Veterinarians May Have Role in Preventing Bioterrorism

Veterinarians are becoming increasingly involved in detecting outbreaks of human diseases, and may play a role in detecting a future biological weapons attack, the Associated Press reported Saturday (see GSN, April 15, 2003).

About 75 percent of all new diseases, including SARS and monkeypox, are initially seen in animals, AP reported (see GSN, Nov. 5, 2003). During the 2001 anthrax attacks, veterinarians helped lead field teams because the disease is traditionally only seen on cattle farms, AP reported.

“You’re just as likely to find a bioterrorist agent in an animal health diagnostic lab or vet office as a physician’s office or hospital,” said Lonnie King, dean of the Michigan State college of veterinary medicine (Daniel Yee, Associated Press/Columbus, Ga., Ledger-Enquirer, April 10).

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