title: Animal movements and the spread of infectious diseases.
abstract: Domestic and wild animal population movements are important in the spread of disease. There are many recent examples of disease spread that have occurred as a result of intentional movements of livestock or wildlife. Understanding the volume of these movements and the risks associated with them is fundamental in elucidating the epidemiology of these diseases, some of which might entail zoonotic risks. The importance of the worldwide animal trade is reviewed and the role of the unregulated trade in animals is highlighted. A range of key examples are discussed in which animal movements have resulted in the introduction of pathogens to previously disease-free areas. Measures based on heightened surveillance are proposed that mitigate the risks of new pathogen introductions.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases and Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK. eric.fevre@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Fèvre
authors.forename: Barend M de C
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Bronsvoort
authors.forename: Katie A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cleaveland
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D014186:Transportation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission