Summary
Great concern is being expressed at the international level on the
emergence and re-emergence of certain infectious diseases, many
of which are zoonoses, e.g. Rift Valley fever, highly pathogenic
avian influenza, etc. Many aspects of globalisation, i.e. the movements
of populations, increased urbanisation, greater production and trade
in animals and animal products, close interaction between humans
and animals, environmental degradation, inappropriate waste disposal,
etc., are all determining factors in the prevalence of zoonoses.
The Mediterranean and Middle East share similar ecological and epidemiological
conditions and are affected by almost the same zoonoses (brucellosis,
rabies, echinococcosis, leishmaniosis, salmonellosis, etc.). National
control programmes have given partial results or have failed due
to weak infrastructures, insufficient financial resources, inadequate
intersectoral collaboration and coordination, a lack of public health
education, etc. There is an urgent need for the firm commitment
of all parties involved on regional, national and international
levels to ensure the success of zoonoses prevention and control
programmes.
Keywords
Control,
Disease, Emerging zoonoses, Epidemiology, Intersectoral collaboration,
Public health, Zoonosis.
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