Читать книгу Infectious Disease Management in Animal Shelters - Группа авторов - Страница 38

Despite the fact that infectious agents are always present in the environment, under normal conditions, health is maintained. It is well recognized that the development of infectious disease is determined by a complex interaction of many factors surrounding the host, infectious agent, and the environment. The species, age, sex, general health, and immune status, as well as stress level and genetic predispositions of the host are all known to be factors that influence animal health (Greene 2012).

Infectious agents vary in virulence and modes of transmission. In many cases, they persist in the environment because they are resistant to disinfection, and many produce carrier states that contribute to continued environmental contamination or direct exposure of other animals. The amount and duration of exposure to an infectious agent, as well as methods of spread, routes of inoculation, carrier states, and mutation rates will all affect the likelihood that disease will spread in the shelter environment. Disease may be spread by direct contact with infected animals or carriers, via inhalation, ingestion, and contact with feces, urine, other bodily secretions, fomites, or even vectors such as fleas, ticks, flies and mosquitoes. Environmental factors also contribute substantially to disease, including housing density, ease of cleaning/disinfection, extremes or fluctuations of temperature, and air quality, among others. Environmental stressors such as loud or unfamiliar noises, unfamiliar stimuli, and unpredictable events are additional contributors. Thus, no single factor results in disease; rather, disease results from a combination of factors.

The importance of adhering to traditional general principles of infectious disease control must never be overlooked in an animal shelter. These include:

1 Vigilant surveillance and early recognition of disease.

2 Removal of infected animals (through isolation, transfer to foster care or other veterinary or rescue partners with adequate facilities, or euthanasia).

3 Mass vaccination and/or mass treatment.

4 Good husbandry and wellness practices (animals and environment).

5 Continual education and training of personnel.

Ultimately, disease control is best addressed proactively by establishing and implementing wellness protocols. Please see the Introduction in Chapter 1 for more information on the principles of infectious disease control in a shelter.