A Wildlife Health Outbreak Response Table-top Exercise for Pandemic Preparedness Planning

Abstract

Zoonotic diseases have received significantly more attention over the last few decades, emerging with increasing frequency and causing the majority of notable disease outbreaks in this century, including the COVID-19 pandemic. As human activities and shifting climate patterns induce changes in the environment that alter habitat and range of reservoir species, the potential for human and animal interactions will increase and enhance the opportunity for spillover. Thus, any emergency response preparedness planning must take into account the function and coordination of agencies across the sectors of human, animal and environmental health. Within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a table-top exercise was performed to evaluate a multi-agency response during a hypothetical zoonotic disease investigation. The exercise was evaluated by the participants to gain feedback on the overall process and lessons learned. Here, we describe the tabletop exercise scenario and the insights gained. We found that differences in operational structure create challenges for interdepartmental communication and in the ability to resource a coordinated response, highlighting opportunities to develop infrastructure that will facilitate future actions. A set of recommendations are outlined that may enhance cross-agency activities and promote more effective and efficient emergency response.