Summary
The
twenty-first century is characterised by epidemiological globalisation
on an unprecedented scale with resulting impacts at the interface
of economic, scientific, social and political forces arising from
the emergence and re-emergence of animal diseases. Throughout history,
animals have served as a source to humankind of food, transportation,
medicines, entertainment, clothing, fuel, military advantage and
financial security. It is therefore not at all surprising that animal
diseases have resulted in significant social and political impacts
that have shaped and continue to shape the course of national and
international events. The social impacts can be expressed as indirect
health consequences or behavioural changes, changes in societal
values and changes in social standing and can be felt at the individual,
family or community level. The political impact of major disease
outbreaks can include loss of public and consumer confidence, resistance
to investments in disease surveillance, reluctance to report disease
detections in a timely or transparent manner, failure to implement
science-based international standards for safe trade (which protect
animal, human and ecosystem health) and the removal of government
officials. The magnitude of these impacts would support that social
and political impacts warrant their inclusion in the consequence
assessment of a robust animal disease risk analysis framework.
Keywords
Animal
diseases, Disease impact, Political impact, Public awareness, Public
health, Repercussions of disease, Social impact, Veterinary services,
Zoonoses. |