Veterinary Service
Veterinary Service
Kilkenny County Council has a veterinary service which specializes in the area of Veterinary Public Health. Veterinary Public Health is defined by WHO as 'the contributions to the physical, mental and social well being of humans through the understanding and application of veterinary science'.
Human health, animal husbandry and animal health are closely connected and Veterinary Public Health is a fundamental part of public health whereby human health and well being are the main objectives. Veterinary Public Health is multidisciplinary and contributes to various aspects of public health that are not always related to animals.
In order to integrate Veterinary Public Health into the goals of public health it is essential to improve collaboration between human and veterinary medical science , environmental science and other related fields - in accordance with 'one health ' principles.
Zoonoses are diseases passed from animals to humans e.g. salmonella, ringworm etc. Approximately 75% of all new human diseases over the past 10 years have been caused by pathogens originating from animals or animal products.
Kilkenny County Council has a Service Contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in which the main objective is public health through the integration of Veterinary Public Health and it covers the local authority areas of Carlow and Kilkenny.
The Veterinary Service is also involved the Control of Dogs, Control of Horses, the regulation of Dog Breeding Establishmentsand other relevant areas under Kilkenny County Council's remit.
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