VPHj Issue 3/ 2014
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
VetPubHealth Journal ISSUE 3/page 1
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
Editorial by Theofanis Liatis | outgoing Chairman of SCOH
Effective One Health Initiatives, a need in underdeveloped countries like Nepal by Uday Singh Karki | IVSA Nepal member
Leptospirosis in Cattle by Fontas Konstantinos, Ginargiros Eleytherios, Protogerakis Giannis | IVSA Thessaloniki members
The One Health Commission by Dr Cheryl Stroud | Executive Director, One Health Commission
The Global One Health Challenge by Dr Deepashree Balaram | Campaigns Directors, Global Alliance for Rabies Control & Theofanis Liatis | Former Chairman of SCOH and IVSA ExCo VPHD
Talking about “One Health” and the role of veterinarians as a health profession by Dr Despoina Iatridou | Veterinary Policy Officer, FVE
A declining population of a unique insect poses a Global Food Security Concern by Katarzyna Szymańska | IVSA UK & Ireland member and Treasurer of the University College Dublin One Health Society
Table of Contents
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VetPubHealth Journal ISSUE 3
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
Editorial... Dear readers, I am glad to present you (even delayed) the last Issue of the VetPubHealth Journal of IVSA Standing Committee on One Health for the academic year 2013/2014. The first board of SCOH decided to establish this journal with major goal to make a place for vet students to write, read and learn for public health, one health and interdisciplinary collaboration. In this issue, you will find a lot of new articles and in general new content, with a lot of invited authors like Dr Cheryl Stroud (The One Health Commission, USA), Dr Deepashree Balaram (GARC) and Dr Despoina Iatridou (FVE). In this issue, you will learn about One Health activities ie. Global One Health Challenge, International Who’s Who in One Health Free Online Webinar and other activities of IVSA and One Health organizations. We hope you like it very much and also we wish this issue to be the substrate for excellent works within VPHJ in the future. I personally wish good luck and I am going to offer as much assistance as far as I can to the next board and the perfect new Chairwoman Sarah Krones. Friendly, Theofanis K. Liatis Outgoing Chief Editor Outgoing Veterinary Public Health Director of IVSA Outgoing Chairman of Standing Committee on One Health 2013/2014
The VetPubHealth Journal (VPHJ) Edition Editors Team: Bastola Sirjan, Nakade Mangesh, Ntemka Katerina, Yablonovich Ilana Designer & Chief Editor: Liatis Theofanis A publication of the Standing Committee on One Health (SCOH) of International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) https://www.facebook.com/thescoh publichealth@ivsa.org VetPubHealth Journal ISSUE 3
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
EFFECTIVE ONE-HEALTH INITIATIVES, A NEED IN UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES LIKE NEPAL
Article
By Uday Singh Karki , member of IVSA Nepal Introduction Nepal homes a population of 27.80 million with a per capita gross national income $701.0 which is far below the per capita income of its neighboring countries, India and China. More than 60% of the population is involved in agriculture. Livestock rearing is still traditional without much concern on the impacts on environment and human’s health thus there is rampant outbreak of zoonotic diseases every year.
country to control Rabies. Tribhuvan University Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, National Zoonosis and Food Hygiene Research Center and several non-governmental organizations are working in this program. Veterinary Epidemiology Center runs the national surveillance of the animal diseases and directs government in policy making process. Challenges of One-health Initiatives
Extensive livestock rearing is gaining moMajor outbreaks of Zoonotic Dis- mentum in the country without proper adoption of the modern tools and techeases in Nepal niques. This has a negative impact on the Since the first incidence of H5N1 strain environment and subsequently human of Avian Influenza in January 2009, rehealth. Tribhuvan University Veterinary ports of outbreaks are released every teaching hospital is the only hospital in year with the latest outbreak of 2013 Nepal involved in extension education to forced authorities to cull 1.2 million raise awareness in the general public. birds. Similarly, Nepal has been battling Other medical institutes are more conagainst dengue fever since 2004. The fining themselves in the periphery of outbreak of dengue fever in 2010 in health centers. Thus, there is a gap beChitwan district caused 24 deaths and tween veterinary and human health cenmore than 7000 people are thought to ters. Government has no strategic plans have contracted it. Many cases of neuroand polices to integrate the health syscysticercosis are reported from the hospitals around the country. Many other tem. zoonotic diseases like Brucella, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Malaria are posing More than a million Nepalese are workthreat to both animal and human health ing in countries like India, Gulf countries, in the country. Malaysia and others. Upon their arrival in the country there is every possibility on introduction of exotic diseases in the One-health Initiatives in Nepal country in absence of proper medical With an aim to control and prevent the examination. Every year India documents outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in Nepal, outbreak of zoonotic National Zoonosis and Food Hygiene diseases like dengue Research Center was established in the fever, malaria, avianyear 1993. It is actively working since influenza and many then in collaboration with different insti- more, thus there is a tutions within and outside the country. A huge potential of the collective initiative from governmental pathogens spreading in and non-governmental institutions is the country through undergoing to combat the Tuberculosis the food items importin captive elephants of Chitwan National ed or people themPark. Challenges are there to prevent selves being a carrier. the transmission to human as well as other wild species of the region. Similarly, vaccination and animal birth control programs in dogs are run throughout the VetPubHealth Journal ISSUE 3/page 4
Conclusion The initiatives undertaken in the region seems to be ineffective. Annually government spends huge sum of wealth to combat the outbreak of diseases in the country. The health system is disintegrated into animal health and human health. Public awareness campaign is of prime importance. Policies should be put in force to integrate the health system of the country. Monitoring and surveillance on imports of susceptible items in the country and also on the people returning from certain outbreak areas outside the country is necessary. An effective onehealth approach can run on its full swing only when the information flows to and fro the veterinary centers, medical centers and public which is the need of our country, Nepal.
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
Zoonoses
LEPTOSPIROSIS IN CATTLE
By Fontas Konstantinos, Ginargiros Eleytherios, Protogerakis Giannis, members of IVSA Thessaloniki Leptospirosis is an infectious bacterial disease of most farm animals and many wildlife species. In cattle, leptospirosis can cause abortions, mainly during the final third of pregnancy, as well as sudden and severe milk drop in more than one quarter, without typical signs of mastitis. It may also be responsible for high mortality amongst young calves. Severity in adult cattle is extremely variable, ranging from incidental to fatal infection.
advised to focus on a whole herd sampling, providing thus an increased opportunity of a Leptospirosis is caused by the Gram-negative bacteria Leptodefinitive dispira that are classified in the Spirochaetales order. There are 250 serotypes of Leptospira, according to their antigenic differ- agnosis. ences. The cattle are the conservation host of the serotype Leptospirosis, must be differentiated from babesiosis, anaplashardjo, pomona, grippotyphosa, or icterohaemorrhagiae. The mosis, rape and kale poisoning, post-parturient hemoglobinuria, causative organisms are shed in urine and survive in surface wa- acute hemolytic anemia of calves, causes of abortion and agalacter, streams or moist and alkaline soil. They can survive in the tia. moist soil and mud, and they are rapidly destroyed in the The etiological treatment of leptospirosis is based on antibidrought. Leptospires are excreted and dispersed in the external otic administration (like streptomycin, ceftiofur, oxytetracycline, environments with the urine of the patients or animals vectors. tylosin, ampicillin, amoxicillin), whereas concomitant supportive Leptospirosis can be transmitted to cattle by many infected spetreatment (NSAIDs, liquids and electrolytes, dextrose) is necescies (rats and other rodents, raccoons, skunks, foxes, opossums, sary. Antibiotic treatment is more effective when applied during and dogs). the leptospiremia phase; however, it is also useful during chronic They can evade immune response and remain inside hosts, mainly in the renal tubules, uterus, eyes and maters. Leptospires can be excreted through the urine for months. The acute leptospirosis destroys erythrocytes, endothelial cells and hepatocytes. Serotypes pomona, grippotyphosa, or icterohaemorrhagiae can cause septicemia, hemolytic anemia, jaundice, hemoglobinuria, bleeding accompanied by fever, and sometimes bloodcontaminated milk. The bovine-specific serotype Leptospira hardjo causes agalactia, fever, abortions and stillbirths in heifers. The clinical signs and course of leptospirosis are influenced by the infecting serotype, the number of organisms, and the immune status of the animal. Diagnosis of Leptospira infection is based on a reliable history, characteristic clinical signs and laboratory diagnostic tests. These tests can be separated into those designed to detect antibodies against the microorganism and those designed to detect the microorganism or it’s DNA in tissues or animal body fluids. Those designed to detect antibodies are serological tests such as paired sera and microscopic agglutination test (MAT), while those designed to detect the microorganism or it’s DNA are culture, inoculation of urine, blood or kidney samples in experimental animals, dark field microscopy, histopathology, immediate immunofluorescence with fluorescent antibody (FA), hybridization of DNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nowadays the serologic assay of reference is MAT but other methods such as PCR and FA are used efficiently as well. Diagnosis is difficult on an individual animal basis since the bacteria remain in most tissues for only a limited time, apart from kidneys where they may persist for months. Moreover, they die rapidly in dead animals, aborted fetuses, or undiluted urine samples. Their shedding by the maintenance hosts is intermittent while the clinical manifestation varies. Therefore, it is VetPubHealth Journal ISSUE 3/page 5
infections, where reduces the carrier status. Infected animals should be separated from the herd, in order to avoid transmission of the disease.
Prevention of leptospirosis in cattle herds relies upon a combination of management practices to reduce risk of infection, antibiotic metaphylactic treatment and vaccination (with polyvalent inactive vaccines). The primary course of immunization consists of two injections, two weeks apart, followed by an annual boosting. Vaccination should prevent urine shedding, following exposure, and will protect against milk drop and abortion. In herds with no evidence of previous infection, all replacements should be selected from seronegative for leptospirosis herds. Isolation of replacements for three weeks is also advisable. Concluding, herds with previous incidents of leptospirosis should use prophylactic treatment, with streptomycin, on all their replacements, on two occasions, 10-14 days apart, before their entry into the herd. People are susceptible to infection with most of the pathogenic serovars of Leptospira. Occupational exposure is a risk factor putting veterinarians, veterinarian stuff, livestock producers and dairy workers in danger. The principal route of infection is contact with infectious body fluids (urine or blood in acute cases) via mucous membranes. The symptoms vary from nonexistent to severe and can be fatal when renal or hepatic failure occurs. The most common signs are fever, headaches, rash, ocular pain, myalgia and malaise. Laboratory techniques are necessary for a definite diagnosis. Because diagnosis of leptospirosis in animals, based on clinical signs, is difficult, veterinarians may wish to implement an infection control program, whereby animal body fluids are handled only with gloved hands and hand washing is routine.8
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
THE ONE HEALTH COMMISSION
Article
By Dr Cheryl Stroud, Executive Director | One Health Commission The One Health Commission (OHC), a 501c3 non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO), was organized in the U.S. in 2009 as the result of a partnership between the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). The resulting ‘One Health Initiative Task Force’, recommended creation of an organization that would actively promote One Health. (see Executive Report of the Task Force ). Today the Commission works to enhance collaborations among physicians, veterinarians, public, plant, environmental and other local/global health professionals and to increase public awareness of the interconnectedness of people, animals and the environment. Its official Charter, updated in February 2014, is to Educate and Create networks to improve health outcomes and wellbeing of humans, animals and plants and to promote environmental resilience through a collaborative, Global, One Health approach. Formerly based in Iowa, the Commission’s headquarters recently moved to the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina (See press release). Please view the inaugural One Health Commission Newsletter. Leadership Governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from organizations that financially sponsor its work, the Commission is also supported by individual and corporate donations. In late 2013, with the retirement of former leader Dr. Roger Mahr, Cheryl Stroud, DVM, PhD (Animal Domain, Bio link) was appointed as Executive Director. Dr. Stroud, who has experience in industry, academia and private Veterinary practice, previously pioneered and Chaired the North Carolina One Health Collaborative (NC OHC). Then, in January, 2014, Deeanna Burleson, RN, MSN (Human Domain, Bio link) assumed the role of Associate Executive Director. Ms Burleson has extensive human health care experience in civilian and miltary settings, is completing a PhD in Organizational Systems, and brings human health VetPubHealth Journal ISSUE 3/page 6
clinical and administrative expertise to the Commission. The OHC Board is currently defining ways to increase representation from each of the domains, human, animal, plant and environment, and to bring student representation into the leadership structure.
Activities Note- Financial sponsorship is not required to participate on OHC One Health Teams. If you see a place you would like to be involved, please contact the Commission. In summer 2013, the Commission partnered with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and Bat Conservation International (BCI) to develop two, free to download, bat rabies educational posters that are now circulating around the world. (Adult Version; Child Version). Future plans include distributing these posters to U.S. schools, post them on hiking trails, translate them to other languages needed where bat rabies is a problem and extend distribution to those areas. Early this year the Commission was able to assist in connecting many students who work for One Health at their respective academic institutions. Their listserv has grown to 60+ Students for One Health. Once connected, they immediately formed a Students for One Health Facebook page and Future Leaders of One Health LinkedIn pages. There are currently plans for the OHC to become a parent or-
ganization for Student One Health Chapters in the U.S. and beyond and to hold a Student One Health Congress that Includes students from human, animal, plant and environmental domains. International Who’s Who in One Health Webinar Team – This OHC team is targeting Nov 10, 2014 to sponsor the first ever International Who’s Who in One Health webinar. Many folks in the global One Health community cannot get to Bangkok, Davos, Australia, London or Amsterdam, but they can log into a free international webinar. Over an 8 hour period in 15-20 minute slots, prominent One Health leaders from around the U.S. and the world will be invited to speak about their ongoing One Health activities. Participants can slip into and out of the free webinar to hear speakers of interest. Please suggest speakers.
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
Professional Continuing Education (CE) Webinars Team – This team is creating a series of continuing Education/ Continuing Medical Education (CE/CME) webinars on One Health issues targeted jointly toward clinical veterinary and human health practitioners. The idea is to get both disciplines on the same webinar to help them realize the many overlaps in their work. Communications / Public Service Announcements Team This multidisciplinary team is creating a series of One Health Public Service Announcement (PSA) radio shorts that will be aired around the U.S. The first one, ‘What is One Health?’ is under
Health. B.Newsletter support Team. Please view the inaugural One Health Commission Newslet ter C.Policy Statements/Resolutions / Recommendations Team D. Legislative Watch Team E.One Health Library Support Team F.One Health in the News Team G. ‘Zoonoses: Protecting People and Their Pets’ book and online course distribution Team. (This is a partnership effort with the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University) H. OH Professional Writing Team – there are a ‘lot’ of things to write….
formation here to help draw attention to your program and to assist as we ‘connect’ One Health stakeholders for collaborations. We are watching for information to post about the IVSA and look forward to hearing from all around the world.
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More information at www.onehealthcommission.org
Finally, if you visit the OHC web site ‘Resources’ page, you will observe down the left side
The One Health Commission aims to “Connect” One Health Stakeholders, and “Create” Strategic
Networks / Partnerships that will “Educate” about One Health Issues development with plans for four more, two on infectious disease topics, one ecosystem topic, and one food safety topic. Future Teams under development- seeking volunteer participants/ leaders A. One Health Narratives/ Case Study Team to identify and collect One Health narratives and scientific, evidence-based case studies from the One Health Community. These narratives will be posted on the OHC website and circulated in newsletters to ‘teach by example’. Please provide to the OHC staff any appropriate items. This is a powerful way to ‘educate’ about One
of the page a 'Who's Who' of One Health stakeholders. These are groups/organizations from around the world who are actively working to further One Health (note: they are not all financial 'sponsors' of the Commission). We know this list is incomplete and we are continually adding to it as we become aware of active One Health groups/ organizations who would like to be listed here. We invite any active One Health groups to complete and submit their information, as they would like it to appear, to info@onehealthcommission. org . There is a form on the web page to use if you like. We'll post your in-
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JOIN the 1st International WHO’S WHO IN ONE HEALTH “Free” Online Webinar The One Health Commission organizes the first international webinar for One Health. One Health Committees, Organizations and Sectors will participate in this to present themselves and their work. IVSA Standing Committee on One Health will be there!
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
The GLOBAL ONE HEALTH CHALLENGE
Article
By Dr Deepashree Balaram, Campaigns Director | Global Alliance for Rabies Control & Theofanis Liatis, First Chairman Of IVSA Standing Committee on One Health and ExCo Veterinary Public Health Director | International Veterinary Students’ Association Inviting all students to take on the Global One Health Challenge This World Rabies Day, the IVSA, the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) have set up the Global One Health Challenge for veterinary and medical students – it’s your chance to do something for your community, learn about a deadly disease and how to prevent it, and win a fabulous prize – a trip to an international conference in Spain! Veterinary students and World Rabies Day Every year on World Rabies Day, September 28, thousands of individuals and organizations conduct events to raise awareness about rabies and the need for Dr Deepashree Balaram (Campaigns Director of GARC) and Theofanis Liatis (Outgoing pre-exposure canine vaccination and post Chairman of SCOH and ExCo Member of IVSA) at their live meeting in Edinburgh, August 2014 -exposure human vaccination. Students have always been an active part of World Rabies Day, with past activities including veterinary schools Build relationships with others who want to make a difference across the US competing to host a rabies symposium at their universities, and individual students raising funds and awareness Advance global rabies awareness and prevention, by getting involved with international organizations through sponsored activities such as marathons and mountain climbing. The themes over the last seven years all emphasized Gain a better understanding of the community in which you the need to work together in order to end this disease, and this will work after graduating year’s theme is no exception - #TogetherAgainstRabies. Veterinary students have great potential to make a difference in Win a trip for all team members to the WVA/WMA Global Conference on the One Health Concept in May 2015 in Mathe field of rabies beyond the clinical setting. Students can edudrid – with your expenses paid! (Financial support for the Global cate people about what to do when they get bitten, encourage One Health Challenge prize has been kindly provided by World them to vaccinate their dogs and take care of their animals reAnimal Protection) sponsibly, influence local authorities to implement existing rabies laws, and work with local charities to help people and animals who could be affected by this deadly disease.
Above this, you also have the power to add your voice to the international fight against rabies through social media, professional networks and associations such as the IVSA. The competition Here are a few reasons why you should be part of the One Health Challenge: Increase your knowledge of rabies prevention and learn valuable communication skills Save human and animal lives through collaboration with other professions VetPubHealth Journal ISSUE 3/page 8
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
making sure the vaccination team received pre-exposure prophylaxis for their protection;
What do I need to do?
First of all, get a team together – your team should have at least one veterinary student, but it needs to have people from other encouraging local people to register their dogs and providing fields, such as (but not limited to) human medicine, scientific free dog collars; health, education and environmentally related disciplines. A team can have a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 5 members. coordinating with the local government to secure vaccines and Above all, we encourage cooperation between medical then working to deliver them to 875 local cats and dogs and veterinary students. One Health Register your team online at http://rabiesalliance.org/what-we-do/ world-rabies-day/global-one-health-challenge, and then organise an One Health embraces both human and animal public health, incluevent in your community. You can do anything you like for the sive of scientific method and research, community and governevent, as long as it’s about rabies, and is held any time from Sep- mental roles, communication and education. The One Health tember 1st to November 10th, 2014. It could be part of a broader Challenge puts this approach into practice, giving veterinary and rabies project that you’re involved in, or a standalone event. We medical students the opportunity to see the benefits of working have put together a guidance manual that gives you some ideas with other sectors to tackle complex diseases, by designing and about a potential event, but those are just suggestions, and if you implementing rabies prevention events in their communities. find that something else would better suit your community and For posters, leaflets, a guidance manual, and the registration form, your team, please go ahead. please visit http://rabiesalliance.org/what-we-do/worldrabies-day/global-one-health-challenge, or contact camWe’re looking in particular for events that show: paigns@rabiesalliance.org for further details. We’re very ex strong partnerships that demonstrate the One Health ap- cited about receiving entries from all over the world – thank you proach, particularly those that show partnerships between for your interest in helping to end rabies. medical and veterinary students, although other partnerships will also be considered. effective outreach activities in the community – this can be measured by the number of people reached by the event Send us a report of your event (we’ll send you the form after you’ve registered) by November 30th, 2014, for a chance to win an exciting trip to Spain to learn more about One Health and share your experiences. Ideas from the Philippines One Health Challenge The One Health Challenge was piloted last year in the Philippines, and the veterinary and medical students who participated did activities that included: health education to both adults and school children;
Photo courtesy of Michael Angelo H. Filoteo: Project Coordinator conducting sessions on rabies awareness and responsible pet
establishing local ordinances to support national anti-rabies legislation;
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IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
Photo courtesy of SAVER: Illustration of proper handling during vaccination
Photo courtesy of IVSA India: IVSA Standing Committee on One Health (SCOH) Campaign on World Rabies Day
August 2014
Article
TALKING ABOUT “ONE HEALTH” AND THE ROLE OF VETERINARIANS AS A HEALTH PROFESSION By Dr Despoina Iatridou, Veterinary Policy Officer | FVE
More than two thousand years ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates had indicated in his text "On Airs, Waters, and Places" the importance of the environment, where humans live, for their good health. Since then the medical science has continued to observe life. It evolved in human and veterinary medicine and in the previous century started to speak again about ‘One Medicine’i. Nowadays the term ‘One Health’ has been introduced to describe this human-animal-ecosystem interaction.
enforce our collaboration at all levels, starting from education and training of future health professionals and moving to close collaboration in practice.
Focusing particuBut what does ‘One Health’ mean in practice? Why is it larly on the role of important to ensure the health for any species in the world? veterinarian in this What should the role of health professionals be in our society? new concept, we can identify many As veterinarians we know that for tackling successfully any opportunities and health condition in the different species, we need to first identi- challenges for our fy the causes. A careful observation of various health disorders diverse profession in in humans or in animals reveals that for many of them the real the future. cause is the fact that humans and animals share the same environment. Eventually they are exposed to the same pathogens, Veterinary practhe same pollutants and all other environmental conditions. As titioners and hygienists are easily a result they may be affected in a similar way. acknowledged for having a key role to play in ensuring “One Indeed, health professionals are invited to solve similar to Health”. They are gatekeepers of the public health by ensuring their origin and symptoms problems. Veterinarians and doctors animal health, as well as hygiene and safety throughout the nowadays face more and more conditions directly linked to the whole food chain, from farm to table. Their contribution to the modern way of living, like diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular dis- early detection of zoonotic or foodborne disease outbreaks eases or cancer, while zoonoses remain always a serious threat. could be indispensable for the prevention from spreading of Even in our days, about 60% of human pathogens are of animal disease in both animals and humans. Since an important way to origin and 75% of emerging animal diseases can be transmitted protect ourselves from certain zoonosis is to eliminate those to humansii. And then antimicrobial resistance comes into the pathogens in animals, it is obvious that veterinarians’ contribupicture. The emergence of strains resistant to antimicrobials tion is fundamental. That applies specifically for cases like racan severely compromise the health of both animals and people bies, influenza H1N1, brucellosis, tuberculosis, salmonellosis to and leave us exposed and helpless. Looking into antimicrobial mention only some examples. Prevention against those diseases resistance from a zoonotic perspective the problem seems in animals should be the core measure of the holistic strategy even more worrying and it represents a real challenge for both for the protection of the public health. Eventually that cannot medical and veterinary sector. be the ‘one man’ work. It demands the close collaboration of To all these concerns, we should add the current life-style physicians, veterinarians and other professionals at a permanent that may further complicate the situation. International trade basis and at all levels. and rapid movements of people, animals and goods - including A veterinarian however can contribute to “One Health” in food - open another dimension to the whole picture. Take for many more functions in practice. As it happens nowadays, aniexample the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa; it has be- mals - especially companion animals - get high-living diseases, come the first topic on news worldwide and an emergency for like their owners do. Physicians can benefit a lot from exchangall health authorities globally. Horsemeat fraud some months ing views with the veterinarians on the causes and process of ago had similarly triggered a red alert to the whole food chain conditions, like heart failure or cancer. Given the short life-span in Europe. What used to be local now is global. We must of these animal species compared to that of humans, doctors therefore broaden our perspective and look at “One World- may draw valuable conclusions by simply studying the evolution One Health”, in order to prevent from such incidents. of disease and the outcome of the treatment in the pets. Joint The above consist unambiguous evidence that we all, medi- research therefore should be particularly encouraged, as it cal doctors and veterinarians have to start thinking out of the could be very helpful in planning efficient preventive strategies. box. We have to create closer links between each other and VetPubHealth Journal ISSUE 3/page 10
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
After all, most of the preventive measures against different health conditions could be equally applied to both humans and animals and have the same positive results. Veterinarians along with the other health professionals have a particular mission to accomplish. They are the ones to take the lead in raising awareness of the society about ‘One Health’ and its importance for ensuring the health and welfare of ourselves and the sustainability in our world. This predominately requires that all future health professionals learn how to work collaboratively, starting from the university. It means that all doctors and veterinarians have endorsed the ‘One Health’ values at the beginning of their career and are able speak with one voice in practice. At European level, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe iii representing all veterinarians in Europe has set the promotion of the ‘One Health’ concept high in the list of our priorities. One of the main accomplishments has been the signature of the memorandum of understanding together with CPME iv, the representative body of European doctors. European doctors and veterinarians have agreed on long term collaboration in order to promote “One Health” and sustainability in Europev. Therefore we are particularly proud to see the veterinary students to follow this direction and establish strong links with their fellows in human
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medicine. Further to this, we look forward to welcoming more initiatives from our young colleagues in the future. I
Calvin W. Schwabe, "Animal Diseases and World Health," Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 153 (12):1859 -63, 1968, and "Veterinary Medicine and Human Health," 3rd ed. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD. ii
OIE 2012 (http://www.oie.int/fileadmin/Home/eng/ Media_Center/docs/pdf/Key_Documents/ANIMAL-HEALTH-ENFINAL.pdf) iii
Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) (http:// www.fve.org/) iv
FVE-CPME Memorandum of understanding (http://www.fve.org/ uploads/publications/docs/fve_cpme%20mou.pdf) v
FVE – CPME ‘One Health’ Conference One Health leaflet (http://www.fve.org/news/presentations.php#C1), One Health leaflet (http://www.fve.org/veterinary/ medicines.php#ONEHEALTH)
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
Food Safety
A DECLINING POPULATION OF A UNIQUE INSECT POSES A GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY CONCERN By Katarzyna Szymańska , member of IVSA UK & Ireland and Treasurer of the University College Dublin One Health Society
Katarzyna is in her third year of veterinary studies at University College Dublin where she serves as the Treasurer for the One Health Society. Here she reports on a conference she attended on bee health that was held on April 7th, 2014 in Brussels.
The Alcide De Gasperi room in the Charlemagne building in Brussels was buzzing as attendees for the European Commission Conference for Better Bee Health took seats alongside narrow white tables neatly fitted with microphones and headsets which offered live translation of the proceedings in seven different languages. © European Commission The international cast of attendees included apiarists, scientists, veterinarians, organisations like the World Organisation for Animal Health and Greenpeace, representatives from the phar- habitats, pesticides, climate change, and parasites, like the varmaceutical industry, and members of the European Parliament, roa mite. among others. Through collaboration, these diverse groups aimed to find solutions for healthy bees, apiculture and the environment. Although not often viewed as such, bees are in fact farmed aniI was fortunate to be a part of this one-day roundtable discus- mals that provide a range of products. These products include sion and further my interest in global food production and pub- honey, pollen pellets, royal jelly, wax, and propolis. Artificial lic policy after my essay was selected from others submitted by insemination technique is even utilised in queen bees to imveterinary students across the EU by the Directorate General prove the genetic merit of a colony and select for traits like low aggressiveness or prolific breeding, just like it’s used in other for Health and Consumers. farm animals. The conference gave me a unique window into how knowledge can be effectively transferred between policies, science and However, the most significant contribution bees make is practise. I didn’t just peer in, though. I engaged in the conversa- through their pollination services and the figures are impressive. In the 2010 Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity tion. Report, global insect pollination was estimated to be worth It’s a rare opportunity to have so many leading experts all to- €153 billion, or 9.5% of total agricultural productions. gether in one room, let alone to speak to both Dr. Jeff Pettis, Research Leader of the Bee Research Lab, United States De- Bees contribute to healthy diets by pollinating nutrient-dense partment of Agriculture and Dr. Pierangelo Bernorio, Head of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. In a recent study published in PLoS Sector-imports and OIE, DG health and Consumers, together ONE, the pollinator decline was cited as a factor which will exacerbate current difficulties in providing nutritionally adeon differences between American and European legislation. quate diets for the ever increasing global population. Crops But first, let’s take a step back, and begin with the basics. Bee dependent on animal pollination, as opposed to those that rely populations around the world are declining. Although the term exclusively on wind, are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has been thrown around, calcium, fluoride, folic often incorrectly, CCD is seen almost exclusively in the USA. It acid as well as antioxi- © Magnus Thöresson describes a phenomenon in which masses of bees disappear dants like β-tocopherol. from a hive with only the queen and a few workers left behind. These foods include pumpkins, cucumbers, What is seen currently, globally, is an above average seasonal courgettes, stone fruits mortality rate exceeding 10-15% of the colony population, and and many varieties of often hovering around 30%. There are over 2000 species of berries. bees and both the wild and managed bee communities are affected. The causes of the decline are believed to be multifactorial and complicated by an interplay of viruses, shrinking natural VetPubHealth Journal ISSUE 3/page 12
IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014
In one of his slides, Dr. Pettis showed a supermarket with a nearly barren produce isle as he illustrated how important bees are in pollinating crops. In the United States, there is a shortage of bee colonies needed for pollination. So, honey bees are shipped across the country. Colonies are transported from almond orchards in California, oranges groves in Florida, cranberry bogs of New England to blueberry fields in Michigan. Across the pond in Europe, about 70% of the crop species grown depend on insect pollination, mainly by bees. However, migratory bee-keeping practises are not yet necessary.
can champion and which can bring about positive change. With our species-spanning training, we are continuously connecting human and animal health issues to environmental dynamics. We are also furthering our communication skills as we gain clinical experience and interact with animal owners. But, what we should do is make better use of these skills to help inform the public on challenging scientific facts in a digestible format that doesn’t compromise the content. Luckily with bees, their unique and important roles make them a species that are a pleasure to learn more about and are thus easy to promote. After all, a Nobel prize was won for work done on bee flight patterns and the social Some significant research and legislation aimed at reducing bee population losses have emerged from Europe. Most recently, the structure is certainly worth reading about. results of a seventeen member country collaboration on honey- Markus Imhoof, a speaker at the conference and director of the bee colony mortality was released. The EPILOBEE Pan-European Oscar-nominated film “More than Honey” has captured bees Study, as it is referred to, is first ever active epidemiological sur- beautifully in his film to raise awareness of their declining populaveillance study of honeybee colony mortality conducted in Europe. tions. Through sharing his own personal connection to bees, he In 2013 the EU banned neonicotinoids. The USA has not put seeks to remind us all that we are a part of one world and our through a similar ban due to an insufficient amount of evidence future rests in how well we sustain environmental health. needed to support the legislation. Also in Europe by the end of 2014, all pollinator species, including bees and bumblebees, will have been assessed and added if deemed threatened to the Inter- Safeguarding bee health and thus their pollination services which are necessary for robust harvests of nutritious foods is important, national Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. and a point Imhoof captures so well. The European Commission However, much more can be done. There are only 3 licenced has also made bee health a priority. It was evident by the turnout medicines available for use in bees. In comparison to the 426 at the Conference for Better Bee Health and the eagerness to which are available for pigs, there are limited therapeutic options collaborate as well as the investments that have already been for this winged species. made that this small creature is of significance. The next steps are Raising awareness among the public about the importance of bees to continue research efforts and cross-discipline discussion to find and environmental conservation is task that veterinary students solutions and increase public awareness.
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IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014 © European Commission
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IVSA Standing Committee on One Health
August 2014