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New emerging zoonoses: a challenge and an opportunity for the veterinary profession
1Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Abstract:
The concept of emerging infectious diseases appeared in the late 1980s, when major outbreaks occurred around the globe and surprised many scientists who considered infectious diseases to be maladies of the past or limited to the under-developed world. Several reports identified erosion of the public health infrastructure among the factors contributing to new and re-emerging infectious diseases. As indicated by Morse, "Disease emergence often follows ecological changes caused by human activities such as agriculture or agricultural change, migration, urbanization, deforestation, or dam building". "Among these new diseases, surprisingly, most emergent viruses and many emergent bacteria are zoonotic". Several new zoonoses have been recently identified. Many of these diseases were either unknown, because we were not able to isolate the infectious agent or to distinguish them from other clinical syndromes, or discovered accidentally. Much of the recent identification of new pathogens has been based on new molecular biology tools or epidemiological studies. For all these diseases or infections, veterinarians played a key role in their identification, isolation of the causative organisms and understanding of the epidemiology of the infection. The role of the veterinary profession is very important in public health and on the rise again in the U.S.A., as it should be in many other countries. Surveillance, clinical curiosity and awareness, epidemiology and laboratory training are the essential tools and competency that the veterinary profession must use to meet the challenge of new emerging zoonoses.
Insights
Emerging infectious diseases, particularly zoonoses, pose a global threat due to ecological changes. Veterinarians are crucial for identifying and controlling these novel public health challenges.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Zoonoses Research
Background:
- Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) gained prominence in the late 1980s, challenging the notion that infectious diseases were historical or confined to developing nations.
- Erosion of public health infrastructure and ecological changes driven by human activities (e.g., urbanization, deforestation) are key factors in disease emergence.
- Many new and re-emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, originating in animals and capable of transmitting to humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical role of the veterinary profession in identifying and understanding emerging zoonotic diseases.
- To emphasize the importance of veterinary expertise in public health initiatives.
- To underscore the need for enhanced veterinary training in surveillance, epidemiology, and laboratory diagnostics for emerging zoonoses.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature and reports on emerging infectious diseases and zoonoses.
- Analysis of the factors contributing to disease emergence, including ecological and societal changes.
- Examination of the historical and current role of veterinarians in disease identification and control.
Main Results:
- Veterinarians have been instrumental in the identification, isolation, and epidemiological understanding of numerous new zoonotic pathogens.
- New molecular biology tools and epidemiological studies have accelerated the discovery of novel pathogens.
- The veterinary profession's role in public health is increasingly recognized as vital, particularly in addressing emerging zoonoses.
Conclusions:
- Veterinarians are essential frontline defenders against emerging zoonotic diseases, requiring specialized skills in surveillance, clinical awareness, epidemiology, and laboratory diagnostics.
- Strengthening the veterinary profession's capacity is crucial for effective public health strategies against zoonotic threats.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration, with veterinarians at the forefront, is necessary to meet the challenge of novel zoonotic infections globally.