|
From this page of Maryland's website.
University of Maryland School of Medicine, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Join Forces on New Initiative to Address Key Agricultural Security Issues
The University of Maryland School of Medicine and the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security have undertaken a new initiative to address security in two
key agricultural sectors--foreign animal diseases and food security.
The new program, announced by the Governor's office of Homeland Security,
will involve the use of mathematical and statistical models to develop
prevention and vaccination strategies, predict casualties, and address the needs
of affected populations if a harmful pathogen were to be found in livestock.
Dr. David Hartley, an assistant professor in the School of Medicine's
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, will work with a team of
researchers to analyze Rift Valley Fever, a virus afflicting livestock and
cattle in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. The virus generally causes
flu-like symptoms in humans, and on rare occasions can cause blindness. In
addition to the human impact, if the virus were to be found in U.S. cattle, the
nation's livestock industry could suffer tremendous losses.
Dr. Hartley's research, funded at $210,000 to the School of Medicine, will
play a key role in the federal Homeland Security Centers of Excellence
Initiative. He will be responsible for developing all of the mathematical and
statistical models for Rift Valley Fever-- one of the top diseases generating
concern among federal agriculture officials.
"Governor Ehrlich directed public safety and health agencies to prepare for a
multitude of threats," said the Governor's Office of Homeland Security Director
Dennis Schrader. "Scientific research is essential to understanding how to
prepare for bio terrorism."
Using mathematical modeling techniques, Dr. Hartley will be able to analyze
the speed of infection and geographic disbursement, which are key elements in
designing and implementing vaccination and quarantine measures.
"Mathematics and statistical models would be important tools for informed
decision making if we were dealing with rapidly multiplying pathogens, in order
to act quickly to protect the public’s health," said Dr. Hartley.
As with many forms of biological hazards, terrorists could attempt to
introduce harmful animal pathogens from other sources around the world. Knowing
how such a pathogen might spread after its introduction would be critical in the
preparation and response phase of such an emergency management scenario.
|
