Key Objectives:
- Identify challenges to implementing a One Health approach during human and animal tuberculosis case investigations.
- Discuss processes and methods to improve state agency collaborations during human and animal tuberculosis case investigations.
Brief Summary:
Many mycobacterial diseases, especially tuberculosis (TB) caused by M. bovis or M. tuberculosis, have the recognized zoonotic potential to infect humans, domestic livestock and wildlife. The lengthy incubation period of mycobacterial disease and potential delay in diagnosis of TB can complicate source and contact investigations. Routine interactions between livestock and humans in agricultural settings pose an elevated risk of transmission. However, until recently, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health (DPH) and Wisconsin Division of Animal Health (DAH) lacked a collaborative response plan to cases of TB identified in livestock workers. Challenges associated with a partnered response included complying with health record privacy laws, coordinating response with local health departments and field veterinary staff, communicating with farm workers and owners, and identifying funding sources for response and case management. A response plan was drafted in 2014 that included flow charts, scenarios, communication processes, and considerations for future enhancements. A joint DAH-DPH brochure designed to increase livestock worker awareness about bovine TB in animals and humans was produced in 2016. Recognizing that the health of humans is connected to the health of animals and the environment, this presentation summarizes experiences using the multi-agency response plan and communications tools in a “One Health” approach to zoonotic disease investigations. We are especially interested in discussing similar situations encountered by other states and suggestions for advancing One Health approaches in public health.