Detecting emerging threats

Surveillance and fore-sighting to detect emerging threats

EPIC's research focuses on optimising surveillance to detect emerging pathogens and on understanding social, political, environmental and industry trends that impact disease risk.

Surveillance

EPIC works closely with the Scottish Government and SRUC Veterinary Services to collate and analyse data sources on animal disease trends. EPIC's research focuses on developing new methodologies to detect new trends and emerging pathogens.

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Horizon scanning

Working closely with colleagues at Defra, EPIC scientists assess which diseases are most likely to reach Scotland and the potential impact they might have on the Scottish livestock sector.

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Scenario planning

Scenario planning is a structured foresighting methodology, developed as a medium / long-term planning tool for government and corporations. These methodologies have been adapted by EPIC to give insight into the future of animal health surveillance in Scotland and help develop strategies to improve resilience.

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Climate and enviromental change

As our climate changes, EPIC researchers monitor and assess the potential impact such as increased risk of disease incursion at more northernly latitudes.

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