Philippines: Livestock Disease Surveillance Strengthening Project

A new One HEALTH research project in the Philippines will strengthen animal disease surveillance capabilities to counter health security threats that are seriously impacting the country's livestock industry.

This project, led by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), will improve policy and managerial support for the detection of African swine fever ( ASF ), avian influenza (AI), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The three-year project is funded by a new One Health co-investment between the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Canadian Center for International Development Research (IDRC). The project will use modern approaches to the assessment of socio-economic and socio-ecological systems (SES) for One Health.

UPLB project leader Dr Yusuf Sukol said the research team will work with government agencies, the livestock industry, farmers and local communities to analyze the links, gaps and effectiveness of surveillance, control and emergency response in these three priority areas. 

“The scientific data and research from this project will provide evidence and input to decision-making in support of ASF, AI and AMR management and programmes. The findings will help improve animal husbandry practices, farm standards and compliance standards to protect and promote animal, human and environmental health,” said Dr. Sukol.