WSAVA calls for development of disease monitoring system
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA) One Health Committee has called for a co-ordinated global infectious disease monitoring system to be established for vets who work in small companion animal practice worldwide.
The call comes after a new study, which has been published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, lists the key zoonotic diseases of cats and dogs. The study was led by Michael Day, professor of veterinary pathology in the School of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Bristol, and chair of the WSAVA's One Health Committee.
The study recommends that the knowledge gained through surveillance would permit more effective global control of small companion animal zoonoses and reduce the risks associated with the human-animal relationship.
Professor Day said: "It is well recognised that most of the major new diseases of mankind will have an animal origin and that dogs and cats are a potential source of such emerging diseases.
"The number of small companion animals is particularly significant. For example there are an estimated eight to 10 million dogs living in up to 31 per cent of UK homes and in the USA, 72 million dogs in 37 per cent of homes. The benefits of pet ownership on human health, wellbeing and development are unquestionable but, as they have moved from the barn, to the house, to the bedroom, the potential for disease spread to humans increases. Control of diseases among dogs and cats is a good way to prevent spread to humans.”
He added that in human, livestock and wildlife heath, there are already programmes of active surveillance for infectious disease underway to monitor the global distribution and movement of key infectious agents.
"The development of such a scheme would require the significant political will, scientific application and financial support that could be achieved through a public-private partnership,” continued Day. “The aim of our position paper in Emerging Infectious Diseases is to initiate stakeholder discussions with that end goal in mind."
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
