Annual Report 2008.pdf - Vets Beyond Borders

vets bey nd borders
Epidemiology
Human health and animal health are closely intertwined. This is particularly true in developing countries,
where animals are relied upon for transport, textiles and clothing, and as a food protein source. The goal
of veterinary public health is to promote and improve human health through animal-related interventions.
These are often targeted towards zoonotic diseases: infections passed from animals to humans.
Epidemiology is the study of diseases in a group of people or animals - why and how a disease
spreads. Epidemiology plays an important role in veterinary public health programmes, allowing a more
accurate assessment of the significance and impact of infectious diseases, their risk factors and
potential control interventions.
The work of VBB in canine rabies control programmes in street dogs in India demonstrates the
importance of veterinary public health measures. Street dogs are de-wormed and vaccinated against
rabies, reducing the number of infected dogs in the street dog population and, therefore, reducing the
risk of infection to humans.
There is a lack of information about the prevalence of zoonotic diseases in many countries. In response
to this, VBB is participating as a key partner in an epidemiology research project being undertaken by
VBB member, Dr Rebecca Traub, of the School of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Queensland.
Rebecca and a postgraduate research student visited VBB in Sikkim and Ladakh in India in June 2008
as part of an epidemiology project funded by Bayer Healthcare Animal Health. They collected samples
(blood, faeces and skin scrapings) from street dogs for analysis. This three year study aims to provide
more information regarding gastrointestinal and vector-borne zoonotic diseases in India, in order to
better tailor disease control interventions.
Vets Beyond Borders is also acting as an Australian Partner Organisation of the Australian Youth
Ambassadors for Development programme. Dr Anna Dean, a Board Member of Vets Beyond Borders,
has begun a one-year assignment with the World Health Organisation of the United Nations in Hanoi,
Vietnam. Anna is funded by AusAID, the Australian government's overseas aid agency. Anna’s work
involves investigation into the epidemiology of zoonotic disease in Vietnam, including the promotion of
collaboration between human and animal health sectors in combating zoonotic diseases. Vets Beyond
Borders will act as a mentor to Anna during this assignment.
VBB is committed to improving both animal and human health. We plan to further incorporate such
principles into our work in developing countries. The existence of accurate information allows a better
assessment of the health status of communities and populations, facilitating a targeted and informed
approach to disease prevention and control.
Dr Anna Dean
_____
3