“One Health” Session Scheduled for the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC), in Orlando, Florida (USA) Monday, January 17, 2011 www.navc.com
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A second outstanding featured speaker, an activist wildlife veterinarian Dr Kirsten Gilardi, DVM, DACZM, Assistant Director, UC Davis Wildlife Health Center says she has directed her veterinary career towards One Health efforts, “whether that be providing clinical care to wildlife species endangered due to human-related activities, researching the health status of wildlife species as indicators of the health of their ecosystems, directing the One Health-focused Envirovet Summer Institute, or now administering the Mountain Gorilla One Health Program. As a wildlife veterinarian, a One Health framework for my endeavors is the most effective and only meaningful approach.” Dr. Gilardi said, “it is highly rewarding on a professional and personal level.”

Speech topic: “One Health in ACTION” - DETECTING WILDLIFE ZOONOSES TO PREVENT HUMAN PANDEMICS

Dr. Gilardi describes her excellent and illuminating One Health message:

“The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Emerging Pandemic Threats Program (EPT) is a recently launched international effort to detect emerging wildlife zoonoses in time to prevent human pandemics. The EPT is an excellent example of One Health in Action; in particular, its PREDICT project http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ohi/predict/index.cfm, is administered by the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center in partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Trust, Global Viral Forecasting, Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution. It is working on the ground on the One Health frontline, conducting wildlife zoonoses and emerging disease surveillance in more than two dozen countries at high-risk wildlife-human interfaces such as bushmeat hunting and wildlife ecotourism.”

Dog parks allow socialization and exercise, but can pose health risks.
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Whether it's the dog park, doggie day care, boarding, competitions or training classes, mingling dogs with varied or unknown health histories can present health problems for dogs as well as their owners. The very reason you take your dog to a dog gathering – social mixing with other dogs – is the same thing that can put them at risk. Diseases can be spread through direct contact between dogs, shared bowls and equipment, contaminated water, stool, insects and other methods. People who visit these areas and interact with the dogs may also become infected with zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be spread from animals to people. In addition, any gathering that puts people and dogs together introduces the risk of dog bites.

As always, your veterinarian is your best source for animal health information. If your dog is showing signs of illness, consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. If you feel you have been exposed or made ill by any of the conditions listed below, consult a physician.

This information isn't intended to scare dog owners away from participating in and enjoying social events involving dogs; rather, it is intended to inform you of the risks and some common sense measures that can decrease the disease risks for you and your dog(s).

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By Marcia Wood
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B vitamins—B-6, B-12 and folate—all nourish the brain. But much remains to be discovered about the relation between these essential nutrients and our brainpower.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutritionist Lindsay H. Allen has collaborated in ongoing research that has taken a closer look at the role these nutrients may play in preventing decline in brain function. The investigations, led by Mary N. Haan of the University of California-San Francisco, are part of the multiyear Sacramento (Calif.) Area Latino Study on Aging, or "SALSA." Begun in 1996, the study attracted nearly 1,800 Hispanic seniors, ages 60 to 101, as volunteers.

According to Allen, the research is needed because many studies of B vitamins and brain function have given inconsistent or conflicting results.

Reptiles and amphibians – and their food – can spread Salmonella.
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Many people are aware turtles and other reptiles can carry Salmonella bacteria, but not many know that amphibians can carry it, too.

This doesn't mean amphibian and reptile owners should get rid of their pets. What it does mean is that amphibian and reptile owners should take precautions to protect themselves and their families. Simple, common sense measures can significantly reduce your risk of amphibian- or reptile-associated Salmonella infection.

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