UK government collaborations to manage threats to animal and human health

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7527.1216

BMJ 2005;331:1216-1217 (26 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7527.1216

Editorial

UK government collaborations to manage threats to animal and human health

The chief veterinary and chief medical officers are workingclosely together on bird flu and other zoonoses

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The confluence of human and animal health has, once again, beenbrought under the spotlight by the current epidemic of avianinfluenza (H5N1 virus) affecting poultry and humans across SouthEast Asia and by its recent spread into Europe. Understandingand developing the multiple links between these two fields isessential for establishing effective surveillance, preparedness,and response strategies and for developing appropriate, government-widemechanisms for risk assessment and management.

Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer

Credit:NILS JORGENSEN/REX

As chief medical officer (CMO) and chief veterinary officer(CVO), we have a shared responsibility to communicate with bothprofessional and public audiences. We hope that this articlewill support other communications in illustrating the breadthand depth of the strategic collaboration between our two professionswithin the United Kingdom government. In addition, we hope thatthe article will prompt deeper inquiry by the sister professionsinto increasing their participation in . . . [Full text of this article]

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Debby Reynolds, chief veterinary officer

Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, Nobel House, London SW1P 3JR (cvo-uk@defra.gsi.gov.uk)

Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer

Department of Health, Richmond House, London SW1A 2NL