Genesis of ‘Veterinary Public Health’ and Route to ‘One Health’ Das Utpal* Superintendent Veterinary Officer, Department of Health, The Kolkata Municipal Corporation Kolkata, Kolkata-700015, West Bengal *Corresponding author. E-mail: utpaldasvet@gmail.com
Online published on 2 April, 2016. Abstract Domestication of animals has increased opportunities for efficient transmission of animal pathogens to human communities and vice versa. ‘One Medicine ’concept was developed in ancient times as recorded in the writings of Greek and Roman scholars. In the nineteenth century, German physicist ‘Rudolf Virchow ’regenerated the concept of One Medicine. The association between man and biotic and/or abiotic environment is multidimensional. In the ecological context, animal activities tend to influence welfare of man in a number of ways and vice versa. Hence, it is only natural that Veterinary medicine should provide expertise and contribute to protection of human health and welfare. To meet these obligations, concept of ‘Veterinary Public Health ’(VPH) evolved at Centre for Disease Control (CDC). Veterinary public health is defined by W.H.O., F.A.O. and O.I.E as the contributions to the physical, mental and social well being of humans through an understanding and application of Veterinary science. Hence, Veterinary Public Health is referred to as the route to ‘One Health ’. Due to increasing threat and challenges of new emerging and re-emerging infections, a new concept of ‘One World, One Health ’has recently appeared. The Veterinarians is the only health care professional likely to see both people and their animals and able to aware the potential threat of zoonotic infections to clients. The One Health concept is gathering global momentum through endorsement by World Veterinary Association, Indian Public Health Association, Association of Public Health Veterinarians and many national and international organizations. Strategies are discussed to implement ‘One Health Initiative in India ’. Top Keywords Genesis, one health, one medicine, one world, veterinary public health. Top |