Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network (AVSN) Questions and Answers

AVSN, with its three components (Veterinary Practice Surveillance (VPS), the Livestock Disease Investigation Network (LDIN), and the Livestock Pathology Consultation Program (LPCP)) is unique. There are however, several other innovative and noteworthy animal health surveillance systems and tools such as:

• The UK's Rapid Analysis & Detection of Animal-related Risks (RADAR) system
• Veterinary Practitioner Aided Disease Surveillance (VETPAD) in New Zealand
• The Rapid Syndrome Validation Project – Animal (RSVP-A) in the United States
• "émergences" in France

Most foreign animal diseases are "reportable diseases" in Canada and fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Anyone who suspects the presence of a reportable disease in Canada is required by law to immediately report the suspicion to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Click here for more information, including a list of reportable diseases.

What happens if AVSN detects an important disease?

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development will work with the private veterinarian(s) involved to ensure that the best course of action is followed to resolve the disease issue as quickly as possible. If the disease is a federally reportable disease, the CFIA will be contacted.

Click here to go back to the AVSN home page.