The Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, The TB Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, Biennial Report, 2022-23

The UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (UCD CVERA) is the national resource centre for veterinary epidemiology in Ireland, located within the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin. The Centre was initially established as the Tuberculosis Investigation Unit, but has since broadened its remit to cover a wide range of international, national and local animal health matters, including: Epidemiological support for the control and eradication of regulatory animal diseases, including the national eradication programme for bovine tuberculosis, and for emergency animal disease preparedness and response; Work in support of Animal Health Ireland (www.animalhealthireland.ie), which is providing a proactive, coordinated and industry-led approach in Ireland to non-regulatory animal health concerns (such as mastitis, bovine viral diarrhoea, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and Johne’s disease); Epidemiological support for a broad range of other animal health and welfare issues relating to animal health surveillance, on-farm investigations, welfare of farmed livestock and horses, health of companion animals and farmed fish, and international collaboration; and In relation to COVID-19, since March 2020, several members of UCD CVERA have contributed to the work of the IEMAG (Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group) in support of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). IEMAG has provided advice and expertise to inform of national decision-making in the area of epidemiological data and modelling. UCD CVERA staff work closely with national policy-makers, both in government and industry. Staff also contribute to training in veterinary medicine, both to undergraduates and postgraduates. A broad range of expertise is represented within the Centre, including database development and management, geographic information systems, biostatistics, veterinary medicine and epidemiology. The Centre is staffed by employees of University College Dublin and of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). As a result of a second strategic review conducted during 2023, UCD CVERA has clearly defined strategic goals, objectives and expected outcomes, and reports to a Board of Management which is comprised of an independent Chairperson and senior members of DAFM and UCD CVERA. The UCD CVERA Strategic Plan 2024-27 is available at https://www.ucd.ie/cvera/reports/