A Network of Veterinary Public Health and Zoonotic Diseases in Asia
In the forthcoming decades, there is an
urgent need to expand the links between human and animal health. At least
one-half of the 1700 agents known to infect humans have an animal or insect
vector reservoir, and many emerging infections either are, or appear to be
zoonoses.
Veterinary science contributes to human
health by promoting the health of animals, which provide necessary income,
food, transport, draught power and the raw materials for clothing throughout
the world. By promoting animal health, the quality and quantity of animal
products is enhanced. This is especially important in developing countries,
where foods of animal origin help to improve the nutritional status of
malnourished people by providing high-quality protein and micronutrients. In
all countries, improved animal health and quality assurance of foods from
animals contributes to food security at local and national levels.
The core domain of VPH includes:
diagnosis, surveillance, epidemiology, control, prevention and elimination of
zoonoses; food protection; laboratory animal facilities and diagnostic
laboratories, biomedical research, health education and extension and
production and control of biological products and medical devices.
The public health content of
professional veterinary curricula, does not adequately prepare graduates in
many aspects of VPH. This is true in developed countries, but the problem is
even more acute in developing countries. There is therefore an immediate need
for an increased awareness of VPH issues that should be organised
systematically, recognising the local and regional needs and skills of
veterinarians.
The Veterinary Public Health-Zoonotic
and Food Borne Diseases Network in Asia, is intended to be a tool to
interchange and spread information in the region.