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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2020; 61(8); 853-859;

Descriptive network analysis of a Standardbred horse training facility contact network: Implications for disease transmission.

Abstract: Infectious respiratory disease is a common cause of morbidity among racehorses. Quantification of contact patterns in training facilities could help inform disease prevention strategies. The study objectives were to: i) describe the contact network among horses, locations, and humans at a Standardbred horse training facility in Ontario; ii) describe the characteristics of highly influential individuals; and iii) investigate how management changes alter the network metrics and discuss the potential implications for disease transmission. Proximity loggers detected contacts among horses, staff, and locations ( = 144). Network metrics and node centrality measures were described for a 2-mode and horse-only contact network. The 2-mode network density was 0.16. and the median node degree was 20 [interquartile range (IQR) = 12 to 27]. Yearlings and floating staff were most influential in the network suggesting biosecurity programs should emphasize reducing contacts in these groups. Removing highly influential staff or co-housing of age groups resulted in changes to network diameter and density. . Les maladies respiratoires infectieuses sont une cause commune de morbidité parmi les chevaux de course. Une quantification des patrons de contact dans les centres d’entraînement pourrait aider à avoir des stratégies appropriées de prévention des maladies. Les objectifs de la présente étude étaient de : i) décrire le réseau des contacts entre les chevaux, les localisations et les humains à un centre d’entraînement pour chevaux Stadardbred en Ontario; ii) décrire les caractéristiques d’individus très influents; iii) examiner comment les changements de gestion altèrent le réseau des systèmes de mesure et discuter les implications potentielles pour la transmission des maladies. Des enregistreurs de proximité détectèrent les contacts parmi les chevaux, le personnel et les localisations ( = 144). Les systèmes de mesure et les mesures de centralité des noeuds furent décrits pour un réseau à 2 modes et un réseau de contact entre chevaux uniquement. La densité du réseau à 2 modes était de 0,16 et le degré médian du noeud était 20 [écart interquartile (IQR) = 12 à 27]. Les yearlings et le personnel occasionnel étaient les plus influents dans le réseau suggérant que les programmes de biosécurité devraient mettre l’emphase sur une réduction des contacts dans ces groupes. Le retrait de personnel très influent ou cohabitation de groupes d’âge a résulté en des changements dans le diamètre et la densité du réseau.(Traduit par D Serge Messier).
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Publication Date: 2020-08-04 PubMed ID: 32741991PubMed Central: PMC7350062
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research analyses the contact network within a Standardbred horse training facility, showing the human, equine, and location interconnections and its implications to disease transmission. The study found that yearlings and itinerant staff were most influential in the network, and removing such influential staff or grouping horses by age can alter the network dynamics, suggesting potential strategies for disease prevention.

Research Objectives

  • The main aims of the study were to understand the contact network among horses, on-site locations, and humans at a Standardbred horse training facility.
  • To identify and describe the characteristics of highly influential individuals in the network.
  • To assess how changes in the management and structure of the network could potentially influence the network metrics and implications for disease transmission.

Methodology

  • The investigation utilized proximity loggers to detect and record contacts among horses, facility staff, and locations within the training facility (total contacts = 144).
  • Network metrics and measurements of node centrality, which reveal node influence, were described for a two-mode (including both direct and indirect contacts) and horse-only contact network.

Results and Findings

  • The results revealed a two-mode network density of 0.16, reflecting a moderate level of contact throughout the network, with a median node degree of 20, indicating an average horse had direct or indirect connections with 20 other nodes.
  • Among the population, yearlings (young horses between 1 and 2 years old) and floating staff (irregular or part-time employees) held a high degree of influence over the network.

Implications

  • The research suggests that biosecurity programs aimed at disease prevention should focus more extensively on reducing contacts among yearlings and floating staff, as these groups exhibit the highest potential for disease transmission due to their significant connectivity within the network.
  • Alterations in management strategy, such as removing highly influential staff members or implementing age-related cohabitation strategies among horses, resulted in changes to the network’s diameter and density, implying potential directional alterations to disease spread rates or patterns.

Cite This Article

APA
Rossi TM, Milwid RM, Moore A, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL. (2020). Descriptive network analysis of a Standardbred horse training facility contact network: Implications for disease transmission. Can Vet J, 61(8), 853-859.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 8
Pages: 853-859

Researcher Affiliations

Rossi, Tanya M
  • Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Rossi, Milwid, O'Sullivan, Greer); Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, Guelph, Ontario (Moore).
Milwid, Rachael M
  • Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Rossi, Milwid, O'Sullivan, Greer); Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, Guelph, Ontario (Moore).
Moore, Alison
  • Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Rossi, Milwid, O'Sullivan, Greer); Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, Guelph, Ontario (Moore).
O'Sullivan, Terri L
  • Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Rossi, Milwid, O'Sullivan, Greer); Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, Guelph, Ontario (Moore).
Greer, Amy L
  • Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario (Rossi, Milwid, O'Sullivan, Greer); Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, Guelph, Ontario (Moore).

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Ontario / epidemiology

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Pusterla N, James K, Barnum S, Bain F, Barnett DC, Chappell D, Gaughan E, Craig B, Schneider C, Vaala W. Frequency of Detection and Prevalence Factors Associated with Common Respiratory Pathogens in Equids with Acute Onset of Fever and/or Respiratory Signs (2008-2021). Pathogens 2022 Jul 2;11(7).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens11070759pubmed: 35890002google scholar: lookup
  2. Rossi TM, O'Sullivan TL, Greer AL. Descriptive network analysis of Ontario, Canada equine competitions: implications for disease control. BMC Vet Res 2025 Dec 23;22(1):43.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-05248-zpubmed: 41430608google scholar: lookup
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