About the end of the year and even in the midst of the revolution due to the presidential transition, animal health and the concept of a health They were once again in the news and occupied prominent spaces in different media.
It could have been due to the multiple investments that both laboratories and veterinary distributors are making, but no. Nor was it because of the increasing complications that companies have to import (and pay abroad), both raw materials and finished products.
On the contrary, the main news was linked to the health emergency and the multiple damages caused by the reintroduction of equine encephalomyelitis (Western Type) to the country, which caused the death of horses in different provinces and put the entire sector in suspense. equestrian
Although at the close of this edition of TO MOTIVATE The situation was far from being resolved and doubts still remained regarding the supply of vaccines. This was not the only health issue that came to light between the end of November and the beginning of this month of December.
The declaration of Aujeszky’s disease in pigs from Santa Fe and a case of feline rabies in Mar Chiquita, Buenos Aires, joined the outbreaks of equine encephalomyelitis in a combo that undoubtedly has a common question: why are they still so low levels of protection against these diseases through vaccines of proven effectiveness?
We must continue to demonstrate and insist that prevention is better than cure. We must continue to demonstrate and insist that prevention is better than cure.
Faced with this problem and on the eve of a new leadership in Senasa, there were many these weeks who wondered if all these disease outbreaks will not be an alert for the debate that is coming about whether or not to continue vaccinating against the foot and mouth disease in our country.
¿One Health?
Hundreds of rumors and fake news circulated around the extremely serious situation that the equine industry is currently experiencing. But also some truths: after the obligation to apply the vaccine to animals annually was removed, the guard against the disease was lowered.
Once the impact of not vaccinating has been proven, why is it so difficult to comply with health calendars? What keeps them discussing?
Is it a cost issue? In light of the results, surely not.
As if that were not enough, the seriousness of the situation increases when considering that both equine encephalomyelitis and rabies are diseases that also affect people.
“Vaccinations should be mandatory against all zoonotic diseases,” it was proposed in different forums and exchanges between producers, advisors and technicians in recent weeks.
Is that the solution? Is it necessary to insist on the role that vaccinations play in disease prevention, that they are not a cost and that they represent insurance not only for the well-being of the animals, but also for their productive performance and subsequent marketing? It looks like it is.
Even within the framework of the expansion of the concept of One Health, of the demands of society in matters of Animal Welfare, and although it often sounds obvious, it is vital that veterinarians commit to complying with vaccination plans, regardless of whether they are mandatory or not.
It is known that many times the decision does not depend on professionals and that these types of actions are usually taken as “expenses” by the owners of the animals.
That is the challenge and – at the same time – the paradox: we must continue to demonstrate and insist that prevention is better than cure. Yes, although the justification is again and again visible to everyone.
2023-12-07 18:22:35
#Health #vaccine #paradox
