Source attribution of food-borne zoonoses in New Zealand: a modified Hald model

Risk Anal. 2009 Jul;29(7):970-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2009.01224.x. Epub 2009 Mar 30.

Abstract

A Bayesian approach was developed by Hald et al.((1)) to estimate the contribution of different food sources to the burden of human salmonellosis in Denmark. This article describes the development of several modifications that can be used to adapt the model to different countries and pathogens. Our modified Hald model has several advantages over the original approach, which include the introduction of uncertainty in the estimates of source prevalence and an improved strategy for identifiability. We have applied our modified model to the two major food-borne zoonoses in New Zealand, namely, campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis. Major challenges were the data quality for salmonellosis and the inclusion of environmental sources of campylobacteriosis. We conclude that by modifying the Hald model we have improved its identifiability, made it more applicable to countries with less intensive surveillance, and feasible for other pathogens, in particular with respect to the inclusion of nonfood sources. The wider application and better understanding of this approach is of particular importance due to the value of the model for decision making and risk management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Campylobacter Infections / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological*
  • New Zealand
  • Risk Assessment*
  • Salmonella Food Poisoning / transmission*
  • Zoonoses / transmission*