Animal disease management / preventive vaccinations against officially controlled animal diseases

The topic “animal disease management, preventive vaccinations against officially controlled animal diseases” addresses the problems surrounding animal health and its implications for humans and society that have become topical again. It also shows quite plainly that there are far more aspects to the issue of keeping animals healthy than the specialised technical aspects of animal disease control itself. Animal disease control primarily encompasses generally known terms such as hygiene, prophylaxis, therapy, culling, sanitation, disinfection and restocking of healthy herds. In addition, ecosocial aspects especially play a key role. In an age of media reporting that is quick as a flash and highly topical, the experts for animal health, i.e. farmers and veterinarians as well as scientists, bear a huge responsibility. The public pays attention to any detail in the event of animal disease outbreaks and any even minor statement that could be misunderstood by laymen can contribute to triggering an “ultimate MCA”. Public or consumer fears, whether they are justified or not, can result in a virtual panicstricken “demonization” of products derived from the animal species concerned. In this context, food safety plays a role that cannot be rated highly enough. Food safety must be ensured at all events to protect consumers against the impact of zoonotic or potentially zoonotic infections as well as to prevent hazards to the economy. Taking the diseases foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza as examples, the opportunities open today for animal disease management as well as future options are being presented and discussed. In addition, an outlook into the future is given regarding desirable changes with particular emphasis on the options of administering vaccines

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