HPAI Questionnaire 2015 Part B.7.23.15

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Describe the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection methods to be used.

Preparing for outbreaks or emergencies requires information from persons who may be affected by, or have animals affected by, the condition in question as well as potential responders to the outbreak. The respondent universe for these questionnaires includes all U.S. States and territories as well as all commercial poultry operations susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

0. Methodology for sample selection:

• All respondents (see respondent universe information above) will be asked to complete a questionnaire. Note: response is voluntary.

0. Estimation procedures:

   0. Simple descriptive statistics will be generated. An example would be a percentage of operations that use foot baths; or the percentage of operations able to depopulate their poultry without assistance from APHIS.

0. Degree of accuracy needed:

1. This survey is limited by budget and personnel. Extrapolation to a larger population will not be done.

0. Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures and data collection cycles:

1. No specialized sampling procedures or data collection cycles are anticipated.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-responses:

0. Study Design:

1. The investigation minimizes collection of data to that which is absolutely necessary.

0. Contacting Respondents:

1. Respondents will be contacted via email to participate in this survey/questionnaire. Information about the survey may also be mailed in some cases at the discretion of Official State Agencies (OSAs) responsible for avian influenza planning and trade associations or if needed for someone who does not use the Internet.

0. Data Collection Steps:

1. The data collector will give the OSA or trade association the web link to the questionnaire and, in the case of States, instructions for providing specific information on available resources. These resources include equipment, personnel by category, key contacts for response activities, and disposal sites.

2. The OSA or trade association will administer the questionnaire by sending a web link for the survey to the constituent members for completion.

3. Questionnaires will be completed online and stored electronically. In rare cases the survey may be completed in hard copy by interested individuals who do not have Internet access. The additional information from the States will be emailed to an APHIS email box.

0. Data Analysis Steps:

   0. No adjustment for non-response will be used in this study. Individual responses will be tallied in a summary form for national and State-level planning purposes.

   1. Individual responses will also be provided to field VS offices from respondents in their area of responsibility for local response planning purposes.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.

The questionnaire has been reviewed by a variety of experts, including veterinarians and epidemiologists.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and /or analyze the information for the agency.

The contact person for data collection is: Dr. John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, USDA: APHIS, Veterinary Services, Washington, DC 202-447-6835.

Data will be analyzed by National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) veterinarians, epidemiologists, and statisticians under the direction of Dr. Bruce Wagner, Director, VS Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, 2150 Centre Avenue, Bldg. B-2E7, Fort Collins, CO, 80526-8117, 970-494-7256.

Information may be collected by government veterinary officials. All surveying will be supervised by experienced epidemiologists with expert statistical resources available.

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