Impact of African swine fever emergency on the mental health of first responders in the Dominican Republic.

DR swine veterinarians experienced high levels of anger and hopelessness during the ASF emergency response.

• Study sample consisted of 29 Dominican Republic swine veterinarians involved in the ASF response.
• Anger and hopelessness were identified as 'centrally located variables in the network' using network analysis.
• These emotions were present across both field-based and non-field-based roles in the ASF response.
• Mixed methods were used, combining a questionnaire with qualitative focus group interviews.

Anger and hopelessness among veterinarians were associated with perceived lack of communication, trust, and transparency from government authorities.

• Network analysis identified associations between negative emotional states and perceptions of institutional communication failures.
• The lack of perceived communication, trust, and transparency involved relationships between government authorities, veterinarians, and farmers.
• Preliminary quantitative results were explored further through qualitative focus group interviews.
• These findings suggest that institutional and relational factors contributed to the mental health burden of first responders.

Mixed methods and network analysis were used to characterize mental and social impacts of ASF on veterinarians in the Dominican Republic.

• A total of 29 DR swine veterinarians participated in the study.
• All 29 veterinarians were involved with the ASF response through field-based or non-field-based roles.
• Responses were gathered via a questionnaire and analyzed using network analysis.
• Qualitative focus group interviews were used to further explore preliminary quantitative results.

The Dominican Republic has been affected by African swine fever since 2021, which has had significant impacts on food security and trade.

• ASF has been described as a 'global pandemic' affecting nearly 2 million pigs since 2022 alone.
• The DR has been affected by ASF since 2021.
• ASF causes 'significant disruption to food security and trade.'
• Veterinarians are identified as 'key first responders in animal health emergencies' and are 'at risk for negative impacts from prolonged emergency response.'

The mental health impact of animal diseases on veterinarians is often neglected, highlighting a need for preventive actions to support first responders.

• The paper states that 'the impact that animal diseases have on the mental health of veterinarians is often neglected.'
• The authors call for 'considering actions to prevent and mitigate their impact on the mental health of first responders.'
• Improved mental health support is framed as ultimately improving 'the effectiveness of the response.'
• The findings are positioned as relevant to other emerging diseases such as avian influenza, not just ASF.