One Health Committee holds meeting
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association's (WSAVA) One Health Committee has held a meeting at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Washington DC.
At the meeting, members discussed how comparative and translational research into spontaneously arising small companion animal diseases can lead to advances in human health.
As it was the last meeting in the committee’s initial three year programme, members discussed projects they hope to pursue in its second phase - set to commence in 2013. The meeting was hosted by Dr Chand Khanna, director of the comparative oncology program at the Centre for Cancer Research in the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
The committee also discussed the need to increase the number of veterinary students applying for the one-year NIH Medical Research Scholars Programme, which is open to dental, medical and veterinary students.
Dr Khanna briefed members on developments in the understanding of osteosarcoma metastasis, brought about by comparative human and canine studies, and Dr Elaine Ostrander, head of the comparative genetics section of the NCI, discussed her research into the genetic basis of body size and chondrodysplasia in the dog, as well as recent studies of breed-associated digital squamous cell carcinoma.
Professor Michael Day, professor of veterinary pathology in the School of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Bristol, and committee chair, commented: “The [One Health Committee] has come a long way in three years, and through our meetings, presentations and publications has made the global one health community appreciate the significant role of small companion animals in this rapidly moving field.
"We could not do our work without the support of a consortium of industry sponsors who supply funding via the WSAVA Foundation. I’d like to express our gratitude to them as we plan for our next three years.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
