| | What is veterinary surveillance | Why is it important | Veterinary surveillance and human health | Veterinary surveillance in Alberta | Links
What is Veterinary Surveillance?
Veterinary surveillance refers to the collection, analysis and interpretation of information related to animal health and disease as well as the response to and dissemination of that information. Veterinary surveillance is concerned with infectious diseases, chemical contamination or toxicity, as well as new or ‘emerging’ diseases. Examples of surveillance activities include:
- The reporting of suspected notifiable diseases
- Surveys designed to investigate a specific problem or issue
- Meat inspection
- Analysis of records from diagnostic laboratories.
Why is Veterinary Surveillance Important?
Veterinary surveillance is used to:
- Determine the prevalence of certain diseases
- Assess the effectiveness of control programs
- Prove freedom from certain diseases
- Provide early warning of emerging or foreign animal diseases 1
Veterinary Surveillance and Human Health
Zoonoses are defined as diseases that move between animals and people. There have been several serious outbreaks of zoonotic diseases (both known diseases and new or emerging ones) in recent years. Data from both veterinary and human surveillance systems are needed to fully understand these diseases. Recent examples of outbreaks in Canada include:
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- West Nile virus
- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (caused by infection with E. coli 0157)
- Cryptosporidiosis
While human health and food safety are top priority, global outbreaks of diseases like BSE ("mad cow disease"), avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease have made governments and producers acutely aware of the economic importance of animal disease surveillance to maintain access to international markets.
Many experts think that worldwide increases in international travel and trade have elevated the risk of foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks 2. FADs are diseases not normally present in Canada and include foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever. Early detection of these outbreaks is important to minimise their spread and impact – which is why we must have an effective veterinary surveillance system .
Alberta has developed a state-of–the art, comprehensive, veterinary surveillance system, which includes the unique Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network (AVSN).
Veterinary Surveillance in Alberta
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) conducts veterinary surveillance through:
References
1. |
Martin,S.W., Meek,A.H. & Willeberg,P. Veterinary epidemiology principles and methods. Iowa State University Press, Ames (1987). |
2. |
FAO. Without Effective Veterinary Services Animal Diseases could Spread Globally. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2000. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Ref Type: Report |
Useful Links
Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network (AVSN)
Food Safety Division
Agri-Food Systems Branch
Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian (OCPV)
Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Canadian Food Insepction Agency |
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