Uncertainties in the governance of animal disease: an interdisciplinary framework for analysis

Citation

Fish R, Austin Z, Christley R, Haygarth PM, Heathwaite AL, Latham S, Medd W, Mort M, Oliver D, Pickup R, Wastling JM & Wynne B (2011) Uncertainties in the governance of animal disease: an interdisciplinary framework for analysis. Philosophical Transactions B: Biological Sciences, 366 (1573), pp. 2023-2034. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2010.0400

Abstract
Uncertainty is an inherent feature of strategies to contain animal disease. In this paper an interdisciplinary framework for representing strategies of containment, and analysing how uncertainties are embedded and propagated through them, is developed and illustrated. Analysis centres on persistent, periodic and emerging disease threats, with a particular focus on Cryptosporidium, Foot & Mouth Disease and Avian Influenza. Uncertainty is shown to be produced at strategic, tactical and operational levels of containment, and across the different arenas of disease prevention, anticipation and alleviation. The paper argues for more critically reflexive assessments of uncertainty in containment policy and practice. An interdisciplinary approach has an important contribution to make, but is absent from current real world containment policy.

Keywords
animal disease; containment; uncertainty; policy; interdisciplinarity; Animals Diseases Prevention; Disease outbreak

Journal
Philosophical Transactions B: Biological Sciences: Volume 366, Issue 1573

People

Professor David Oliver

Professor, Biological and Environmental Sciences