Sampling Plan for Strengthening Livestock Disease Surveillance

The early detection of disease epidemics reduces the chances of introduction into new locales, minimizes the number of infections, and reduces the financial impact. The effectiveness of disease control measures often depends on early detection of disease incidence or outbreak and significantly reduces the cost associated with disease eradication and devastation of livestock.

Passive surveillance methods are the voluntary reporting of cases by primary care providers and farmers to the veterinary health system whereas active surveillance of livestock diseases involves periodic sampling by veterinary health officials. Active surveillance methods are often more effective for targeted objectives than passive methods. Developing an optimal sampling strategy for surveillance of livestock diseases is important for early detection and effective resource utilization.