ALFS, L1: Veterinary Public Health 1

Given definition, answer w/ term

Veterinary public health

• Definition: The sum of all contributions to the physical, mental, and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinary science”

• Core domains include:

  • Diagnosis, surveillance, epidemiology, prevention, control, & elimination of zoonotic diseases

  • Mgmt of public health emergencies

  • Food protection

  • Biomedical research

  • Health education

  • Mgmt of domestic and wild animal populations

• Core goal: Reduce public exposure to hazards including:

  • Zoonoses

  • Vector-borne infections

  • Food-borne hazards

  • Chemicals & veterinary drugs

Zoonoses, vector-borne hazards, food-borne hazards, and chemical and veterinary drugs

List the 4 hazard categories VPH aims to reduce public exposure to

Rudolf Virchow

• A microbiologist who discovered/coined the term “zoonoses” after studying alveolar echinococcosis

• The father of VPH

Zoonoses

Diseases/infections which are transmitted naturally between vertebrate animals and humans

Food-borne hazards

In the UK, _______ are the most likely source of zoonotic diseases, for example campylobacter and salmonella

One Health

• Definition: Transdisciplinary work at local, national, and global levels to achieve optimal health and well-being between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment

Mission Rabies

One Health Example:

•  Mass vaccination of dogs against disease and education campaigns among affected populations (e.g. India)

Prevention/control of Taenia solium

One Health Example:

• Assist countries to built their capacity to vaccinate pugs & administer anthelmintic treatment for control of taeniasis (humans) and cysticerosis (pigs)

• Assistance in creating sanitation standards

Prevention of cystic echinococcosis

One Health Example:

• Deworming dogs

• Safe disposal of offal during slaughter

• Vaccination of sheep & culling of aged sheep

Farm to Fork

• Definition: the various processes involved in the production of food for human consumption from the agricultural stage to consumption

• Goal: To keep food fresh, wholesome, and free of hazards by:

  • Traceability

  • Risk management at each level of production

  • Prevention of food-borne hazards (chemicals & food contaminants)

• Importance:

  • Modern food chains are extremely complex, and we must be able to accurately manage risks at each stage

  • In case of food-borne pathogen outbreak, must be able to identify origin of outbreak

Traceability, risk management at each level of production, and prevention of food-borne hazards

List the 3 goals of “Farm to Fork”

Role of veterinarians in public health

• Maintain ag animal health (in Farm to Fork)

  • On the farm caring for animals

  • Inspecting abattoirs