Technical and economic evaluation method for use in improving infectious animal disease surveillance networks.

摘要

A qualitative and quantitative technical and economic evaluation tool was developed and applied to 3 epidemiological surveillance networks: RENESA (a French surveillance network for salmonella and mycoplasma contamination in poultry production unitssubject to official sanitary controls), the French Foot and Mouth Disease Epidemiological vigilance Network and REPIMAT (the epidemiological surveillance network in Chad for major cattle diseases). Critical points in epidemiological surveillance networks were identified using a modified version of the hazard analysis: critical control point (HACCP) method. An evaluation grid was validated by experts consulted in accordance with the Delphi method. A questionnaire to collect the information required forthe evaluation and a scoring guide were designed. The evaluation procedure also included a calculation of the annual operating costs for 2 of the 3 networks. The detailed results of the technical and economic evaluation were used to formulated specific suggestions for improving the networks. The cost of implementing these proposals was calculated. The effects of implementing each of the proposed improvements were simulated and a new global evaluation score was determined for each network. The 'cost perpoint' of each improvement was calculated and discussed. This tool for the technical and economic evaluation of epidemiological surveillance networks for animal diseases is proposed so that it may be tested on a much wider scale and eventually be used inimproving the functioning of such networks and for risk analysis in international trade.