TVC 421: Veterinarian in Society (1+0)

The role of veterinarian

ROLE OF VETERINARIAN

• Veterinarians contribute to strengthen the surveillance of and response to all communicable diseases which are or may emerge as public health threats.
• In collaboration with the public health authorities they participate in the surveillance and containment in humans and animals of zoonoses and food borne zoonotic diseases of public health importance, and animal diseases with known or potential public health implications; and in the surveillance and containment of resistance to antimicrobial agents in animals, with implications for human health.
• The role of animal feed in the production of safe food is recognized worldwide, and several events have underlined its impacts on public health, feed and food trade, and food security. Concerns prompted by the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and other more common food problems associated with Salmonella, entero haemorrhagic Escherichia coli and other contaminants, have encouraged veterinary professionals and the feed industry to scrutinize more closely the causes of these diseases and methods for their control.
• Animal disease in the major segments of the meat industry- beef, pork, dairy and poultry- are augmented with responsibilities of companion animals and recreation or public display animals. All animal groups including wildlife are reservoirs for the 65% of human diseases that are zoonotic - transmissible from animals to man. This has positioned veterinarians as first line responders for many human health issues, and the activities of veterinarians have become critical for ensuring a safe global food supply. In addition, veterinarians coordinate education and provide outreach to human physicians about zoonoses at the interfaces of wild, domestic and human populations.
• The “One Health One Medicine” concept has become an accepted vision for professionals working in the public health field. “One health is a holistic systems approach to understanding health across all species. It’s a recognition that human and animal health are inextricably linked and one health is about how to improve and defend the health and well-being of all species with the co-operation of physicians and veterinarians” But the One Health concept is NOT just about zoonoses. It must also take into account issues such as sustainable development, global trade, travel, climate warming and geo-political instability. A team approach is required to make the One Health concept work.
• Veterinarians provide this information to their clients, which of course, benefits more than just their pets. They help develop evidence of these health benefits and present them to our local medical health officers. They make them aware that they have a greater role in public health than just rabies control.
• Veterinarians take the responsibility to educate their clients. Dog bite prevention tool kits available with veterinarians are a useful tool to educate school children. Contact with other professions in a public health context is an important first step. They work on strengthening communication and future collaboration with the medical community. Their education and experience gives them the unique tool to play an important role in public health and to go beyond puppies, kittens and bull evaluations.