Veterinary public health capacity-building in India: A grim reflection of the developing world’s underpreparedness to address zoonotic risks

摘要

Veterinary public health (VPH) is ideally suited to promote convergence betweenhuman, animal and environmental sectors. Recent zoonotic and emerginginfectious disease events have given rise to increasing calls for efforts to buildglobal VPH capacities. However, even with their greater vulnerability to suchevents, including their economic and livelihood impacts, the response from low andmiddle-income countries such as India has been suboptimal, thereby elevatingglobal health risks. Addressing risks effectively at the human–animal interface inthese countries will require a clear vision, consistent policies, strategic approachand sustained political commitment to reform and refine the current VPH capacity buildingefforts. Only then can the discipline serve its goal of disease prevention,poverty alleviation and support for sustainable livelihoods through improvementsin human and animal health.