SURVEILLANCE OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES IN EQUIDS IN FRANCE

Epidemiosurveillance has become an important part of veterinary practice. In equine medicine, vector-borne diseases have recently become a serious concern in France and in Europe, following the re-emergence of West Nile Fever, equine infectious anaemia cases, and the possible introduction of African horse sickness. The aim of our paper is to discuss some methodological issues linked to the implementation of a surveillance system. In most cases, the passive system is the most cost-effective. Recent advances in information technology, geomatics and spatial analysis will help define research avenues for the implementation of real-time surveillance and early warning surveillance systems. Vector-borne diseases are dependant on the environment and thus good candidates for the development of such tools.