[Vaccination of animals and human health].

Abstract

Prophylactic immunization of animals against obligat and nonobligat pathogenic zoonoses benefit human health in many ways both directly and indirectly. Typical examples of a direct protective effect are the vaccinations of dogs, cats and foxes against rabies as well as the vaccinations against respiratory diseases in cows, horses, dogs and cats to which the most varied species of pathogens of noncompulsory zoonoses contribute. A considerable contribution to the protection of human health is made by the vaccination against salmonellosis and leptospirosis, against vesicular stomatitis, American equine encephalitis and against other zoonoses spread by arthropods, against ecthyma and stomatitis papulosa as well as against brucellosis, anthrax, Q-fever, Newcastle disease and foot-and-mouth disease. The indirect effects of prophylactic vaccination of animals on human health are very complex and still need investigation. An example of this are the vaccinations of animals against human and animal influenza A viruses which can inhibit hybridisation and recombination between human and animal influenza viruses in an ecological system. Occasionally prophylactic vaccinations of animals can do harm to human health. This is invariably a rare incidence in immuno-suppressed persons caused by live vaccines i.e. prophylactic vaccination against Newcastle disease in fowl or against orthopox in animals by the use of the common vaccinia strains, after compulsory vaccination for humans had been cancelled. Prophylactic vaccinations of animals must be constantly followed up and their action on human health must be checked. In the case of positive results prophylactic vaccinations must be carried out selectively and in a wide range.