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.
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
