Animals used as sentinel species that may be infected with the pathogen in question. This statement regarding sentinel surveillance is:

Animals used as sentinel species that may be infected with the pathogen in question. This statement regarding sentinel surveillance is:

• A. Sometimes
• B. True
• C. False
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (B)

Sentinel surveillance hinges on using a monitored group to detect pathogen activity early; animals chosen as sentinel species may become infected, and their infection signals that the pathogen is circulating in the environment. This early warning helps public health respond before human cases surge. For example, birds or horses can show infection in an area where the pathogen is present, alerting authorities to the risk of human exposure. The key idea is selecting susceptible populations that reflect environmental transmission, so the statement is true.

Sentinel surveillance hinges on using a monitored group to detect pathogen activity early; animals chosen as sentinel species may become infected, and their infection signals that the pathogen is circulating in the environment. This early warning helps public health respond before human cases surge. For example, birds or horses can show infection in an area where the pathogen is present, alerting authorities to the risk of human exposure. The key idea is selecting susceptible populations that reflect environmental transmission, so the statement is true.