Using Bioaerosol Sampling as Part of a One Health Integrated Risk Assessment for Pathogen Transmission in Animal Livestock Settings

BENJAMIN ANDERSON, University of Florida

     Abstract Number: 634
     Working Group: Bioaerosols in Agriculture: Sources, Risks and Mitigation

Abstract
Pathogens transmitted within and between animal livestock settings pose significant risks, not only to animal health and productivity, but also to human health when zoonoses occurs. Agricultural workers are at the greatest risk for zoonotic pathogen exposures due to their close contact with animals but can also transmit pathogens to the animals through reverse zoonoses. Despite the increased burden of infectious diseases in these environments, conducting regular surveillance in these settings to understand transmission dynamics can be difficult due to concerns in biosecurity, potential disruptions to normal farm operations, and economic losses. Non-invasive bioaerosol sampling is a way to overcome these challenges. In our research, we utilize bioaerosol sampling techniques as part of a One Health integrated risk assessment strategy that identifies, characterizes, and assesses potential transmission risk of pathogens of concern in livestock environments. Coupled with an approach that trains farm operators to perform sampling directly to maintain proper biosecurity, the outputs from this integrated approach can better inform the development of targeted intervention strategies to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases in livestock settings and can even serve as an early warning system for potential infectious disease outbreaks. Overall, this work highlights the importance of incorporating non-invasive environmental sampling techniques, such as bioaerosol sampling, into comprehensive surveillance programs and demonstrates how the One Health approach is critical in addressing complex health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface.