Masako Wada

Citation

Thesis Title
Enhancing an Evidence-Based Decision Making System for Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious animal disease of high economic importance. For New Zealand, developing contingency plans for FMD, as well as maintaining the current FMD-free status, is necessary to mitigate potentially catastrophic impacts of FMD, including trade bans of livestock products. Ms Wada analysed historical international FMD outbreak data to examine variations in localised patterns of FMD transmission. She also developed an economic module, which allowed FMD simulation model epidemiologic outcomes to be presented in economic terms. Ms Wada demonstrated use of an enhanced modelling system to examine economically optimal, alternative control strategies for FMD using emergency vaccination. Her research provides insights into potential benefits of emergency vaccination for New Zealand, and adds a useful supplement for FMD simulation modelling.

Supervisors
Professor Tim Carpenter
Dr Toshiyuki Tsutsui
Professor Mark Stevenson
Professor Naomi Cogger