Case Study: Murdoch University assesses the economic impact of sheep disease with Palisade @RISK

The Price of Parasites: Murdoch University scientists evaluate economic costs of parasitic disease in sheep

Researchers from Murdoch University, in collaboration with international partners, faced the challenge of accurately estimating the economic cost of cystic echinococcosis (CE) infections in Iraq's sheep industry. Previous attempts were hampered by poor record-keeping and a large informal meat market, making the true financial impact unknown. To solve this, they turned to Palisade's @RISK software to build a probabilistic model that could incorporate this uncertainty.

Using Palisade's @RISK, the team developed a Monte Carlo simulation model that integrated data from abattoir surveys, official records, and expert opinions from local veterinarians and butchers. The solution provided a comprehensive estimate, revealing an average annual economic loss of US $72,470 due to CE in the Basrah province. This quantified the significant financial burden for the first time, providing stakeholders with crucial data to better allocate resources for combatting the disease.

Murdoch University

Ihab Habib

Lecturer In Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety Epidemiology