A traditional cattle trade network in Tak province, Thailand and its potential in the spread of infectious diseases
Chamrat Khengwa A , Papaspong Jongchansittoe B , Poonyapat Sedwisai C and Anuwat Wiratsudakul C D E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Tak Provincial Livestock Office, Mahathaibumrung Road, Rahang, Maung, Tak.
B Mae Hong Son Provincial Livestock Office, Khunlumprapas Road, Jongkam, Maung, Mae Hong Son, Thailand.
C The Monitoring and Surveillance Centre for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
D Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
E Corresponding author. Email: anuwat.wir@mahidol.edu
Animal Production Science 57(1) 152-160 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15043
Submitted: 27 January 2015 Accepted: 2 August 2015 Published: 4 September 2015
Abstract
Cattle in Thailand are traded by cattle dealers in the cattle markets through informal negotiation processes. The present study aimed to explore a traditional cattle trade network and its potential in the spread of infectious diseases. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted in cattle markets located in Tak province, Thailand. A static weighted directed one-mode network was constructed and geographic locations of sources and destinations of animals were plotted. A total of 210 cattle dealers responded to the questionnaires. The cattle trade network contained 112 sources and destinations of animals and 168 trading activities. The highest generalised weighed in- and out-degree centralities and k-core were observed in the same cattle market at 53.4, 106.7 and 4, respectively. Spatially, cattle dealers could transport animals as far as 774.4 km from the original markets and natural barriers such as mountainous areas tended to dictate the trading routes, premises of animals and magnitude of trading activities. Traditional cattle trading patterns described in this study pose some important challenges to veterinary authorities in tailoring effective prevention and control measures for confronting infectious diseases. This study quantitatively analysed the traffic within a network of cattle trade and found a wide range of spatial movements and a high connectivity of markets to sources and destinations of animals, which may accommodate the spread of infectious diseases within the network. This peace time network analysis could help related authorities to better focus on possible infected premises and to immediately respond once an epidemic occurs.
Additional keywords: centrality, epidemiology, livestock, social.
References
Anka MS, Hassan L, Adzhar A, Khairani-Bejo S, Mohamad RB, Zainal MA (2013) Bovine brucellosis trends in Malaysia between 2000 and 2008. BMC Veterinary Research 9, 230| Bovine brucellosis trends in Malaysia between 2000 and 2008.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24246015PubMed |
Batagelj V, Zaversnik M (2002) Generalized Cores. Computing Research Repository. https://doi.org/ arXiv.org/cs.DS/0202039.
Buttner K, Krieter J, Traulsen I (2013) Characterization of contact structures for the spread of infectious diseases in a pork supply chain in northern Germany by dynamic network analysis of yearly and monthly networks. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
| Characterization of contact structures for the spread of infectious diseases in a pork supply chain in northern Germany by dynamic network analysis of yearly and monthly networks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23692588PubMed |
Charoensook R, Knorr C, Brenig B, Gatphayak K (2013) Thai pigs and cattle production, genetic diversity of livestock and strategies for preserving animal genetic resources. Maejo International Journal of Science and Technology 7, 113–132.
Chen S, White BJ, Sanderson MW, Amrine DE, Ilany A, Lanzas C (2014) Highly dynamic animal contact network and implications on disease transmission. Scientific Reports 4, 4472
| Highly dynamic animal contact network and implications on disease transmission.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24667241PubMed |
Csardi G (2014) Package igraph. Available at http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/igraph/igraph.pdf [Verified 16 January 2015]
Davis JA, Leinhardt S (1972) The structure of positive interpersonal relations in small groups. In ‘Sociological theories in progress’. (Ed. J Berger) pp. 218–251. (Houghton Mifflin: Boston, MA)
Dean AS, Fournie G, Kulo AE, Boukaya GA, Schelling E, Bonfoh B (2013) Potential risk of regional disease spread in West Africa through cross-border cattle trade. PLoS One 8, e75570
| Potential risk of regional disease spread in West Africa through cross-border cattle trade.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhs1aksLvO&md5=7a54b173983d2a943654be3754d74834CAS | 24130721PubMed |
Department of Livestock Development (DLD) of Thailand (2014a) Report on cattle and poultry markets in 2014. Available at http://extension.dld.go.th/th1 [Verified 16 January 2015] [in Thai]
Department of Livestock Development (DLD) of Thailand (2014b) Animal diseases situation in 2014. Available at http://dcontrol.dld.go.th/ [Verified 9 April 2015] [in Thai]
Di Nardo A, Knowles NJ, Paton DJ (2011) Combining livestock trade patterns with phylogenetics to help understand the spread of foot and mouth disease in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Scientific and Technical Review 30, 63–85.
Dubé C, Ribble C, Kelton D, McNab B (2009) A review of network analysis terminology and its application to foot-and-mouth disease modelling and policy development. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 56, 73–85.
| A review of network analysis terminology and its application to foot-and-mouth disease modelling and policy development.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19267879PubMed |
Ekpanyaskul C, Santiwattanakul S, Tantisiriwat W, Buppanharun W (2012) Factors associated with seropositive antibodies to Brucella melitensis in the Nakhon Nayok, Thailand. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 95, S40–S46.
Faust K (2006) Comparing social networks: size, density, and local structure. Metodološki zvezki 3, 185–216.
Hay I (2005) ‘Qualitative research methods in human geography.’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne)
Himeidan YE, Kweka EJ, Mahgoub MM, El Rayah EA, Ouma JO (2014) Recent outbreaks of rift valley fever in East Africa and the middle East. Frontiers in Public Health 2, 169
| Recent outbreaks of rift valley fever in East Africa and the middle East.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25340047PubMed |
Holland PW, Leinhardt SA (1970) Method for detecting structure in sociometric data. American Journal of Sociology 76, 492–513.
| Method for detecting structure in sociometric data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kahle D, Wickham H (2014) Package ggmap. Available at http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/ggmap/ggmap.pdf [Verified 16 January 2015]
Kiss IZ, Green DM, Kao RR (2006) The network of sheep movements within Great Britain: network properties and their implications for infectious disease spread. Journal of the Royal Society, Interface 3, 669–677.
| The network of sheep movements within Great Britain: network properties and their implications for infectious disease spread.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16971335PubMed |
Maechler M (2014) Package cluster. Available at http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/cluster/cluster.pdf [Verified 16 January 2015]
Martínez-López B, Perez AM, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM (2009) Social network analysis. Review of general concepts and use in preventive veterinary medicine. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 56, 109–120.
| Social network analysis. Review of general concepts and use in preventive veterinary medicine.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19341388PubMed |
Muflihanah H, Hatta M, Rood E, Scheelbeek P, Abdoel TH, Smits HL (2013) Brucellosis seroprevalence in Bali cattle with reproductive failure in South Sulawesi and Brucella abortus biovar 1 genotypes in the Eastern Indonesian archipelago. BMC Veterinary Research 9, 233
| Brucellosis seroprevalence in Bali cattle with reproductive failure in South Sulawesi and Brucella abortus biovar 1 genotypes in the Eastern Indonesian archipelago.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24279343PubMed |
Norton E, Benaben S, Mbotha D, Schley D (2012) Seasonal variations in physical contact amongst domestic sheep and the implications for disease transmission. Livestock Science 145, 34–43.
| Seasonal variations in physical contact amongst domestic sheep and the implications for disease transmission.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Opsahl T (2014) Package tnet. Available at http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/tnet/tnet.pdf [Verified 16 January 2015]
Opsahl T, Agneessens F, Skvoretz J (2010) Node centrality in weighted networks: generalizing degree and shortest paths. Social Networks 32, 245–251.
| Node centrality in weighted networks: generalizing degree and shortest paths.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Poolkhet C, Chairatanayuth P, Thongratsakul S, Kasemsuwan S, Rukkwamsuk T (2013a) Social network analysis used to assess the relationship between the spread of avian influenza and movement patterns of backyard chickens in Ratchaburi, Thailand. Research in Veterinary Science 95, 82–86.
| Social network analysis used to assess the relationship between the spread of avian influenza and movement patterns of backyard chickens in Ratchaburi, Thailand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23528640PubMed |
Poolkhet C, Chairatanayuth P, Thongratsakul S, Yatbantoong N, Kasemsuwan S, Damchoey D, Rukkwamsuk T (2013b) Social network analysis for assessment of avian influenza spread and trading patterns of backyard chickens in Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri and Ratchaburi, Thailand. Zoonoses and Public Health 60, 448–455.
| Social network analysis for assessment of avian influenza spread and trading patterns of backyard chickens in Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri and Ratchaburi, Thailand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3s7hs12rtQ%3D%3D&md5=43ab2145bb3e85bf6e38895659c4a69aCAS | 23134574PubMed |
Rautureau S, Dufour B, Durand B (2010) Vulnerability of animal trade networks to the spread of infectious diseases: a methodological approach applied to evaluation and emergency control strategies in cattle, France, 2005. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
| Vulnerability of animal trade networks to the spread of infectious diseases: a methodological approach applied to evaluation and emergency control strategies in cattle, France, 2005.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21159152PubMed |
Rautureau S, Dufour B, Durand B (2012) Structural vulnerability of the French swine industry trade network to the spread of infectious diseases. Animal 6, 1152–1162.
| Structural vulnerability of the French swine industry trade network to the spread of infectious diseases.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3s%2FitVGltw%3D%3D&md5=ca02430b62b9ba44150f2c4caff878d6CAS | 23031477PubMed |
Sadler GR, Lee HC, Lim RS, Fullerton J (2010) Recruitment of hard-to-reach population subgroups via adaptations of the snowball sampling strategy. Nursing & Health Sciences 12, 369–374.
| Recruitment of hard-to-reach population subgroups via adaptations of the snowball sampling strategy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sánchez-Matamoros A, Martínez-López B, Sánchez-Vizcaíno F, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM (2013) Social network analysis of Equidae movements and its application to risk-based surveillance and to control of spread of potential Equidae diseases. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 60, 448–459.
| Social network analysis of Equidae movements and its application to risk-based surveillance and to control of spread of potential Equidae diseases.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22830597PubMed |
Soares Magalhães RJ, Zhou X, Jia B, Guo F, Pfeiffer DU, Martin V (2012) Live poultry trade in Southern China provinces and HPAIV H5N1 infection in humans and poultry: the role of Chinese New Year festivities. PLoS One 7, e49712
| Live poultry trade in Southern China provinces and HPAIV H5N1 infection in humans and poultry: the role of Chinese New Year festivities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23166751PubMed |
Stumpf MP, Wiuf C, May RM (2005) Subnets of scale-free networks are not scale-free: sampling properties of networks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 102, 4221–4224.
| Subnets of scale-free networks are not scale-free: sampling properties of networks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXivFCrtrk%3D&md5=99f21a9b5e87cbf4624a011cb23a6318CAS | 15767579PubMed |
Vernon MC, Keeling MJ (2012) Impact of regulatory perturbations to disease spread through cattle movements in Great Britain. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 105, 110–117.
| Impact of regulatory perturbations to disease spread through cattle movements in Great Britain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22322159PubMed |
Wasserman S, Faust K (1994) ‘Social Network Analysis: methods and applications.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, ENG and New York)
Webb CR (2005) Farm animal networks: unraveling the contact structure of the British sheep population. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 68, 3–17.
| Farm animal networks: unraveling the contact structure of the British sheep population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15795012PubMed |
Williams O, Del Genio CI (2014) Degree correlations in directed scale-free networks. PLoS One 9, e110121
| Degree correlations in directed scale-free networks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25310101PubMed |
Wiratsudakul A, Paul MC, Bicout DJ, Tiensin T, Triampo W, Chalvet-Monfray K (2014) Modeling the dynamics of backyard chicken flows in traditional trade networks in Thailand: implications for surveillance and control of avian influenza. Tropical Animal Health and Production 46, 845–853.
| Modeling the dynamics of backyard chicken flows in traditional trade networks in Thailand: implications for surveillance and control of avian influenza.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24668078PubMed |
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) (2001) Report of the 7th meeting of the OIE Sub-Commission for Foot-and-Mouth Disease in South-East Asia, 26 February–3 March, Yangon, Myanmar. OIE, Paris.
Young JR, O’Reilly RA, Ashley K, Suon S, Leoung IV, Windsor PA, Bush RD (2014) Impacts on rural livelihoods in Cambodia following adoption of best practice health and husbandry interventions by smallholder cattle farmers. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 61, 11–24.
| Impacts on rural livelihoods in Cambodia following adoption of best practice health and husbandry interventions by smallholder cattle farmers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24393407PubMed |
