Sixty percent of all diseases are zoonotic as are 75 percent of emerging diseases. Sarah Wooten, DVM, shares the metrics surrounding the human medical profession and population related to understanding the risks from animal-human contact. Share this article routinely with local doctors and on websites, social media posts and newsletters. Be sure your own staff is familiar with the topic, as well.
Source: DVM 360, October 4, 2017.
It’s obvious that veterinarians have the knowledge and feel more comfortable talking about zoonotic disease, while many MDs are uncomfortable discussing zoonotic disease and lack appropriate knowledge about the subject. So why aren’t more veterinarians working with medical doctors to combat zoonotic disease? For the sake of public health, it’s time to open-up the lines of communication, Dr. Ruple says.
INSIGHTS: In many communities, medical doctors and veterinarians meet during volunteer service organization activities. Consider using this article as an outline for presentations at club meetings.