Animal Health and Food Safety V3 EN

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines veterinary public health as “the sum of all contributions to the physical, mental and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinary science.” Veterinary public health covers all activities in animal health that directly relate to public health. Many animal diseases can present a risk to public health either through direct transmission or consumption of food of animal origin. Research has shown that improving animal welfare can have an impact on the prevalence and spread of food-borne diseases. Therefore, the primary functions of veterinary public health are the prevention, detection, and control of animal diseases and the protection of food of animal origin.

HSO’s Animal Health and Food Safety Services Standards promote an integrated approach to animal health and food safety. These standards are for organizations that are responsible for planning, designing, delivering, and evaluating services that address veterinary public health functions within their communities.

HSO’s Animal Health and Food Safety Services Standards contain the following sections:

• Monitoring Trends in Animal Health and Food Safety
• Planning and Designing Animal Health and Food Safety Services
• Having the Right People
• Delivering Animal Health and Food Safety Services
• Monitoring the Quality of Animal Health and Food Safety Services