A practical framework for conducting Foreign Animal Disease surveillance.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary epidemiology
• Animal health surveillance systems

Background:

• Effective animal health surveillance is crucial for early detection and control of diseases.
• Bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application in surveillance is a persistent challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a practical framework for Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) surveillance.
• To illustrate how science, project management, communication, and documentation can be integrated to enhance surveillance effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• The study proposes a framework integrating four key elements: science, project management, communication, and documentation.
• The Canadian Notifiable Avian Influenza Surveillance system is used as a case study to demonstrate the framework's application.

Main Results:

• The integrated framework supports evidence generation and dissemination for FAD surveillance.
• Project management is vital for translating scientific findings into actionable intelligence for stakeholders.

Conclusions:

• A multidisciplinary approach combining scientific expertise with project management, communication, and documentation skills is necessary for successful FAD surveillance.
• This integrated approach strengthens the link between scientific evidence and its application in animal health policy and trade negotiations.