to the ecological and economic impacts of pathogen transmission, depending on whether they are concerned about loss of wild species or how pathogen transmission impacts domestic industries (e.g., the pet trade, hunting; Pienaar et al, 2022). Women and older individuals tend to have higher risk perceptions related to pathogens, whereas more educated individuals may have lower risk perceptions, which in turn influences support for, or engagement in, biosecurity actions (Hanisch‐Kirkbride et al, 2013; Needham et al, 2017; Pienaar et al, 2022).…”

“…People may respond differently to the ecological and economic impacts of pathogen transmission, depending on whether they are concerned about loss of wild species or how pathogen transmission impacts domestic industries (e.g., the pet trade, hunting; Pienaar et al, 2022). Women and older individuals tend to have higher risk perceptions related to pathogens, whereas more educated individuals may have lower risk perceptions, which in turn influences support for, or engagement in, biosecurity actions (Hanisch‐Kirkbride et al, 2013; Needham et al, 2017; Pienaar et al, 2022). Trust in state agencies to manage disease risks (hereafter, social trust) encompasses hunters’ perceptions of whether state wildlife agencies have the necessary expertise and resources to take appropriate actions to manage disease (Siegrist & Cvetkovich, 2000).…”

“…Third, we surveyed both small and large game hunters because we recognized that all hunters play an important role in disease surveillance, irrespective of whether they target particular species at risk. We predicted that hunters' willingness to engage in or support biosecurity actions would be positively correlated with their knowledge of RHDV2 (Oruganti et al, 2018), their risk perceptions (Hanisch-Kirkbride et al, 2013;Harper et al, 2015;Pienaar et al, 2022), their trust in state agencies to manage RHDV2 (Hanisch-Kirkbride et al, 2014;Harper et al, 2015;, their evaluation of whether biosecurity measures are necessary, and whether they hunt in a state with confirmed RHDV2 cases. Risk perceptions are subjective judgments that vary across individuals and influence their behavior under uncertainty (Hanisch-Kirkbride et al, 2013;Needham et al, 2017;.…”

“…Data visualization: Dr. Michel T. Kohl. Map publicly available at: rhdv2.org to have higher risk perceptions related to pathogens, whereas more educated individuals may have lower risk perceptions, which in turn influences support for, or engagement in, biosecurity actions (Hanisch-Kirkbride et al, 2013;Needham et al, 2017;Pienaar et al, 2022). Trust in state agencies to manage disease risks (hereafter, social trust) encompasses hunters' perceptions of whether state wildlife agencies have the necessary expertise and resources to take appropriate actions to manage disease (Siegrist & Cvetkovich, 2000).…”