The prevalence of zoonoses points to the need for veterinarians and their human counterparts to connect and work together today in ways most haven’t historically.” – Audrey Ruple, DVM.
The progressive nature of the coronavirus pandemic has underscored the need for medical professionals from all disciplines to interact, share knowledge and activate their collective responsibilities to both human and animal health.
Rhonda Brooks reminds us of the eight zoonotic diseases of greatest concern to the U.S., according to the CDC, USDA and U.S. Department of the Interior report from 2019.
- Zoonotic influenza (Zoonotic influenza A viruses)
- Salmonellosis (Salmonella species)
- West Nile virus (Flaviviridae, Flavivirus)
- Plague (Yersinia pestis)
- Emerging coronaviruses (Coronaviridae; i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS-CoV] and Middle East respiratory syndrome [MERS-CoV])
- Rabies (Rhabdoviridae, Lyssavirus)
- Brucellosis (Brucella species)
- Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July/August 2020. Link. Veterinarians who diagnose an animal with a zoonotic disease, whether in the clinic or on the farm, can help educate the client.
Educating clients on practical, easily implemented steps to protect themselves is an important professional task.” – Danelle Bickett-Weddle, DVM
COMMENTARY: In the last four decades, I can think of only two examples where an MD asked me about exposure to animals. While the doctors likely have an animal at home, it is not in their frame of reference to inquire about cleaning out a raccoon latrine under the deck, ridding a garden shed of rats and mice, or rescuing a pup from the goose pond in the city park. Not even mosquitoes or ticks have been brought up.
As part of the health communication community, I believe animal health pros must proactively engage both human and medical doctors about how we live and interact with animals. We cannot leave it to MDs and DVMs alone.
NOTE: An idea for key account reps: Many DVMs are part of community service organizations. They routinely take their turn make a presentation to their groups. Consider offering to do a program for them and ask to include key clinic staff as guests. Topic examples include compliance to rabies and core vaccinations or reducing exposure to leptospirosis, Lyme or mosquitoes.