The Vet Decoding Disease Data

What inspired you to specialize in veterinary epidemiology?
After graduating from veterinary school, I was posted to the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) headquarters, where I worked in the Epidemiology and surveillance department, One Health unit. During this time, Nigeria was experiencing a monkeypox outbreak, and I understood how most emerging infectious diseases affecting humans are transmitted from animals. Zoonotic diseases have wide-reaching consequences, from farmers losing their livestock, school closures, increased healthcare costs, and an overall economic decline.

As a young veterinarian, I recognized that the importance of enhanced epidemiological surveillance. If we could detect diseases in animal populations early, we could prevent their spread to humans and mitigate the broader societal impact. This motivated me to specialize in veterinary epidemiology so that I could acquire the necessary skills to analyze disease trends, conduct surveillance, and contribute to early disease detection and prevention strategies.

Can you share a concrete experience where disease surveillance and data analysis made a difference in your work?
A key moment in my career was during my MSc dissertation at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), UK, where I evaluated the ongoing salmonellosis surveillance in pigs in UK abattoirs. Using data analysis tools like STATA and using @RISK for uncertainty analysis, I assessed surveillance effectiveness, identified gaps, and provided evidence-based recommendations for improvement.

How do you approach outbreak investigations, and what are the biggest challenges you have encountered?
My approach to outbreak investigations involves rapid data collection and analysis, field investigations with a One Health perspective, and close collaboration with human health, animal health, and environmental experts. Ensuring stakeholder collaboration is also crucial for an effective response, as is risk communication to provide timely and actionable information to communities and policymakers.

One of the biggest challenges is limited surveillance infrastructure and funding, especially in low-resource settings. Additionally, poor intersectoral collaboration can delay response efforts. I have worked on One Health policy development and stakeholder coordination to address these challenges, including co-organizing national One Health coordination workshops in Nigeria.

What has been the most significant One Health project you have contributed to? Why is One Health important, and what impact has it had?
One of the most impactful One Health projects I have worked on is supporting Gavi in the coordination of free rabies vaccination in countries. As a current intern at the WHO HQ, I provided technical support such as the assisting in the development of Vaccine Readiness Tool and M&E framework assesses the preparedness of national health systems for rabies vaccine deployment and to track progress. The tool evaluates key aspects such as cold chain capacity, supply chain management, surveillance infrastructure, and stakeholder coordination.

How is the concept of One Health integrated into veterinary training in your country and in the places where you have worked?
In Nigeria, One Health is still an emerging concept in veterinary training in my country, but institutions are increasingly incorporating it into their curricula. As an undergraduate, I was more involved in one health discussions as a member of IVSA (International veterinary student association), rather than the classroom. Also, during my time at NCDC, I participated in several One Health capacity-building programs, examples include the National Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) Workshop and the One Health Stakeholders Workshop which involved multi-sectoral coordination and collaboration for zoonotic preparedness and control.

What do you think are the main challenges for young veterinarians who want to pursue this career?
Limited funding for research and training in veterinary epidemiology is one of the biggest challenges. Lack of Information is another issue because many fresh veterinary graduates are unaware of opportunities in public health, policy, and data analysis, making it difficult to find structured career pathways. Additionally, there are limited mentorship and networking opportunities, which can make it harder to break into global health organizations. To address these challenges, I actively mentor young people and advocate for stronger One Health integration in veterinary education.

How do you envision the future of veterinary epidemiology and the role it will play in global health?
The future of veterinary epidemiology will be data-driven and interdisciplinary. With advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, we will see improved outbreak prediction models and real-time surveillance tools that allow for early disease detection. The integration of these approaches that prioritize One Health collaboration will also play a critical role in shaping global health security. Veterinary epidemiologists will be at the forefront of pandemic prevention, ensuring early detection of zoonotic diseases outbreaks before they escalate into pandemics.

You have published research with a focus on statistical analysis: how do you see the role of data and quantitative methodologies in your work?
Data is the cornerstone of epidemiology. My research on salmonellosis surveillance has relied on statistical modeling to uncover disease patterns and inform policy. The use of epidemiological methods help us predict disease spread using mathematical models, identify risk factors through regression analysis, and assess surveillance system effectiveness

Is there any aspect of your research that you believe is particularly innovative or useful in addressing current challenges?
One particularly innovative aspect of my work has been my contribution to the development of the Vaccine Readiness Tool for rabies vaccination under Gavi’s support. By incorporating a structured framework for assessing country preparedness, this tool is improving the planning and implementation of rabies control programs globally. This approach is not only relevant for rabies but also provides a scalable model for vaccine introduction for other zoonotic diseases.

If you could convey one key message about the importance of your profession, what would it be?
Early detection is the key to controlling disease spread. Veterinary epidemiologists play a crucial role in detecting and controlling zoonotic diseases before they spread to humans. By investing in surveillance, data-driven decision-making, and One Health collaboration, we can prevent the next pandemic rather than just responding to it.