Veterinary Handbook Disease Finder

Veterinary Handbook Contents

2.4 Collecting Information

A disease investigation is an exercise in collecting information, much of which is historical. To collect a history accurately and in detail requires the input of people who manage or work with the animals and is likely to draw on recall as well as written records. A few tips on how to do this:
  • Use a checklist to make sure you cover a wide range of areas in the information gathering process.
  • When collecting the history, avoid interrupting the person who is relating their observations to you. A story told in their own words without interruption will probably be more accurate and complete.
  • Separate observations from interpretations but don’t discard their interpretations.
  • The ship’s mess is a good place to interview people. You can sit down, and have something to eat and drink. Calendars, diaries, logs, maps, load plans, inventories, receipts and other potentially important records are often readily accessible from the mess.
  • Try to gather the stockpersons/crew/managers together in order to tap into the collective memory. It is very important to include in the history collection the people who observe the animals most closely.
  • File your notes in a secure place. Initial notes often form a valuable, easily visualised and understood record for review at a later date or to inform other investigators that follow you.
Using a standard form, such as the one shown in Appendix 2: Mortality Report, can assist in ensuring that the correct data is recorded for every case.

2.4.1 Checklist For Gathering Information On The History Of A Disease Event

  1. Extent of the problem
    1. How many animals at risk, how many are sick and how many have died?
  2. Case definition
    1. Describe clinical signs, including timing of onset of signs, duration, progression and possible recovery.
    2. How many affected animals recovered and how many died?
  3. Animal characteristics and clustering
    1. Collect detailed information on affected and unaffected animals including counts, age, sex, breed, colour, physiological status (pregnant or lactating), parity, relative production levels, origin, vaccination status, body condition, treatment history.
    2. When did cases occur (timeline) and could this be related to any recent events (feed, management, environmental changes)?
    3. Where did cases occur (identify cases or affected pens on the load plan)?
    4. Were there any sick or poor condition animals in the mob when loaded?
  4. Management risk factors
    1. Describe the pens or paddocks where affected and unaffected animals are located.
    2. What are the sources of feed and water?
    3. What disease control and hygiene practices have been used: vaccination, parasite treatments, pest control, bedding and waste disposal?
    4. What is the disease history and production history of the mob?
    5. What is the recent movement history for the mob (where have they come from, when, what other animals might they have contacted)?
    6. Are there any problems in neighbouring animals (adjacent pens, paddocks or properties)?
  5. Environmental risk factors
    1. Describe recent weather patterns, including sea swell.
    2. Describe features of the location (topography, soil type, vegetation, wildlife, other animals, people, air flow, humidity etc).
    3. Any potential poisons or toxins (pesticides, herbicides, fertiliser, dump sites, industrial contamination, poisonous plants)?
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