Biosurveillance

The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) uses horizon scanning as an early-detection tool for zoonotic diseases of interest. Horizon Scanning is a method used in future studies or information sourcing for foresight to identify emerging trends, technologies or threats at an early stage.  

This helps to anticipate potential public and animal health threats from emerging zoonotic sources. The aim is to maintain disease situational awareness, research developments and policy updates around the world. This helps to anticipate any impact relating to animals or public health and trade.  

This process helps to: 

• Identify the risk of disease incursion into Singapore 

• Track changes in disease epidemiology  

• Detect any emerging outbreaks that can compromise national biosecurity 

Various biosurveillance and animal health programmes have been put in place to prevent, detect, and manage animals (hosts) and vectors that can potentially carry zoonotic diseases.

For example, the Ops Vax Lyssa programme is an annual rabies vaccination exercise conducted by AVS targeted at dogs residing at the border areas (e.g. coastal fish farms and Pulau Ubin). The purpose is to create an “immune belt” at these areas to reduce the likelihood of disease incursion from endemic regions.

AVS also conducts regular animal health monitoring surveys (e.g. birds, wild mammals, food animals) for early detection of pathogens and rapid response to infectious disease threats in local animal populations. 

The One Health agencies conduct comprehensive evaluations of cross-sectoral disease threats and develop joint risk assessments. Information (i.e. data and horizon scanning reports) and emergency protocols are shared, and cross-sectoral drills and exercises are conducted to enhance biorisk detections, emergency preparedness, and coordinated disease response across the agencies. 

Investing in research, technology, and advanced diagnostics helps to improve detection and response capabilities. The Biosurveillance Research Programme, launched in 2025, seeks to foster transdisciplinary research collaboration through a One Health framework by studying zoonotic diseases at the animal-human-environment interface.

The Biosurveillance Research Programme focuses on two thematic areas: genomic and genetics, and epidemiology and ecology, to enhance our understanding of the disease interactions at the animal-human-environment interface. 

These comprehensive plans are developed by doing risk assessment which considers disease transmission pathways, economic impact potential, and public health implications. 

Resource allocation frameworks ensure that personnel, equipment, and financial resources can be rapidly mobilised during emergencies. Coordination mechanisms establish clear lines of communication and responsibility between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and international partners, ensuring seamless collaboration during crisis situations. 

Singapore's contingency plan includes quarantine measures and movement controls, to restrict animal and product movements within and across borders. There are also emergency culling operations supported by trained response teams, specialised equipment, and disposal sites that meet biosafety and environmental standards.  

Singapore also maintains strategic stockpiles veterinary medicines, including antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines, for priority diseases and personal protective equipment for response personnel and farm workers. 

AVS also conducts regular tabletop exercises that simulate various disease outbreak scenarios, communication protocols, and resource allocation strategies in controlled environments. This involves practical deployment of response teams, equipment testing, and coordination between multiple agencies and industry partners. After the exercise, there is  

For example, AVS and SFA successfully concluded a ground deployment exercise (GDX) on 8 November 2024. The exercise was carried out to test AVS and SFA’s operational readiness in responding to an outbreak of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) at local poultry farms. 

Codenamed “Exercise Gallus X”, the exercise involved AVS and SFA, along with logistics partner, ST Logistics Pte Ltd, in managing a simulated outbreak of HPAI at a local poultry farm. Such exercises to respond to disease scenarios are conducted routinely, with the latest table-top exercise jointly conducted by both agencies in March 2024. 

These exercises systematically evaluate the effectiveness of contingency plans, identify gaps in preparedness, and provide training opportunities for response personnel. Post-exercise evaluations also allow participants to review and examine the coordination and communication between agencies and stakeholders, to on Singapore’s ability to effectively manage a HPAI outbreak.