SGU-DVM: Disease Prevention and Control in Animals Glossary

Biosecurity

"set of management and physical measures designed to reduce the risk of introduction, establishment and spread of animal diseases, infections or infestations to, from and within an animal population."

Case

"an individual animal infected by a pathogenic agent, with or without signs"

Chain of infection

the process by which an infectious agent leaves the reservoir or sourcevia a portal of exit and the mode of transmission to reach the portal of entry of a susceptible host.

Disease control

"the reduction of the morbidity and mortality from disease."

Primary disease prevention

prevent initial development of disease.

Secondary prevention

the early detection of existing disease to reduce the impact of the disease.

Tertiary prevention

measures taken to reduce the impact of disease.

Disinfection

"the application, after thorough cleansing, of procedures intended to destroy the infectious or parasitic agents of animal diseases, including zoonoses; this applies to premises, vehicles and different objects which may have been directly or indirectly contaminated".

Emerging disease

"a new occurrence in an animal of a disease, infection or infestation, causing a significant impact on animal or public health resulting from: (1) a change of a known pathogenic agent or its spread to a new geographic area or species; (2) or a previously unrecognized pathogenic agent or disease diagnosed for the first time.

Endemic

1. "The predictable level of occurrence of disease infection, antibody, etc 2. The usual presence of disease, infection, antibody, etc."

Epidemic

"an occurrence of disease in excess of its anticipated frequency."

Eradication

"the elimination of a pathogenic agent from a country or zone."

Euthanasia

"the act of inducing death using a method that causes a rapid and irreversible loss of consciousness with minimum pain and distress to animal."

Exposure

contact with something that is a health hazard or may affect health.

Fomites

"inanimate communicators of infection."

Hazard

"a biological, chemical or physical agent in, or a condition of, an animal or animal product with the potential to cause an adverse health effect."

Incidence

"the number of new cases of a disease that occur in a population at risk in a particular geographical area within a defined time interval.

Incubation period

"the longest period that elapses between the introduction of the pathogenic agent into the animal and the occurrence of the first clinical signs of the disease.

Infection

"the entry and development or multiplication of a pathogenic agent in the body of humans or animals.

Infectious agent

"produces infection or disease and includes bacteria, fungi, helminths, protozoa, viruses, prion."

Infective period

"the longest period during which an affected animal can be a source of infection."

Infestation

"the external invasion or colonization of animals or their immediate surroundings by arthropods, which may cause clinical signs or are potential vectors of pathogenic agents."

International trade

"importation, exportation and transit of commodities."

Isolation

sick and separate (CFSPH): the separation of sick animals (e.g. with diarrhea, cough) in an isolation area away from healthy animals.

Mode of Transmission

how the infectious agent moves from the reservoir or source to a susceptible host either directly or indirectly.

Monitoring

"the intermittent performance and analysis of routine measurements and observations, aimed at detecting changes in the environment or health status of a population."

Notifiable disease

"a disease listed by the Veterinary Authority, and that, as soon as detected or suspected, should be brought to the attention of this Authority, in accordance with national regulations."

Port of Entry

body part or opening where an infectious agent gains entry into the body (mouth, respiratory tract, eyes, urinary tract, skin).

Portal of Exit

how the agent leaves the reservoir. This can occur via saliva, feces, urine, blood, skin, mucus membranes.

Prevalence

"the total number of cases of a disease that are present in a population at risk, in a particular geographical area, at one specified time or during a given period."

Quarantine

the separation of animals that are newly acquired, returning after a period of time, exposed, suspected to be infected, or non-infected animals that are at risk for infection.

Reservoir

habitat where an infectious agent lives and multiples. It can be an animal host, biological vector or the external environment. Often source of infection for the agent.

Risk

"the likelihood of the occurrence and the likely magnitude of the biological and economic consequences of an adverse event or effect to animal or human health."

Stamping-out policy

"a policy designed to eliminate an outbreak by carrying out under the authority of the Veterinary Authority the following: a) the killing of the animals which are affected and those suspected of being affected in the herd or flock and, where appropriate, those in other herds or flocks which have been exposed to infection by direct animal to animal contact, or by indirect contact with the causal pathogenic agent;.." b) the disposal of carcasses and, where relevant, animal products by rendering, burning or burial, or by any other method described...; c) the cleansing and disinfection of establishments through procedures defined..."

Surveillance

"the systematic ongoing collection, collation, and analysis of information related to animal health and the timely dissemination of information so that action can be taken."

Susceptible Host

animal or human that is at risk of infection or disease.

Transboundary animal diseases (TADs)

"those diseases that are of significant economic, trade and/or food security importance for a considerable number of countries; which can easily spread to other countries and reach epidemic proportions; and where control/management, including exclusion, requires cooperation between several countries." (FAO)

Vaccination

"the administration of a vaccine, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the Terrestrial Manual, when relevant, with the intention of inducing immunity in an animal or group of animals against one or more pathogenic agents.

Vaccine

"includes all products designed to stimulate active immunization of animals against disease, without regard to the type of microorganism or microbial component or toxin from which they may be derived or that they contain."

Vector

"an insect or any living carrier that transports an infectious agent from an infected individual to a susceptible individual or its food or immediate surroundings. The organism may or may not pass through a development cycle within the vector.

Zone

"a part of a country defined by the Veterinary Authority, containing an animal population or subpopulation with a specific animal health status with respect to an infection or infestation for the purposes of international trade or disease prevention or control."

Zoonosis

"an infection shared in nature by humans and other vertebrates; it also is used, more specifically, to refer to a disease that normally exists in non-human animals but that can infect humans.."