Surveillance for zoonotic diseases

Zoonotic diseases are caused by pathogens that are maintained in animal populations, and can be transmitted to humans under natural conditions. The complex interplay among human behavior, animal reservoirs, vectors, the environment, and the pathogens themselves makes the recognition and control of zoonoses challenging. This chapter focuses on the essential role of surveillance in understanding the emergence of zoonotic infections. A variety of surveillance methods for zoonoses are discussed, including human disease surveillance, veterinary surveillance, sentinel animal surveillance, and laboratory-based surveillance. Two in-depth descriptions of surveillance systems are provided, and their strengths and weaknesses examined. Rabies surveillance is discussed as an example of a long-standing system that has been successful in reducing human disease and is a core public health function. A disease surveillance in humans and animals that was implemented during an outbreak of monkeypox virus infection in the USA is described as an example of an ad hoc system to control a newly recognized zoonotic disease. The importance of using a “One Health” approach of collaborative interagency and interdisciplinary partnerships to effectively address zoonoses is emphasized.