Veterinary Epidemiology and Zoonosis

THEORETICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY

Theoretical epidemiology

• Mathematical models are used to study the disease and these models attempt to simulate natural patterns of disease occurrences.

Molecular epidemiology

• Molecular epidemiology has recently been defined as "a science that focuses on the contribution of potential genetic and environmental risk factors, identified at the molecular level, to the etiology, distribution and prevention of disease within herd/flock and across populations".
• It is one of the most exciting and important areas of research leading into the 21st century and has a direct impact on infectious disease research at all levels such as outbreak investigation, surveillance and intervention strategies involving clinicians, laboratory technicians, microbiologists, immunologists and health workers.
• Its ultimate purpose is to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Objectives of molecular epidemiology

• The objectives of molecular epidemiology are quite broad and include,
  • Descriptive and analytical studies to evaluate host/environmental interactions in disease.
  • The development of prevention strategies for the control of bacterial, parasitic and viral diseases through molecular diagnosis.
  • The prevention of non-infectious diseases and genetic disorders by assessing risk and identifying susceptible individuals through genetic screening.