What makes mandatory digital animal health surveillance systems work? Lessons from global implementation experience

Why do some mandatory digital surveillance systems in animal health succeed while others struggle? This question is important because veterinary authorities worldwide have invested heavily in electronic disease reporting; however, outcomes remain inconsistent. We reviewed published literature from 2005 to 2024 across Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed to identify the factors that drive successful implementation in public veterinary services. Six key domains shape whether these systems work: structure of regulations and governance, readiness for change, available infrastructure, workforce capacity, coordination across agencies, and incentive mechanisms. Having a legal mandate helps but does not guarantee success. What matters more is alignment—when governance frameworks match organizational capabilities and when staff actually find the system useful. One Health coordination is especially challenging; without sustained effort, policy commitments rarely translate into operational reality. For veterinary authorities planning new deployments, it is important to assess organizational readiness beforehand, engage frontline staff, clarify data governance, and build feedback loops. Regulatory status alone tells us little about the effectiveness of surveillance.