Objectives & Impact

The overall aim of RISKSUR was to develop and validate conceptual and decision support frameworks and associated tools for designing efficient risk-based animal health surveillance systems. RISKSUR developed tools and frameworks targeted at the following surveillance objectives associated with livestock diseases:

  • Detection of incursion of exotic, new (emerging) and re-emerging diseases
  • Declaration of freedom from specified diseases and infections
  • Monitoring of endemic diseases (case detection, disease frequency estimation)

Strategies

The RISKSUR objectives were achieved through the following strategies:

  • Bringing together a multi-disciplinary consortium of veterinarians, epidemiologists and economists.
  • Using extensive applied experience in design and implementation of animal health surveillance systems at farm, regional, national and/or international level and economic evaluation.
  • Involving business partners with applied expertise in animal health surveillance and the early adoption and translation of new technology to guarantee data access to ensure the development of practical solutions.
  • Collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure policy relevance such as veterinary administrations and the Chief Veterinary Offices (CVO) from different countries.

Expected impacts

  • Support of the Community Animal Health Policy (CAHP) and international policies
  • Support of European Food Security Authority (EFSA) activities and relevant authorities in the decision making process
  • Cost-effective risk-based surveillance programmes
  • Early detection of diseases will allow taking rapid response and hence reducing losses in production and market access for farmers and compensation funds for public bodies, as well as reduce the risk of direct or indirect impact on public health
  • Inform appropriate biosecurity measures for different production systems based on analysis of surveillance data
  • Contribute to assessment of potential changes in the production systems and associated disease risks
  • Methodologies will be applicable to other areas of the world