Veterinary Epidemiology and Zoonosis

TARGETED AND SCANNING SURVEILLANCE

Targeted surveillance

• Collects specific information about a defined disease so that its’ level in a defined population can be measured and its options monitored.
• It is often planned using appropriate statistical sampling theory and commonly focuses on populations that are at increased risk of being affected there by increasing the efficiency of detection.
  • Example: Targeting of fallen stock for surveillance of BSE.

Scanning surveillance

• Maintains a continuous watch over endemic disease. Here unexpected changes can be recognized.
• If scanning surveillance identifies an unusual high frequency of similar, undiagnosed cases, it may trigger a more detailed investigation to explore the likelihood of a new disease occurring,This is syndromic surveillance.