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Livestock Disease Investigation Network (LDIN)

 
 
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 The Livestock Disease Investigation Network (LDIN) is one of three components of the Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network (AVSN).

LDIN provides a team of epidemiologists, pathologists and other veterinary experts to respond to significant disease events identified primarily by private practitioners, or through the Veterinary Practice Surveillance (VPS) system, Livestock Pathology Consultation Program (LPCP), or the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian (OCPV). Responses include telephone consultation, field investigations and other activities. The breadth of experience available through such a large team allows for a timely and expert response to disease issues.

  • This team works only in conjunction with the private veterinarian, who must have performed a preliminary investigation that includes a visit to the farm and specifically defines the problem. Once these criteria are met, LDIN will investigate cases that involve:
  • Food safety issues
  • Market access issues
  • Public health issues
  • Oil field investigation in species other than cattle (which are covered by a separate program)
  • Provincially reportable diseases (e.g. salmonellosis), or at the request of the OCPV
  • Follow-up to disease problems identified through LPCP and VPS


LDIN currently responds to disease outbreaks. Future services may include other benefits to veterinary practitioners such as continuing education opportunities and the development of a diagnostic/investigative catalogue (in conjunction with LPCP) for referral information.

An important goal for Alberta Agriculture and Food is to establish and maintain a strong collaborative network that spans the entire spectrum of livestock production, including practicing veterinarians, producers, and specialists at other institutions or within the private sector. During and after investigations, LDIN ensures continuous multi-directional communication. Information dissemination to veterinary practitioners and livestock producers are a key part of this network.

Brochures

Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network (AVSN)
Why Do Livestock Health Surveillance
Why Do Poultry Health Surveillance

Links

Alberta Veterinary Surveillance Network (AVSN)
Veterinary Surveillance in Alberta
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 Inspection Agency (CFIA)

For more information on the Livestock Disease Investigation Network, please contact Dr. Sylvia Checkley

  
 
 
 
For more information about the content of this document, contact Sarah Turner.
This document is maintained by Sheila Hart.
This information published to the web on August 4, 2006.
Last Reviewed/Revised on July 24, 2007.