SIMULATING CONTROL MEASURES TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF LIVESTOCK-ASSOCIATED METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS A UREUS (LA-MRSA) AMONG DANISH PIG HERDS

摘要

Even though there is a national action plan to control livestock-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA), an increase of pig herds tested positive for LA-MRSA has been observed in Denmark. An existing simulation model of LA-MRSA spread among pig herds was enhanced by four control measures. Retrospectively, it was investigated how these control measures would have influenced the spread of LA-MRSA between 2006 and 2015, when implemented during this study period. The effects ofinitial conditions, such as the start date of control, the initial prevalence and the duration of the implemented control measure were investigated. Almost all control measures showed the potential to reduce the predicted LA-MRSA herd prevalence, especially when combinations of all four control measures in their intense versions were used. Starting control at a later stage or at a higher prevalence led to lower relative reductions in relation to a scenario without control measures.