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Evaluation of the Belgian epidemiological surveillance in animal health

Abstract:

The epidemiological surveillance activities concerning animal health are generally based on a variable organization and on systems of different nature. The objective of this study was to analyse the surveillance activities related to the specific animal and zoonotic diseases and also to investigate the structural and organizational aspects of the surveillance in Belgium. For this, an extended inventory of the Belgian epidemiological passive and active surveillance activities in animal and zoonotic diseases was carried out. Typologies have also been realized to describe and visualize the organizational aspects of this surveillance. Finally, an inventory of recommendations concerning the organizational aspects of surveillance was compiled, based on a SWOT analysis. The comparison of the current surveillance activities with an ideal situation allowed to identify needs and to propose pathways for improvement of surveillance activities. One of the recommendations concerns the creation of a national platform of epidemiological surveillance made up of persons responsible of the authorities in charge of surveillance of the animal health, wild fauna included, of public health and of food safety. This would ensure a collaboration and a coordination between these domains, which is particularly relevant regarding surveillance of zoonoses and of antibiotic resistance.