Methods

The simulation assigns roles for the activities required. These roles are based on the structure devised to respond to the outbreak of an emergency disease in Australia. This structure would be created in a Local Control Centre (LDCC) in the event of an outbreak and the functions of a National Biosecurity Response Team that are formed in the LCC. The detail of the structure and the specific operational roles is published in AUSTVETPLAN. (see http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au for more details)

The practical class participants will represent the organisational agents involved with the spread and control of the outbreak. Students need to form into groups of four. They become Field Surveillance Teams. Within the team the four students are to be designated as indicated in this Table:

Responsibilities for field surveillance team members

Role	Abbreviation	Responsibility
Surveillance Officer	SO	Organising the testing procedures
Tracing Officer	TO	Monitoring the predicted status of the group members and deciding on who is excluded from contacts
Mapping Officer	MO	Recording the contacts made within and outside the group
Laboratory Liaison Officer	LO	Recording the results of testing

One student will be designated as the Local Disease Control Centre Controller(Controller). They will meet with the Team representatives and collate the information they provide. They will be required to present to the media via Press Conferences. The entire team is responsible for getting good information to the Controller for the Media Conferences where they will need to answer questions on:

• Number estimated as positive
• Number estimated as negative
• Number confirmed as positive
• Number confirmed as negative
• How effective were we?
• Did we have a strategy that worked?
• What worked?
• What could we do to improve?
• What didn't work?

Local and regional meetings of people with these roles with other representatives from the other groups will be called. You will have limited time to meet with representatives of other groups, share information and develop policies for control. They will be provided with individual online reports to record their decisions and reports.

During each trial you will be responsible for recording, collating and reporting information relating to your role.

You are also responsible for keeping data on your own contacts and test results and reporting them to your relevant team member.