Livestock Disease Evidence Base for Africa and South Asia

What are we doing?

SEBI-Livestock is building an evidence base for 12 livestock diseases and disease groups. The work will initially focus on Africa and South Asia, and eventually be expanded to all low-and middle-income (LMIC) countries. To do this, we are using rigorous evidence synthesis methodologies to create a series of systematic maps, systematic reviews, and rapid reviews. Using these methodologies, we will synthesis data from published and grey literature.

Why are we doing this?

We are undertaking this initiative to gain up to date epidemiologic and production parameters to input into our own animal health models. We also intend to publish the findings of our evidence syntheses so that they will be publicly available for whoever may need to use them, including decision-makers and many other stakeholders.

What is already known?

In ‘building’ an evidence base, we acknowledge that we are building on already existing, valuable work. We know that there are many groups that have made significant contributions to the livestock disease evidence synthesis space and have collated valuable data.  We will not be repeating this work; rather, our work will provide updated collated data that will be publicly available and that others can then use for modelling and other activities. Therefore, our work can be complementary other efforts underway in the evidence synthesis and modelling space. We are mindful of connecting with other groups working in this area, and we want to avoid duplication of efforts. We hope that by publicising this initiative, we can be very transparent in our aims.

What diseases will we be focusing on?

• Brucellosis
• Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
• Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia 
• East Coast fever
• Foot and mouth disease
• Lumpy skin disease
• Newcastle disease 
• Peste des petits ruminants
• Rift Valley fever 
• Sheep and goat pox 
• Common ectoparasites 
• Common endoparasites

What are the expected outputs? 

As well as an anticipated series of published reviews presenting the findings, we intend to create a dashboard interface on livestockdata.org, so the data is available for all in a user-friendly format. 

Want to learn more about the steps we are taking as part of this evidence synthesis project? More updates below.