World Zoonoses Day - 6th July

World Zoonoses Day is on the 6th of July, and this year it is more relevant than ever. 2022 has already seen increases in the detection of two zoonotic diseases – Japanese encephalitis virus and Leptospirosis – in Australia. This has highlighted the vital role of veterinarians in protecting not just animals, but also the wider community.

As part of the One Health model, veterinarians play key roles in disease surveillance, biosecurity, food security, epidemiology, public health, and more. This runs the full gamut from general practice small animal vets diagnosing zoonotic diseases in companion animals to nationwide, coordinated efforts at managing outbreaks in large-scale production animal industries. 

Veterinarians are imperative in the detection and rapid management of zoonotic disease outbreaks, and the AVA seeks to support these efforts by promoting the implementation of Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Surveillance and Preparedness programs. This may look like the provision of extra training and remuneration in passive disease surveillance so that disease threats, including zoonoses, can be readily identified and managed. With national and international borders opening up again, systems that prioritise rapid and efficient responses to disease outbreaks are essential.

Today, on World Zoonoses Day, we honour the veterinarians who have worked hard to keep us safe. After all, when it comes to zoonotic diseases, vets aren’t just protecting animals – we are protecting humans, too.