# Veterinarians Alerted: The Importance of One Health in Tracking Zoonotic Risks During Public Gatherings
As the Washington, DC area geared up for the presidential inauguration, veterinarians were put on heightened alert to watch for abnormal illnesses in animals. Although no specific threats were identified, this increased caution emphasizes the significance of a “One Health” approach in public health—a concept that acknowledges the interrelations among human, animal, and environmental health.
This preemptive strategy underscores the vital function of veterinarians in spotting possible zoonotic diseases, which are conditions that can be transferred between animals and humans. By utilizing veterinary expertise, public health authorities seek to catch early indicators of bioterrorism or emerging infectious diseases that might endanger both animals and humans.
—
## **Strengthened Monitoring During Public Gatherings**
In correspondence to veterinarians in Virginia, the state health department sought support in “strengthened monitoring” throughout the inauguration period from January 19 to January 21. The letter highlighted that this precaution was taken out of an abundance of caution, as large public events typically entail heightened security risks, including the potential for bioterrorism.
Veterinarians were directed to report any unusual or serious illnesses in animals that may have come into contact with the National Mall area during the inauguration. These reports were to be submitted immediately to the state’s Zoonotic Disease Program, overseen by State Public Health Veterinarian Julia Murphy. This protocol follows similar initiatives from past inaugurations, reinforcing the ongoing relevance of animal health surveillance in public safety planning.
—
## **Zoonotic Illnesses as Indicators of Public Health Risks**
Zoonotic illnesses have long been acknowledged as potential signals of larger public health concerns. Animals can serve as indicators, often revealing signs of illness before humans due to their shorter incubation periods for specific pathogens. For instance, the bacterium *Francisella tularensis*, responsible for tularemia, poses a significant risk to rabbits and rodents. This pathogen is also deemed a potential bioterrorism agent and is included on the federal Select Agents and Toxins registry.
Murphy indicated that animal illnesses can offer crucial insights into the extent and seriousness of an outbreak. “Their incubation period can be fairly short—usually, but not always—yet it often is shorter than that in humans,” she remarked. This emphasizes the importance of animals in early detection systems for both naturally occurring outbreaks and deliberate biological threats.
—
## **Historical Examples: Animals as Indicators of Disease**
The capacity of animals to identify public health dangers is not a new phenomenon. A significant instance occurred in 1999 when birds were instrumental in pinpointing the arrival of West Nile Virus in North America. In New York City, an outbreak of severe encephalitis cases in humans coincided with a fatal outbreak among local birds. Investigators eventually isolated the virus from tissue samples of American crows and a Chilean flamingo, establishing a connection to the human cases.
This historical example highlights the significance of incorporating animal health monitoring into broader public health frameworks. By carefully observing atypical trends in animal illnesses, health officials can uncover crucial insights that might otherwise be overlooked.
—
## **Potential Risks and Symptoms to Monitor**
During the inauguration, health officials outlined a wide array of potential threats, including anthrax, tularemia, Ebola, plague, and botulism. Veterinarians were encouraged to observe for a combination of unusual symptoms, possible exposure to the inauguration area, and a two-week window after the event. Symptoms of concern included fever, vesicular lesions, hemorrhaging, significant head and neck swelling, paralysis, sepsis, multi-organ failure, and death.
Murphy stressed that veterinarians should report any cases they perceive as unusual, even if the connection to the inauguration area isn’t apparent. “If they observe anything that appears unusual—perhaps an unusually severe illness or clusters of cases—and they have any concerns that the animal might have some link to the vicinity of the inauguration, they should notify us and we can discuss it,” she stated.
—
## **Fostering Strong Ties Between Public Health and Veterinary Services**
The effectiveness of such monitoring initiatives depends on robust relationships between public health officials and the veterinary sector. Murphy voiced confidence in their capacity to promptly identify and address potential threats. “If something were to occur, I am highly confident that we would be alerted to it promptly,” she remarked.
Should a concerning case arise, the following actions would involve coordinating with diagnostic resources and possibly engaging federal entities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
—
## **The One Health Framework: A Collaborative Strategy**
The reinforced monitoring during the inauguration period underscores the necessity of the One Health framework in tackling intricate health challenges. By acknowledging the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, this approach fosters collaboration across various fields to avert and respond to health threats.
