National Institute for Animal Agriculture promotes One Health concept

Opening general session speakers at the 2010 annual meeting of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, March 15–17, will zero in on the One Health concept, a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations to decrease the threat of zoonotic diseases, food- and waterborne illnesses, and environmental change to human and animal health.
The speakers “will look at how the One Health initiative and strategies shift the focus from surveillance to intervention and prevention, and how challenges need to be faced collectively rather than in individual silos and disciplines,” said Dr. Tony Forshey, co-chair of annual meeting’s planning committee.
Opening general session will be held on March 15. Topics and speakers include:

*“One World, One Health: The Global Food Basket"—Dr. Corrie Brown, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
*“The Genesis of One Health: What It’s All About"—Dr. Roger Mahr, chief executive, One Health Commission
*“Past, Present and Future: Veterinary Service's Roles in One Health"—Dr. Joseph Annelli, One Health coordinator, USDA/APHIS/Veterinary Services
*“Environmental Health: How Does One Health Fit In?"—Jay Ellenberger, deputy director, Environmental Protection Agency
*“How Will One Health Impact Livestock Producers?"—Dr. Harry Snelson, American Association of Swine Veterinarians
*“One Health in the Real World"—Dr. Billy Clay, American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine, Vetta Consulting LLC

Species-specific discussions surrounding One Health will take place during species-based committee meetings on March 16 and March 17. Species-based committees include cattle, swine, poultry, equine, and sheep and goat. Issue-based committee meetings will address animal care, animal health emergency management, animal health and international trade, animal production food safety and security, emerging diseases, and animal identification and information systems.
The annual meeting will take place at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. A full schedule and registration information are available at the National Institute for Animal Agriculture Web site.