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Surveillance Plan Template: Premises Classification

This is a view of the template showing the Premises Classification section of an Outbreak Surveillance Plan. This section of a surveillance plan typically requires little additional writing because most of the text for this section is already provided. Instructions are in green and should be deleted from the final draft.

Definitions

There are six [If strategic vaccination is used, there will be a seventh premises classification, Vaccinated Premises (VP)] premises classifications that will be used during this surveillance effort. The following definitions will be applied to classify premises.

Infected Premises (IP) - Premises where presumptive positive case or confirmed positive case exists based on laboratory results, compatible clinical signs, case definition, and international standards.

Contact Premises (CP) - Premises with susceptible animals that have been exposed to the foreign animal disease (FAD) agent, either directly or indirectly, including but not limited to animals, animal products, fomites, or people from an IP. Contiguous premises in close proximity to an IP may also be classified as a CP. If a CP is outside the Control Area, it must be surrounded by a Buffer Zone until disposition of the CP is determined.

Suspect Premises (SP) - Premises under investigation due to the presence of susceptible animals reported to have clinical signs compatible with the FAD. This is intended to be a short-term premises designation. Suspect premises are located in the Infected Zone, Buffer Zone, Surveillance Zone, or Vaccination Zone.

At-Risk Premises (ARP) - Premises located in theControl Area with susceptible animals, but none have clinical signs compatible with the FAD. Premises objectively demonstrates that it is not an Infected Premises, Contact Premises, or Suspect Premises. ARP seek to move susceptible animals or products within the Control Area by permit. Only At-Risk Premises are eligible to become Monitored Premises.

Monitored Premises (MP) - Premises located in the Control Area that objectively demonstrates it is not an Infected Premises, Contact Premises, or Suspect Premises. Only at-Risk Premsies are eligible to become Montiored Premises. Monitored Premises meet a set of defined criteria in seeking to move suceptible animals or products out of the Control Area by permit.

Free Premises (FP) - Premises outside of the Control Area and and not a Contact or Suspect Premises. A FP can be located within the Surveillance Zone or elsewhere in the Free Area.

[Optional] Vaccinated Premises (VP) - Premises where emergency vaccination has been performed. This is a secondary premises designation. The primary premises designation will be IP, CP, ARP, MP if located in the Control Area, or FP if located in the Free area. Vaccinated Premises may be located in the Containment Vaccination Zone, typically within the Control Area, or in the Protection Vaccination Zone, typically outside the Control Area.

Surveillance Protocol for Establishing Premises Classification

[Example protocol]

1. Epidemiologists will receive information on illness (from the hotline, tips, leads, field results, epidemiological field visits, etc.).
2. Epidemiologists, through EMRS, will task the diagnostics group to conduct a FAD investigation involving samples and an epidemiological questionnaire.
   • An identification number will be assigned to each premises; a street address must be known in order to assign a premises identification number.
   • For each street address with [insert species] that is identified, determine if a premises identification number already exists using a full text search in EMRS on names, partial names, or address numbers (using * as a wild card).
   • If a new premises identification number is needed, complete an [insert form name] and submit it to the data entry group.
   • In an emergency, an Urgent Request for Premises Identification Number Form should be completed and submitted to the data entry group.  The new number will be provided immediately, but an EMRS Investigation Summary Form must be created before it appears in the EMRS.
3. All premises that undergo sampling will be quarantined, if not already done. Quarantines are in effect until they are released according to specific release requirements.
   • Determine GPS coordinates.
4. Samples will be delivered by hand or via courier to the [insert laboratory name and location].
5. Results from these samples will be [insert method(s) of communication] to the Task Force’s DRO.
6. The DRO, often with consultation with the epidemiological group, will evaluate the significance of laboratory findings and will declare the premises to be an infected premises (IPs), contact premises (CP), suspect premises (SP), at-risk premises (ARP), free premises (FP), or vaccinated premises based on the case classification defined above (section 1).
   • The surveillance group will be tasked to survey and quarantine a [insert distance, e.g. one kilometer] buffer around IPs.

• Go to Develop a Surveillance Plan: Premises Classification
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