World Veterinary Day to focus on vector-borne zoonoses
On April 25, World Veterinary Day 2015 will raise awareness of vector-borne diseases with zoonotic potential.
The World Veterinary Association created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession, falling on the last Saturday of April. Each year, the WVA and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) choose a theme for the event.
“Vector-borne zoonotic diseases are an important example of the interdependence that exists between vectors, animal hosts, climate conditions, pathogens, and susceptible human population,” according to the announcement for World Veterinary Day 2015.
The announcement concludes, “Collaboration and coordination between veterinarians and physicians are fundamental to prevent and then treat vector-borne diseases.”
The WVA and OIE offer the $1,000 World Veterinary Day Award for the most successful celebration of the occasion by a national veterinary association working alone or in cooperation with other veterinary groups.
In 2014, World Veterinary Day highlighted the role of veterinarians in animal welfare. The AVMA won the 2014 World Veterinary Day Award for developing an online hub about animal welfare.
Details about World Veterinary Day and the World Veterinary Day Award are available here.