Advances in Animal Disease Surveillance and Information Systems and Their Role in Disease Control and Prevention: Implications in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Animal disease surveillance and information systems enable early disease detection, monitoring of endemic diseases, identification of emerging diseases and timely control of diseases having serious impacts on animal health, public health and international trade. The application of advanced technologies enhances efficient animal disease surveillance and information systems and enables the implementation of appropriate disease control and prevention measures. However, despite being endemic to several animal diseases, there is limited application of advanced technologies in animal disease surveillance and information systems in Ethiopia and most developing countries. Objectives: This review aims to identify advanced technologies, applications and platforms that can enhance the efficiency of animal disease surveillance and information systems, as well as determine their roles in disease control and prevention, particularly in the context of Ethiopia. Methods: A literature review used Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect electronic database search engines and manual searching. Literature was screened based on the PRISMA-P (2020) checklist. In this review, 76 articles relevant to the topic were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Findings: The current advances in animal disease surveillance and information systems include mobile-based disease surveillance and reporting applications, geographic and remote sensing technologies, advanced disease diagnostics, social media platforms and digital disease surveillance systems. The application of advanced technologies builds rigorous disease surveillance systems and mechanisms of early disease detection and warning, measures the level of disease and allows successful disease control and eradication. In Ethiopia, animal disease surveillance and information systems have recently implemented smartphone-based applications and digital surveillance systems in selected programs to enhance the efficiency of the surveillance and reporting system. Conclusions: Advanced technologies enable effective animal disease surveillance and information systems, and support successful animal health management and decision-making. Ethiopian animal disease surveillance and information systems are mainly based on conventional methods with limited applications of advanced technologies. Thus, we recommend a special emphasis on the development and application of advanced technologies and the establishment of effective animal disease surveillance and information systems to protect animal health and welfare, promote international trade in animals and animal products and safeguard public health.