World Veterinary Day 2023: Know more about the history, significance, and theme of the day

History

Edinburgh’s Veterinary College professor John Gamgee chaired the first ever International Veterinary Congress meeting in 1863 in Hamburg, Germany. The agenda of the meeting included epizootic diseases and discussion on standard rules for cattle trade in Europe. The governing body later came to being as the World Veterinary Congress.

At the eighth World Veterinary Congress meeting, a Permanent Committee was formed to serve as an organisational link between congresses accross the globe.

The World Veterinary Association (WVA) was founded in 1959 in Spain’s Madrid. It was the WVA which came up with the World Veterinary Day in the year 2001. As of 2023, the association boasts of members from more than 70 countries and national veterinary associations from across the globe.

Significance

The WVA unites veterinary professionals globally, including national and international associations of veterinarians working in different spheres of veterinary medicines. The WVA ensures and promotes animal health and welfare through the development and advancement of veterinary medicine, as well as public and private veterinary services.

“The emergence of animal-borne viruses, such as COVID-19, has also given rise to heightened awareness concerning disease transmission,” said Dr Shantanu Kalambi, Chief Veterinary Officer, Supertails.com. “The pandemic has engendered a marked upswing in demand for veterinary services, as more individuals have adopted pets during this time,” he added.

World Veterinary Day also brings to light the significance of veterinarians in maintaining animal welfare worldwide.

World Veterinary Day brings to light the significance of veterinarians in maintaining animal welfare worldwide. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

According to Dr Kalambi, “Veterinarians occupy a pivotal position in the ‘One Health’ paradigm, which acknowledges the close interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health.”

Through their efforts to monitor and contain animal diseases, veterinarians play a critical part in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases that can have a deleterious impact on human health, he said. By identifying and responding to disease outbreaks early on, they are able to limit their effect on both animal and human populations, the expert added.

Moreover, veterinarians are invested in environmental health. As per Dr Kalambi, “By working to mitigate the transmission of zoonotic diseases through food and water sources, they help to safeguard human health. They endeavour to prevent and manage diseases that can be disseminated through wildlife populations, as well as minimize the impact of human activities on the environment, such as pollution and habitat degradation.”

Theme

This year, the theme for World Veterinary Day is “Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the Veterinary Profession.”

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