Epidemiological surveillance of animal diseases is essential and integral part of the National Veterinary Services. The importance of epidemiology is growing rapidly on the light of globalization and OIE/WTO membership. Disease reporting was encouraged during rinderpest vaccination campaign in sixties. The concept of national animal disease database was developed in early eighties. Epidemiological unit was established under Central Animal Health Center, Central Veterinary Laboratory and Infectious Disease and Parasite Control Project in the past. The disease reporting system was irregular, incomplete and not standardized.
The real need of epidemiological surveillance and disease reporting system was realized in 1996 when Nepal joined Office International des Epizooties (World Organization of Animal Health) and wished to follow OIE pathway in order to get international recognition of rinderpest disease and infection free country. Central Epidemiology Unit (CEU) was established under the Central Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Disease Control Section in 1996 under the technical and financial assistance of European Union through Strengthening of Veterinary Services and Livestock Disease Control (SVSLDC Project). A computerized national database and standardized disease reporting system has been developed which has gone through a series of metamorphosis. Nepal was declared as rinderpest disease and infection free country in 2002, which demonstrates the strength of effective national epidemiological system in Nepal.
Veterinary Epidemiology Center was established as an independent organization in 2004 under the new organizational structure of the Department of Livestock Services. His Majesty's Government has well recognized the importance of epidemiology in the context of OIE/WTO membership. Although there is limited manpower, the center is determined to adopt new epidemiological tools and technologies to face challenges and promote partnership and collaboration with development partners to strengthen epidemiological surveillance system.
Today the frequency of monthly reporting is above 90%. E-mail has been used for epidemiological reporting by some districts. GIS had been introduced for epidemiological analysis.
