Publication: Understanding and managing zoonotic risk in the new livestock industries
Issued Date
2013-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
15529924
00916765
00916765
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-84880988424
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Environmental Health Perspectives. Vol.121, No.8 (2013), 873-877
Suggested Citation
Marco Liverani, Jeff Waage, Tony Barnett, Dirk U. Pfeiffer, Jonathan Rushton, James W. Rudge, Michael E. Loevinsohn, Ian Scoones, Richard D. Smith, Ben S. Cooper, Lisa J. White, Shan Goh, Peter Horby, Brendan Wren, Ozan Gundogdu, Abigail Woods, Richard J. Coker Understanding and managing zoonotic risk in the new livestock industries. Environmental Health Perspectives. Vol.121, No.8 (2013), 873-877. doi:10.1289/ehp.1206001 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/31791
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Understanding and managing zoonotic risk in the new livestock industries
Other Contributor(s)
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
London International Study Centre
London School of Economics and Political Science
Royal Veterinary College University of London
Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex
Mahidol University
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
Imperial College London
London International Study Centre
London School of Economics and Political Science
Royal Veterinary College University of London
Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex
Mahidol University
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit
Imperial College London
Abstract
Background: In many parts of the world, livestock production is undergoing a process of rapid intensification. The health implications of this development are uncertain. Intensification creates cheaper products, allowing more people to access animal-based foods. However, some practices associated with intensification may contribute to zoonotic disease emergence and spread: for example, the sustained use of antibiotics, concentration of animals in confined units, and long distances and frequent movement of livestock. Objectives: Here we present the diverse range of ecological, biological, and socioeconomic factors likely to enhance or reduce zoonotic risk, and identify ways in which a comprehensive risk analysis may be conducted by using an interdisciplinary approach. We also offer a conceptual framework to guide systematic research on this problem. Discussion: We recommend that interdisciplinary work on zoonotic risk should take into account the complexity of risk environments, rather than limiting studies to simple linear causal relations between risk drivers and disease emergence and/or spread. In addition, interdisciplinary integration is needed at different levels of analysis, from the study of risk environments to the identification of policy options for risk management. Conclusion: Given rapid changes in livestock production systems and their potential health implications at the local and global level, the problem we analyze here is of great importance for environmental health and development. Although we offer a systematic interdisciplinary approach to understand and address these implications, we recognize that further research is needed to clarify methodological and practical questions arising from the integration of the natural and social sciences.