Featured Projects
Health security in the Indo-Pacific region
Ausvet senior consultant, Melanie Bannister-Tyrrell launched a landmark report on the state of health security in the Indo-Pacific region at the Global Health Security conference in Sydney in June, 2019.
Health security is about avoiding and containing infectious disease threats that have potential to cause social and economic harm at national, regional and global scale. A One Health approach is essential for health security, as most emerging infectious diseases, including Ebola, SARS and avian influenza, originate in animals. The report assesses baseline health security risks, regional capacity to address health security risks, and identifies opportunities for strengthening health security in 22 countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
It was a collaborative effort which involved several members of the Ausvet team, as well as external consultants and advisors. The entire project was completed in less than 3 months! The report was commissioned by the Australian Government Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security and is available online.
Read more…
Indonesia’s National Animal Health Information System – iSIKHNAS
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (2013 – present)
iSIKHNAS is Indonesia’s integrated real-time information system for collecting, managing, reporting and using data to support animal health and production. iSIKHNAS is based on a bottom-up, user-focused philosophy and rapidly expanded from a small pilot to a world-class national system covering over 95% of Indonesia, and managing a highly diverse range of integrated data including routine disease reports; emergency investigation; animal movements; animal identification; drug usage; artificial insemination; abattoir slaughter statistics; animal ownership; and many others. This is achieved through the use of innovative cloud-based technology and strong stakeholder engagement.
Epidemiological analysis, data management, training and disease control support
National Fisheries Service, Chile (2009 – present)
Ausvet has been providing a range of services to SERNAPESCA over many years, including a review of surveillance, biosecurity and disease response, training in risk analysis, GIS and data management, analysis of existing data.
In 2018, Ausvet created PIISAC, an integrated industry research platform to provide industry-level analysis and response to major industry priorities.
The Australian Q Fever Register
Australian Meat Processing Corporation (2001 – 2018)
The Australian Q Fever Register has been established by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) to assist users to determine the Q Fever immune status of an individual, to prevent unnecessary testing, and to minimise the risk of exposing susceptible individuals to the organism in the workplace. The Register was designed, developed and was managed by Ausvet on behalf of the Australian Meat Processing Corporation for 17 years. Ausvet operated the Australian Q Fever Register (AQFR) from 2001 to 23 March 2018.
Animal health data management
Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (2016 – present)
Ausvet is working with the department to develop a powerful data management system, capable of supporting the full range of field activities, as well as supporting data integration with a variety of other sources and rapid, practical epidemiological data analysis.
Integrated National Animal Health Information System
Animal Health Australia (2002 – present)
The National Animal Health Information System provides timely and accurate summary information on Australia’s animal health status to support trade in animal commodities and meet Australia’s international reporting obligations. It also provides information on Australia’s capabilities and activities with regard to animal disease surveillance and control.
One component of the system is The National Arbovirus Monitoring Program is an integrated national program jointly funded by the livestock industries and governments to monitor the distribution of economically important insect-borne viruses of livestock and their vectors.
The Endemic Disease Information System or EDIS is another component, providing access to summary data collected from national endemic disease programs in Australia. It also includes a public register of properties that are currently listed with the Australian Johne’s Disease Market Assurance Program (MAP) as well as summary information about the National BJD Strategic Plan and the OJD Management Plan.
These systems were all designed and developed by Ausvet as Animal Health Australia initiatives .
Shipboard mortality database support
Meat and Livestock Australia (2014 – present)
Additional projects
Endemic disease scoping study
Meat and livestock Australia (2013)
Industry workshop on Oyster disease investigation and management
South Australian Oyster Growers Association (2013)
Johne’s Disease epidemiological modelling
University College Dublin (2013)
National Bee Pest Surveillance Program support
Plant Health Australia (2013)
CAE Workshop
Animal Health Australia (2013)
Ad hoc epidemiology services
Australian Wildlife Health Network (2013)
African Horse Sickness Virus surveillance for the Western Cape
South Africa (2013)
National Johne’s Disease Technical Advisor
Animal Health Australia (2014)
Tuberculosis Surveillance-Riding Mountain National Park
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (2014)
Horse export strategic plan
South Africa (2014)
Pre-border Animal Biosecurity Review
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (2014)
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) review
ASEAN
Modelling of alternative testing strategies for Johne’s Disease in dairy herds
Animal Health Ireland (2017)
Improved surveillance information, capture and management
Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities
Measurement of rangeland goat growth rates
Meat and Livestock Australia (2017)
Business case for nationally sharing terrestrial animal health surveillance data
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (2017)
Ausvet consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to develop a full understanding of issues surrounding animal health surveillance data sharing. This was used to develop a business case for data sharing.
Enhanced communication of animal health surveillance information
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (2017)
This project integrated surveillance data sources across the northern jurisdictions to assess the completeness and usefulness of the integrated data, and prepare example analyses to provide increased benefit to stakeholders including producers.
Integrated approaches for enhanced animal health surveillance in Indigenous communities in northern Australia
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (2017)
Ausvet developed a plan for a pilot project to apply a bottom-up user-focused One Health approach to working in remote indigenous communities. The plan identified opportunities to dramatically improve One Health surveillance and community empowerment.
Foot-and-Mouth disease preparedness: containment zone concept
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (2017)
Ausvet analysed issues around the rapid establishment of containment zones around disease outbreaks, to enable a rapid return to trade for non-affected areas. This included a spatial analysis of historical OIE outbreak data, as well as theoretical consideration of the factors that influence the effectiveness of a containment zone.
Return on Investment Economic Analysis of Animal Health Surveillance in WA for Foot & Mouth Disease
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA)
Banana freckle surveillance
Northern Territory DPI (2016)
FMD surveillance for Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco
Food and Agriculture Organisation, EUFMD (2016)
Ausvet worked closely with EUFMD and the veterinary services of three North African countries to analyse data from the 2014-15 FMD outbreak, and develop surveillance plans to move towards recognition of disease freedom.
Namibia Export Risk
Meat Board of Namibia (2015)
Rabies response plans, PNG and Timor Leste
Department of Agriculture – Commonwealth of Australia. Formerly DAFF/AFF (2016)
Peer review and advice on risk-based surveillance model
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (2016)
Rabbit management
Department of Defence (2016)
National Johne’s Disease Technical Advisor
Animal Health Australia (2014)
National Ovine Johne’s Disease Management Plan
Animal Health Australia (2014)
Epidemiology Support – Data recording and reporting
Wildlife Health Australia (2014)
National Bovine Johne’s Disease Strategic Plan
Animal Health Australia (2014)
Sustainable Beef Production
Meat and Livestock Australia (2014)
Import Risk Assessment for cloven hoofed game into South Africa
South Africa (2014)
Data analysis for Early Mortality Syndrome in shrimp
Global Aquaculture Alliance (2014)
Development and Assessment of Livestock Welfare Indicators
Murdoch University (2014)
Assessment of options for registration of a koala Chlamydia vaccine.
University of Sydney (2014)
Evaluate the current active targeted surveillance program for ISAv
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada (2014)
NAIWB Surveillance Program
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (2015)
Improving Livestock Traceability
Livecorp (2015)
Peer Review and Advice on Risk-Based Surveillance Models
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (2015)
Hydatids analysis
Animal Health Australia (2015)
LERDAC Independent Technical Committee Member
Meat and Livestock Australia (2015)
National Bee Pest Surveillance Program
Plant Health Australia (2015)
African Horse Sickness Risk Analysis
South Africa (2015)
SheepMAP review
Animal Health Australia (2015)
Assist ARC bid for University of Tasmania deer project
University of Tasmania (2015)
Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis research report reviews
Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (2015)
Bangladesh Information System Scoping
Food and Agricultural Organisation (2015)
Revision of the AQUAVETPLAN disease strategy manual for Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) virus
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (2015)
VHSV freedom analysis for Norway
Norwegian Veterinary Institute (2015)
Veterinary Handbook Update
Livecorp (2015)
Red imported fire ant freedom analysis
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (2015)
NAQS: Short consultancy (ad hoc advice)
Department of Agriculture – Commonwealth of Australia. Formerly DAFF/AFF (2015)
Measurement of rangeland goat growth rates B.GOA.0122
Meat and Livestock Australia (2015)
P4M Benchmarking and Analytics Project
Paraway Pastoral Company Limited (2016)
Statistical analysis of Surveillance data
Northern Territory DPI (2014)
Product registration and efficacy reviews
Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority, and various private companies (2013 – present)
Sample size calculation for banana freckle sentinel program
Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (2015)
Danish EpiLab
Denmark
Angus Cameron and Evan Sergeant were amongst the first visiting scientists to be invited to work at the Danish EpiLab. Their research focused on the development and enhancement of quantitative methods for analysis of complex surveillance to demonstrate freedom from disease. The key product of this research, stochastic scenario-tree modelling, has become one of the standard tools used globally for the design and evaluation of surveillance.
Caterpillar research
University of Queensland (2013 – 2016)
External Research Review
University of Melbourne (2015)
ESCAS Training
Australia Livestock Export Corporation – LiveCorp (2015 – 2016)
RBS Training Turin
IZS Turin, Italy (2013)
New Zealand Veterinary Association Conference
New Zealand Veterinary Association (2013)
Diagnostic tests and surveillance training, Singapore
Singapore AVA (2013)
Statistics Training for University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne (2013)
Case studies for wildlife Epidemiology
Murdoch University (2015)
Statistics training for AVI SIG
Australian Veterinary Assocation Limited (2013)
AVI Statistics Shortcourse
Australian Veterinary Assocation Limited (2013)
Risk-based Surveillance for disease freedom: Master Class
Sweden (2014)
Omnísyan Training
United States Department of Agriculture (2015)
Surveillance training for DAFWA
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (2016)
Information system workshop, Bangkok
World Organisation for Animal Health (2015)
Aquatic Animal Health Training Scheme
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (2014)
Provision of GIS training for C2.3 AIP-EID Program
Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (2014)
Information System Workshop
Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (2015)
ASEAN Information Systems Training, Bangkok
Food and Agricultural Organisation (2015)
Canadian Information System Workshop
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (2015)
Animal Identification and Traceability System for Thai Black Beef
Food and Agricultural Organisation (2013 – 2016)
World Animal Health Information System
World Organisation for Animal Health (2005 – present)
Ausvet implemented the WAHIS, managing disease status data for all OIE member countries, based on the specifications determined by OIE. Ausvet has provided an ongoing service for the update and management of the global spatial dataset of national and first-level administrative boundaries.
ASEAN Regional Animal Health Information System (ARAHIS)
AusAID / OIE (2004 – 2015)
This system is used by authorised representatives of members of ASEAN countries, for the purpose of sharing timely information on livestock diseases, to improve regional disease control. To ensure the integrity of the disease information managed by the system, access is restricted by password. This system was designed and implemented by Ausvet with the cooperation of the ASEAN sectoral working group on livestock, and with support from the Australian Government (AusAID), OIE (head office in Paris, regional office in Tokyo, and regional coordination unit in Bangkok) and ACIL. The system builds on and extends the functions of existing regional animal health information systems, including the OIE’s South East Asian Foot and Mouth Disease campaign and the Animal Health and Production Information System for ASEAN (AHPISA).
Livestock Data Link
Meat and Livestock Australia (2014)
Bottom-up surveillance system design and pilot implementation
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (2015 – 2017)
Ausvet has been working with CFIA to explore the application of the bottom-up surveillance design and Omnisyan integrated surveillance information management system. A series of national surveillance workshops were held followed by a pilot study using Omnisyan to support the integration and analysis of data from the British Columbia Salmon industry to quantify the confidence in freedom from disease.
National Bee Pest Surveillance Program
Plant Health Australia (2014)
The African Union’s Animal Resource Information Manager (ARIS 2)
The African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) (2012)
The African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is a specialized technical office of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission. AU-IBAR’s mandate is to support and coordinate the utilization of livestock, fisheries and wildlife as resources for both human wellbeing and economic development in the member states of the African Union. In order to achieve its objectives, AU-IBAR requires qualitative, complete and timely animal resources information for monitoring, planning and decision making. In line with its mandate and Strategic Plan, AU-IBAR developed an information system known as the Animal Resources Information System version 2 (ARIS 2), designed by Ausvet and implemented locally. The system’s goal is to help position AU-IBAR at the continental level, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) at the regional level and the Member States (MSs) at the local level as the core and reliable sources of comprehensive animal resources information in Africa.
ARIS 2 is a tool to enhance the capacities of the RECs and MSs to collect, collate and analyse animal resources data in a timely manner. ARIS 2 improves AU-IBAR’s role and capacity as a technical advisory body and centre of excellence to the RECs and MSs in the field of animal resources in Africa on the one hand, and better positions the RECs and MSs to design and harmonise policies and implement animal resources practices based on timely available, reliable and up-to-date information on the other.