Virginia Tech Student Evaluates Bioterrorism Effect on the Farm

BLACKSBURG, Va., April 2, 2002 -- Acts of terror against the United States have prompted one Virginia Tech student to look in-depth at the impact an attack against agriculture would have on a farm, a community, and beyond.

Amy Iager, daughter of Gene and Kathy Iager of Fulton, Md., is studying the effects of bioterrorism on the farm. As a senior in dairy science, Iager is conducting an undergraduate research project where she is developing and projecting the effects of a bioterrorism attack against a dairy farm, as well as developing response and prevention plans.

"There is lots of emphasis placed now in 'homeland security,' but no money is invested on the producer/veterinarian level, which I believe is the first line of defense. Measures should be taken in prevention and response," Iager said.

"The dairy industry in this area is very important, and the research I am doing is applicable to current concerns," Iager said. In addition to doing research for the academic experience, Iager hopes to encourage others to think about the effects bioterrorism could have in agricultural settings and beyond.

Iager is working with Frank Gwazdauskas, the David and Margaret Lincicome professor of dairy science at Virginia Tech, in her research. This study corresponds to Gwazdauskas' interests in natural and man-made disasters and preparedness for those disasters, such as prevention and response plans.

"This involves the entire crop and meat supply of the country, including by-products," Gwazdauskas said. "Impact on the producers as well as the consumers must be considered."

Iager is investigating the hypothetical scenario of a 250-cow dairy subjected to an attack, exploring the impact that a biological, chemical, or radiological attack to the dairy could have on the farm, the surrounding community, and beyond. An anthrax model will be considered as the biological attack, overuse of pesticide as a chemical attack, and radioactive emission as a radiological attack. Various methods of realizing impact will come from considering the route of infection, cattle losses, spread, and financial loss. Iager plans to develop model biosecurity plans to offer practical solutions to the questions and scenarios presented by the research.

"It is critical to evaluate potential hazards and to prepare responses to such hazards," Gwazdauskas said. Gwazdauskas serves on the emergency response task Force at Virginia Tech, and is looking at scenarios on the Blacksburg campus and the surrounding community. This includes projecting preparation methods for use with the university's own crops and animals.

Thus, Iager's research models that of Gwazdauskas. Iager's interest in pursuing undergraduate research is sparked by her involvement in the university Honors Program. Degrees offered in the program require various amounts of independent study or undergraduate research.

There is a degree of self-motivation Iager attributes to her desires in doing undergraduate research:

Iager's family owns and operates a dairy farm just north of Washington, D.C., with about half of the capacity of the notional farm on which her study is based. This research experience, she feels, will help her understand the practical burdens these attacks could have on finances as well as public health.

"My own experience heightens the credibility I will receive when my studies become published," Iager said.