World Veterinary Day befalls on April 25th this year. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and World Veterinary Association (WVA), during the 82nd General Session of OIE, on 25th May 2014, resolved that the theme for World Veterinary Day 2015 should abound Parasitic Diseases. Accordingly, this year's theme has been formally announced as Vector-Borne Diseases with a Zoonotic Potential.
As I see it, there are three subjects in this theme: Vectors, Vector-Borne Pathogens and One Health. It feels especially difficult to look at the first two sans each other and then there is the 'Zoonotic' part that sends an alarm. This is probably the first theme for WVD that has this 'alarming' element attached to it.
We are dealing with 'Zoonoses' here.
Spooky-Spooky!
Being a veterinarian, I'd say that such alarms are very necessary; necessary in the sense that the public gets to know that a veterinarian is more than an animal doctor. And that is a big reason for holding a World Veterinary Day -- to tell the people about ourselves: what we are and what we do.
The other reason for celebrating World Veterinary Day is to address key challenges for the profession. As we come together and rejoice the solidarity of the profession, it forms an opportune moment to think over imminent problems, heed them and start acting. I sincerely hope that apart from the alarm for the 'outsiders', the theme also percolates within the profession. Given the mercurial nature of most vector-borne zoonoses, it is not that difficult for us to end up opening a small (or BIG?) Pandora's box for the world whenever we fail our duties. Let us not be that modern-day Aesculapeus. Let us put the proverbial 'stitch' at the right time and at the right place. Let us secure lives and livelihoods. Let us heal the world!
Bhaskar Ganguly
