Surveillance of animal incidents

摘要

Compilation and evaluation of animal incident data involving suspected exposures to certain biologic and chemical agents could prove beneficial in reducing the negative impact on animals, humans and the agricultural industry in the event of a terrorist act. Critical challenges of an "animal surveillance" or "sentinel" program include capturing and evaluating vast amounts of data while simultaneously differentiating between typical background occurrences and atypical significant events. General monitoring of incidents by species, location, suspected agent and clinical signs with comparison to background incidents or other denominators may identify less obvious occurrences before they reach crisis proportions. Sophisticated automated database monitoring tools could help identify trends of concern. Poison control centers routinely receive calls of a serious or suspect nature involving agents that could be used in a terrorist attack. As reported by CNN, dogs have been purposely exposed to lethal agents during testing exercises with the intent to ultimately use the substances on human beings. Additionally, animals may become exposed accidentally during transport of biologic or toxic agents or as a result of intentional agricultural contamination.