Browsing by Subject "emergency response"
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Item Level of Preparedness for Pandemic Influenza among Key Leaders in Brazos County(2012-02-14) Kaster, ElizabethWith the outbreak of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) comes the need to evaluate the preparedness level of government entities that had preparedness plans. This study looks at the preparedness level for pandemic influenza among key leaders in Brazos County according to their Brazos County Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan. Ten key leaders were recruited to participate in interviews. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for salient themes. Main themes that emerged from interviews were categorized into vaccinations, communication, logistical issues, and the need for evaluations and feedback. Recommendations for increasing preparedness include addressing contingency plans, increasing education through public health efforts, addressing biosecurity, increasing use of technology, and increasing funding and research.Item The Social Context of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control in Texas: Foundations for Effective Risk Communication(2012-02-14) Delgado, Amy HaleyThe introduction of FMD into the US would have serious economic and societal effects on the livelihoods and sustainability of affected livestock producers. Livestock producers serve as an important line of defense in both detecting an introduction of FMD as well, helping to prevent disease spread. However, due to the complexity of moral, social, and economic issues surrounding the control of highly contagious diseases, producer cooperation during an outbreak may not be assured. This study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative analysis of interviews and quantitative analysis of a postal survey, in order to explore the factors likely to influence producer cooperation in FMD detection and control in Texas. Reporting of cattle with clinical signs of FMD in the absence of an outbreak was related to producers? beliefs about the consequences of reporting, beliefs about what other producers would do, trust in agricultural agencies, and their perception of the risk posed by FMD. During a hypothetical outbreak, intentions to report were determined by beliefs about the consequences of reporting, and perception of the risk posed by FMD. Intentions to gather and hold cattle when requested during an outbreak were determined by beliefs about the consequences of gathering and holding, beliefs about barriers to gathering and holding, trust in other producers, and perception of the risk posed by FMD. Compliance with animal movement restrictions was determined by experiential attitudes, beliefs about the availability of feed, space, and disinfection procedures, beliefs about what other producers would do, and perception of the risk posed by FMD. Recommendations for improving producer cooperation include targeting specific beliefs in both planning and communication, increasing transparency in the post-reporting process, planning for and communicating plans for maintaining business continuity in order to better inform risk perception, and partnering with organizations to ensure sustained and meaningful communication that supports trust between producers within the affected agricultural community.