Veterinarians safeguard animals, people, and the planet

Photo: Filepic/The Star

EVERY year, on the last Saturday of April, the world comes together to celebrate World Veterinary Day – an occasion to recognise the invaluable contributions of veterinarians to animal health, human well-being, and environmental sustainability. This year’s theme is “Animal Health Takes a Team”, underscoring the collaborative nature of veterinary care in delivering high-quality veterinary services with far-reaching impact across sectors.

A timely and stark example of this collaboration is the ongoing battle against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a zoonotic disease that threatens not only birds, but mammals and humans too. Its global resurgence has led to devastating consequences – over three million birds have been culled in the United Kingdom and 166 million in the United States, resulting in sharp increases in egg prices and severe financial losses. Beyond poultry, the outbreak has also affected dairy cattle in the United States, further exacerbating food security concerns.