veterinary public health · 2016-03-03 · veterinary public health health: “a state of complete...

Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) The ‘saviour’ of Veterinary Public Health

(La Asociación de Veterinarios de Salud Pública)

Milorad Radakovic

VPHA President

Teaching Fellow in VPH, Cambridge

Today

• Who we are…

• What we do….

• How we do it and why?

But before let’s see

WHAT IS VPH?

(A los expertos de medicina veterinaria que fueron heridos o

fallecieron en el curso del ejercicio de su profesion)

Why did you want to be a vet? (¿Por qué quisiste ser veterinario?)

Option 1: Help animals (Ayudar a los animales)

Option 2: Help people (Ayudar a las personas)

Option 3: Help animals (domestic & wild) and people (Ayudar a los animales (domésticos y salvajes) y a las personas)

Different disease classifications (Diferentes clasificaciones de las enfermendades)

• Species specific or not ( food producing animals, companion animals, wild, domestic etc…..

• Viral, bacterial, toxins, fungi, chemicals, heavy metals food borne, occupational, environmental/recreational, vermin, vector borne, emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, endemic, metabolic …. Notifiable? Etc..

• Diseases from A-Z

Zoonotic or not?

Definitions many, some general, some not

if they don’t suit not liked

Disease; A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury

Zoonosis/es; Any disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans and vice-versa is classified as a zoonosis

from zoo- 'of animals' + Greek nosos 'disease'.

Diversity of diseases and complex strategies to tackle these

Description Causes/examples/names

No symptoms in animals

E. Coli 0157, Campylobacter

Direct & indirect contact with animals E. Coli 0157 (also milk, meat, environment)

Relatively mild in humans unless

gets complicated

Campylobacter, Listeria ( older and immunocompromised vulnerable)

Complex life cycles (cats, rats, farm

animals, environment)

Toxoplasma gondii

Fatal

Viral - Rabies

Animal

health

Animal

welfare

Public

health

QUALITY / SAFETY / TRADITION ?

Another commonly used terminology! Often linked somehow with?

Some other aspects of VPH! (Otros aspectos de la SPV!)

Judgments on animals or people e.g. slaughter, kill, process animals….. Professional approach/cultural differences

Perceptions; safe, risky, abnormal, good quality, unfit…….

VPH opinions, decisions and actions

May have minor or HUGE impact on animal(s), people and environment

To be aware of:

•Limitations e.g. ante /post mortem inspections – subjective

•Uncertainties e.g. because of no evidence or available evidence is uncertain

Complex (or simple) zoonotic relationship

Humans

Animals Environment

Bacteria

Viruses

Parasites

Toxins

Prions

????

Veterinary Public Health Encompasses knowledge & understanding

• Legislation e.g. Acts, Regulations, Orders..

• Food/feed, technology/hygiene/safety, policy development, negotiations, inspection ( ante and post mortem) /auditing, enforcement, animal welfare…… diseases, examination etc…,

• Also, in the context of law to balance: science, economy, religion, tradition, sociology, politics… COMMUNICATION – NEED COMPETENT PEOPLE

Competent ?

Theory & Practice

Veterinary jobs: diagnosis, treatment, surgery, inspecting, researching, teaching, policy etc.

Communication, important e.g. on hazards, safety, risks….

Politics

Economy

Religion

Science Tradition

Sociological

Environment

YOU – Play a crucial role in VPH!!!!

Why?

Veterinary Public Health Strategies

• Prevent introduction

• Live with disease(s), but keep level at the “acceptable” level

• Eradicate/eliminate

Priorities may be different in developing and developed world: One world one health.

UK Vet Schools

UK Vets

World & UK: VPH players

Veterinary Public Health

Health: “A state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing – not just freedom from disease”.

Veterinary Public Health (VPH):

“ the sum of all contributions to the physical, mental and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinary science".

“La suma de todas las contribucciones humanas, físicas, mentales y de bienestar social a través del entendimiento y aplicación de la medicina veterinaria”

W.H.O. (O.M.S)

UK leading body representing, supporting and championing the whole UK veterinary profession.

•Almost 15,000 members

•Territorial divisions e.g. Scotland, Wales ……

• Specialist divisions (21)

British Veterinary Association (La Asociación Británica de Veterinarios)

20

Moving on….. About VPHA !

Specialist division of BVA

• Formed in 1960

• Association of Veterinary Food Hygienists

• New name in 1963

Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA)

Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA)

VPHA Veterinary Public Health is an important part of public health activities. It is devoted to the application of professional veterinary skills, knowledge and resources to help to protect and improve human health Our MISSION is to contribute to the complete physical, mental and social well-being of humans of all ages and races

THE SAME AS WHO

Members

• Over 250, in reality representing more

• Different profiles: practitioners, Official Veterinarians, Government Officials ( policy & enforcement) academics, non-vets ( EHOs/Meat Hygiene Inspectors, Slaughterhouse operators, scientists etc..

WORKING TOGETHER

Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA)

VPHA Council meets 4 times a year plus a number of email exchanges

Promoting and representing members involved in Veterinary Public Health and animal welfare (all vets) separately or through BVA ( direct link with politicians)

Examples/Issues– horse meat scandal, review of official controls and charging, importance of Food Chain Information, non- stun slaughter etc..

Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) activities

Influencing Government & EU policy and participating in FVE

Examples/Issues ( as in a previous slide) – horse meat scandal, review of official controls and charging, importance of Food Chain Information, animal welfare e.g. non- stun slaughter, use of CCTV in abattoirs, consultations on UK or EU proposals e.g. official controls and ante mortem inspection etc..

Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) activities

HOW WE DO IT?

We believe we are competent/ knowledgeable!

COMMON SENSE POSITIONS

WITH LOGICAL EXPLANATIONS

Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) activities

Twice a year/ different locations

Excellent speakers & programme

Well recognised social event

Incomparable value for money

Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) seminars/conferences

• Spain (1999)

• Ireland (2000)

• Poland (2002)

• Croatia (2003)

• Macedonia (2007)

• Ukraine (2008)

• Serbia (2010)

• Croatia (2013)

• Hungary (2015)

Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) Study tours

• Great experience

• Opportunity to establish links

• Good value for money

Veterinary Public Health Association simple approach

• Important!

– All vets one way or another contribute to VPH nationally &internationally, individually & jointly

• Interesting, challenging and diverse!

– One Health (Animals & Humans & Environment) From farm to fork…, risks…

• Creates many opportunities!

– In the developing and developed world

• Gives professional and personal satisfaction!

– By contributing to the enrichment of animal and human lives and socialising with each other

Veterinarians

Muchas gracias