VETERINARIAN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS
Dr. Manish Kumar Verma1* and Dr. R. P. Diwakar2
1Ph. D Scholar, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology &Toxicology
- B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, (UK)
2Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology
Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya, (UP)
Introduction
Pneumonia Clusters with unknown etiology were detected in Wuhan city, China in December 2019, and shortly after, a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified as the causative agent. The virus spread rapidly to other parts of worlds. Despite tremendous efforts to contain the disease, the World Health Organization declared the spread as a global pandemic, referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 cases and those numbers continue to increase.1) zoonotic transmission from animal to human, 2) potential threats to animals, 3) intra- and inter-species transmission between animals, 4) possible reverse-zoonotic transmission from human to animal, and 5) animal models for vaccine and antiviral drug production. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 binding to a particular cellular receptor. Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 is the human receptor for SARS-CoV-2 (ACE2). RaTG13, a bat coronavirus (bat-CoV), was isolated from bats in Yunnan, China, and its entire genomic sequence is 96 percent similar to SARS-CoV-2. Another pangolin coronavirus (pangolin-CoV) was recently isolated from Malayan pangolins, and its entire genomic sequence is 91.02 percent and 90.55 percent similar to that of SARS-CoV-2 and bat-CoV-RaTG13, respectively.Veterinarians are considered to be both essential workers, can work during a shutdown and critical infrastructure. They have the responsibility of both human well-being and animal. Being a veterinarian, they have the duty of providing education and suggestion to pet owners about general medical care and routine vaccines of animals.
Veterinarian as a public health worker
Veterinary medical professionals have always played an integral role in public health. Whether it is through veterinary medical research, advocating for parasite prevention or reporting cases of possible zoonosis, the veterinary profession has been an invaluable asset in the protection of animal and human health. Whether clients implicitly or explicitly understand our role in protecting pet and human health, they rely on us for sage advice and sound medical guidance especially in the midst of a pandemic.Aside from collective science, the animal health industry, especially Veterinary Services, contributes to a coordinated response to the pandemic in a variety of ways. Veterinarians in several countries have expressed their willingness to assist human health agencies in their efforts.Veterinary laboratories have used their knowledge and expertise in infectious disease high throughput research capability to participate in tasks such as surveillance screening by testing individual samples, thus assisting human health systems in their diagnostic capacity. Some veterinary hospitals have been donating life-saving devices including personal safety equipment and ventilators.When human services were in short supply, veterinary experts volunteered in clinics and labs. In India and certain other nations, veterinary doctors and researchers have been aiding public health authorities in monitoring the disease in humans and assisting in the implementation of successful public health strategies.
In addition to the disaster response initiative, it should not be overlooked that Veterinary Services operations lead on a regular basis to meeting essential needs that are severely hampered in the current situation: food protection and welfare, as well as livelihoods, are inextricably related to sound animal production systems. It is important that Veterinary Services continue to carry out their various operations, which help to ensure a consistent supply of nutritious food for populations and to ensure their longevity. The economic, animal health and food security implications of COVID-19 are as critical as ever.
COVID-19 pandemic and OIE
The OIE is completely empowered to assist Veterinary Services around the world in tackling the crisis, as part of its commitment to set animal health and safety requirements, to educate, and to develop capacity. It has set up a response system to assist them in all areas of their operation. The OIE works closely with its tripartite allies, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Several OIE advisory committees are developing professional recommendations on research goals, communicating the findings of current animal research, and shaping scientific views on COVID-19’s implications for animal welfare and veterinary public health. The OIE has already developed high-level guidelines for veterinary labs collaborating with public health services to facilitate human sample research, and is currently working on guidance on whether extraordinary animal testing is warranted. Looking ahead, the OIE is collaborating with its working Group Member Countries, and international collaborators to create an innovative work programme aimed at reducing and managing the possibility of spillover incidents between wildlife, livestock, and humans.For certain pet owners, it’s a natural syllogism because if their doctor is knowledgeable about the most current problems (e.g., COVID-19 infection in dogs), so their veterinarian is likely to be knowledgeable about other aspects of their pet’s health. The faith and trust they instill in you through this crisis will have an effect on your future relationship with them. If you’re training clients about the value of parasite avoidance or holding a sensitive discussion about medical risks, the credibility that underpins such interactions is based in part on your reputation with them during times of crisis.
Veterinarian’s role in global food security during the COVID-19 pandemic
The veterinary profession has the ability to transform global food security or remain dormant in the face of worsening global food security issues as a result of COVID-19’s economic fallout. Threats to global food security exist in the form of climate change, population growth, rising food prices, and environmental stressors. Veterinarians’ leadership and foresight are required now more than ever to ensure global food security. The COVID-19 pandemic poses a danger to domestic and global animal and plant-based food supply.COVID-19 outbreaks in certain manufacturing plants have put a burden on essential food supply, stocks, and processing functions. Owing to a lack of jobs and a decline in restaurant demand, farmers have been forced to kill crops and animal products. Food protection and security are compromised as essential infrastructure fails. The result could be insufficient animal protein to meet needs and demands.
One health: less talk and more action
The One Health concept emphasizes the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health and facilitates cross-sector cooperation. Veterinarians are always at the forefront of One Health programmes, hoping to win a seat at the table in collaborative initiatives. Despite their best intentions and attempts to emphasize the importance of cross-sector cooperation, veterinarians’ voices are often ignored. ‘Veterinarians play an important role in One Wellbeing because animals both affect and are affected by humans and the environment,’ according to the AVMA. Public health leaders, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), have been unable to incorporate animal and environmental health into human disease prevention strategies. Recent efforts to incorporate One Health into the Global Health Security Agenda are a step forward and provide opportunities for veterinarians to contribute their knowledge.
Leadership and rebranding the veterinary profession
Veterinary leaders have been active in building a well-respected companion animal medicine industry that promotes the essential human-animal relationship. Many people have been reminded of the social and physical advantages of having a pet as a result of their loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaders of the field should embrace the possibilities provided by the COVID-19 pandemic to broaden and diversify veterinary medicine’s societal benefits. The COVID-19 pandemic is a monumental challenge as well as an undeniable catalyst for leadership development. Faced with the current COVID-19 pandemic and the real possibility of possible pandemics, the veterinary profession must maintain a strong emphasis on service animal clinical training while still focusing on food animal medicine, public health, and science. Sound leadership and successful cross-sector coordination are needed to prevent and solve today’s pressing challenges. Current veterinary curricula represent shifts in companion animal health care demands that have arisen over decades. Clinical services for companion animals are still relevant and in high demand during COVID-19.
Veterinarian expertise in COVID-19 crises
To help deal with the current Corona health crisis, veterinarian organizations and companies are making their equipment and facilities available to health authorities.
In the end, a virus is a virus, regardless of whether it is a human or animal bug. As a result, animal-related knowledge will quickly be transferred to assist in the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. And that is just what our sector is doing. In hard hit Spain, animal health company Hipra is making part of its biotechnology facilities and equipment available to the health authorities. The veterinary pharmaceutical company is giving over its new laboratories to hospitals for the analysis of virus samples and offered her 3D printers for the manufacture the much needed ventilator equipment.
Royal GD – tests for covid-19 In the Netherlands animal health service Royal GD is on standby to enlarge the test capacity for covid-19. ‘’Virus testing is our day to day work and we have the most modern facilities to work in,” GD states. The health service continues: “We have a lot of experience with research into viruses. Normally, GD researches viruses in animals. But the principle of the research method is the same. For the covid-19 study, the test must be validated in humans. And we have done that recently. So now we are definitely ready.” To study the covid-19 virus, the patient’s saliva is examined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) device. This method allows the genetic material of the virus to be detected.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic is a chance for US veterinary medicine to shine. To increase its social importance, the profession must promote innovation and leadership. Through concentrating on food conservation, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and avoiding potential pandemics, veterinarians will assert themselves as key players in translating One Health hypothesis into collaborative action.To maximize its benefit to society, the profession must sustain its efforts to attract a diverse skilled workforce. If veterinary leadership does not grasp this opportunity to demonstrate the profession’s worth, an entire generation of skilled and service-oriented professionals will abandoned it.
