THE ROLE OF MODERN EPIDEMIOLOGIC METHODS IN ANIMAL-DISEASE CONTROL INGERMANY

The application of epidemiological methods has increased over the last few years and has gained recognition as a growing scientific discipli ne at the national and international level. The uses of epidemiologica l methods are discussed with respect to animal disease control. Althou gh there has been some progress in this area, research into epidemiolo gical methods in Germany is unsatisfactory compared to lending countri es. The so-called >>administrative aspects<< of epidemiological studie s has to be gradually reduced in favour of a more pragmatically orient ated research approach. The integrative nature of the epidemiology dis cipline should be a more central activity. An overevaluation of, or co ncentration on, particular scientific aspects has to be replaced by a balanced involvement of all specific disciplines. Future research need s to be focused on the preventive and prospective type of epidemiologi cal study based on reliable data and appropriate analyses. As animal d iseases are complex processes, limited and short-term research studies seldom, if ever, yield useful results. Recent initiatives for the dev elopment of a separate and effective veterinary epidemiological facili ty are bound to fail, if the necessary change in higher education in e pidemiology in Germany does not occur.