Completed non-proprietary projects
A brief summary of non-proprietary projects completed by Epi-Insight is shown in the table below. Contact Epi-Insight for more information on any of this work.
Five-year review of the Northern Territory cattle tick management programme
Sponsor: Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism, and Trade (Agriculture, Fisheries and Biosecurity)
Country: New Zealand and Australia
Disease focus: Cattle tick (Rhipicephalus [Boophilus] microplus), anaplasmosis, babesiosis
Time period: 2024 to 2024
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant
Description: There is currently no nationally co-ordinated approach to the management of cattle tick in northern Australia. The purpose of this project is to provide advice and recommendations to the government on the current Northern Territory Cattle Tick Program in terms of structure, function, delivery format, cost, revenue and to recommend proposed solutions with a particular focus on Parkhurst strain acaricide resistant ticks.
Establishing the colonisation pattern of forensically-important insects in southern New Zealand using Sus scrofa as a human proxy
Sponsor: Department of Anatomy in the School of Biomedical Sciences at University of Otago
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2024 to 2025
Epi-Insight role: Veterinary surgeon, Pig expert
Description: Study to establish what insects are likely to colonise human bodies post-mortem in Otago region of New Zealand and the temporal occurrence of their appearance and disappearance based on use of pig cadavers. This information provides the key data needed to refine post-mortem interval estimation in human forensic cases in Otago.
Pandemic Fund - Viet Nam
Sponsor: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the World Health Organisation
Country: Viet Nam
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety
Time period: 2024 to 2024
Epi-Insight role: Senior Consultant, Epidemiologist, One Health Expert
Description: Appointed jointly by FAO and WHO as the Animal Health Pandemic Preparedness and Response specialist to assist Viet Nam in preparing a $25 million USD application to the Pandemic Fund's second call for proposals. Was responsible for budget development and co-authored the proposal text with Mr Eraly, along with significant stakeholder engagement meetings with government and development partners.
Pandemic Fund - Sri Lanka
Sponsor: Asian Development Bank
Country: Sri Lanka
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety
Time period: 2024 to 2024
Epi-Insight role: Senior Consultant, Epidemiologist, One Health Expert
Description: Appointed by ADB to lead preparation of Sri Lanka's $19 million USD application to the Pandemic Fund's second call for proposals. Was responsible for budget development and co-authored the proposal text with Mr Eraly, along with significant stakeholder engagement meetings with government and development partners.
Manuscript and Copy-Editor (English)
Sponsor: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
Country: Viet Nam
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety
Time period: 2024 to 2024
Epi-Insight role: Technical writer
Description: Assist with technical writing of FAO publications and related work.
Pandemic Fund - India
Sponsor: Asian Development Bank
Country: India
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety
Time period: 2023 to 2023
Epi-Insight role: Senior Consultant, Epidemiologist, One Health Expert
Description: Provided technical writing and review from a veterinary and animal health perspective into India's $25 million USD application for the inaugural call for proposals by the international Pandemic Fund.
Pandemic Fund - Viet Nam
Sponsor: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the World Health Organisation
Country: Viet Nam
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety
Time period: 2023 to 2023
Epi-Insight role: Senior Consultant, Epidemiologist, One Health Expert
Description: Appointed jointly by FAO and WHO as the Animal Health Pandemic Preparedness and Response specialist to assist Viet Nam in preparing a $29 million USD application for the inaugural call for proposals by the international Pandemic Fund. Was responsible for budget development and co-authored the proposal text with Mr Eraly, along with significant stakeholder engagement meetings with government and development partners.
Clinical, surgical, and anaesthesia support for orthopaedic (spinal) surgery in pigs
Sponsor: Fisher and Paykel Healthcare
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2023 to 2023
Epi-Insight role: Veterinary surgeon
Description: Technical expert supporting clinical, surgical, and anaesthesia aspects of clinical trials using pigs as a model for studies of human orthopaedic (spinal) surgery. Sponsor is developing novel surgical equipment for use in human that will improve tissue viability and surgical wound healing, and reduce incidence of surgical site infections. Provide advice and hands-on support to equipment engineers, human surgeons, veterinarians, and animal technicians.
Manuscript and Copy-Editor (English)
Sponsor: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
Country: Viet Nam
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety
Time period: 2023 to 2024
Epi-Insight role: Technical writer
Description: Assist with technical writing of FAO publications and related work.
Fiji National University veterinary graduate special internship program
Sponsor: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2022 to 2022
Epi-Insight role: Pig expert, Epidemiologist, Veterinary surgeon
Description: The special internship programme helped to ensure that Fiji National University veterinary graduates had adequate knowledge and skills to provide veterinary services for livestock (specifically terrestrial species: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry) and to desex dogs and cats in Fiji. Specialised support was provided in pig medicine and production, and epidemiology, in the context of both commercial and non-commercial farm settings. Those completing the programme were equipped to meet the WOAH Day 1 specific competencies in clinical reasoning, diagnosis and treatment planning, veterinary communication and self directed learning. Training was provided online via a Moodle platform with emphasis on small group work in a problem-based framework.
One Health in Central Asia Initiative: Protecting Food Systems and Preventing Future Pandemics through preparation of a Regional One Health Framework for Action (Surveillance Team)
Sponsor: World Bank
Country: New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety
Time period: 2022 to 2024
Epi-Insight role: Team Leader, Epidemiologist, One Health Expert
Description: Assessed key capacity gaps related to One Health surveillance at the national level in five countries of Central Asia through background research, obtaining relevant information from the government agencies, and face-to-face meetings. Led a team of five domain experts in developing recommendations for improving capacity nationally, and how implementation of these recommendations could contribute to a regional One Health platform through advanced surveillance results sharing, cross-sectoral training, and co-management and procurement of important infrastructure for innovative surveillance. Work included two missions into the region for a total of three weeks.
Formulation of One Health Partnership 5-year Action Plan and Budget
Sponsor: European Union
Country: New Zealand and Viet Nam
Disease focus: One Health
Time period: 2021 to 2021
Epi-Insight role: Project manager, Epidemiologist consultant, Team leader
Description: The overall objective of this assignment was to assist in improving multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration in Viet Nam, using the One Health approach and to support the One Health Partnership (OHP) Secretariat led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Health. Through this project, a 5-year OHP Strategic Plan and corresponding activity-based Budget was developed. Central to the work in this project was extensive stakeholder consultation amongst animal and public health agencies at the national and provincial levels, environment and wildlife-centred organisations, and key donor organisations working in any of these sectors. The Plan and Budget included expected, moderate, and high-risk scenarios.
Regional Project Development Support for the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Operational Plan, 2016-2025 (One Health)
Sponsor: Asian Development Bank
Country: New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Maldives, and Myanmar
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety
Time period: 2021 to 2021
Epi-Insight role: Senior Consultant, Epidemiologist, One Health Expert
Description: Assessed key capacity gaps (background research, obtaining relevant information from the government agencies, creation of country profiles, and assessment of OH integration into government operations) and identified constraints and unmet resources needs for effective implementation of One Health in SASEC member countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) at both country and regional levels. Opportunities for addressing zoonotic disease and antimicrobial resistance issues in different sectors with One Health were summarized in a Scoping Study and Action Plan for use by Asian Development Bank.
International Finance Corporation's Manual and Audit Procedures on Biosecurity, Animal Welfare, and Antibiotics (BAWA) for fully housed pig production
Sponsor: The World Bank Group (International Finance Corporation)
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Exotic and endemic diseases of pigs
Time period: 2020 to 2020
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Veterinary surgeon
Description: Reviewed and revised the International Finance Corporation's Manual and Audit Procedures on biosecurity, animal welfare, and antibiotics (BAWA) for fully housed pig production.
Preliminary determination of the bioavailability of solubilised niclosamide in pigs when administered intraperitoneally, buccally, and per rectum as a treatment for COVID-19 infection
Sponsor: Estendart Holdings Limited
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: COVID-19
Time period: 2020 to 2021
Epi-Insight role: Veterinary surgeon, Project manager
Description: The principal objective of the work was to determine whether a solubilised formulation of niclosamide, when administered to pigs through various routes of administration and several dosages, could be detected in the blood. Contracted work involved management of the test site, all pig dosing, catheterization, sampling, and health assessments.
African swine fever (ASF) policy review in Viet Nam
Sponsor: The World Bank Group (International Finance Corporation)
Country: New Zealand (COVID restricted movements)
Disease focus: African swine fever
Time period: 2020 to 2021
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Risk assessment
Description: Reviewed all legal documents and national programs relevant to ASF control in Viet Nam in order to understand the regulatory framework to respond to ASF and other zoonotic diseases, conduct stakeholder mapping to evaluate the institutional capacity in implementing ASF and other zoonotic diseases control measures, provide case studies in managing ASF crisis by countries relevant to Viet Nam, then to provide a set of recommendations which could be adopted by the government in the short and medium-to-long terms to establish and operate ASF free supply chains
Development of a tool to estimate the micro- and macro-economic impacts of biological incursions into the New Zealand dairy and beef industries
Sponsor: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Mycoplasma bovis
Time period: 2020 to 2021
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant
Description: Develop a flexible, generic, cost-benefit analysis framework that can support decision-makers in determining whether a formal response should be mounted against an incursion of an exotic disease agent into the New Zealand beef or dairy industries. The tool is based upon structured epidemiological outputs from a disease simulation model, cost of disease estimates based on New Zealand farm budgets for various cattle farming sectors, non-tangible costings (animal and human welfare costs, environmental impacts, wildlife factors), and macroeconomic supply and demand factors.
Technical consultant to Deer Industry New Zealand
Sponsor: Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ)
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Exotic and endemic diseases of deer
Time period: 2020 to 2023
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Risk assessment
Description: Engaged to provide ongoing technical support to the New Zealand deer farming industry with particular emphasis on biosecurity policy, advice on formal commenting to international organisations involved in trade in animal products, the New Zealand Government-Industry Agreement (GIA), and assessment of risk associated with importation of chronic wasting disease.
Building strategic partnerships to increase African swine fever preparedness of the US and Viet Nam pig industries
Sponsor: United States Department of Agriculture
Country: Viet Nam
Disease focus: African swine fever
Time period: 2019 to 2022
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Veterinary surgeon
Description: Project designed to build strategic partnerships between the US and Viet Nam pig industries. Specifically, projects will be undertaken to improve diagnostic capabilities of both countries to diagnose African swine fever (ASF), determine effectiveness of various ASF control strategies, investigate the epidemiology and causation of recent ASF outbreaks in Vietnam, and strengthen institutional capacity in Viet Nam to research and diagnose ASF.
Development of an approach to speed up autogenous vaccine approval by the APVMA
Sponsor: Australian Pork Limited
Country: Australia
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2019 to 2020
Epi-Insight role: Project manager, Technical writing
Description: Formal consultation with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and autogenous vaccine manufacturers was completed in response to pig industry concerns about excessive constraints around approval of autogenous vaccines. Modifications to the official guidance documents were negotiated to achieve improved quality of autogenous vaccine registration applications and therefore more timely approvals.
Creation and validation of best practice truck biosecurity and disinfection guidelines with practical application at export abattoirs
Sponsor: Australian Pork Limited,
Country: New Zealand (COVID restricted movements)
Disease focus: African swine fever
Time period: 2019 to 2022
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiologist, Risk assessment
Description: A structured review of published literature on the risk of transport associated incursions of African swine fever was conducted to assist in development of best practices for truck washing and disinfection. Abattoirs, livestock haulers, and all pig farmers in the country were surveyed to determine existing truck wash capabilities and capacity in the industry. Training materials were developed to implement the best practices that were identified.
Support for the response to the 2017 incursion of Mycoplasma bovis in the New Zealand dairy industry
Sponsor: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Mycoplasma bovis
Time period: 2018 to 2019
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiologist, Risk assessment
Description: Developed and presented a simulation model of the Mycoplasma bovis spread in the New Zealand beef and dairy industries using Interspread Plus. Model output was the key data to support Ministerial decision-making around the extent of a national response to the incursion. Modelling work was based on a review of the related scientific literature and included multiple 5-year simulations to estimate the effects of four different surveillance and control plans.
Risk of pig disease introduction to Fiji through importation of pork
Sponsor: Fiji Pig Producers Association
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome
Time period: 2018 to 2018
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Risk assessment
Description: A report was commissioned by Fiji Pig Producers Association (FPPA), an Association formed under the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council with the objective of describing the potential risks of disease introduction into the Fijian pig industry through the direct importation of pork from countries in the European Union. The FPPA expected the volume of imported pork arriving from New Zealand (either domestic-raised or re-exported from countries exporting to New Zealand) or Australia to increase in the future. In addition, importation of pork directly from countries of the European Union was being considered. This situation created the potential for increased risk of disease introduction into Fiji through the importation of untreated pork.
Global surveillance for antimicrobial resistance
Sponsor: UK Department of Health
Country: Pakistan
Disease focus: One Health
Time period: 2018 to 2018
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant
Description: The UK Department of Health launched the Fleming Fund, a GBP 265 million One Health programme to support low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Fund contributed to the WHO Global Action Plan on Anti-Microbial Resistance. The aim of the Fleming Fund was to improve laboratory capacity and diagnosis as well as data and surveillance of AMR in LMICs through a One Health approach: Building capacity to collect drug resistance data, enabling the sharing of drug resistance data locally, regionally, and internationally, collating data on AMR, and encouraging the application of these data to promote the rational use of antimicrobials.
Risk and response planning for an exotic swine disease incursion through the importation of fresh pork
Sponsor: Australian Pork Limited
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Exotic diseases of pigs
Time period: 2017 to 2018
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Risk assessment
Description: A critical review of the scientific literature related to swine pathogens that may be present in pork was conducted. A prioritised list of these pathogens was presented as a matrix based on the risk of their introduction through pork and the likely consequences of an incursion. The PigPass official database of Australia's pig movements was undertaken and used in conjunction with information from the literature review to complete an Interspread Plus simulation modelling of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus spread in the country.
Brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis in peri-urban dairies in India
Sponsor: Canadian International Development Research Centre and the Public Health Foundation of India
Country: India
Disease focus: Brucella bovis and Mycobacterium bovis
Time period: 2017 to 2017
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiologist
Description: The PERIMILK study was conducted to determine the contribution of peri-urban dairies in India to the occurrence of zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis. The project aimed to measure and analyse the effectiveness of farm-level interventions designed to improve the standard of animal husbandry and reduce inappropriate use of antibiotic on these farms. Data was collected to determine the disease burden and cost of production in the sector.
Cross-over Diseases: Animal to Human Surveillance
Sponsor: The World Bank
Country: Liberia
Disease focus: Ebola virus
Time period: 2016 to 2017
Epi-Insight role: Project manager, Epidemiology consultant
Description: Novel software tools were developed that could assist in structuring risk-based surveillance for Ebola virus in animals and people. Through funding provided by World Bank, the Ministry of Health in Liberia sponsored development of a risk mapping system for spatial evaluation of the risk of potential initiation of human infection of Ebola Virus Disease from animal sources. A best fit surveillance approach was used to model the impact of each possible surveillance component (measured by timeliness in detection and cost). A suitable information system for processing surveillance data and managing disease outbreaks (such as Ebola) was added to the software and national epidemiologists were trained on how to use the risk map to evaluate alternative surveillance systems for early detection of outbreaks affecting people and/or animals, using epidemiological effectiveness and cost-effectiveness criteria.
Results Oriented Monitoring (ROM) of Improvement of Key Services to Livestock aid project in Fiji
Sponsor: EuropeAid
Country: Fiji
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2016 to 2016
Epi-Insight role: Monitoring and evaluation
Description: A visit was made to Fiji on behalf of Landell-Mills Ltd to conduct a Results Oriented Monitoring (ROM) mission for a European Union funded aid project. The project was entitled 'Improvement of Key Services to Livestock' and target support activities for farmers being displaced due to macroeconomic changes to the sugar cane growing industry. The mission was comprised of site visits and interviews with project stakeholders including farmers (final beneficiaries) over a 12-day period. The project was formally assessed in terms of its relevance to targeted beneficiaries, efficiency of implementation, effectiveness in meeting expected outcomes, and sustainability.
Training on analysis of questionnaire data using STATA and EpiInfo
Sponsor: EuropeAid
Country: Afghanistan
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2016 to 2016
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant
Description: Conducted training on analysis of questionnaire data collected by Massey University One Health Fellows based in Afghanistan. Data was collected as part of a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practise study of health care providers in Kabul City and surrounding suburbs. Data storage and manipulation was done in Access; analysis was done in STATA and EpiInfo. One Health Fellowships were established as part of a European Union funded project entitled 'One Health in Action'.
Outbreak of American foulbrood (AFB) in bees in Afghanistan
Sponsor: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Country: Afghanistan
Disease focus: American foulbrood
Time period: 2015 to 2015
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant
Description: To assist in the response to an outbreak of American foulbrood in an agricultural support project in Yakawlang, Afghanistan, Epi-Insight Limited used a web-enabled spatial database to store and report on data related to both honey production and disease status. AFB is an important disease of bees around the world and after becoming established in a hive, causes high mortality in bee larvae which in turns results in poor honey production and ultimately death of the colony. In completing the project, existing paper and spreadsheet-based data was migrated into a relational database, a web-based front-end was built to allow permission-based access to various functions of the database, and customized reports and forecasts were created.
Zoonotic disease surveillance alternatives using portfolio theory
Sponsor: MorVet Limited
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases of pigs
Time period: 2015 to 2015
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant
Description: Emergent zoonotic diseases can create social and economic disruptions in affected countries. Timely detection is critical in minimizing these disruptions and objective approaches are needed for predicting the effectiveness of surveillance strategies. Epi-Insight Limited collaborated with a group of Australian and New Zealand scientists to develop a spatially-explicit, spatiotemporal model in the software package HandiSpread (an enhanced version of InterspreadPlus software) to simulate spread of a hypothesized zoonotic disease 'Austeria' amongst feral pigs, domestic pigs, and humans in Australia.
New Zealand pig industry Government-Industry-Agreements (GIA)
Sponsor: New Zealand Pork Industry Board
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Exotic and endemic diseases in pigs
Time period: 2015 to 2016
Epi-Insight role: Pig health expert; epidemiologist
Description: New Zealand government is working with major livestock and plant industries under a framework called 'Government-Industry Agreements' (GIA) to devise coordinated operational plans for management of introduced exotic diseases. GIA has been designed to manage both preparedness and response activities, and will include operational procedures, cost-sharing agreements, and strategic planning processes for improving areas of known risk. Epi-Insight worked closely with the association of pig farmers (NZPork) in drafting documents that will support implementation of GIA in the pork sector.
The epidemiology of porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) virus and its potential for introduction into Australia
Sponsor: Australian Pork Limited
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Porcine epidemic diarrhoea
Time period: 2014 to 2014
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Risk assessment
Description: Systematic review of the scientific literature on porcine coronaviruses to develop a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of these diseases. Knowledge gained about pathogen introduction and transmission pathways were evaluated in the context of the Australian pig industry, including both the commercial and backyard sectors. Additionally, eleven of the major national, State, and private veterinary diagnostic laboratories were surveyed to better understand the depth and breadth of expertise that exists in diagnosing endemic and exotic diseases of swine. The project delivered the following outcomes: Capacity and capability assessment of all Australian veterinary laboratories with respect to diagnosis of pig diseases, systematic review and summary of the scientific literature related to transmission of coronaviruses between pigs (vertical and horizontal) and between farms, identification and priority ranking of the risk pathways that could permit the introduction of PED virus into Australia.
The epidemiology of African swine fever virus and its potential for introduction into Australia
Sponsor: Australian Pork Limited
Country: Australia
Disease focus: African swine fever
Time period: 2014 to 2015
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Risk assessment
Description: Systematic review of the scientific literature on African swine fever virus to develop a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of the disease and the potential for the virus to enter and persist in Australia.
Veterinary epidemiology in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
Sponsor: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Country: Afghanistan
Disease focus: Brucella melitensis
Time period: 2014 to 2014
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Veterinary surgeon
Description: Travelled to Afghanistan to act as a veterinary epidemiologist in support of the Afghanistan Agriculture Support Programme sponsored by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Spent five-weeks in country (Kabul city, and Bamyan, Yakawlang, Panjab, and Waras districts of Bamyan Province) and three-weeks out of country implementing Year 2 of an intensive brucellosis control (vaccination and surveillance) programme in large and small ruminants. Work included training of vaccination teams in programme implementation, vaccination techniques, blood-sampling, and biosecurity. Additional training in general animal health skills and zoonotic disease management was completed for local and regional animal and public health workers. Agriculture in this region is almost entirely subsistence-based with both village and nomadic styles of livestock production.
The significance of feral pigs as a transmission vector or reservoir species for PRRS
Sponsor: Australian Pork Limited
Country: Australia
Disease focus: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome
Time period: 2014 to 2015
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant
Description: In 2012 and 2013, a study was funded by Australian Pork Limited to assess the implications to the Australian pig industry if import health standards for fresh pork, similar to those recently enacted in New Zealand, were implemented in Australia. While pork from PRRS positive countries is not currently permitted to enter Australia without treatment sufficient to inactivate the virus, any changes to the current standards would be likely to place the industry at higher risk for introduction of PRRS virus than what is currently accepted. This project has recently been extended to evaluate the potential role of feral pigs in spread or maintenance of the virus.
Capacity Building for Emerging Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response: China
Sponsor: Chinese Ministry of Health
Country: New Zealand and China
Disease focus: One Health
Time period: 2013 to 2015
Epi-Insight role: Project manager
Description: The China Ministry of Health funded implementation of a project to facilitate capacity building for emerging infectious disease preparedness and response in China. The objective of the project was to enhance the national capacity in preparedness for and response to priority zoonotic diseases including Avian Influenza (H5N1), brucellosis, and tuberculosis. Formal training of public sector veterinarians and doctors in one-health epidemiology was conducted to a Masters level and included classroom and field elements. Training programme was modelled after previous one-health training programmes Massey University had built for World Bank in South Asian countries. This project was done in coordination with similar training being done in Mongolia at the same time.
Integrating Education and Action for One Health in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal
Sponsor: European Commission (EuropeAid)
Country: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal
Disease focus: One Health
Time period: 2013 to 2015
Epi-Insight role: Project manager
Description: Project manager for further development and delivery of two (Master of Veterinary Medicine (Biosecurity) and the Master of Public Health (Biosecurity)) degrees to candidates in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. This project was modelled after a previous $12 million NZD project delivered to World Bank for One Health training in seven Asian countries. Training on One Health epidemiology and public policy was delivered to approximately 40 medical doctors and veterinarians to improve regional capacity in epidemiology and biosecurity.
Veterinary epidemiology in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
Sponsor: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Country: Afghanistan
Disease focus: Brucella melitensis
Time period: 2013 to 2013
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Veterinary surgeon
Description: Travelled to Afghanistan to act as a veterinary epidemiologist in support of the Afghanistan Agriculture Support Programme sponsored by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Spent two-weeks in country (Kabul city, and Bamyan, Yakawlang, Panjab, and Waras districts of Bamyan Province) and two-weeks out of country assisting local ministry officials and cooperating NGOs in development of a 5-year national brucellosis surveillance and control strategy.
Capacity Building for Emerging Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response: Mongolia
Sponsor: Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency
Country: New Zealand and Mongolia
Disease focus: One Health
Time period: 2013 to 2015
Epi-Insight role: Project director
Description: The Mongolian government in conjunction with the World Bank implemented a project to facilitate capacity building for emerging infectious disease preparedness and response in Mongolia. The objective of the project was to enhance the national capacity in preparedness for and response to five priority zoonotic diseases, namely avian influenza (H5N1), brucellosis, hydatid disease (echinococcosis), anthrax and Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Mongolia. Formal training of public sector veterinarians and doctors in one-health epidemiology was conducted to a Masters level and included classroom and field elements. Training programme was modelled after previous One Health training programmes Massey University had built for World Bank in South Asian countries. This project was done in coordination with similar training being done in Mongolia at the same time.
Analysis of blood test data from the 2013 brucellosis control campaign in the Bamyan province, Afghanistan
Sponsor: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Country: Afghanistan
Disease focus: Brucella melitensis
Time period: 2013 to 2014
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiologist
Description: Completed analysis of the blood test data collected during Year 1 of a regional intensive brucellosis control program (2013) and developed recommendations for continued control of the disease. Included descriptive, quantitative, and spatial analysis of vaccination and surveillance data in cattle, sheep, and goats in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan. Work conducted included consultation with the Animal Health Development Programme (UK aid and development programme) and national and provincial veterinary staff. Involved four-weeks of work out of country supported by telephone and email contact with project staff in-country.
Review of the Roseworthy Piggery at University of Adelaide
Sponsor: University of Adelaide
Country: Australia
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2012 to 2012
Epi-Insight role: Veterinary surgeon
Description: South Australia hosts the Cooperative Research Centre program for High Integrity Australian Pork, which is headquartered at the Roseworthy Campus of the University of Adelaide. The University of Adelaide and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) jointly support a research piggery at the Roseworthy campus. A formal review of the historical performance and current capabilities of the facility was undertaken to determine its future capacity to contribute to the state and national strategic agenda of the pork industry.
Veterinary epidemiology in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
Sponsor: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Country: Afghanistan
Disease focus: Brucella melitensis
Time period: 2012 to 2012
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Veterinary surgeon
Description: Travelled to Bamyan Province in Afghanistan to act as a veterinary epidemiologist in support of the Afghanistan Agriculture Support Programme sponsored by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Spent four-weeks in country (Kabul city, and Bamyan, Yakawlang, Panjab, and Waras districts of Bamyan Province) and two-weeks out of country developing and implementing a provincial brucellosis surveillance strategy, brucellosis control plan, identification of priority animal diseases, and training of para-vets.
The risk and consequences of PRRS virus introduction to Australia through importation of pork
Sponsor: Australian Pork Limited
Country: Australia
Disease focus: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome
Time period: 2012 to 2012
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Risk assessment
Description: Critically review the likely effectiveness of the three mitigation strategies described in the newly issued New Zealand IHS for fresh pig meat. Use this background information to estimate the risk of PRRSV exposure and subsequent release of the virus to an Australian pig-holding under conditions specified in the New Zealand IHS, relative to these risks under current Australian importing conditions using Interspread Plus. Estimate the consequences of PRRSV becoming established on an Australian pig holding including the likelihood, spatiotemporal characteristics, and financial impact of a multi-farm epidemic.
European Commission Avian and Human Influenza Trust Fund for the Regional Training in Animal and Human Health Epidemiology in South Asia: Phase 1 and 2
Sponsor: The World Bank and European Union
Country: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal
Disease focus: One Health
Time period: 2009 to 2013
Epi-Insight role: Project director
Description: Project manager for development and delivery of two newly created Masterate programmes: Master of Veterinary Medicine (Biosecurity) and the Master of Public Health (Biosecurity) degrees. This $12 million NZD project strengthened the national capacity in South Asia (Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan) in epidemiology and biosecurity. Project was staffed by a team of 51 NZ and international staff. Phase 1 delivered a formal Masters degree training program in epidemiology and biosecurity to 68 medical doctors and veterinarians and Phase 2 further developed in-country and regional capacity in epidemiology and biosecurity by strengthening national institutions that were directly or indirectly responsible for diagnosis, preparedness, response, prevention, and control of highly pathogenic avian influenza and other zoonoses in each country.
Investigation of high-fever disease in China
Sponsor: National Pork Board
Country: China
Disease focus: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, classical swine fever, others
Time period: 2007 to 2007
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant
Description: Was the pig epidemiology specialist amongst a five-member team established and funded by the United States National Pork Board to investigate an epidemic outbreak of high-mortality in the Chinese national pig herd. An assessment of potential opportunities for future collaboration on diagnostic testing, epidemiologic study, graduate training, and emerging disease investigation in China was undertaken.
Porcine circovirus infection in England
Sponsor: National Pork Board
Country: England
Disease focus: Porcine circovirus type 2
Time period: 2002 to 2002
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant
Description: Assisted in the organization of and participated in an eight-day trip to England to study the possible implications of porcine circovirus infection on the United States swine industry. Affected farms, federal diagnostic laboratories, and pig specialist veterinarians were visited to ascertain the temporal-spatial characteristics of the ongoing disease outbreak and to identify risk factors for infection. The investigation was funded by the National Pork Board.
Agricultural trade and policy in China
Sponsor: Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation
Country: China
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 1996 to 1996
Epi-Insight role: Veterinary surgeon
Description: Participated in a two-week trip studying trade, agricultural policy, and culture as a member of an agricultural leaders' organization.
Pork production and further processing in Denmark
Sponsor: University of Illinois
Country: Denmark
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 1994 to 1994
Epi-Insight role: Veterinary surgeon
Description: Visited swine production and slaughtering facilities as part of a delegation from the University of Illinois Pork Industry Group. Presented a talk on salmonellosis to the Staetens Veterinarum Serumlabboratorum in Copenhagen, Denmark.