Thinking Like an Epidemiologist

Disease prevention is not just about treating sick animals. It is about stopping disease before it spreads. Kora approaches biosecurity the way epidemiologists think. Identify risks early. Contain exposures quickly. Use data to guide decisions.

When a veterinarian diagnoses a contagious disease in one animal, the critical question is not "how do we treat this animal?" It is "which other animals might be infected, and how do we prevent further spread?"

Kora answers these questions automatically. This turns reactive crisis management into proactive disease prevention.

Integrated Disease Intelligence

Kora connects to a comprehensive Emergency Animal Disease knowledge base. This contains information on over 100 significant animal diseases. This is not just a reference library. It is actively integrated into biosecurity features.

What the knowledge base provides:

• Disease profiles: Clinical signs, transmission characteristics, severity
• Incubation periods: How long between exposure and symptoms (7-60 days depending on disease)
• Contagious periods: When infected animals can spread disease to others
• Transmission rates: How easily disease spreads (0.0 to 1.0 scale)
• Zoonotic status: Whether disease can affect humans
• Geographic distribution: Where disease is endemic or has been reported
• Prevention strategies: Biosecurity measures and control recommendations
• Authority contacts: Emergency hotlines and regulatory reporting requirements

How this knowledge works for you:

When a veterinarian diagnoses foot-and-mouth disease, Kora automatically retrieves:

• 14-day incubation period
• 7-day contagious period before symptoms
• High transmission rate (0.9 = spreads easily)
• Zoonotic multiplier (can affect humans, requiring enhanced protocols)

These are not abstract facts. They drive automatic calculations for quarantine duration, contact tracing, and containment recommendations.

Automatic Contact Tracing

The moment a contagious disease is diagnosed, Kora identifies which animals might have been exposed. You do not need to manually check location records or movement histories.

How automatic contact tracing works:

1. Veterinarian diagnoses disease in Animal A on March 15
2. System retrieves disease data: 14-day incubation, 7-day contagious period
3. Exposure window calculated: March 1-15 (7 days before symptoms likely + diagnosis date)
4. Location history analysed: Which locations did Animal A occupy during exposure window?
5. Exposed animals identified: All animals in those locations during overlapping timeframes
6. Risk scores calculated: How long was contact? How transmissible is the disease? Is it zoonotic?
7. Quarantine recommendations generated: Duration based on incubation period + contagious period

Example:

Disease Diagnosed: Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)
Animal: Cow #405
Diagnosis Date: March 15, 2025

Disease Profile Retrieved:
- Incubation period: 14 days
- Contagious period: 7 days before symptoms
- Transmission rate: 0.9 (high)
- Zoonotic: No
- Severity: Critical

Exposure Window Calculated: March 1-15, 2025

Automatic Contact Analysis:
- March 1-10: Cow #405 in South Paddock with 44 other cattle
- March 10-15: Moved to North Paddock with 60 other cattle

Exposed Animals Identified: 104 cattle
- 44 cattle from South Paddock (10 days exposure)
- 60 cattle from North Paddock (5 days exposure)

Risk Scores:
- South Paddock cattle: High risk (85/100) - extended exposure
- North Paddock cattle: Medium-High risk (72/100) - shorter exposure

Quarantine Recommendations:
- Duration: 21 days (14-day incubation + 7-day contagious period)
- Monitoring: Daily health checks for all exposed animals
- Isolation: Separate paddock for each exposure group
- Testing: Clinical observation every 24 hours
- Regulatory notification: REQUIRED - notify authorities immediately

This analysis happens in seconds. Without automatic tracing, it might take hours or days to manually identify all exposed animals. During this time, disease continues spreading.

Quarantine Management

Quarantine is isolation to prevent disease spread. Kora manages quarantine systematically from initiation through release.

Quarantine Reasons:

• New arrivals: Animals from external sources requiring observation period
• Disease exposure: Contact with infected animals
• Show returns: Animals returning from exhibitions with mixed-source contact
• Import requirements: Regulatory compliance for international movements
• Health concerns: Suspicious symptoms requiring isolation
• Unknown origin: Acquired animals with uncertain health history
• Outbreak response: Preventive isolation during disease events

Quarantine Process:

Initiation:

• Assign animal to quarantine location
• Set start date
• System calculates planned end date based on disease data (if disease-related)
• Assign responsible person
• Document reason and any related disease

During Quarantine:

• Scheduled health checks: Daily, twice-daily, or custom frequency
• Status monitoring: Track symptoms, temperature, appetite, behaviour
• Treatment records: Document any interventions
• Test results: Attach laboratory results or diagnostic findings
• Photo documentation: Visual evidence of condition

Extension Management:

• If symptoms develop or tests come back positive, extend quarantine
• New end date calculated automatically
• Extension reason documented
• Notification to responsible parties

Release:

• When planned end date arrives and animal shows no symptoms
• Health clearance documented
• Released from quarantine status
• Moved to regular housing
• Release notes recorded for future reference

Example Quarantine Timeline:

March 15, 2025 - Quarantine Initiated
Animal: Cow #405
Reason: Disease exposure (FMD contact)
Planned End Date: April 5, 2025 (21 days)
Location: Isolation Paddock 1
Responsible: Dr Sarah Johnson
Zoonotic Risk: No

March 16 - Health Check #1
Status: Normal, eating well, no symptoms
Temperature: 38.5°C (normal)

March 17 - Health Check #2
Status: Normal, no concerns

March 20 - Health Check #5
Status: Slight reduction in appetite observed
Temperature: 38.8°C (borderline elevated)
Action: Continue monitoring, recheck temperature in 4 hours

March 20 (4 hours later) - Follow-up Check
Temperature: 39.2°C (elevated)
Status: Elevated temperature persists
Action: Quarantine EXTENDED to April 12 (additional 7 days)
Reason: Symptom development requires extended observation

March 22 - Health Check #8
Temperature: 38.4°C (returned to normal)
Appetite: Fully restored
Status: Symptom resolved, monitoring continues

April 12 - Quarantine Released
Final Health Check: All parameters normal
No symptoms throughout extended period
Released to South Paddock
Notes: Full recovery confirmed, no ongoing concerns

Biosecurity Zones

Zones create physical areas with specific security levels and access requirements.

Security Levels:

Public: Open access, minimal restrictions

• Visitor areas in zoos or educational farms
• Office buildings and parking
• Public viewing areas

Restricted: Controlled access, basic protocols required

• Feed storage areas
• Equipment zones
• Service areas requiring authorisation

Quarantine: Isolation areas for disease control

• Quarantine paddocks for new arrivals
• Isolation facilities for sick animals
• Biosecurity barrier zones

High Security: Strict protocols, limited access

• Breeding centres for endangered species
• Research facilities with specific pathogen exclusion
• Critical infrastructure (intensive care, surgery)

Emergency: Maximum security during crisis situations

• Active outbreak containment zones
• Emergency disease response areas
• Temporary exclusion zones during investigations

Zone Features:

Requirements:

• Check-in and check-out logging
• Sanitisation mandatory (footbaths, vehicle wash, equipment cleaning)
• Restricted access (authorisation required)
• Specific protocols (PPE, procedures, documentation)

Visual Boundaries:

• GeoJSON-defined precise perimeters
• Mapped on facility layouts
• GPS-coordinate awareness for field observations

Example - Outbreak Zone Implementation:

Outbreak Detected: Avian Influenza (AI)
Location: Poultry House 3

Immediate Zone Changes:
1. Poultry House 3 → Security Level: EMERGENCY
   - Absolute access restriction
   - Full biosecurity suit required
   - Dedicated equipment only
   - No animals exit zone

2. Surrounding 100m radius → Security Level: HIGH SECURITY
   - Manager approval for all entry
   - Full sanitisation entry and exit
   - Separate equipment
   - Daily health monitoring all birds in radius

3. Entire farm perimeter → Security Level: QUARANTINE
   - Visitor access suspended
   - All movements logged
   - Enhanced biosecurity protocols
   - Regulatory inspector access only

Status Updates Automatically:
- Staff receive notifications of zone changes
- Access logs capture all entries to controlled zones
- Protocols displayed when entering zones
- Violations flagged for manager review

Outbreak Management

When 3 or more related disease exposures occur, Kora recognises an outbreak. It activates coordinated management.

Outbreak Status Tracking:

• Pending: Under investigation (suspected outbreak)
• Active: Confirmed outbreak, containment in progress
• Contained: Spread halted, monitoring continues
• Resolved: All cases cleared, quarantines released
• Archived: Historical record for regulatory or research purposes

Outbreak Severity Classification:

• Low: Limited spread, easily contained, minor impact
• Moderate: Significant spread, multi-location, manageable
• High: Rapid spread, multiple locations, substantial impact, regulatory notification required
• Critical: Severe disease, widespread outbreak, major impact, national-level response

What Outbreak Management Provides:

Centralised Coordination:

• All related exposures linked to single outbreak event
• Timeline of outbreak progression
• Affected animal count and location mapping
• Containment measure tracking

Regulatory Compliance:

• Automatic detection of reportable diseases
• Notification requirements based on disease type and severity
• Authority contact information readily available
• Complete documentation for regulatory investigation

Resource Allocation:

• Identify which locations require intervention
• Track veterinary visits and treatments
• Monitor quarantine capacity
• Coordinate testing and sampling

Analysis and Learning:

• How did outbreak spread? (movement analysis)
• What interventions worked? (containment effectiveness)
• How long from detection to containment? (response time)
• Economic impact assessment (animal losses, treatment costs, movement restrictions)

Visitor Management and Risk Assessment

People moving between properties can carry disease on clothing, vehicles, and equipment. Kora helps manage visitor biosecurity.

Visitor Risk Levels:

Green (Low Risk): Minimal biosecurity concern

• Office staff with no animal contact
• Casual visitors on tours
• Minimal protocol requirements

Amber (Medium Risk): Enhanced protocols required

• Delivery drivers visiting multiple properties
• Sales representatives
• Maintenance contractors
• Artificial insemination technicians

Red (High Risk): Restricted access, manager approval mandatory

• Veterinarians treating sick animals at multiple properties
• Livestock dealers buying and selling across properties
• Livestock transporters
• Disease investigators

Risk Factors Tracked:

• International or interstate travel (especially from disease-risk areas)
• Multi-property visits in past 7 days
• Contact with properties reporting disease
• Livestock market or saleyard exposure
• Direct animal contact
• Contaminated equipment
• Vehicle disinfection status
• Exotic disease exposure (FMD, African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza)
• Personal illness symptoms
• Willingness to follow biosecurity protocols

Risk Assessment Workflow:

1. Visitor arrives: Check-in process initiated
2. Screening questions: Recent travel, property visits, animal contact
3. Risk score calculated: Points assigned based on risk factors (0-100 scale)
4. Risk level determined: Green (0-20), Amber (21-60), Red (61-100)
5. Access decision: Automatic approval (Green), conditional approval (Amber), or manager review required (Red)
6. Protocols assigned: Required cleaning, PPE, restricted areas, escort requirements
7. Check-out logged: Locations visited, animals contacted, duration

Example Risk Assessment:

Visitor: Dr Peter Martinez (Veterinarian)
Date: March 15, 2025
Purpose: Routine health checks

Risk Factors Detected:
- Veterinarian (High Risk profession) = 15 points
- Visited 3 properties in past 7 days = 15 points
- One property had undiagnosed illness = 18 points
- Direct animal contact planned = 8 points
- Vehicle not disinfected since last property = 8 points

Total Risk Score: 64/100 = RED (High Risk)

Decision: MANAGER APPROVAL REQUIRED

Recommended Protocols:
1. Vehicle wash before entry (undercarriage, wheel wells)
2. Boot disinfection (footbath entry and exit)
3. Disposable coveralls provided
4. Equipment sanitisation (all veterinary tools)
5. Restrict to necessary areas only (South Paddock for health checks)
6. Escort required
7. 48-hour withholding before visiting low-biosecurity properties

Manager Decision: APPROVED with all protocols mandatory
Check-in Time: 09:15
Check-out Time: 11:30
Areas Visited: South Paddock only
Animals Contacted: 25 cattle (routine health checks)

Health Certificates

Health certificates document that animals meet specific health standards. These are required for movements, shows, breeding programmes, and sales.

Certificate Types:

• Health Certificate: General health status
• Vaccination Certificate: Immunisation records
• Movement Certificate: Authorisation to move
• Export/Import Certificate: International trade
• Breeding Certificate: Reproductive health clearance
• Show Participation Certificate: Exhibition requirements
• Research Certificate: Animal welfare for studies
• CITES Certificate: Endangered species compliance

Health certificates draw data automatically from:

• Recent observations and health checks
• Vaccination records
• Test results
• Quarantine history
• Treatment records
• Veterinary examinations

This means certificate generation is straightforward rather than manual data gathering.

Why Kora's Biosecurity Approach Works

Traditional biosecurity relies on:

• Manual tracking of which animals contacted each other
• Memory-based recall of movements and exposures
• Reactive responses after disease spreads
• Paper-based logs easily lost or incomplete

Kora's biosecurity provides:

• Automatic contact identification based on complete movement history
• Proactive quarantine before symptoms appear in exposed animals
• Science-based decisions using disease-specific incubation and contagious periods
• Complete documentation for regulatory compliance and investigation
• Real-time coordination across team members and facilities
• Pattern recognition identifying outbreak spread and source

Biosecurity Across Contexts

Commercial Livestock

• Prevent disease introduction from purchases
• Protect herd health and productivity
• Meet export certification requirements
• Maintain farm biosecurity accreditation

Wildlife Conservation

• Prevent disease spillover between wildlife and livestock
• Protect endangered populations from epidemics
• Document wildlife health for research
• Coordinate disease surveillance across reserves

Zoos and Aquariums

• Quarantine new acquisitions thoroughly
• Manage multi-species disease risks
• Protect irreplaceable collection animals
• Meet international movement requirements

Research Facilities

• Maintain pathogen-free animal colonies
• Document health status for research integrity
• Prevent cross-contamination between study groups
• Meet ethical review requirements

Veterinary Practices

• Track which properties visited and when
• Implement appropriate biosecurity between farms
• Document disease exposures
• Coordinate outbreak responses across client base