Because many infectious diseases are emerging in animals in low-income and middle-income countries, surveillance of animal health in these areas may be needed for forecasting disease risks to humans. We present an overview of a mobile phone–based frontline surveillance system developed and implemented in Sri Lanka. Field veterinarians reported animal health information by using mobile phones. Submissions increased steadily over 9 months, with ≈4,000 interactions between field veterinarians and reports on the animal population received by the system. Development of human resources and increased communication between local stakeholders (groups and persons whose actions are affected by emerging infectious diseases and animal health) were instrumental for successful implementation. The primary lesson learned was that mobile phone–based surveillance of animal populations is acceptable and feasible in lower-resource settings. However, any system implementation plan must consider the time needed to garner support for novel surveillance methods among users and stakeholders.

Sri Lanka is a tropical nation within a zoogeographic zone that is at high risk for infectious disease emergence. In 2010, a study was conducted on the feasibility of enhancing capacity in Sri Lanka to manage wildlife diseases through the establishment of a national wildlife health centre. The Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre was assessed as a potential model for adaptation in Sri Lanka. Interviews and group meetings were conducted with potential key participants from the Sri Lankan Departments of Wildlife Conservation and Animal Production and Health, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of Peradeniya. In addition, site visits were made to potentially participating facilities and the literature on best practices in building scientific capacity was consulted. With strategic enhancements in education and training, additional personnel, improvements in transportation and diagnostic facilities, and central coordination, Sri Lanka appears very well positioned to establish a sustainable wildlife health centre and programme.

Legal preparedness is critical for emerging infectious disease (EID) management. The authors develop a framework for assessing Sri Lanka's animal health legislation in order to support EID preparedness. The most comprehensive set of policies addresses highly pathogenic avian influenza. Key deficiencies included (a) the lack of a legislative framework for veterinary public health that could support the necessary institutional structure and responsibilities, (b) the lack of requirements to report a broad set of zoonotic diseases, (c) the lack of authority for animal health agencies to control zoonotic food-borne diseases, and (d) the lack of authority to impose and enforce animal health standards. Such policy deficiencies partially reflect the government's focus on livestock production for national self-reliance, rural development and nutrition enhancement rather than for international trade. The steps now being taken to remedy these problems concentrate on creating an enhanced capacity for the early detection of disease. This study highlights the need to develop evidence-based criteria for EID policy.