Highlighting the vital role of veterinarians in promoting One Health
One Health is an approach that recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected and interdependent. It emphasizes the need for collaboration between various disciplines like veterinary medicine, human medicine, and environmental science, to address global health challenges. According to WHO, around 60% of all infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, meaning they originate from animals. In the face of emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19, combined with climate change, the One Health approach has become increasingly important. Therefore, monitoring and controlling zoonotic diseases is crucial to preventing devastating impacts on both human and animal health.
The One Health approach has also highlighted the vital role played by veterinarians in safeguarding public health and promoting animal health and welfare. This is because vets are uniquely positioned as the only doctors who can recognize and address zoonotic diseases that can impact both animals and humans. Especially in India, where agriculture and animal husbandry are major contributors to the economy, veterinarians are essential in safeguarding public health by promoting animal health and welfare.
Veterinarian professionals possess a diverse skill set that goes beyond conventional pet care, encompassing a wide spectrum of responsibilities such as environmental conservation, research, food safety, public health, and emergency response. Here’s how:
- Disease Surveillance and Control: Some of India’s most common zoonotic diseases include rabies, brucellosis, leptospirosis, and avian influenza. Veterinarians contribute tremendously to preventing the spread of these diseases. They work with public health officials to monitor zoonotic diseases, conduct diagnostic tests, and implement control measures such as vaccination programs, thereby protecting public health.
- Food Safety and Security:Veterinarians work in food production facilities, farms, and processing plants to monitor and enforce food safety regulations, conduct inspections, and ensure that animals are healthy and disease-free. They also oversee the inspection of animal products, such as meat, milk, and eggs, to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.
- Environmental Health: Veterinary expertise encompasses toxicology, epidemiology, as well as ecology. These disciplines are essential in diagnosing, treating, and preventing environmental diseases that can affect both humans and animals. Along with this, veterinary professionals also promote sustainable and environmentally conscious animal agriculture and husbandry practices.
- Research and Innovation:By researching on various animal diseases, and developing new diagnostic tools, therapies, and preventive measures, veterinarians also play a critical role in advancing the field of veterinary medicine and contributing to scientific knowledge that benefits both animals and humans. Studying animal diseases enables veterinarians to gain insights into human diseases and contribute to the development of medical interventions.
- Disaster Management: Veterinarians are involved in responding to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and cyclones, and providing emergency care to animals affected by these disasters. They work with local authorities and animal welfare organizations to provide veterinary care, shelter, and food to animals in need, and to reunite lost animals with their owners.
The interdisciplinary approach of One Health is essential in tackling global health challenges and ensuring a healthier future for both humans and animals. And the role of veterinarians in promoting One Health cannot be overstated. Their expertise is critical to achieving a more integrated and holistic approach to health and disease prevention. By collaborating with healthcare practitioners, environmental scientists, and public health officials, veterinarians can contribute to improved health outcomes for all.
Dr Vinod Gopal, Director – Country Head Animal Health at Boehringer Ingelheim.
