The Veterinarians – Bridging Population in Transmission OF Zoonotic Diseases

Dr.Kedar Karki

Veterinarians are at high risk for zoonotic diseases from animals. The recent
influenza epidemic has raised many question about how animal virus move to
human population. One potential route is through veterinarians, who increased risk
if infection with zoonotic pathogens-the viruses and bacteria that can infect both
animals and humans.

While there is no evidence that veterinarians played a direct role in the current
epidemic, the review found that veterinarians can serve as a bridging population,
spreading pathogens to their families, their communities and the various group of
animals for which they provide care

Disinfection of clothes after contact with sick animals is very important thing that
should by veterinarians. The veterinarians had an increased risk for various
pathogens, including swine influenza, avian influenza and hepatic E viruses;
Brucella, Anthrax, Leptospirosis; Coxiella burnetic; avian and feline Chlamydia
psittact ‘methicillin resistant staphylococcus aurous and Bartonella bacteria etc. “ It
has been estimated that the majority of more than 1,400 recognised human diseases
are zoonotic and that more than 70 percent of 177 emerging or re-emerging
diseases have originated in animal”, These rep[orts indicate that veterinarian often
fail to routinely use recommended personal protective equipment such device in
conversations with veterinarians, the authored learned that veterinarians may
neglect to were protective great because of discomfort ,lack of availability cost and
the belief that there is a low risk zoonotic infection professional and policy
measures should be implemented to reduce hazards for veterinarians who could
help prevent transmission of zoonotic infection to other human and animal groups
an influenza pandemic often overlook veterinarian . “Veterinarians play a vital role
in bio-preparedness, yet they do not seem to get respect”. “We need to appreciate
training and support them with public health policy measures for instance
veterinarians who work with swine and poultry should be included as a high
priority group for receipt of annual influenza and help to protect them, their
families and our nation”. Baker and gray’s review focused on literature and
surveya published in the United States may not represent all veterinarians as the
scientific reports were predominantly from.

Some important measures, which protect veterinarians from zoonotic diseases

1. Veterinarians should take precautions while handling diseased animals.

2. He should wear person protective equipment (PPE) whenever helping
animals to give birth ,handling the products of birth (placenta),examining
mouth or rectal examination , PPE will include respirators, aprons or
parturition gown , plastic or later gloves for oral or rectal examination,
safety ,face shields for face protection.
3. Disinfection of clothes after contact with sick animals is very important
thing that should be followed by veterinarians.
4. He should cover pre-existing blisters, cuts, or wounds on exposed skin with
waterproof dressings before beginning work-some organisms enter thye
body through open wounds.
5. Immunisation or Vaccination against common zoonoses must be done in
every veterinarian.

Veterinarians working with livestock should follow these principles of good

occupational hygiene to protect against the risk of contracting zoonoses.