by-DR. RAJESH KUMAR SINGH, (LIVESTOCK & POULTRY CONSULTANT), JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND,INDIA 9431309542, rajeshsinghvet@gmail.com
Veterinarians are in unique position to strengthen the countries surveillance and disaster management system, due to their ideal position in society, easy access to the animal owners, their knowledge and training. Last but not the least their role in the human animal bond is also to be noted. These professional competencies are essential for identification and management of disaster involving human and animal health. Appropriate surveillance, clinical curiosity, epidemiological studies and disaster training are the essential tools that veterinarians must use to meet the challenges of any disaster.
Definition of Disaster
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines disaster as ‘any occurrence that causes damage, economic destruction, loss of human life and deterioration in health and health services on a scale sufficient to warrant an extraordinary response from outside the affected community or area’ (Kumar, 1998).
Disaster Management Act 2005, defines disaster as “A catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of property, or damage to, and degradation of environment and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area” (HPC, 2002).
Types of Disasters
Broadly disasters can be categorized, as natural disasters, which result from natural phenomena, or manmade disasters, that result from man’s intervention or non-intervention. Further, both natural and manmade disasters can be sub-categorized as major and minor.
Natural disasters
- Major natural disasters: flood, cyclone, drought, earthquake and tsunami etc.
- Minor natural disasters: cold wave, thunderstorms, heat waves, mud slides and storm etc.
Manmade disaster
- Major manmade disasters: setting of fires, epidemic, deforestation, pollution due to prawn cultivation, chemical pollution and wars etc.
- Minor manmade disasters: Road/ train accidents, riots, food poisoning, industrial disaster/ crisis and environmental pollution etc.
A High Powered Committee in 2001 (HPC) identified a total of 31 disasters in India and categorized them into five major groups.
- Water and climate related disasters: Floods and drainage management, cyclones, tornadoes and hurricanes, hailstorm, cloud burst, heat wave and cold wave, snow avalanche, droughts, sea erosion, thunder and lightning etc.
- Geologically related disasters: Landslides and mudflows, earthquakes, dam failures/ dam bursts and mine fires etc.
- Chemical, industrial and nuclear related disasters: Chemical disasters due to accidental leakage of chemical, gas or any other toxic substance and leakage of nuclear radiation/ substance from nuclear power plant etc.
- Accident related disasters: Forest fires, urban fires, mine flooding, oil spill, major building collapse, serial bomb blasts, festival related disasters, electrical disasters, fires, air, road and rail accidents, boat capsizing and village fire etc.
- Biologically related disasters: Biological disasters and epidemics, pest attacks, cattle epidemics and food poisoning.
Disaster involving livestock
The two major disasters related to animals are epizootics and geophysical events (Heath, 1999; FAO, 1991). Epizootic diseases have killed large populations of animals and have reduced the production efficiency of many animals. Numerous geophysical disasters also affect livestock population and agriculture every year and cause considerable loss of animal life and spoilage of processed foods for humans and animals (Tremblay and Martineau, 1994; Cassina et al., 1992).
Although in disaster the major objective is to safe guard human lives, but one must think about animals as they are also severely affected. Generally, disaster affect animal by one of the following reasons: due to shortage of feed and fodder; spoilage of food and water supply; zoonoses; animal bites; damage to both domestic and wild animal species, lack of space and the diseases which spread during and after a disaster (Sen and Chander, 2003).
Animal displacement commonly occurs during periods of disaster. These displaced domesticated and wild animals, rats; insects, snakes, and reptiles often result in an increased incidence of bites to animals and human. Diseases transmitted by rodents, vectors and other animals may increase during heavy rainfall and flooding because of altered patterns of contact (Diaz, 2007). Finally, diseases among sick animals (contagious diseases) may spread to other animals and even to the human population (zoonosis), such as rabies, tuberculosis, and avian influenza.
Disaster preparedness and response in livestock
Disaster preparedness is important for all animals, but it is particularly important for livestock because of the animals’ size and their shelter and transportation needs. Disasters can happen anywhere and can take many different forms, from barn fires to hazardous materials spills to propane line explosions, and train derailments all of which may necessitate evacuation. It is imperative that you be prepared to protect your livestock, whether by evacuating or by sheltering in place.
Poverty alleviation, local resource enrichment, optimal use of resource at hand, etc. should be part of disaster preparedness as ideal facilities may not always be available as expected. On the basis of the disaster experience one has to improve or modify the preparedness or establish one where it was not existant.
The objectives should be to
• Minimise suffering, loss and damages,prevent any communicable disease,
• Reduce losses due to delay with prompt communication, improving and optimising existing facilities, equipping support system and assisting rehabilitation.
ANIMAL WASTE DISPOSAL
The methods of animal waste disposal/ recycling vary with animals. Cow and buffalo dung is used as manure or can be caked and dried for use as fuel. Horse, goat and poultry waste is also used as manure. Where possible small manure gas (or gobar gas) units can be organised. Improper disposal can enhance pest or vector problems. Preparation of compost or digging the manure pit be considered. Manure pits should be layered with dry waste and lime regularly. During prolonged stagnation of flood water, duck rearing and fish farming can be considered as the means of pest control.
DISPOSAL OF DEAD ANIMALS
An important problem that has to be faced during disaster management of animals is the disposal of dead animals. This poses acute problems during floods and cyclone, as the number of animals dying would be enormous. Most states have fallen animal management programs and carcass utilisation program. Admittedly, one administrative group does not uniformly handle these.
Following steps can be taken to ensure the disaster preparedness and to minimize the disaster losses by making a disaster plan to protect your property, facilities and animals.
- Create a list of emergency telephone numbers, including those of your employees, neighbors, state veterinarian, poison control, local animal shelter, animal care and control, county extension service, local agricultural schools, trailering resources, and local volunteers.
- If evacuation is not possible, a decision must be made whether to confine large animals to an available shelter on your farm or leave them out in pastures. Owners may believe that their animals are safer inside barns, but in many circumstances, confinement takes away the animals’ ability to protect them. This decision should be based on the type of disaster and the soundness and location of the sheltering building.
- The leading causes of death of large animals in hurricanes, storm, floods and similar events are collapsed barns, dehydration, electrocution, and accidents resulting from fencing failure.
- If you own farm animals, you should take precautions to protect them from these hazards, no matter what the disaster potential for your area and evacuate animals as soon as possible.
- Be ready to leave once the evacuation is ordered by local authorities.
- Arrange for a place to shelter your animals.
- Plan ahead and work within your community to establish safe shelters for farm animals.
- Potential facilities include fairgrounds, other farms, racetracks, humane societies, convention centers, and any other safe and appropriate facilities you can find.
- Survey your community and potential host communities along your planned evacuation route.
- Make a disaster kit so you have supplies on hand in the event of a disaster.
- Place the kit in a central location and let everyone know where it is.
- Check the contents regularly to ensure fresh and complete supplies.
- Disaster kit must contain current list of all animals, including their location and records of feeding, vaccinations, and tests and basic first aid kit including handling equipment such as halters, cages appropriate for each kind of animal and other safety and emergency items for your vehicles and trailers.
Feeding and nutritional aspects during disaster
In the calamities, there are acute shortage of feed, fodder and drinking water for livestock. Saving of animal’s life is considered on priority basis. The Feeding strategies can be developed with two major objectives:
- To feed animals for maintenance that ensures survival of animals.
- To feed productive stock, such as pregnant and lactating cows preferentially.
It is useful to produce complete feed for use during calamities. Biologically complete feeds with appropriate balances of roughage and concentrates may lead to better utilization of locally available crop residues agricultural by-products and waste. The transport of complete feed is easy and low in cost. Animals maintained on malnutrition condition for prolonged period are supposed to suffer from different diseases and immunity of animals goes down. So immediately, when the scarcity period is over, animals should be adequately fed taking care of supplementation of different minerals and vitamins.
Role of veterinarians in disaster
Veterinarians have been pioneers to animal health throughout the globe and are responsible for the eradication of many diseases from many regions and countries (PAHO, 1982). Veterinarians have also responded to the needs of countries affected by geophysical disasters on many occasions (FAO, 1991).
Natural disasters create a multiplicity of problems and hazards ranging from outbreaks of infectious disease to animal control problems. By virtue of their unique training and clinical skills, there is considerable potential for veterinarians to fulfill major roles in disaster intervention. The potential role of the veterinarian features a number of important tasks before, during, and after a natural disaster. Some of the tasks include: 1) resolution of problems common to many natural disasters; 2) control of disease vectors; 3) control of disease transmission; 4) herd management; 5) animal health care; 6) search and rescue; 7) animal control; 8) maintenance of medical supplies; 9) information dissemination; 10) disaster assessment; and 11) pre-disaster planning.Besides this vets has najor role in—-
Notifying any suspected or confirmed case or outbreak involving a disease of public health importance during or after disaster.
- Cooperate with administrative and public health authorities during surveillance.
- Implementing control measures including isolation and quarantine of animals as per the recommendation of authorities.
- Collection of data from animal owners, zoo, and wildlife parks, dispensaries, private clinics and dispersing them to the concerned and needful authorities.
- Educating and counseling of animal owners regarding the zoonotic aspect of the disease, their control, diagnosis, prophylactic measures and treatment etc.
- Encouraging clients for micro chipping, tagging and tattooing for permanent identification.
- Providing copies of medical and vaccination records to clients.
- Informing clients of resources that provide information on family preparedness and developing an emergency kit for human and animals.
- Encouraging clients to keep collars or harnesses with identification on all pets
- Encouraging farm clients to establish a “sister” farm that can help transport and/or accommodate their livestock in a disaster.
- Offer guidance on the most appropriate place on the farm to house the animals during a flood, barn fire, or blizzard.
- Participate as volunteer with local disaster response team or a regional-level animal disaster team as a veterinary resource.
Disaster Assessment————-
Veterinarians play a role in the assessment of the impact of the hurricane on human and animal populations, economic resources,, conducting emergency surveys on the state of these resources
a.Obtain info on the occurrence of infectious disease
b.Determine the availability of shelter facilities..water, toilets, electricity, medical care
c.Monitor sanitation
d.Educate shelter residents on certain health related topics
e.Assist in resource allocation
Pre disaster Planning
1.Assess the essential resources needed in an emergency
2.Use alternative resources to meet essential demands during and following an emergency
3.Develop plans and procedures regarding interagency sharing of resources, including energy, equipment food materials services transportation and work force needed in an emergency
4.Develop programmes to assure the availability of such resources
5.Develop response strategies and procedures for disaster preparedness
Who would you expect to be on a veterinary task pre-disaster force?
experienced clinician
vet public health expert
veterinary epidemiologist
List some roles of the veterinarian in the private sector
Make supplies and equipment available as human and animal medical aid zones
Shelter, treatment, sterilization
Veterinarians may become integral members of triage and emergency medical teams
Private practitioners play a role in the surveillance of abnormalities, death or illness found in the animal population associated with the natural disaster/ environmental pollution
Disaster management plan for animals
Considering the economic, political, social and enviornmental importance of animals and life system of the small holder who depend on them in the developing countries, one may have to consider animal disaster management (in that light). A disaster management plan for animals shall essentially include :-
(1) Retrospective epidemiological study of the disasters in the area and this shall include,-
(a) Data Collected interpreted & analysed (i.e. information), on the basis of which some prediction can be made.
(b) Disaster Vignetting: is a means by which mapping is done on the basis of incidence frequency magnitude, epicentre, vulnerable areas.
(c) Herd profile: the total animal population (herd number), vulnerable animal population as per their species, breed, age, sex etc.
(c) Community Profile, the total population, animal owning population their age, sex, socio-economic status, education, cultural distribution etc.
(d) Animals at risk; the nature of hazard, the intensity of impact and mortality rate (immediate or delayed).
(e) Risk factor analyses: is the analysis of type of risk (identification & analyses)
(2) Action Plan : Since following disaster, animals are to be rescued and collected in relief camps, the immediate priority would be controlling and combating disease. The animal health component of disaster mitigation will include
(a) Promotional herd health care such as nutrition, pregnant animal care, care of new-born and young animal etc.
(b)Prevention of risk is through vaccination, pest/ vector, control, sanitation etc.
(c)Specific therapy by way of early diagnosis and treatment.
(d)Rehabilitation: help animals to recover from any trauma or fear.
(e)Disposal of dead animals: Carcass utilisation is one method. Many animals in which treatment is unlikely to be beneficial may have to be put to sleep ie. Euthanasia (“mercy killing”)
(3) Resources Planning :
(a) Assessment of available man power ie. Veterinary doctors, Paraveterinary staff, ancillary staff .
(b) Store and equipment include the medicine, surgical and medical appliances, diagnostics, life saving equipment etc.
Logistical needs : that is the need for fuels, lighting equipment, tents, sheds, Grass bedding, trolleys, material for sanitation, storage of feed and fodder and water.
(d) Ambulance and out reach facility:- transporting animals is more cumbersome when they are sick, injured and non-ambulatory.
(e) Veterinary medical facilities as veterinary hospital, mobile veterinary units etc.
Grazing and watering facility.
(4). Training Plan
(a) Training veterinary personnel, paravets, attendants etc.
(b) Training administrators like B.D.O., telephones & Fire Service personel, Civil defence personel, Sarpanch/ Village headmen, administrators
(c) Animal Health awareness for trainees such as social workers, volunteers .
(5). Allied Planning (Organisation)
(a) Augmenting political and administrative support
(b) Involving N.G.O.’s, C.B.O’s, media, Goshalas, animal welfare organisations and other volunteer groups.
(c) Eliciting commitment and allocation of funds
(d) Formation of veterinary service groups at State and Central Government level.
(e) Organisation of district/ area level bodies, assigning specific tasks and responsibilities.
(f) Establishing communication channels, alternate channels like ham radios.
(g) Establishing alternate source of power, energy etc.
(h) Plan for monitoring and supervision.
(i) Publicity and public relation activities (Vet-PR)
(j) Plan for mitigation and rehabilitation of animal owners along with animals
- Execution of short & long term plan
Plan implimentation include estimation of animals involved, damage assessment. One may make use of media to help locating remote areas where often organisers’ attention may not easily reach. Monitoring is part of implementation.
- Impact assessment of the past disasters, preparedness and mitigation measures ( Disaster need not repeat everytime)
Experience gained from similar hazards of nearby areas are positively helpful. This is specially useful in animal disaster management which is still in its infancy.
- Post execution evaluation of plan
Follow-up of disaster management specially that of animal management are valuable experience, that need be shared among disaster prone areas. Unfortunately this is not forthcoming.
Linking with allied agencies for uniformity in all regions is part of disaster management programme as unbiased and uniform measures help transparency and hence would instill confidence of the community in the system.
Anticipation of sequence of events:
The sudden increase in deaths and casuality would increase the demand for veterinary personnel. Early relief period would therefore be critical. Here it is important to understand animal behavior, in each disaster situation. Importance of Animal resource information is equally important in rescue, relief and damage assessment. As has been discussed herd profile depicting the total animal population (herd number), vulnerable animal population as per their species, breed, age, sex etc. would immensely help mitigation including search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation.
But as time passes, the threat of diseases also would increase. Affected animals being under stress, inadequately managed and being herded in relief camps would be increasingly vulnerable as each day, passes. Temporary camps or sheds made would also need facilities that were previously non-existant.
Physical components of a Veterinary disaster management facility.
Temporary Vety. hospitals.
The equipment and other infrastructure are provided along with stock pile of emergency, equipment and drugs. All veterinary personnel may not be used at a time. It would be important to plan shifts to avoid mental and physical fatigue. Early phases would need more work force and in all departments of activity viz. Specialists like surgeons, anaethesiologists (pain mangers), diagnosticians as well as task force like pareveterinary personnel and physical workers. Supervision and monitoring would be important and demands all qualities of leadership (like confidence, competence, experience, patience, communication skill etc.). As search and rescue would be over, relief and rehabilitation would acquire importance.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
The impact of disaster being calamitous one may come across a number of cases which are beyond mere physical injuries or contagious disease. The mental trauma due to the loss of a sibling or a partner where bullocks are used in pair, can be encountered and will have to be handled at appropriate stage. Many of the cases of extensive trauma that cannot be handled may have to be put to sleep (mercy killing). Doing so under full public view where the public is already surcharged with losses of life and property may set in depression or even public outcry. Overenthusiastic and ill trained animal activists often can blow things out of proportion, specially because in many parts of India religious sentiments are attached with some animals. There is a role for Veterinary extension specialists to placate such situations.
Control Rooms
For the information exchange and co-ordination of veterinary support, control rooms are used. These handle co-ordination information among directorate of Animal Husbandry, district Vet. hospitals, rural hospitals of the affected area etc. Control rooms keep link with and co-ordinate supplies from agencies. The control room would be working on feed back from affected area on the extent and nature of emergency, the need for special equipment, emergency equipment (pain killer, sedatives, antibiotics, fracture equipments etc.) The role of a veterinary public relation man (Vet PR) assume significance.
Control of diseases
Immediate task after the first emergency, treatments are completed would be taking care of diseases that may spread. Since animal fares are part of village life in many areas of India “health care precautions” and “disease control” programmes are already available in many state departments of Animal Husbandry. Melas like the “Pushkar mela” of Rajasthan and the state and regional cattle shows are already held regularly in many states. Armed with retrospective epidemiology, authorities would identify emergency diseases and sanitation measures. This would include digging manure pits, drainage facilities (more important in floods, cyclone etc.), drinking water and water troughs. This will have to be simultaneously established in hospitals, temporary shelter camps as well as in the affected areas from time to time and as per priority.
For health care operations there is a need for discipline; public co-operation is also essential. Animal welfare agencies working in the areas can help arranging stockpiles. Media can help by providing feedbacks from field.
Sorting out and Co-ordinating Help
One major natural sequel of disaster is “sympathy out of place” and dumping of relief material without knowing what is required. Some factors that may hamper health & Veterinary support are ,
- Lack of communication among officials.
(ii) Shortage of space for operating various activities like laboratory, Medical store etc.
(iii) Uncontrolled demand for additional materials (this would be more if it is felt that any material is in short supply)
(iv) Improper or inefficient materials like equipments that do not operate on battery.
(v) Lack of staff trained (Veterinary extension and Public relation) to handle anxiety.
(vi) Lack of after-care facilities.
(vii) Lapses in co-ordination, duplication.
(viii) Absence of overall training for disaster management.
Post-Disaster phase and Reconstruction
Apart from reconstruction of the damaged or lost veterinary and health facilities one may have learned from the experience of disaster handling, the pitfalls in the animal husbandry and veterinary services. These experience would help during rebuilding some of the damaged or lost facilities. Some equipments or medicaments would also get enlisted as per priority.
Role of Goshalas
With the sentiments of Indian community to animals, there are already many goshalas or Panjrapoles, established in the country. This tradition traces back to thousands of years. In 300 B.C. during the regime of King Ashoka, “Baniyan Hospitals” used to be established side by side with the medical facilities, where the Doctors were entitled to endowment of land to grow medicinal herbs. They traditionally housed all sorts of animals from scorpions and turtles to horses. Today Goshalas mainly house cattle, though occasionally one can find some equines or other animals. Government of India and state governments support some of the goshalas. Some Goshalas like the Nashik Panjrapole play a major role in conserving the animal resource and provide free milk to under-nourished children.
Conclusion:
The evolving sphere of disaster management is offering the veterinarians an opportunity to take a leading role in animal welfare during disasters. To systematically implementing the full range of activities righty from preparedness, response prevention, and recovery from the disasters, veterinarian should steer their work. As vets, we are in a position to understand the issues surrounding disease epidemiology, nutritional and behavioral aspects of animal management, as well as husbandry methods for better productivity and viability of livestock during disaster management.
