The Battle Against Disease

4-H Veterinary ScienceExtension Veterinary Medicine

Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Texas A&M Systemhttp://aevm.tamu.edu

Objectives

Discuss the history of disease control Discuss infectious disease control Discuss non-infectious disease control Describe the roles of the government

agencies that deal with disease control Discuss practices to foster health and well-

being of animals

History

Problems change with time Brucellosis Tuberculosis Foot and mouth disease

Types of disease Emerging diseases Endemic diseases Foreign diseases

Infectious Diseases

Infectious disease Caused by a pathogen that can invade (infect)

and then multiply in a susceptible animal Pathogens

Bacteria Protozoa Viruses Fungi Rickettsia

In short These organisms enter the body of

susceptible animals and cause an illness in that animal

Concern Movement of animals introduces these

pathogens into susceptible populations

US constantly on look out TAHC USDA-APHIS USDA-VS

Non-Infectious Diseases

Non-infectious disease Caused by toxins (chemical poisoning) or by

malfunctioning of the body (as nutritional disorders)

Result of environmental or behavioral changes

In domestic populations Infectious problems reduced

Disease Non-infectious problems increased

Cancer Heart disease

Control Eat healthier foods Smoke less Get more exercise

Agency Roles

Both state and federal agencies involved Animals

State Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)

Federal USDA-APHIS

People State

Texas Department of State Health Services Federal

United States Department of Health and Human Services

Zoonotic Disease that is shared between animals and

people Rabies West nile virus Anthrax

Animal and human agencies work together in disease outbreaks

Sentinel animals See problems in these animals before see in

people

Health and Well-Being

Preventive health management Vaccinate Biosecurity Cooperation between state and federal

agencies

Preventive measures Identify reservoirs through surveillance Prevent exposure Develop immunity Provide good nutrition Provide adequate physical activity Develop optimum environmental conditions Develop selection and breeding programs