A project co-funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) helped establish Sri Lanka's Wildlife Health Center to monitor animal health. The findings also prompted the central government to extend the role of veterinarians to areas such as antibiotic resistance and farm practices.

  In Sri Lanka, mobile phones are no longer just a way to keep in touch or check the Internet. Field veterinarians with limited resources are now using mobile phone technology to monitor and track outbreaks of animal infectious diseases. Health care PCB knowing that the system can quickly respond to emerging infections and ultimately save lives. Outbreaks of diseases in animals account for 60-75% of all emerging infectious diseases. Therefore, controlling animal diseases is an important method to reduce human exposure. However, many low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) lack the resources to manage this important aspect of public health.

  In veterinary public health matters, mobile technology is only one component of testing its ability to improve Sri Lanka's veterinary public health system. Veterinary public health systems are very important for monitoring outbreaks in animals, but resources are often lacking in low-income and middle-income countries. In order to help strengthen Sri Lanka's veterinary public health system, researchers have also studied the following new methods: involving local people in disease detection and prevention, training public health leaders, managing veterinary public health, and connecting local and national actors.

  The project's research helped establish Sri Lanka's Wildlife Health Center to monitor animal health. The findings also prompted the central government to extend the role of veterinarians to areas such as antibiotic resistance and farm practices. Both results will have a positive impact on disease surveillance and improvement of human health.