Publications

Representative publications:

• Weathering the storm: extreme weather events and their association with PED and PRRS occurrence
  Veterinary Microbiology, 2024
  Links environmental extremes with population-level disease occurrence and fits the predictive-risk side of PEDIL especially well. 

• Optimizing risk-based disease control strategies through network analysis: Case insights from FMD in Sri Lanka
  Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2025
  Demonstrates how network analysis can support targeted, risk-based intervention. 

• Synergizing human and animal health surveillance systems: A time series analysis of brucellosis incidence in Kenya
  Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 2025
  A strong example of integrated surveillance and time-series epidemiology across health systems. 

• Endemic epidemiology of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in the United States
  Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2024
  Characterizes post-emergence disease dynamics in an endemic production system. 

• Unveiling invisible farm-to-farm PRRSV transmission links and routes through transmission tree and network analysis
  Evolutionary Applications, 2023
  Integrates transmission-tree inference and network analysis to reveal otherwise hidden epidemiologic connectivity. 

Representative publications:

• Translating viral genetic data to PRRSV-2 cross-neutralization using machine learning
  Frontiers in Immunology, 2026
  Uses viral genetic information and machine learning to predict antigenic phenotype and cross-neutralization. 

• An update on the phylogeography and dynamics of pool 4 FMDV spread in East and Horn of Africa
  Virus Evolution, 2025
  Maps the evolutionary and geographic dynamics of FMDV circulation across East and the Horn of Africa. 

• Machine learning approaches for forecasting r1-based protective interactions among FMD virus variants
  PLOS Computational Biology, 2025
  Connects viral sequence information with predicted cross-protection to support more data-driven vaccine matching. 

• Experimental evidence of vaccine-driven evolution of PRRSV-2
  Virus Evolution, 2025
  Examines how immune and vaccine pressure may shape viral evolutionary trajectories. 

• Ecological and evolutionary dynamics of multi-strain viruses
  Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2022
  A broader conceptual study of how ecological and evolutionary processes shape multi-strain viral systems. 

Representative publications:

• Socio-ecological factors associated with becoming street-connected among working and homeless children and youth in Namibia
  Global Public Health, 2026
  Demonstrates the broader population-health side of PEDIL through socio-ecological risk analysis. 

• Barriers and breakthroughs in U.S. swine biosecurity: A key informant exploration of the role of human behavior in enhanced biosecurity compliance
  Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2026
  Shows how behavioral and implementation factors shape real-world biosecurity adoption. 

• Pastoralists utilization and preferences for stakeholders and methods in livestock disease reporting and response in northern Kenya
  BMC Veterinary Research, 2026
  Examines how communities engage with surveillance and response systems and which reporting pathways they prefer. 

• Assessment of roles and challenges of community health workers in pandemic preparedness using lessons from the COVID-19 outbreak in rural Uganda
  Discover Public Health, 2026
  Extends the portfolio into health-system preparedness, frontline capacity, and community response. 

• Education and Economic Factors Shape Clusters of Biosecurity Beliefs and Practices: Insights from an Exploratory Survey of Midwest U.S. Swine Producers
  Pathogens, 2025
  Explores how socioeconomic and behavioral factors shape biosecurity beliefs and practices.

1. Dinede G., Keba A., Amenu K., Makau DN and Grace D. Enhancing evidence-informed decision-making in Ethiopia's animal health sector with Global Burden of Animal Diseases support: Game learning of evidence ecosystem. (Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI). 

2. Sentamu DN, Arasio RL, Akala H, Makau DN, Wasonga OV, Onono JO. Stakeholder analysis and their roles in livestock disease reporting and response in Northern Kenya. Pastoralism. 

2. Makau DN, VanderWaal K, Kikuti M, Picasso-Risso C, Geary E, Corzo CA. Endemic epidemiology of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in the United States. Transbound Emerg Dis. 

3. Schultze M, Kincheloe JM, Makau DN, Knauer W, Wells SJ. Assessment of use of biosecurity practices to prevent chronic wasting disease in Minnesota cervid herds. Prev Vet Med. 

4. Paploski IAD, Kiesel G, Makau DN, Pamornchainavakul N, Baker JP, Kikuti M, Corzo CA, VanderWaal K. Weathering the storm: extreme weather events and their association with PED and PRRS occurrence. Vet Microbiol. 

5. Kikuti M, Melini CM, Yue X, Paploski IAD, Pamornchainavakul N, Baker J, Makau DN, VanderWaal K, Maschhoff A, Henness K, Drebes D, Corzo CA. Monitoring of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus variant emergence. Vet Microbiol.