The Burden of Animal Disease in Working Equids in Ethiopia

The Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) programme is a multi-partner initiative jointly led by the University of Liverpool (UoL) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The programme aims to ‘measure to improve’ animal health at a local, national, and global level. Brooke, in collaboration with UoL, is proud to now be funding and co-supervising a PhD that will enable research on working equids to be integrated into the programme. This work is starting during 2021.

Where livestock experience disease, poor nutrition, and injury, there is a detrimental impact on their welfare and their ability to contribute to supporting livelihoods, food security and water access. The GBADs programme will determine how animal disease affects the health and wellbeing of people. It will produce accessible information to compare the burden of animal health issues within and between farming systems, species, regions, countries and even socioeconomic status and gender. The programme aims to address a number of the Sustainable Development Goals and bring together researchers, funders, and collaborators worldwide. Brooke’s contribution to the GBADs programme will help raise the profile of working equids as an integral part of the livestock sector and have them recognised in programmes and policy that improve their welfare. The PhD, titled ‘The Burden of Animal Disease in Working Equids – Ethiopia’, will enable GBADs and Brooke to better understand working equid populations, how they contribute to livestock systems and communities, and diseases that affect them and the impact of those diseases on society.

Ultimately, the GBADs programme will contribute to an evidence base for decision making and investment in global animal, human and environmental health. We know first-hand the expanded expertise that collaborations bring. With that in mind, we are particularly excited to work with the GBADs team of global experts in animal health economics, epidemiology, sustainable food systems, infectious disease, and informatics.

As the project progresses new updates will be posted. In the meantime do get in touch with us if you would like more information via: [email protected]