Clustering of equine grass sickness cases in the United Kingdom: a study considering the effect of position-dependent reporting on the space-time K-function

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dc.citation.volume133
dc.contributor.authorFrench N
dc.contributor.authorMcCarthy HE
dc.contributor.authorDiggle PJ
dc.contributor.authorProudman CJ
dc.date.accessioned2008-04-03T00:48:05Z
dc.date.accessioned2016-03-06T22:25:29Z
dc.date.availableNO_RESTRICTION
dc.date.available2008-04-03T00:48:05Z
dc.date.available2016-03-06T22:25:29Z
dc.date.issued2005
dc.description.abstractEquine grass sickness (EGS) is a largely fatal, pasture-associated dysautonomia. Although the aetiology of this disease is unknown, there is increasing evidence that Clostridium botulinum type C plays an important role in this condition. The disease is widespread in the United Kingdom, with the highest incidence believed to occur in Scotland. EGS also shows strong seasonal variation (most cases are reported between April and July). Data from histologically confirmed cases of EGS from England and Wales in 1999 and 2000 were collected from UK veterinary diagnostic centres. The data did not represent a complete census of cases, and the proportion of all cases reported to the centres would have varied in space and, independently, in time. We consider the variable reporting of this condition and the appropriateness of the space–time K-function when exploring the spatial-temporal properties of a ‘thinned’ point process. We conclude that such position-dependent under-reporting of EGS does not invalidate the Monte Carlo test for space–time interaction, and find strong evidence for space–time clustering of EGS cases (P<0·001). This may be attributed to contagious or other spatially and temporally localized processes such as local climate and/or pasture management practices.
dc.identifier.citationFrench, N. P.; McCarthy, H. E.; Diggle, P. J.; Proudman, C. J. (2005). Clustering of equine grass sickness cases in the United Kingdom: a study considering the effect of position-dependent reporting on the space-time K-function. Epidemiology and Infection. Vol. 133, No. 2, pp. 343-348.
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.identifier.issn0950-2688
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10179/590
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherCambridge University Press
dc.relation.isbasedonEpidemiology and Infection. Vol. 133, No. 2, pp. 343-348.
dc.relation.isformatofhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0950268804003322
dc.subjectEquine grass sickness
dc.subject.otherFields of Research::300000 Agricultural, Veterinary and Environmental Sciences::300500 Veterinary Medicine::300503 Epidemiology
dc.titleClustering of equine grass sickness cases in the United Kingdom: a study considering the effect of position-dependent reporting on the space-time K-function
dc.typeJournal article
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