Challenges in the surveillance of wildlife for exotic and emerging diseases - perspectives of a field veterinary officer

Authors: Cookson B
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Cattle / Welfare / Reproduction / Sheep, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

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Abstract: Disease surveillance can be conducted for a number of purposes including detection of new diseases (transboundary animal diseases or emerging diseases), or estimating prevalence or change in distribution of endemic diseases. Information gained through surveillance programs can be important for purposes of early response to an exotic disease incursion, negotiating trade and market access to support export markets, or for informing decisions about the management of endemic disease. A particularly challenging area of disease surveillance is detecting change in the health status of wildlife; which is at the same time becoming more critical as the role of wildlife in emerging diseases of humans and animals is better recognised and the requirements for reporting of disease in wildlife to meet international obligations increase. This paper will explore some of the practical challenges associated with conducting disease surveillance in wildlife populations including study design, result interpretation and field logistics from the perspective of a risk-based disease surveillance program in northern Australia.

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