Emergency diseases

Contents | Introduction | Economic impact | Social issues | Environmental issues | Animal welfare issues | Professional and personal issues | References

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Environmental issues

Feral and wild animal impacts

This is a potentially vexing issue as both populations have vectors and hosts for a number of emergency diseases. The potential for populations to be severely affected (eg the African pandemics of rinderpest that killed untallied numbers of wild ruminants), act as infection reservoirs, and/or spread infections into farm livestock populations are concerns for animal health authorities. In addition, the control of feral and wild animal populations, if at all possible, could severely impact on regional ecosystems for the better or worse. Animal control programs have implications for Animal Welfare Issues (see later).

Zoonotic implications

The death recently of a veterinarian during a fowl influenza outbreak serves as a warning that although the risks are low for most emergency animal disease outbreaks, there are still risks for all involved. Human mortalities have also occurred with Hendra and Nipah virus outbreaks.

Occupational health and safety of workers, producers and the public

In addition to zoonoses, other occupational health and safety issues will arise in an increasingly litigious society and their importance will develop as the complexity of disease control operations expand. Numerous people, many movements, large equipment and animals set the scene for potential accidents.

Disposal of carcases and associated material

The foot and mouth outbreak presented a challenge in the disposal of carcasses and resulted in major problems as the outbreak progressed out of control. Where (in the UK sites far removed from the affected area had to be used) and how carcasses are destroyed (burning or burial) will have environmental impact; the degree depends on the situation and so careful decisions need to be made to minimise this impact.

Disposal of effluent from decontamination

Effluent could be blood, other material of animal origin (eg feathers), washings from shed and equipment cleaning, bedding materials and excrement. Not only is the potential infectious nature of this material needs to be considered, but also the direct impact on land and water resources in the immediate environment. Local regulations need to be observed.

Animal welfare issues