Abstract:
Veterinary Public Health (VPH) is currently defined as "the slim of all contribusions to the
physical, melltal and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application
of veterinalry science" (WHO 1999). This definition is more consistent with the values. goals
and targets of the WHO vision 'Health for all in the 21 st century". Human health is strongly
linked to animal health and production. This link between human and animal populations, and
with the surrounding environment. is particularly close in developing regions where animals
provide transportation. draught power, fuel and clothing as well as proteins (meat, eggs and
milk). In both developing and industrialized countries. however, this can lead to a serious risk
to public health with severe economic consequences.
A number of communicable diseases known as zoonoses are transmitted from animals to
humans. Veterinary medicine has a long and distinguished history of contributing to the
maintenance and promotion of public health. Approximately 90 percent of the worldwide
burden of all causes of death and disability occur in developing regions of the world but only
10 percent of all health care funds are spent in these regions (WIIO & World Bank). Six
communicable disease categories that include pneumonia and infiuenza. AIDS. diarrhoeal
disease. tuberculosis. malaria and mcasles are responsible for 90 percent of the estimated 13.3
million deaths in children and young aduits worldwide due to major infectious and parasitic
diseases. Zoonotic agents contribute in several of these categories.
Livestock disease control programmes in developing countries and countries in transition are
often established, even though not very critically, on their economic importance. As a result
zoonotic control programmes may not be seriously considered, especially if they do not
apparently impact animal heahh and produclion. Obviously, there is a need to be¬ter define
the economic impact of zoonoses and other veterinary public health problems with ‘burden of
disease' analyses, as used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank.