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AVMA Collections

Single-topic compilations of the information shaping our profession




June 2008


 
In this collection:
Summary:  Text | Audio 

Disaster response

The veterinarian's role in preparedness and response

Biosecurity and bioterrorism preparedness

Search-and-rescue dogs

Preparedness and response policy

 
Disaster response

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A method for decontamination of animals involved in floodwater disasters Highlights:
•   Superficial contaminants key in water disasters
•   3 sequential stations used for decontamination
•   Protocol can be applied to small or large animals
Efficacy hard to gauge; observation important
Stjepan Soric, Michael P. Belanger, Carin Wittnich
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Feb 1;232(3):364-70.
Equine rescue and response activities in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Highlights:
•   500 horses rescued; 500 volunteers participated
•   Problems caused by unauthorized rescuers
•   Permanent identification invaluable in reuniting
Train volunteers in Incident Command System
Rebecca S. McConnico, Dennis D. French, Bonnie Clark, Ky E. Mortensen, Martha Littlefield, Rustin M. Moore
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Aug 1;231(3):384-92.
Epidemiologic features of pet evacuation failure in a rapid-onset disaster Highlights:
•   40% dogs, 75% cats not evacuated with owners
•   Risk factors included lower standard of care
•   Many owners believed pets not at risk
Cat carriers key to cat and human evacuations
Sebastian E. Heath, Susan K. Voeks, Larry T. Glickman
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Jun 15;218(12):1898-904.
Risk factors for pet evacuation failure after a slow-onset disaster Highlights:
•   Half of households failed to evacuate all pets
•   Dogs living outdoors at greater risk
•   Lack of cat carriers also linked to failure
Advance warning encourages owner self-reliance
Sebastian E. Heath, Alan M. Beck, Philip H. Kass, Larry T. Glickman
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Jun 15;218(12):1905-10.
Seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, feline leukemia virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus infection among dogs and cats exported from the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricane disaster area Highlights:
•   Lack of veterinary care, abandonment linked
•   Plausible that rescued pets have more disease
•   Found prevelance same as in general population
Relocating to low prevalence areas a concern
Julie K. Levy, Charlotte H. Edinboro, Carmen-Susan Glotfelty, Patricia A. Dingman, Aundria L. West, Kathy D. Kirkland-Cady
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jul 15;231(2):218-25.
Disaster relief management of companion animals affected by the floods of Hurricane Floyd Highlights:
•   450 animals affected, 750 volunteers involved
•   Field hospital operational within 72 hours
•   Medical supplies, food, transportation donated
Rapid sourcing of supplies, personnel was key
Lola C. Hudson, Helen M. Berschneider, Kelli K. Ferris, Sally L. Vivrette
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Feb 1;218(3):354-9.
 
The veterinarian's role in preparedness and response

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The veterinary profession's duty of care in response to disasters and food animal emergencies Highlights:
•   Veterinary role in national disasters unclear
•   Incident Command System is national standard
•   National policy needed for veterinary involvement
Consider ICS training as CE for all veterinarians
Kenneth E. Nusbaum, Bernard E. Rollin, James S. Wohl
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jul 15;231(2):200-2.
Psychologic first aid and veterinarians in rural communities undergoing livestock depopulation Highlights:
•   Depopulation likely in severe disease outbreak
•   Many stressors identified in 2001 FMD epidemic
•   Psychologic first aid includes reflective listening
Rural veterinarians can lead during outbreaks
Kenneth E. Nusbaum, James G. W. Wenzel, George S. Everly Jr
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Sep 1;231(5):692-4.
Veterinary accreditation and some new imperatives for national preparedness Highlights:
•   Accredited veterinarians aid federal government
•   Presidential Directives outline veterinary roles
•   Stay informed of reportable diseases, diagnostics
Get to know the Incident Command System
James G. W. Wenzel, James C. Wright
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 May 1;230(9):1309-12.
Public health roles for small animal practitioners Highlights:
•   Shortage of veterinarians in public health growing
•   SA practioners could be regulatory surge capacity
•   Small animals may serve as sentinels for disease
Much untapped potential in SA practitioners
James S. Wohl, Kenneth E. Nusbaum
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Feb 15;230(4):494-500.
The role of the equine practitioner in disasters Highlights:
•   Educating clients in preparedness is top role
•   Forming local disaster response plans also key
•   Veterinarian services in rescue may be unique
Preparedness saves more lives than response
John E. Madigan, Jacqui Whittemore
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 Apr 15;216(8):1238-9.
 
Biosecurity and bioterrorism preparedness

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Biological terrorism against animals and humans: a brief review and primer for action Highlights:
•   Veterinarians are key in disease surveillance
•   Agricultural bioterrorism a serious threat
•   Production in livestock should be monitored
CE on foreign animal diseases needed
Donald L. Noah, Harvey R. Crowder
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Jul 1;221(1):40-3.
The ABCs of bioterrorism for veterinarians, focusing on Category A agents Highlights:
•   Category A agents are most critical to public health
•   Clinical signs, zoonotic potential discussed
•   Veterinarians may be first to detect an outbreak
Be aware of the most likely bioterrorism agents
Radford G. Davis
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Apr 1;224(7):1084-95.
The ABCs of bioterrorism for veterinarians, focusing on Category B and C agents Highlights:
•   B, C agents less likely to cause widespread harm
•   Potential for massive economic disruption, deaths
•   Learn to recognize intentional release of an agent
Prompt disease identification, reporting are key
Radford G. Davis
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Apr 1;224(7):1096-104.
Awareness-level information for veterinarians on weapons of mass destruction and preservation of evidence Highlights:
•   Important to know agents of mass destruction
•   Agents: Chemical, biological, nuclear, explosive
•   Postdisaster environment poses additional risks
Be prepared to serve as responder; stay informed
James G. W. Wenzel
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jun 15;230(12):1816-20.
Awareness-level information for veterinarians on control zones, personal protective equipment, and decontamination Highlights:
•   Important to understand emergency response
•   3 control zones for all incidents: Hot, warm, cold
•   Decontamination plan should address species
Get to know Incident Command System
James G. W. Wenzel
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jul 1;231(1):48-51.
Veterinary expertise in biosecurity and biological risk assessment Highlights:
•   Biosecurity practiced every day by veterinarians
•   Many do not recognize biosecurity skills as such
•   Disaster reponse requires advance preparation
Limiting spread of disease before it is seen is key
James G. W. Wenzel, Kenneth E. Nusbaum
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 May 15;230(10):1476-80.
Description of an epidemic simulation model for use in evaluating strategies to control an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease Highlights:
•   FMD model is a tool for biosecurity planning
•   Authors evaluated potential eradication strategies
•   Control models included slaughter, vaccination
Simulation useful when information is incomplete
Thomas W. Bates, Mark C. Thurmond, Tim E. Carpenter
Originally published in Am J Vet Res. 2003 Feb;64(2):195-204.
 
Search-and-rescue dogs

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Search-and-rescue dogs: an overview for veterinarians Highlights:
•   Search drive, temperament, trainability are key
•   Dogs turned in to shelters may be ideal for SAR
•   Concern: Treatments that affect sense of smell
Be able to screen dogs for work-limiting problems
Katherine E. Jones, Karen Dashfield, Amanda B. Downend, Cynthia M. Otto
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Sep 15;225(6):854-60.
General toxicologic hazards and risks for search-and-rescue dogs responding to urban disasters Highlights:
•   Assume urban disaster sites highly contaminated
•   Toxins may be solids, liquids, particulates, gases
•   SAR dogs at high risk from respiratory toxicants
Recognizing route of exposure is key to treatment
Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant, Lisa A. Murphy, Tina A. Wismer, Jay C. Albretsen
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Feb 1;222(3):292-5.
Toxicologic agents of concern for search-and-rescue dogs responding to urban disasters Highlights:
•   Specific common toxins are discussed
•   Hydrocarbons, PCBs, metals head the list
•   Routes of exposure, outcomes detailed
Knowledge of sequelae will aid long-term care
Lisa A. Murphy, Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant, Jay C. Albretsen, Tina A. Wismer
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Feb 1;222(3):296-304.
Management and prevention of toxicoses in search-and-rescue dogs responding to urban disasters Highlights:
•   Prompt, appropriate treatment vital
•   Priority is "treat the patient, not the poison"
•   Dermal absorption important in urban SAR dogs
Don't wait to confirm toxin before starting treatment
Tina A. Wismer, Lisa A. Murphy, Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant, Jay C. Albretsen
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Feb 1;222(3):305-10.
Medical and behavioral surveillance of dogs deployed to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon from October 2001 to June 2002 Highlights:
•   Compared health of deployed dogs to controls
•   Serum results suggested antigen, toxin exposure
•   Blood values of both groups within normal limits
No adverse affects within 1 year of deployment
Cynthia M. Otto, Amanda B. Downend, James A. Serpell, Lisa S. Ziemer, H. Mark Saunders
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Sep 15;225(6):861-7.
Deployment morbidity among search-and-rescue dogs used after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks Highlights:
•   65 of 96 dogs studied had deployment morbidity
•   GI upset, fatigue, dehydration among complaints
•   6-fold higher morbidity in WTC dogs vs Pentagon
Injury, illness affected most dogs, but all minor
Kimberly A. Slensky, Kenneth J. Drobatz, Amanda B. Downend, Cynthia M. Otto
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Sep 15;225(6):868-73.
Assessment of acute injuries, exposure to environmental toxins, and five-year health surveillance of New York Police Department working dogs following the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center terrorist attack Highlights:
•   17 of 27 dogs had health disorders in 1st week
•   No evidence of Bacillum anthracis exposure
•   Mild biochemical abnormalities were found
Only mild health problems during 5-year follow-up
Philip R. Fox, Birgit Puschner, Joseph G. Ebel
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Jul 1;233(1):48-59.
The modern working dog—a call for interdisciplinary collaboration Highlights:
•   Guide dog schools are models for collaboration
•   10 professions in National Academies of Practice
•   Professions unite to maintain guide dog teams
Collaboration promising for human-animal bond
Patricia N. Olson
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Aug 1;221(3):352-5.
 
Preparedness and response policy

Top



 
 
Organizational aspects of disaster preparedness and response Highlights:
•   Knowledge of Incident Command System is vital
•   ICS is cornerstone of organized disaster response
•   National Response Plan: Use local plans first
Plan in advance for successful role in ICS
James G. W. Wenzel
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jun 1;230(11):1634-7.
Veterinary legal issues: 2006 in review Highlights:
•   Veterinary law has been expanding for years
•   Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina spurred changes
•   State laws now address animal care in disasters
PETS Act: Evacuation plans must include pets
Elizabeth L. Settles, Sarah L. Babcock
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Feb 1;230(3):350-2.
Report of the 2006 National Animal Disaster Summit Highlights:
•   2005 hurricane responders met at AVMA summit
•   Roadblocks to response efforts were identified
•   Recommendations developed for improvement
Top problem was lack of coordination, control
Bonnie V. Beaver, Robert Gros, E. Murl Bailey, Cindy S. Lovern
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006 Sep 15;229(6):943-8.
 

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