Emerging infectious disease prevention: Veterinary action required

Abstract

Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks have increased significantly over the past century, largely due to human actions, leading to distress, death and severe socio-economic implications. Coordinated actions by multiple sectors and disciplines are required to address these drivers. The challenge for the veterinary profession is to identify and prioritise the actions to which it can and should contribute. This review explores: the extent to which veterinary oaths promote attention to ecological sustainability; challenges faced during One Health implementation across diverse settings and possible solutions; and opportunities for veterinarians to assist with pandemic prevention by working to stop viral spillover at source. It aims to stimulate a discussion within the veterinary profession regarding how our current approaches: prevent or promote emerging infectious diseases and re-emerging infectious diseases; provide opportunities to improve our preventive contributions going forward; and can yield significant cobenefits.