Challenge of Zoonoses and a Veterinarian Role
Rishi Kant1 and R.P. Diwakar2
1Assistant Professor Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, C.V.Sc.& A.H., A.N.D.U.T. Kumarganj Ayodhya, U.P.,
2Assistant Professor Department of Veterinary Microbiology, C.V.Sc.& A.H., A.N.D.U.T. Kumarganj Ayodhya, U.P.
Abstract: Humans have many kinds of relationships with domesticated animals. To maintain relationships interactions are needed. Interactions with animals may be beneficial for humans but may also be risky. When interactions with animals affect people, it may be expected that this will be similar for pets and farm animals and may be harmful in terms of zoonoses or beneficial like food, meat, wool and many other types of products. There are various kind of pathogens causing zoonotic diseases and responsible for threat to human life. Veterinarians as they are directly involved in minimizing animals suffering they are more prone to pick a zoonotic infection like Brucellosis, scabies etc. A veterinarian should be involved in developing mitigation strategies, awareness program for zoonotic diseases
Keywords: Zoonoses, human–animal interactions, veterinarian.
Introduction:A wide range of pathogenic organisms are responsible for causing various zoonotic diseases in human being and animals. Some time These diseases may be asymptomatic or in mild clinical form. The diseases these pathogens can cause may manifest as specific syndromes or disease with non-specific signs but they are important from epidemiological point of view.
Worldwide, there is increased concern about the threat of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and their impact on human populations. Many EIDs are zoonoses. As well as the immediate risks to animal and human health, these diseases present a significant threat to global health security.Locally, endemic zoonoses are frequently encountered by veterinarians, necessitating evidence-based strategies to both mitigate risk to animal and human populations as well as recognition and management of active disease.
Factors affecting Zoonoses: The increased incidence and emergence of zoonotic diseases are influenced by a number of factors which impact on the interface(s) between humans, animals and the environment:
Pressure from human population growth precipitating deforestation for agriculture, industry, water storage and urbanisation causing changes in the human/animal and animal/animal interface. These changes have resulted in greater interaction between production animals, wildlife, and feral animals, and an increasing risk of spill-over events. This increased interaction between new species give pathogens to cross the species barriers.
Changing climate dynamics resulting in changes in biodiversity, vector and reservoir populations and their concomitant pathogens with the potential to increase the risk of disease introduction, transmission and occurrence.
Greater global mobility of humans enabling zoonotic diseases to spread rapidly via transport of animals and animal products, disease vectors and by human passenger movements.
Societal norms have expanded leading to closer physical interactions between animals and humans. Current trends towards greater numbers of persons owning or managing a range of domestic and semi-domestic species increases the potential risk for zoonotic disease transmission and adverse impacts on food security.
It is essential to adopt a ‘One Health’ approach to zoonotic diseases to optimise health outcomes for humans, animals and the environment. A multi-disciplinary collaboration between medical and public health practitioners, veterinarians, environmental scientists, ecologists and other professionals locally, nationally and globally is essential for the recognition and control of zoonotic disease risks. Advisory and legislative bodies therefore need to be cognisant of the need for collaboration and cooperation between veterinary, human and environmental health agencies and professionals.
Veterinarians with their diverse training, including practical experience in animal health and knowledge of epidemiology and environmental drivers of disease, are ideally placed to respond to increased zoonotic risk in cooperation with other One Health professionals in the public health, environmental and ecological fields.
Veterinarians should be actively involved in addressing zoonotic disease management in the planning and development of government policy and interventions. Veterinarians can assist in prevention of zoonotic diseases by emphasising disease reservoirs and advocating for a global approach, as well as focusing on individual patient well-being. Both government and private veterinarians play a key front-line role in national surveillance of zoonoses.
Government veterinarians play a vital role nationally in the management of notifiable zoonotic diseases and exotic or emerging infectious disease incursions. In the case of diseases with significant human health impacts they work cooperatively and collaboratively with public health authorities to manage disease occurrence and implement risk management strategies in animal populations.
Veterinary researchers are actively involved in advancing knowledge of the epidemiology and environmental drivers of zoonotic diseases, identification of risk factors and development of diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatments, all of which contribute to improved control and management of zoonoses.
Veterinarians in private practice are uniquely positioned to detect zoonotic diseases in animals due to their daily contact with a broad range of animal species (companion animals, production animals and wildlife). Veterinarians should have knowledge of common and locally endemic zoonoses and their clinical impact on both animals and humans, actively educating all clients in strategies to minimise the risk of infection. They have responsibility to advise animal owners and staff members at risk of exposure to a zoonotic disease seek medical advice, and if required, liaise with human health practitioners upon diagnosis or suspicion of a zoonotic disease in animal(s) under their care to minimise the risk of cross-species spread.
Veterinarians require capacity and capability to recognise both common, unusual and emerging zoonotic diseases and be cognizant of their legal and ethical responsibilities. In cases of notifiable zoonotic diseases, Emergency Animal diseases (EADs) or if a newly emerging disease is suspected or diagnosed, veterinarians must bring the disease to the notice of the Chief Veterinary Officer in their district by reporting to Government veterinary services. Where a zoonotic disease is a notifiable disease in humans or has a significant impact on human health, contact with local Public Health units is indicated. Pathways to easily facilitate this should be formally established.
Government, educational and practitioner bodies continually need to raise awareness and provide continuing education to all veterinary practitioners on zoonotic diseases and emerging disease threats.
Suggestions
In the light of increasing zoonotic EID threats, establishment of a national Communicable Diseases body should be a government priority, with veterinarians being an integral part of an infectious disease, public health and environmental health team.
All veterinarians should be aware of relevant responsibilities and appropriate procedures with respect to zoonotic diseases.
Formal pathways for veterinarians to contact Public Health units directly in the case of risk of human infection from significant zoonotic diseases should be established. Veterinarians should be employed as part of current communicable diseases health teams.
All veterinarians working in clinical practice have a responsibility to advise clients and staff of risks and preventative measures when potential or real risk of zoonotic disease exist. They should advise clients and other in-contact people to seek appropriate medical services for health advice and management.
All veterinary clinics should have biosecurity protocols in place including appropriate PPE to ensure safety of their staff in the case of potential exposures to zoonotic diseases.
Veterinarians should be actively involved in consulting with government planning/advisory bodies that are involved in areas which may impact on zoonoses (eg climate change and environmental management, refinement of infrastructure to minimise spread of waterborne zoonoses) or when there is a clear community risk of zoonotic disease (eg major events with animal involvement)
Management of zoonotic diseases within a One Health context necessitates changes to enable appropriately qualified veterinarians to collaborate and consult alongside medical practitioners where necessary to optimise outcomes in the case of zoonotic diseases.
Where person to person transmission of a zoonosis is known to occur veterinarians should be prepared by training themselves and their staff on the use of PPE and having PPE available.
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9597303/
