AU-IBAR marked World Veterinary Day 2021, commemorated on April 24 this year, by joining other members of the Action for Animal Health coalition in penning an open letter calling on governments and international agencies to invest in animal health and welfare to prevent another pandemic.
Over 75% of all new human infectious diseases emerge from animals, including the likes of Covid-19, SARS, Rabies and Ebola (UNEP). Looking ahead, it is vital that we take a One Health approach and recognise the complex relationship between humans, animals and the environment.
The letter calls for an immediate injection of funding to map the gaps and train more veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals to standards established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). By keeping animals healthy and remaining vigilant for new disease outbreaks, veterinarians play a critical role in preventing the next pandemic.
Action for Animal Health
Action for Animal Health is a coalition of organisations working together to call on policymakers to invest in strengthening animal health systems. Key focuses include the need to increase and improve the global animal health workforce, increase the availability of veterinary medicines and vaccines, improve animal disease detection and surveillance, support community education and promote the One Health approach. The coalition will officially launch the week of 24 May to coincide with the OIE General Assembly.
The call to action may be accessed via: www.actionforanimalhealth.org
To access the Animal Health Strategy for Africa & he Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa; access the AU-IBAR Repository: repository.au-ibar.org
