Livestock movements and their contribution to the spread of antimicrobial resistance and pathogen spillover events in East Africa
Supervisors
Dr Paul Johnson, University of Glasgow
Dr Gemma Chaters, Lancaster University
Dr Sam Moore, Lancaster University
Summary
The transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern. In East Africa, 60-70% of households rely on livestock for their livelihoods. However, infectious diseases reduce livestock productivity, threatening local and national economies and pose a direct risk to human health. Quantifying the risk landscape is complex however, since AMR prevalence varies across livestock production systems, while the movement of livestock gives rise to pathogen introduction, spread, and subsequent evolution.
To mitigate against the substantial threat of future spillover events, it is essential that we understand both: where do pathogen and AMR transmission events happen between livestock and people where people live and work in close confinement with livestock? Where will spillover events occur? and, once an outbreak has started, where will it spread to and how quickly?
To address this need, this project will aim to create a risk map for AMR disease emergence and subsequent spread. High risk locations will be: (i) those where livestock are kept at high density, and where humans are in frequent contact, providing the opportunity for spillover events; (ii) locations that are highly connected via frequent livestock movements, giving rise to increased pathogen diversity; and (iii) locations central to the network of human travel, where a novel human pathogen may rapidly spread.
This project will suit someone with a biological or mathematical background who is motivated to develop and apply their skills in tackling a major threat to global health. Experience in epidemiological modelling and communicating scientific ideas to inform policy would also be advantageous.