THE IMPACT OF VETERINARIANS IN COMBATING ZOONOTIC DISEASES
Ankit kumar
INTERNEE STUDENT VCRI NAMAKKAL,TANUVAS
Email – ankitaiims357@gmail.com Mob.no:8292265530
Abstract
Zoonotic diseases (also known as zoonoses) are caused by germs that spread between animals and people. Animals provide many benefits to people. Many people interact with animals in their daily lives, both at home and away from home. Animals provide food, fiber, livelihoods, travel, sport, companionship, and education for people across the globe. We might come into contact with animals in either urban or rural settings, during travel, while visiting animal exhibits, or while enjoying outdoor activities. However, animals can sometimes carry harmful germs that can spread to people and cause illness – these are known as zoonotic diseases or zoonoses.
Keywords: Zoonosis, Veterinarian ,One Health ,Disease surveillance.
Introduction
Zoonotic diseases are caused by harmful germs like viruses, bacterial, parasites, and fungi. These germs can cause many different types of illnesses in people and animals, ranging from mild to serious illness and even death. Animals can sometimes appear healthy even when they are carrying germs that can make people sick, depending on the zoonotic disease. Zoonotic diseases are very common, both in the United States and around the world. Scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals, and 3 out of every 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals. Because of this, CDC works 24/7 to protect people from zoonotic diseases in the United States and around the world. Veterinarians look after the health of animals and seek to protect the public health. They diagnose, treat, and research about pet, livestock, and other medical problems. “By vaccinating companion animals against zoonotic disease like rabies, ensuring animal-based food is safe for human consumption, and educating the public on biosafety and biosecurity principles, veterinarians actively limit the spread of zoonotic disease. Veterinarians have a responsibility to protect environmental health and demand action to minimize climate change in their capacity as animal health and welfare advocates.” Hence, Veterinarians are the key players in fight against zoonotic disease.
ROLE OF VETERINARIANS IN COMBATING ZOONOTIC DISEASES
Zoonotic Disease Surveillance:
The ongoing systematic and timely collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of information about the occurrence, distribution, and determinants of diseases.One of the primary roles of veterinarians in combating zoonotic diseases is surveillance. They work in collaboration with epidemiologists and public health officials to monitor animal populations for signs of disease outbreaks. Early detection is crucial for preventing zoonotic diseases from spreading to humans. For example, veterinarians played a critical role in the surveillance and control of the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, which had the potential to become a global pandemic.
Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Education:
It is imperative to foster awareness and educate the public about zoonotic diseases’ risk factors and potential reservoirs. This approach facilitates a comprehensive comprehension of pathogen diversity, reservoir specificity, and the development of preventive and control strategies for such conditions.veterinarians have to educate the public and other professionals about zoonotic diseases and how to prevent them. They promote responsible pet ownership, safe food handling practices, and the importance of vaccination. Through educational campaigns and community outreach, veterinarians raise awareness about zoonotic risks, empowering individuals to take necessary precautions.
The Contribution of Veterinary Research:
In addition to prevention and surveillance, veterinarians engage in research to better understand zoonotic diseases. Veterinary research can help us to better understand these diseases, how they are transmitted, and how to prevent and treat them. They study the transmission pathways, reservoir hosts, and the evolution of these diseases. Research conducted by veterinarians has contributed to the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatment strategies. Their work is essential for staying ahead of emerging zoonotic threats.
Policy Development and Advocacy:
Veterinarians also play a pivotal role in shaping policies related to zoonotic diseases. They provide valuable input to government agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental bodies to create guidelines and regulations that help manage and control zoonotic disease outbreaks. The “One Health” approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, has gained prominence with the input of veterinarians advocating for a holistic approach to zoonotic disease management.
ROLE OFPHYSICIANS & VETERINARIANS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ZOONOSES
Since zoonoses can infect both animals and humans, the medical and veterinary communities should work closely together in clinical, public health, and research settings. In the clinical setting, input from both professions would improve assessments of the riskbenefit ratios of pet ownership, particularly for pet owners who are immune-compromised. In public health, human and animal disease surveillance systems are important in tracking and controlling zoonoses. The bond between humans and animals has been recognized for many years, and pet ownership has been associated with both emotional and health benefits. However, pet ownership may also pose health risks through the zoonotic transmission of infectious diseases, especially, compromised individuals. Since human medicine often does not delve deeply into the role of animals in the transmission of zoonotic disease agents and veterinary medicine does not cover the clinical aspects of human disease, zoonotic disease control requires involvement of both physicians and veterinarians. It is especially important that both veterinarians and physicians are involved in the control of zoonotic disease because the latter do not usually consider the role of animals in the transmission of disease and the former do not receive extensive training on clinical aspects of human disease. The links between the two professionals on broader scale to foster a broader consensus about zoonotic disease risks and prevention should be encouraged. Veterinarian are knowledgeable of potential risks of zoonotic diseases and how to minimize them, placing them in an ideal position to provide pet owners with reliable information about preventing and to recommend appropriately-timed preventive medication for pets to reduce risks. However, success in the preventing and controlling of major zoonoses depend on the capability to mobilize resources in different sectors and on coordination and intersectoral approaches, especially, between national (or international) veterinary and public health services. So closer collaboration between veterinarians, physicians and public health professionals is needed and veterinary and medical communities should work closely together in clinical, public health and research setting. There is a need to work with state officials during zoonotic outbreaks as well as with local public health officials. Finally, among the most important targets to meet is building robust and well-governed public health, and animal health system complaint with the WHO and OIE international standards. Such strategy should provide integrated and specialized training at national and regional level to sectoral recognized for their importance and weakness. Additional targets consist of emphasizing the importance of cross- sectoral collaboration and coordination, together with motivating trainees to abandon traditional behaviours and better inform decision makers in order to obtain the necessary political, legal and financial support. Veterinarians and physicians need to work with state officials during zoonotic outbreaks as well as local public officials.
CONCLUSION
Veterinarians are at the forefront of the battle against zoonotic diseases, leveraging their expertise in surveillance, prevention, education, research, and policy development. Their efforts are essential in safeguarding public health and ensuring that zoonotic diseases do not result in widespread outbreaks. By recognizing the invaluable contributions of veterinarians in this field, we can better appreciate the collaborative efforts required to mitigate the risks posed by zoonotic diseases.Animal reservoirs are recognised as the primary risk factors that contribute to outbreaks. It is important to be prepared in order to avoid future developing zoonoses. The most successful method may be to preserve natural boundaries between reservoir animals and human culture, while incorporating the One Health ethos into these efforts.Veterinarian must take the lead in research and activities that largely include prevention and monitoring, which are necessary for preserving public health, particularly in the case of new and reemerging zoonoses. In nutshell, Veterinarians are selfless, scientific people who take care not only for dumb creatures but for the society as a whole.
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