Abstract : In animal pathology, epidemiological surveillance has, over the last two decades, gradually become a top priority in developed countries, due to progress made in fighting major animal diseases. The management of effective epidemiological surveillance networks for high-risk animal diseases in developed countries is based on general rules governing epidemiological surveillance networks, but involves certain specificities. This article first of all sets out the requirements for the optimal functioning of epidemiological surveillance networks. It then describes and analyses the qualities expected of high-risk animal disease surveillance networks: detection sensitivity and specificity, simplicity and adaptability, and good cost efficiency. Finally, it illustrates these general concepts via four examples of animal disease epidemiological surveillance in developed countries: foot and mouth disease in Europe, West Nile virus in the United States of America and France, and bluetongue in France.