United front--veterinary and medical collaboration

Ir Med J. 1998 May-Jun;91(3):95-6.

Abstract

Four cases of concomitant animal and human Salmonellosis were investigated. Liaison took place between veterinary, public health medical and environmental health professionals. An epidemiological association between veterinary and medical disease outbreaks was established following cases in a dairy unit, a poultry unit, a calf rearing unit and one pig and dairy unit (on the same farm). In three cases clinical disease in animals preceded clinical disease in humans while in the fourth case, the poultry unit, salmonella isolations from poultry carcasses coincided with clinical salmonellosis in a human working with the live poultry. Important epidemiological factors are identified. The problems of delay in seeking veterinary advice, compartmentalisation of veterinary and medical practices, and the benefits of direct collaboration between veterinary and medical professionals in the event of a diagnosis of salmonellosis in animals and/or humans are highlighted. A collaborative reporting and liaison model is proposed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Chickens
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
  • Disease Reservoirs*
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Ireland
  • Male
  • Milk / microbiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Salmonella Infections / epidemiology
  • Salmonella Infections / therapy
  • Salmonella Infections / transmission*
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / epidemiology
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / therapy
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / transmission*
  • Swine
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Water Microbiology