A framework for animal health management.

In modern production systems, the most economically limiting diseases are multifactorial enzootic health disorders. Relevant decisions in health management have to be based on rational procedures. A first-level approach implies the use of quantitative information on the economic impact of the disease. A more relevant approach of decisions regarding health problems consists of evaluating the economic worth of the interventions in terms of cost-effectiveness. Decision analysis and decision support are of interest today, particularly for herd health control schemes regarding enzootic disorders.