The Swine Health Information Center this week announced a standardized outbreak investigation instrument.
The new instrument is available for download and use from the SHIC website, and a web-based version will be launched this spring.
The downloadable version is a fillable form that, upon completion, could be submitted to a program administrator at Iowa State University, the developer of the tool.
Or the form could be used for farm/system outbreak investigations without submitting, but every submission will strengthen the confidential database that can help researchers find industry trends. The new, standardized outbreak investigation instrument was built from an existing investigation tool.
Expert input and conversation led to changing some terms and creating additions. Dr. Derald Holtkamp of Iowa State University led the development of the instrument. Holtkamp says, “The reason for doing this remains trying to be better prepared to respond to the introduction of transboundary disease.” Visit swinehealth.org to learn more.