Simulating human behavioral changes in livestock production systems during an epidemic: The case of the US beef cattle industry.

ABSTRACT: Human behavioral change around biosecurity in response to increased awareness of disease risks is a critical factor in modeling animal disease dynamics. Here, biosecurity is referred to as implementing control measures to decrease the chance of animal disease spreading. However, social dynamics are largely ignored in traditional livestock disease models. Not accounting for these dynamics may lead to substantial bias in the predicted epidemic trajectory. In this research, an agent-based model is developed by integrating the human decision-making process into epidemiological processes. We simulate human behavioral change on biosecurity practices following an increase in the regional disease incidence. We apply the model to beef cattle production systems in southwest Kansas, United States, to

SUBMITTER: Yang Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8224970 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature