Early detection, timely reporting, and rapid response are critical components of effective animal disease surveillance and control. Mobile technologies make these processes faster, more cost-effective, and more reliable — ensuring that vital information reaches the right people at the right time.

FAO's Event Mobile Application (EMA-i+) is a smartphone application that enables veterinary field officers to report georeferenced animal health events in real time. Reports are securely stored in a national EMPRES-i+ platform, where they can be viewed and analyzed through a dashboard accessible only to national veterinary services. Countries also have the flexibility to download EMA-i+ data and integrate it into their own information, analysis, or intelligence systems.

The latest version of EMA-i+, launched in 2024, expands the timeliness, accuracy, and geographic coverage of animal disease reporting. By allowing field officers to submit geo-referenced reports directly from the field, the application gives veterinary authorities immediate access to critical data — helping countries respond more quickly and effectively to emerging animal health threats.

How EMA-i+ works

EMA-i+ implementation: a three-phase approach

The adoption of EMA-i+ follows a stepwise process designed to ensure relevance, sustainability, and country ownership. The three phases are:

1. Pre-deployment: laying the groundwork

• Assess the country’s needs and confirm how EMA-i+ fits into existing systems.
• Government submits a formal request to FAO.
• Focal points are identified.
• An implementation and sustainability plan is developed.
• Basic customizations are made.
• Trainers are prepared, and the tool is piloted in selected regions.

2. Deployment: scaling up

• Official launch of EMA-i+.
• National trainers guide new users, with support from FAO.
• Users are added to the official national EMA-i+ workspace.

3. Post-deployment: ensuring long-term success

• Continuous monitoring and evaluation of EMA-i+ implementation.
• FAO provides IT troubleshoot support, system updates and technical assistance continuously.
• Sustainability measures, such as refresher courses, are put in place.

Brochure

Learn more about the features of EMA-i+ and how it helps enhance animal disease reporting and improve surveillance management.

Frequently asked questions

Want to know more about EMA-i+? Whether you are a policymaker, veterinary professional, or partner organization, this FAQ will guide you through the benefits and practicalities of adopting EMA-i+ in your country.