International programs and veterinary public health in the Americas—Success, challenges, and possibilities

The veterinary public health (VPH) program at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) began in 1949 when an arrangement with the newly founded World Health Organization made PAHO its Regional Office for the Americas to serve as the specialized health agency both for the Organization of American States and the United Nations. It started as a Section of Veterinary Medicine to help eradicate rabies on both sides of the US-Mexico border, and PAHO grew to be the biggest VPH program in the world. By providing a political and technical base, PAHO assisted its member states to organize and develop their national VPH programs and activities, and it provides technical cooperation and works with their national counterparts to solve national and local problems.In the 1980s and 1990s, PAHO concentrated that cooperation on several, specific needs: the elimination of dog-transmitted human rabies, hemispheric eradication of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), regional action planning for food safety, control/eradication of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis, and surveillance and prevention of emerging zoonoses and food-borne diseases. The Pan American centers developed a number of diagnostic antigens and a continental system for the surveillance of FMD and vesicular diseases, using geographic quadrant technology to augment sensitivity, analyze data, and make decisions. Another visible accomplishment is the elimination of hydatidosis in the endemic countries and regions of the southern cone.In addition, the VPH program of PAHO pioneered the mobilization of the private sector to participate in official programs. Nevertheless, privatization of animal and human health services has had a negative effect on human resources and infrastructure by weakening essential epidemiological functions in some countries.Today, there is a need for closer coordination between veterinary medicine and medical services. Practically all potential bioterrorism agents are zoonoses, and it is cost-effective to control them at the veterinary level, providing the first line of defense. The opportunities for VPH are boundless, but the challenge is to be able to apply the plethora of available research results and knowledge. What we will need is a new breed of veterinarians who will lead and provide us with a vision, like those we honored in 2005 at the Schwabe Symposium Honoring the Lifetime Achievements of Dr. James H. Steele: veterinarians in public health who will be in the forefront of policy setting, decision-making, and allocation of resources, and veterinarians who will articulate and provide a strategic direction to our unique professional skills.     

Effectiveness of acupuncture in veterinary medicine: systematic review

Acupuncture is a popular complementary treatment option in human medicine. Increasingly, owners also seek acupuncture for their animals. The aim of the systematic review reported here was to summarize and assess the clinical evidence for or against the effectiveness of acupuncture in veterinary medicine. Systematic searches were conducted on Medline, Embase, Amed, Cinahl, Japana Centra Revuo Medicina and Chikusan Bunken Kensaku. Hand-searches included conference proceedings, bibliographies, and contact with experts and veterinary acupuncture associations. There were no restrictions regarding the language of publication. All controlled clinical trials testing acupuncture in any condition of domestic animals were included. Studies using laboratory animals were excluded. Titles and abstracts of identified articles were read, and hard copies were obtained. Inclusion and exclusion of studies, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by two reviewers. Methodologic quality was evaluated by means of the Jadad score. Fourteen randomized controlled trials and 17 nonrandomized controlled trials met our criteria and were, therefore, included. The methodologic quality of these trials was variable but, on average, was low. For cutaneous pain and diarrhea, encouraging evidence exists that warrants further investigation in rigorous trials. Single studies reported some positive intergroup differences for spinal cord injury, Cushing's syndrome, lung function, hepatitis, and rumen acidosis. These trials require independent replication. On the basis of the findings of this systematic review, there is no compelling evidence to recommend or reject acupuncture for any condition in domestic animals. Some encouraging data do exist that warrant further investigation in independent rigorous trials.     

The influence of veterinary epidemiology on public health: past, present and future

This paper summarizes a presentation given at the Association for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine sponsored Calvin W. Schwabe symposium honouring the lifetime achievements of Dr. S. Wayne Martin. While the concepts were amalgamated from many sources, the examples were primarily selected to represent areas where Wayne Martin has been an active researcher and educator. The purpose was to describe the impact of veterinary epidemiology on public health in the past and present and to consider the future of veterinary epidemiology in public health. Veterinary medicine contributes to public health not only in the area of zoonotic disease prevention and control, but also through contributions to animal health, comparative and basic medical research, and population and environmental health. Veterinary epidemiologists contribute to both research in public health and the practice of public health through a wide range of methodological approaches and via the networks of trained epidemiologists working in the area. The contributions of veterinary epidemiologists have resulted in significant improvements in human health. There are considerable challenges and opportunities facing veterinary epidemiologists working in the public health area in the future. Meeting these needs will require continued integration between veterinary and human public health research and practice, and enhanced communication of both content and context expertise.     

Epidemiology, public health and preventive medicine in veterinary medical education in Canada and the United States

A survey was conducted of teachers, faculty positions, curricula, and administrative structure of epidemiology, public health and preventive medicine in the professional curricula of 28 veterinary schools in Canada and the United States. All or nearly all schools allocated core curricular time to courses in epidemiology, public health, food, safety, and preventive medicine. Fewer schools allocated time to regulatory medicine (79%), economics (75%), biometry (61%) and environmental protection (54%). Of the 148 surveyed teachers of these disciplines, 92% had the DVM or equivalent degree, and 52% had both DVM and Ph.D. degree.

In the period 1987–1989, 33 faculty positions related to epidemiology and preventive medicine were filled, and in mid-1989 there were 41 vacant or anticipated positions. Of the 41 vacant or anticipated positions, the DVM (or equivalent) degree was required in 85%, and the DVM and Ph.D. degrees were required in 61%. Analytic epidemiology (quantitative methodology) and livestock/herd health management were the most common areas of emphasis required in the vacant or anticipated positions.     

王丽娜，郝利忠，韩春晓，苗翠

畜产品中药物残留主要包括β-受体激动剂类、抗生素类、性激素类等药物。ELISA检测技术因其灵敏度高、特异性强、仪器设备简单、成本低、方法快速、简便等优点,成为畜产品中药物残留目前最理想的检测技术之一。为了考察试剂盒的各项指标与标示指标是否一致和能否正确使用试剂盒,本文就ELISA检测技术在畜产品中兽药残留检测试剂盒的选择原则和使用注意事项进行了归纳总结。     

The potential for improving welfare standards and productivity in United Kingdom sheep flocks using veterinary flock health plans

Data from industry sources detailing variable costs in 2003 revealed that the average farmer keeping 1000 lowland ewes in the United Kingdom spent 3500 UK pounds annually on veterinary fees and medicines. Despite such expenditure, psoroptic mange and cutaneous myiasis are common in the UK, resistance to one or more anthelmintic group is not only common but increasing in frequency and distribution, and abortion outbreaks caused by Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydophila abortus are frequently reported by veterinary laboratories. Welfare concerns also arise from farmers' intransigence towards tail docking and castration in lambs (mutilations), reported market forces necessitating long distance road transportation to slaughter plants, and an unwillingness to employ veterinary surgeons for obstetrical problems. The spread of sheep scab in the UK over the past decade illustrates the failure of flock owners to effect rudimentary biosecurity and disease control measures. A first step towards improving the health and welfare of sheep would be the immediate implementation of basic good husbandry practices, including ectoparasiticide treatment for sheep scab eradication, prophylaxis for cutaneous myiasis in selected lambs, and appropriate vaccination strategies for clostridial diseases and certain abortion agents. There would also be money from within current farm expenditure to provide veterinary attention for obstetrical problems affecting up to 2% of ewes per annum. Planned use of ecto- and endoparasiticides is urgently needed to maintain the efficacy of these unique drugs.     

使用群体辩证对猪场进行中草药保健

为推广一套解决行之有效的猪场养殖、保健、预防、治疗系列思路与方法，本文采用空白对照组、化药保健组、中草药保健组、群体辩证中草药保健组、破壁酶解中草药保健组及群体辩证破壁酶解中草药保健组对猪场进行养殖管理，试验结果表明，群体辩证中草药保健组净增重显著高于中草药保健组、化药保健组和对照组，成活率也高于三个处理组，药费低于三个处理组；群体辩证破壁酶解中草药保健组的净增重显著高于其他处理组，摄食量则相反，成活率最高，料肉比和药费最低。因此，使用群体辩证对猪场进行中草药保健，尤其是破壁酶解中草药保健，对于抵制当前抗生素滥用、扭转养猪效益下滑、促进养猪场户增产增收将起到重要的实际推动。     

Validation of the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) as an overall indicator of population mental health and well-being in the UK veterinary profession

The Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) was evaluated as an indicator of mental health and well-being within the veterinary profession in a cross-sectional study among a representative sample of 3200 veterinary surgeons practising in the UK. The WEMWBS mean score for the sample was 48.85 (95% confidence interval 48.43–49.28). The score showed a negative correlation with anxiety and depressive symptoms and a positive correlation with favourable psychosocial working conditions. A 1 unit increase in score was associated with reduced odds of reporting having experienced suicidal thoughts in the previous 12 months, and reduced odds of reporting depressive or anxiety symptoms of clinical significance. The results support the validity of the scale as an overall indicator of population mental health and well-being for this occupational group.     

1. 简述兽用消毒剂分类及注册资料要求

根据农业部第442号公告发布的《兽用消毒剂分类及注册资料要求》,简述不同类别的兽用消毒剂注册资料的要求。     

Design and evaluation of a veterinary information system for Namibia

A computer system for collection of animal disease and related data was set up by the Directorate of Veterinary Services in 1985, and data are available from 1986 up to the present. The nationwide system consists of detailed disease and herd health data from field veterinarians, disease and related data (such as grazing and animal condition, vaccinations and farmer treatments) from animal health inspectors, laboratory results and investigations, and abattoir data. More recently, a socio-economic component has also been added. Considerable care has been taken to link related information. In addition, all data are geographically linked through a placename co-ordinate and attribute file, and a crude but effective automated map presentation system exists. The standard objectives of an information system (which were not historically met), namely, to facilitate the collection of complete, accurate, timely and relevant data which are easily accessible and processible, and in this way provide a better basis for management decision-making as well as for specific studies and queries, were strived for. The system has proved particularly valuable in terms of automation of routine reports and in answering ad hoc queries. It is underutilised with regard to epidemiological studies, but we feel that it holds great potential.     

浅谈推进我国中兽医药产业发展的科技策略

通过对我国目前中兽药产业发展的重要性、必要性以及发展现状、存在问题等分析,提出了推动我国中兽药产业发展的一些科技对策和建议。     

兽药二维码追溯信息自动化采集系统在大批量分装生产线上的应用

为解决兽药二维码追溯工作中大批量产品数据信息采集难的问题,利用现有口蹄疫疫苗分装线进行自动化采集系统改造的摸索,通过热转印技术,结合包装线的技改与调试,在不改变生产现状的情况下,建立了适合大批量口蹄疫疫苗产品二维码数据信息的在线自动化采集。每分钟可达120瓶,解决了批量大、手工逐瓶采集不好操作的难题,为其他疫苗产品生产线的自动化改造提供了参考。     

Future of the animal health industry at a time of food crisis

It is popular in some quarters to say that there is no food crisis; that there is food aplenty; and that the problem is one of distribution or other over-arching technical difficulty. To the starving, however, there is a food crisis; and it neither speaks well nor bodes well for humanity if we dismiss their plight so glibly. The United Nations has called for a large and rapid increase in food production. Veterinary parasitologists and industry leaders can contribute to the production of healthier livestock and the expansion of aquaculture, but enhanced production and better delivery of plant foods may provide faster relief. Although livestock farming is not the most energy-efficient way of producing food, meat will remain a significant component of the global diet for the foreseeable future. New measures for parasite control will be needed, and we must improve our methods of inventing them. They need not act directly against the parasite. In the distant future lie other threats to the inhabitants of planet Earth, and here we must acknowledge the cogency of the no-food-crisis argument. In the long term, the production of animal foods and animal feeds will be revamped in ways that depend on how (or whether) we solve the energy crisis, the environmental crisis, the increasingly dire regional population crises, and the current world financial crisis. Throughout the 20th century, the animal health industry had to adapt to industrialization and expansive agribusiness. It will have to adapt to even greater changes in the 21st century and beyond.     

兽用抗菌药使用减量化工作探索与实践

高密市被确定为山东省第二批兽用抗菌药使用减量化试点县以来，严格按照评价标准开展工作，认真指导养殖企业开展抗菌药减量化使用，以点带面推进各项措施落实，减少使用抗菌药类药物，建立了政府主导、企业参与、社会共治的科学管理工作机制，“减抗”省级试点工作推进稳妥有序，兽用抗菌药使用量实现逐年减少，减量工作取得实效。