Confronting Zoonoses, Linking Human and Veterinary Medicine

Kahn, Laura H.

doi:10.3201/eid1204.050956

Cited by 169 publications

(170 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Pet population estimates (1,117,192 dogs; 518,613 cats) were derived from a study conducted previously in Santiago (4) and corresponded to a rate of ≈1 sentinel centers per 27,000 pets. Sentinel centers were asked to participate on a voluntary basis and were grouped similarly to the human health services, following geographic criteria.…”

Section: The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Surveillance of animal infections started later and focused on livestock production. More recently, in response to emerging zoonoses such as avian influenza and West Nile virus infection, novel surveillance systems for wild animals have been implemented (1). Although pet-borne infections have become increasingly relevant to human health, systematic notification of these infections is not currently conducted, except for rabies.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Surveillance System for Infectious Diseases of Pets, Santiago, Chile

López¹,

Abarca²,

Cerda³

et al. 2009

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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Pet diseases may pose risks to human health but are rarely included in surveillance systems. A pilot surveillance system of pet infectious diseases in Santiago, Chile, found that 4 canine and 3 feline diseases accounted for 90.1% and 98.4% of notifications, respectively. Data also suggested association between poverty and pet diseases.C ommunicable diseases challenge health systems and require coordinated efforts for their control. Surveillance systems for human communicable diseases have been implemented since the 19th century. Surveillance of animal infections started later and focused on livestock production. More recently, in response to emerging zoonoses such as avian influenza and West Nile virus infection, novel surveillance systems for wild animals have been implemented (1). Although pet-borne infections have become increasingly relevant to human health, systematic notification of these infections is not currently conducted, except for rabies.Pets (domesticated dogs and cats that live in close proximity to humans) may pose several risks to their owners' health and create occupational hazards for professionals such as veterinarians. They can also serve as sentinels for several diseases by alerting persons to the presence of infectious agents in a community (2). These features emphasize the need for surveillance systems of pet infectious diseases, especially those that can be transmitted to humans (3).In Chile, as in other countries, pet infectious diseases, except for rabies, have not been included in any surveillance system; for this reason, information about their epidemiology is scarce. Thus, a pilot surveillance system for infectious disease of pet dogs and cats was implemented for a 2-year period in Santiago, Chile. The StudyDuring October 2004-September 2006, the sentinel surveillance system was implemented in 61 veterinary clinics (30 during the first year and another 31 during the second year) located in 34 districts of Santiago (population 5.4 million). Pet population estimates (1,117,192 dogs; 518,613 cats) were derived from a study conducted previously in Santiago (4) and corresponded to a rate of ≈1 sentinel centers per 27,000 pets. Sentinel centers were asked to participate on a voluntary basis and were grouped similarly to the human health services, following geographic criteria.Of the 12 notifiable infectious diseases in the surveillance system, 5 were nonzoonotic (distemper, canine infectious tracheobronchitis, feline respiratory complex disease, feline leukemia, and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis), and 7 were zoonotic (giardiasis, brucellosis, leptospirosis, rabies, ehrlichiosis, scabies, and tinea infection). Definitions were established for suspected and confirmed cases of each disease. Laboratory confirmation was required for diagnosis of giardiasis, brucellosis, leptospirosis, and rabies. Personnel from each sentinel center recorded their data on a website. They were trained in operative definitions and procedures, which included submitting a weekly report of the total number of cases ...

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Section: The Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Surveillance System for Infectious Diseases of Pets, Santiago, Chile

López¹,

Abarca²,

Cerda³

et al. 2009

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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“…[46][47][48][49] Fully addressing the health implications of zoonotic diseases for individuals with HIV/AIDS requires the involvement of a team of professionals, including the collaboration of physicians and veterinarians. Given that 61% of human pathogens and 75% of emerging pathogens are zoonotic, there is a demonstrated need for veterinary involvement in human diseases.…”

Section: Veterinarians and Human Health Professionalsworking Togethermentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV/AIDS Education: Still an Important Issue for Veterinarians

Davis

2008

Public Health Rep

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a significant cause of immunosuppression that puts infected individuals at higher risk for developing severe complications from zoonotic infections and other animal-related hazards. The number of people living with HIV grows each year, assuring that veterinary practitioners will have clients and/or employees who are afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Veterinarians need to better understand HIV/AIDS for many reasons: to dispel unfounded beliefs; to address discrimination and liability issues; to educate and protect the health of clients and employees; to help those with HIV/AIDS keep their pets; and to meet legal and professional requirements. To do this, veterinarians must become proactive in learning about HIV/AIDS and in reaching out to pet owners living with HIV/AIDS, as well as the physicians of those individuals. Through discussion on historical and contemporary issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, this article examines why veterinarians need to better understand HIV/AIDS, advocates for more time in the veterinary curriculum on the topic of HIV/AIDS, and provides resources for veterinarians and their clients.

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“…These efforts would increase our understanding of how zoonoses expand their host range and would, ultimately, improve prevention and control strategies. 21 Public health, health-care, and veterinary communities have an enormous challenge in the early recognition, reporting, treatment, and prevention of zoonotic diseases. As such, a transformed system of disease surveillance that is predicated on seamless integration of a diverse set of capabilities is required.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoonoses Likely to Be Used in Bioterrorism

Ryan

2008

Public Health Rep

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Bioterrorism is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other agents used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. Only modest microbiologic skills are needed to produce and effectively use biologic weapons. And biological warfare has afflicted campaigns throughout military history, at times playing an important role in determining their outcomes. There is a long list of potential pathogens for use by terrorists, but only a few are easy to prepare and disperse. Of the infectious diseases, the vast majority are zoonoses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's highest-priority bioterrorism agents are in Category A. The only disease that does not affect animals in Category A is smallpox, which was eliminated by a worldwide vaccination program in the late 1970s. Because these diseases can infect animals and humans, the medical and veterinary communities should work closely together in clinical, public health, and research settings.

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Confronting Zoonoses, Linking Human and Veterinary Medicine

Abstract: Greater collaboration is needed between human and veterinary medicine to better control zoonoses.

Cited by 169 publications

References 25 publications

Surveillance System for Infectious Diseases of Pets, Santiago, Chile

Surveillance System for Infectious Diseases of Pets, Santiago, Chile

HIV/AIDS Education: Still an Important Issue for Veterinarians

Zoonoses Likely to Be Used in Bioterrorism

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