Organisation of veterinary public health activities in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region.

This review covers the organisation of veterinary public health (VPH) activities in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, with reference to zoonoses and hazards to man from foods of animal origin. A study of the region shows that no separate VPH units exist within the national Veterinary Services. Although these Services are gradually being upgraded and strengthened, most of their resources are spent in controlling serious contagious animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease, rinderpest and Newcastle disease. Rabies, present in almost every country of the region, is a zoonosis which no Veterinary Service can ignore. Other serious zoonoses affecting the region include echinococcosis, brucellosis, leishmaniasis, anthrax, toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis. Salmonellosis is one of the most serious food-borne zoonoses, while hazards from the increased presence of additives, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones in foods of animal origin are other emerging VPH problems. Many obstacles hamper efficient reorganisation of VPH activities. These include the inherited colonial system of assigning VPH activities to other authorities (health inspectors) rather than to Veterinary Services; the confusion as to which authority should actually be responsible in a given field; the lack of epidemiological studies and knowledge of the real extent of VPH problems; lack of training; inadequately staffed and poorly equipped Veterinary Services; and lack of public awareness. Nonetheless, a few countries have made excellent progress in reorganising VPH activities and in eradicating serious zoonoses. International organisations like the OIE, FAO and WHO can help greatly in establishing efficient VPH programmes.