ZOONOSES

The Impact of Veterinarians in Combating Zoonotic Diseases

Team Pashudhan Praharee

November 26, 2023

459

The Impact of Veterinarians in Combating Zoonotic Diseases

Deepika Jamadar¹, Donthu Sai Pranathi², Ashrita B², Naveena Antony³

¹Assistant professor, Veterinary College, Bidar

²Senior Research Officer, Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd.

³Assistant professor, Veterinary College, Bidar

Abstract

Zoonoses in general are defined as infectious diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans under natural conditions. Worldwide, there is increased concern about the threat of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and their impact on human populations. Collaboration among medical, public health, veterinarians, environmental scientists, ecologists, and other experts is crucial for identifying and managing zoonotic disease hazards locally, nationally, and globally. Both government and private veterinarians are majorly contributing to national zoonoses surveillance.

Key words : Zoonotic Diseases, Veterinarians, surveillance, one-health, emerging infectious diseases

In general, zoonotic pathogens can survive and multiply without the presence of man. These diseases can range from non-clinical illnesses to minor illnesses, to those that may cause significant morbidity or mortality. Zoonoses continue to represent an important health hazard in most parts of the world, where they cause considerable expenditure and losses for the health and agricultural sectors. Zoonoses account for 60–70% of new infectious diseases among human beings worldwide, and the majority originate from wildlife (Shanko et al., 2015). Due to the fact that many emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are zoonotic (Mackenzie et al., 2013), these diseases provide an important threat to the safety and security of global health (Salyer SJ et al., 2017). In addition to the immediate issues of these diseases pose to the health of humans and animals, they also constitute an imminent risk to the health of animals.

Role of veterinarians?

Overall, endemic zoonoses exhibit higher prevalence rates, necessitating evidence-based initiatives aimed at minimizing risks for both humans and animals, while also focusing on the timely detection and treatment of active diseases.

Factors which influence human-animal-environment interfaces:

Human mobility: This facilitates the rapid spread of zoonotic diseases through the movement of animals, products, disease vectors, and transportation of passengers (Stärk et al., 2015).
Shifting climate patterns: Resulting dynamics lead to alterations in biodiversity, populations of vectors and reservoirs, along with their associated pathogens, potentially heightening the risks of disease introduction, transmission, and occurrence.
The increasing number of individuals who own or oversee domestic and semi-domestic species impacts both food security and the transmission of zoonotic diseases.
Deforestation driven by agriculture, industry, water storage, and urbanization emerge as an immediate consequence of the expanding human population, causing shifts in the relationships between human and animal interactions (Aguirre et al., 2017).

CDC: Centres for disease control and prevention, National Centre for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease.

Strategies for Addressing Zoonotic Diseases

Veterinarians, possessing varied training in animal health and epidemiology, are well-prepared to address heightened zoonotic risks, collaborating with other professionals in the fields of public health, environmental studies, and ecology.
The ‘One Health’ approach to zoonotic diseases is essential for enhancing health outcomes for humans, animals, and the natural environment (Rüegg et al., 2018, Travis et al., 2014). National zoonoses surveillance relies on government and private veterinarians.
Veterinarians can contribute to preventing zoonotic diseases by highlighting disease reservoirs, promoting a global approach, and prioritizing individual patient well-being.
Veterinarians must possess the competence to identify common, uncommon, and emerging zoonotic diseases, along with a comprehension of the ethical and legal responsibilities inherent in their profession.
Veterinarians should take an active responsibility in aiding in the design and development of government policy and actions related to the prevention of zoonotic diseases.
In the case of notifiable zoonotic diseases, Emergency Animal Diseases (EADs), or newly emerging diseases, veterinarians are obligated to report to their state’s Chief Veterinary Officer or government veterinary services.
Veterinary researchers actively investigate zoonotic disease epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments, contributing to more effective disease control and management.
Studies suggest that veterinarians highly value their role in preventing zoonotic diseases and are enthusiastic about collaborating with public health authorities and other healthcare professionals (Lipton et al., 2008).
Veterinarians should educate their clients about zoonotic diseases, advise high-risk animal owners and staff to seek medical advice, and collaborate with healthcare professionals to minimize cross-species transmission.
Private practicing veterinarians have a significant advantage in identifying zoonotic infections due to their regular interactions with diverse animal species, encompassing domestic pets, wildlife, and farm animals.
When an outbreak of zoonotic disease is a notifiable disease or has an impact on human health, notify local health department units. Establish planned pathways to make this easy.
Enhancing control of zoonotic diseases within a One Health framework requires veterinary professionals with adequate education and practical expertise to collaborate and consult with medical experts when needed (Speare et al., 2015).
Veterinarians should prepare themselves and their staff for situations involving person-to-person transmission of a zoonosis by training on the proper utilization and accessibility of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Conclusion

This paper aims to educate people about the One Health strategy for combating zoonotic diseases and emphasizes the role of veterinarians. It emphasizes the need for responsibility sharing in food security, disease monitoring, and early detection methods. Zoonotic disease control initiatives require “responsibility sharing” yet some governments fail to comprehend this, zoonoses continue to affect public health and economies in many countries for this reason.

REFERENCES

Aguirre, A.A., 2017. Changing patterns of emerging zoonotic diseases in wildlife, domestic animals, and humans linked to biodiversity loss and globalization. ILAR journal, 58(3), pp.315-318.
Lipton, B.A., Hopkins, S.G., Koehler, J.E. and DiGiacomo, R.F., 2008. A survey of veterinarian involvement in zoonotic disease prevention practices. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 233(8), pp.1242-1249.
Mackenzie, J.S., Jeggo, M., Daszak, P. and Richt, J.A. eds., 2013. One Health: The human-animal-environment interfaces in emerging infectious diseases(Vol. 366). Berlin: Springer.
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Salyer, S.J., Silver, R., Simone, K. and Behravesh, C.B., 2017. Prioritizing zoonoses for global health capacity building—themes from One Health zoonotic disease workshops in 7 countries, 2014–2016. Emerging infectious diseases, 23(Suppl 1), p.S55.
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Stärk, K.D.C. and Morgan, D., 2015. Emerging zoonoses: tackling the challenges. Epidemiology & Infection, 143(10).
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