Detection of animal disease outbreaks

Detection of animal disease outbreaks: use of production and reproduction data for syndromic surveillance in dairy cattle.

In a context of global warming and increased trade, the risk of emergence of animal diseases is increased, including as yet unknown pathogens.

In order to assess the value of available production and breeding data in breeding for early detection of such outbreaks, criteria and methods for syndromic (i.e. non-disease-specific) surveillance were developed and evaluated. They have allowed sensitive, early and specific detection of bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus emergence in dairy cattle in Europe.