EPIC, Scottish Government's Centre of Expertise in Animal Disease Outbreaks: A Model for Provision of Risk-Based Evidence to Policy

Lisa A. Boden*, Sheila Voas, Dominic Mellor, Harriet Auty

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
35 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

EPIC, Scottish Government's Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks, offers a successful and innovative model for provision of scientific advice and analysis to policy-makers in Scotland. In this paper, we describe EPIC's remit and operations, and reflect on three case studies which illustrate how the Centre of Expertise Model provides risk-based evidence through rapid access to emergency advice and analyses, estimating disease risks and improving disease detection, assessing different disease control options, and improving future risk resilience. The successes and challenges faced by EPIC and its members offer useful lessons for animal health researchers and authorities, working in contingency planning for animal health security in other countries.

Original languageEnglish
Article number119
JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science
Volume7
Early online date5 Mar 2020
DOIs
Publication statusFirst published - 5 Mar 2020

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2020 Boden, Voas, Mellor and Auty.

Keywords

  • animal health
  • contingency planning
  • disease outbreaks
  • risk communication
  • risk-based evidence

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'EPIC, Scottish Government's Centre of Expertise in Animal Disease Outbreaks: A Model for Provision of Risk-Based Evidence to Policy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this