Equine Disease Quarterly
JANUARY 2014
Volume 23, Number 1
COMMENTARY
A concept that has received considerable focus of
late is that of One Health. What exactly is One Health?
It is the recognition that the health of humans,
the health of animals (both domestic and wild),
and the environment are all interconnected. The
health of humans is affected by that of animals
and the condition of the environment, and vice
versa. This concept brings physicians, veterinarians,
ecologists and other scientists into a multidisciplinary
collaboration to monitor diseases and the environment
and to study the ways that diseases are transmitted
and maintained in the environment. This concept is
basically synonymous with the “One Medicine” and
“One World” concepts.
While the term “One Health” has recently come into
vogue, its importance has been recognized for many
years, especially considering zoonotic diseases that
can spread between animals and people. Likewise,
changes in the environment affect both humans and
animals. This includes land and water use and food
supplies. The global nature of commerce and the
heightened movement of both humans and animals
make a combined approach to health essential. The
threat of emerging diseases and pandemics that could
first manifest in animals means that collaboration
among physicians, public and animal health workers,
and environmentalists is of critical importance to
quickly recognize cross-species risks and implement
protective measures. Just as importantly, the potential
health impact must be considered in a collaborative
manner as conservation and biodiversity programs
are implemented.
How does this concept impact horses and the people
who interact with them? Horses inhabit an environment
that exposes them to people, other horses and
domestic animals, wildlife, indoor conditions, and the
outdoor environment with pasture, wooded areas,
and water sources. The better the job we do in
health management and planning in each of these
areas, the more positive the effect on the health
of our horses. For example, the ecology of wildlife,
including rodents, deer, skunks, and opossums, can
place horses at risk for several diseases, including
Lyme disease, equine protozoal encephalomyelitis,
rabies, salmonellosis, and leptospirosis. Several of
these diseases also pose a zoonotic risk to people.
One quickly can appreciate how environmental
management can have a profound effect on the
health of horses and consequently people, and how
health personnel must be cognizant of these
interactions.
Another example that brings the One Health concept
into focus in this issue of the Quarterly is the Equine
Encephalitis update. West Nile virus transmission
involves the interaction of wild birds, mosquitoes,
horses, and humans. Bird deaths and encephalitis in
horses can signal a risk of West Nile virus infection to
people via mosquito vectors. Environmental control
of mosquito populations can reduce the risk. The
collaborative efforts of health officials in multiple
disciplines are necessary to better control diseases
of these types. We must be forward thinking in our
approach to health and realize that the subjects
we specialize in are not within a vacuum and that
an integrated One Health concept is needed to
safeguard the health of horses.
CONTACT
Dr. Neil M. Williams
(859) 257-8283
[email protected]
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Equine Disease Update
October 2013
The International Collating Center, Newmar
ket,
United Kingdom, and other sources reported the
following disease outbreaks.
Contagious equine metritis (Taylorella equigenitalis)
was reported from Germany in one mare and one
stallion on separate premises.
Australia, France, Ireland, Sweden, the UK, and the USA
reported outbreaks of strangles. Several outbreaks
were diagnosed in New South Wales, Australia. France
and Ireland confirmed seven outbreaks each, either
in Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds. Sweden and the
USA reported that strangles was endemic, with several
outbreaks diagnosed. Two outbreaks were recorded
in the UK, one involving a non-Thoroughbred and the
other a gelding with a concurrent infection of equine
herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).
Equine influenza was reported by Germany, Sweden,
and the UK. A single case in a Thor
o ughbred
• Volume 16 no 1 • March 2014 •
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