How Scientific Collaboration Keeps Our Animals and Food Supply Safe
Beneath the peaceful landscapes of farms and pastures lies an invisible battlefield where microscopic invaders constantly threaten the health of animals, the stability of our food supply, and ultimately, human wellbeing.
For over a decade, a remarkable scientific partnership between the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Veterinary Laboratories has stood guard against these threats. Their annual All Island Animal Disease Surveillance Reports represent a extraordinary achievement in scientific collaboration, merging data from Northern Ireland and Ireland to create a comprehensive picture of animal health across the entire island.
The collaboration creates a comprehensive surveillance network that transcends political boundaries to protect animal health across the entire island.
Animal disease surveillance represents a sophisticated scientific approach to monitoring health threats within animal populations. Rather than simply counting disease cases as they occur, surveillance involves the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health-related data followed by the timely dissemination of results to those who need to know 5 .
Reports of diseases from veterinarians and farmers who encounter sick animals in the field
Targeted testing of apparently healthy animals at slaughter or in herds to detect hidden infections
Monitoring patterns of clinical signs rather than waiting for confirmed diagnoses 5
Perhaps the most critical aspect of modern animal disease surveillance is its recognition of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This "One Health" approach acknowledges that approximately 75% of emerging human infectious diseases originate from animals 5 .
The reports track important zoonotic diseases such as:
By monitoring pathogens in animal populations, veterinary researchers provide invaluable intelligence that helps protect both animal and human health, truly embodying the One Health principle.
The annual surveillance reports paint a detailed picture of the ever-changing landscape of animal disease threats. The 2023 report, continuing a tradition established since at least 2011, represents the latest chapter in this ongoing scientific narrative 1 .
Infectious diseases remain a persistent challenge to animal health and productivity. The reports document the continued presence of respiratory pathogens in cattle, reproductive diseases in sheep, and enteric diseases in pigs that collectively cause significant economic losses for farmers and welfare concerns for animals.
One of the most significant aspects documented in the surveillance reports is the ongoing monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animal pathogens. This work aligns with broader European efforts to track resistance patterns in foodborne and commensal bacteria from food-producing animals 5 .
| Disease Category | Primary Species Affected | Significance | Zoonotic Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Diseases | Cattle, Sheep, Poultry | Major economic impact, welfare concerns | Variable |
| Reproductive Diseases | Cattle, Sheep | Reduced productivity, infertility | Some diseases (e.g., Brucellosis) |
| Enteric Diseases | Pigs, Poultry | Growth impairment, mortality | Some pathogens (e.g., Salmonella) |
| Neurological Disorders | All species | Often emerging diseases, high mortality | Variable |
| Antimicrobial Resistance | All food animals | Public health implications | High |
While the surveillance reports document many diseases already present on the island, they also help prepare for threats that haven't yet arrived. One such disease is African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease of pigs that has been spreading globally in recent years.
A recent modeling study conducted by researchers including those from the NC State Department of Population Health and Pathobiology (which collaborates with similar international efforts) examined what resources would be needed to detect and control an ASF outbreak in a densely populated swine region 3 .
The researchers developed a sophisticated mathematical model that simulated the spread of ASF through a hypothetical outbreak in a swine-dense region of the United States, though the findings have global relevance, including for Irish and Northern Irish preparedness planning 3 .
The model incorporated:
The modeling results revealed the staggering scale of resources that would be required to manage a severe ASF outbreak. In the worst-case scenario, the model projected that up to 3,115 sample collectors would be needed, with laboratories required to process tens of thousands of samples daily 3 .
Perhaps more importantly, the research identified several strategies that could dramatically reduce these resource demands:
| Resource Type | Estimated Requirement | Constraints | Efficiency Strategies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Collectors | Up to 3,115 personnel | Limited trained workforce | Use of veterinary students, retired veterinarians |
| Daily Samples | Tens of thousands | Laboratory processing capacity | Pooling samples, prioritizing high-risk farms |
| Laboratory Capacity | Massive expansion needed | Equipment costs, specialist staffing | Regional coordination, automated processes |
| Diagnostic Time | Rapid turnaround critical | Transportation delays, testing protocols | Field-deployable rapid tests, local laboratories |
The sophisticated disease surveillance conducted by AFBI and DAFM laboratories relies on an array of specialized reagents and materials. These tools enable researchers to detect, identify, and characterize pathogens with increasing speed and precision.
While the specific reagents vary depending on the pathogen being investigated, some core components appear across multiple surveillance contexts:
These technological tools transform raw data into actionable intelligence, allowing veterinary officials to identify emerging threats before they become widespread crises.
| Reagent Category | Specific Examples | Primary Applications | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular Diagnostics | PCR primers/probes, master mixes, extraction kits | Pathogen detection, strain typing | High sensitivity, rapid results |
| Microbiological Culture | Selective media, enrichment broths, antibiotics | Pathogen isolation, antimicrobial susceptibility testing | Gold standard for confirmation, allows further characterization |
| Immunological Reagents | ELISA kits, lateral flow devices, labeled antibodies | Antibody detection, rapid screening, antigen identification | Indicator of exposure, point-of-care testing |
| Reference Materials | Characterized strains, quality control panels | Test validation, proficiency testing, method comparison | Ensures accuracy and comparability across laboratories and time |
The joint AFBI/DAFM Animal Disease Surveillance Reports represent far more than an academic exercise—they embody a profound commitment to shared responsibility for animal health, food security, and public wellbeing.
For over a decade, this collaboration has demonstrated how crossing political boundaries to address biological threats can create something greater than the sum of its parts: a surveillance network that protects all inhabitants of the island, whether they walk on two legs or four.
This article was based on the ongoing collaborative research published in the All Island Animal Disease Surveillance Reports jointly produced by AFBI and DAFM Veterinary Laboratories 1 .