World Veterinary Day was instigated by the World Veterinary Association in 2000 to be celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April. In 2008, the WVA and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) agreed on the creation of the World Veterinary Day Award aimed at rewarding the most successful celebration of the veterinary profession by national veterinary associations, alone, or in cooperation with any other selected veterinary body.
The 2010 Award will be delivered at the 78th OIE World Assembly to be held in Paris, France on 23 to 28 May 2010. The prize of US$1,000 will be donated to the winner.
Criteria for selection
National veterinary associations that celebrate World Veterinary Day alone or in cooperation with others can participate in the competition of being selected WVD award winner of the year by sending in a completed application form.
Theme for the Year 2010
One World, One Health: more cooperation between veterinarians and physicians
The much publicised concept 'One World, One Health' indicates that the world has awakened to the link between animal diseases and public health.
It has long been known that 60 per cent of known infectious diseases are common to humans and animals (whether domestic or wild); 75 per cent of recent emerging human diseases came from animals and 80 per cent of the pathogens that could potentially be used in bioterrorism are zoonotic. It is also known that human populations need a regular diet of protein particularly from milk, eggs or meat, and that a deficiency can also be a public health problem.
The unprecedented movement of commodities and people between nations provides opportunities for pathogens to spread and multiply.
Further, climate change can enable pathogens to extend their range, notably through vectors, such as insects colonising new areas that up until a few years ago were too cold for them to survive the winter.
The only way to minimise the impact of these new hazards is to adapt the existing systems of animal and public health governance at world, regional and national levels in a harmonised and coordinated manner. From the animal health perspective, 'One World, One Health' should eventually lead all countries to make a firm commitment to establishing mechanisms for the early detection of disease outbreaks, as well as allowing rapid implementation, by veterinarians, of any required preventive or therapeutic measure directed to animals.
From the human health perspective, 'One World, One Health' should induce all countries to adopt a united approach by veterinarians and human physicians for the control of zoonotic diseases, especially with regard to the prevention and post-exposure treatment of these diseases.
The 2010 Award will reward the veterinary association that best publicises the theme by involving all stakeholders in the organisation of events along with all other stakeholders such as the media and the general public.
Further Reading
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- | You can find further details of how to apply for the award by clicking here. |
