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Importance of Livestock Information Management
Informed planning and decision-making is becoming key to the success of animal health authorities. Quality and timely information on disease pattern is mandatory for this to happen. Hence, capacity in collecting, collating and analysing animal health data and sharing of generated information are of paramount importance. Timely detection of major epizootics, knowledge of their extent and magnitude is critical to plan and implement control or eradication programmes. Transparency in the animal health matters and traceability or follow up of animals from “stable to table” is key issues in animal trade. Moreover, one of the criteria to gauge the capacity of veterinary services and a pre-requisite for certification of freedom from disease is the capacity to closely follow field events and share information about it with the international community through the OIE.
Proposed Strategies
The Animal Health Information Strategy for the coming three years includes: improvement in disease reporting, further development of the database for animal health information systems and enhanced capacity in disseminating and sharing animal health information. The animal health section will continue improving disease reporting, both (routine and emergency) within countries and from countries to regional and international organisations (RECs, AU-IBAR and OIE), for the coming three years. Collection of animal health data is coupled with the capacity to store, analyse and disseminate information. There is need to expand this facility to the remaining African countries.
Information system
AU-IBAR has developed an Animal Resource Information System (ARIS). Much more than a zoo-sanitary database or a diseases reporting tools, ARIS is a comprehensive Information system allowing African veterinary services to capture and manage various information on their animal health institutions
As far as connectivity is concerned, IBAR is equipped with a Local Area Network (LAN) which comprises of:
- three servers, 2 running windows 2000 Server service pack 3 and one running Windows 2003 Server
- 75 workstations
The Internet connection is through vsat.
Digital Library database
IBAR is putting in place a digital library database system with, initially, an electronic copy of all documents produced. The digitalization of IBAR documents will continue to facilitate the access and exchange of animal resources information with AU member States.
IBAR is also working towards the establishment of an Intranet with extranet links to Veterinary services of member countries. This will facilitate the communication within IBAR and between IBAR and member countries and National Veterinary Services. They will also access the library database system, consult or download documents and enter periodic reports and communication materials produced.
Information management and Communication activities
IBAR receives diseases reports from member States on a monthly basis. These reports are compiled, processed and analysed to produce the Animal Health Yearbook. IBAR is also providing technical support on a regular basis to data management units in countries as well as maintaining countinuous capacity building in data processing, analysis, mapping and in the use of ARIS.
IBAR is currently working closely with FAO and OIE to harmonise reporting procedures and formats as well as animal resources information systems. IBAR's Information and Communications Unit (ICU) is carrying out the following activities on a regular basis by enhancing the website and updating its content to capture all major events and activities; publishing newsletters and news flashes. An internal newsletter (e-nsider) is currently produced on a monthly basis; publishing of AU-IBAR quarterly scientific journal, namely the Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa for the last 54 Years. And the Animal Health Yearbook which is being produced and disseminated to member countries; digitalising documents and reports and setting up a digital library database for a wider access and share of information with member States and partners and documenting experiences and best practices.
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