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Cow being examined by vet

Department of Livestock and One Health

We seek to understand the health and welfare of animals and their people, in populations and communities, the distribution and spread of diseases, and the determinants of these factors.

The Department of Livestock and One Health aims to understand, the epidemiology of health and disease in populations and communities, the selection and spread of antimicrobial resistance, the determinants of pathogen distributions in space and time, and how, in our rapidly changing world, these may change in the future.

We work across the spectrum on interactions between animals and humans, from farm animals and zoonotic diseases to behavioural interactions. Human and animal welfare is our key priority. We are responsible for Livestock, epidemiology and veterinary public health teaching including our two large working farms. 

We also offer first opinion and referral clinical care via our Farm animal practice.

Staff in the Department of Livestock and One Health

Our challenges

  • One Health

    Using a One Health approach we consider the overlap of, and interaction between, human health, animal health and the environment. Researchers in our department have a particular focus on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the human- animal bond, food sustainability and the effects of climate change on animal diseases.

  • Animal welfare

    Our research covers equine, companion and production animal welfare using epidemiological, observational, experimental and sociological research techniques to better understand health and disease.

  • Ruminant Health and Welfare

    We undertake fundamental and applied research to improve the health and well-being of food producing animals. Our research includes collaborations with industry and international partners which has led to the development of commercially available technologies and pushed the boundaries of science.

  • Implementing change on farms

    We believe in real-world change and recognise the importance of understanding impediments to change. Our livestock research has farmers and their animals at the core, and we understand that bringing about optimal changes is an evolving science.

  • Animals in Society

    We live in a world where interplay with animals is a daily occurrence. Our scientific investigations explore the interplay between people and animals, and the impacts on health, disease, and wellbeing. We undertake this research both nationally and internationally, particularly in East Africa.

  • Livestock lameness

    Lameness is a leading cause of endemic disease in livestock compromising farm animal welfare and threatening global food security. We undertake pioneering research into various aspects of lameness such as the digital dermatitis of sheep and cattle and we work closely with industry to develop innovative technologies.

  • Parasites and tick-borne diseases in a changing world

    We use One Health approaches to study parasite and tick population dynamics and their impacts on animal and human disease risk. We also study the interplay between farmer practices, animal immune responses, and the changing climate on parasitic disease using multi-disciplinary approaches.

  • Public Health

    We strive to protect the public from zoonotic diseases by working closely with food-producing industries to improve methodologies and develop innovative technologies to reduce the risk of exposure of humans to potential pathogens. We also work closely with food industry stakeholders internationally to improve disease detection and reduce transmission.

Research groups

Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs)

HORN Project

Liverpool Livestock Lameness Group

Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals group (LUCINDA)

People and Animals and Their Health in Society (PATHS)

Ruminant Research Group

Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases

Facilities

  • Leahurst Farm Animal Practice provides a comprehensive service for farmers and small animal holders and enables undergraduate students to develop their skills in delivering primary veterinary care across a range of large animal species.

  • We have a range of laboratory facilities including our microbiology laboratories and entomology laboratory, which provides a secure, modern facility for rearing of insect vectors and infection with Category 2 and Category 3 pathogens.

  • Our farm animal post-mortem service at Leahurst is an APHA Partner Post Mortem Examination (PME) Provider. All post mortems are carried out by vets experienced in farm animal pathology and disease investigation and contribute to UK-wide surveillance information.

  • We have a long term collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute at its principal campuses in both Nairobi, Kenya and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with University of Liverpool staff based there full time, undertaking joint applied research in several areas of One Health. The relationship with ILRI involves the co-hosting of postdocs, PhD and Masters students.

Departmental Leadership Team

Professor Robert Smith

Professor Rob Smith

Head of Department

Carri Westgarth

Professor Carri Westgarth

Professor in Human-Animal Interaction

Michael McCluskey placeholder image

Sally Miller

Administrator for the Department of Livestock and One Health