You are here: About
PURPOSE

The Zoo Animal Health Network (ZAHN) provides focus and leadership in the development of surveillance systems for zoonotic diseases using zoological institutions.

VISION Minimize

ZAHN offers a dynamic and flexible structure which can respond, engage and offer solutions for zoonotic disease surveillance in zoological institutions.

  
GOAL Minimize

  •  Develop robust surveillance systems for zoonotic diseases using zoological institutions

  • Survey for a wide array of disease agents

  • Build a stronger link between public and animal health agencies

  • Provide a wealth of valuable medical information

  • Allow for serial sampling of animals and groups over time

  
BACKGROUND Minimize

As the majority of emerging and re-emerging human diseases are zoonotic in nature, monitoring wildlife health is a practical means for early identification of disease events. Surveillance in wild populations presents several logistical difficulties. Many of these obstacles can be overcome by using zoological institutions as disease sentinels. Zoos have a stable population of animals whose health is regularly monitored and recorded. This provides a wealth of valuable medical information and allows for serial sampling of individuals and groups over time. Additionally, zoos host a broad range of species, each with their own susceptibility to different maladies. This translates into the capacity to test for a wide array of disease agents. Another advantage zoos offer is their geographic distribution. With over 200 accredited institutions, zoos can be found in 47 states, spanning urban, suburban, and rural environments across the country. Last, as a site of increased human-animal interaction, zoos provide a unique opportunity to monitor for zoonotic diseases.

  
HISTORY Minimize

In 2000, the Lincoln Park Zoo Davee Center coordinated national efforts among the 200+ AZA affiliated zoos to act as sentinels by testing and/or monitoring for zoonotic disease outbreaks. The first project was a voluntary, passive surveillance effort collecting data for tuberculosis (TB) testing of exotic hoof stock in AZA institutions. These recorded data were assimilated and maintained on-line for monitoring purposes.

The second effort provided surveillance and monitoring for West Nile Virus (WNV). This much larger initiative, funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), was proof of concept that novel zoological data sources could be combined with national surveillance systems. This additional layer of animal data adds robustness to these systems previously not captured.

Prior to the TB and WNV initiatives, the infrastructure to conduct national surveillance in AZA institutions did not exist. USDA APHIS AC realizes the potential value in supporting the wider development of AZA’s infrastructure to conduct surveillance (when indicated). AZA realizes the potential value in assisting USDA APHIS AC with policy development, which impacts AZA institutions. These early successes lead to new initiatives focused on the health and well-being of managed wildlife and zoonotic diseases. Three newer projects are underway: Avian Influenza Surveillance System for zoological institutions, Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) and Zoo Best Practices Working Group (ZBPWG). Click the links below for more information.
Copyright 2011 by Lincoln Park Zoo Privacy StatementTerms Of Use
Small width layoutMedium width layoutMaximum width layout Small textMedium textMaximum text