Use of a modified Delphi panel to identify and weight criteria for prioritization of zoonotic diseases in Switzerland

Stebler, Nadine; Schüpbach, Gertraud; Braam, P; Falzon, Laura Cristina (2015). Use of a modified Delphi panel to identify and weight criteria for prioritization of zoonotic diseases in Switzerland. Preventive veterinary medicine, 121(1-2), pp. 165-169. Elsevier 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.05.006

Text 1-s2.0-S0167587715001920-main.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (164kB) | Request a copy

Zoonotic diseases have a significant impact on public health globally. To prevent or reduce future zoonotic outbreaks, there is a constant need to invest in research and surveillance programs while updating risk management strategies. However, given the limited resources available, disease prioritization based on the need for their control and surveillance is important. This study was performed to identify and weight disease criteria for the prioritization of zoonotic diseases in Switzerland using a semi-quantitative research method based on expert opinion. Twenty-eight criteria relevant for disease control and surveillance, classified under five domains, were selected following a thorough literature review, and these were evaluated and weighted by seven experts from the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office using a modified Delphi panel. The median scores assigned to each criterion were then used to rank 16 notifiable and/or emerging zoonoses in Switzerland. The experts weighted the majority of the criteria similarly, and the top three criteria were Severity of disease in humans, incidence and prevalence of the disease in humans and treatment in humans. Based on these weightings, the three highest ranked diseases were Avian Influenza, Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis, and Bovine Tuberculosis. Overall, this study provided a preliminary list of criteria relevant for disease prioritization in Switzerland. These were further evaluated in a companion study which involved a quantitative prioritization method and multiple stakeholders.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

0 since deposited on 25 May 2016
0 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item