The focus in veterinary medicine is now shifting to infection prevention practices to cope with the burgeoning challenge of zoonotic diseases.
Andrea Thomas, DVM, PhD, MSc, BSc, from BlueDot Global, and her colleague Mariana Torres Portillo, MD, highlight the importance of this focus, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which emphasized the need for robust prevention strategies against diseases that can transmit both among humans and animals alike. The rising infections not just among humans but also in pets and wildlife, exacerbated by diseases such as COVID-19 and mpox, has drawn wide attention to zoonotic diseases, those that jump from animals to humans.
Often tasked with management of everything from surgeries to routine checkups, veterinarians have a significant role in infection prevention, which warrants a need for more specialization in veterinary infection prevention. The ongoing pandemic has exhibited the importance of combating the spread of viruses and pathogens between animals and humans, thereby underscoring the need for professionals dedicated to addressing this conundrum and establishing necessary preventive guidelines, particularly in the face of emerging infectious diseases.
Zoonotic diseases presently account for an estimated 75% of emerging infections, with recently conducted research in China disclosing numerous animal viruses that pose the potential to become future public health threats. Tactics to address this looming menace involve professionals dedicated to proactive monitoring such threats and establishing guidelines to maintain biosecurity for both animals and humans.
As Torres Portillo emphasizes, fundamental measures in this regard include actions such as improving air quality, enhancing hand hygiene, and advocating for an integrated approach known as One Health, which amalgamates human, animal and environmental health perspectives. Added focus is required on protecting veterinary professionals who often come in direct contact with animals and their bodily fluids, thereby increasing their risk of exposure.
A viable solution lies in augmenting collaboration between human and veterinary infection prevention teams. Lessons learned from human health can then be leveraged to plug gaps in veterinary protocols and advance strategies. Albeit the shortage of critical resources, Thomas and Torres Portillo observe significant scope for greater collaboration amidst human and animal health teams in the interest of holistic health and well-being for all.