Víctor Briones

In the European Union (as elsewhere), there are many activities that involve animals and which must, as such, be subject to regulation. These include trade, livestock farming, fishing or for the purpose of environmental protection. Some of these regulations also cover the definition of “pet animals” which includes both domestic and exotic pets- whether from the natural environment (wild animals) or bred in captivity from originally wild animals. Species that have adapted to or undergone a domestication process present a series of characteristics that are more favorable for or conducive to coexistence with humans. This article explores whether exotic species should be viewed as “pets,” based on – by their very nature - being inherently incompatible with domestication, including their habitat/living requirements. In addition, it raises issues around, and rationale or drivers of, the practice of trading and acquiring exotic species as pets, when there is the alternative of keeping a domestic animal for this purpose instead.

Avian influenza is one of the most devastating avian diseases. The current high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) A virus H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b epizootic began in the 2020–2021 season, and has caused a panzootic, considered one of the worst ever reported. The present panzootic has novel epidemiological features that represent a challenge for its prevention and control. This review examines key epidemiological changes of the disease such as seasonality, geographic spread, and host range. The seasonality of the virus has changed, and contrary to previous avian influenza epizootics, this subclade was able to persist during boreal summer. Its geographic range has expanded, with reports in all continents except Australia. During this epizootic, HPAIV H5N1 has broadened its host range, infecting hundreds of bird species, and causing the death of thousands of wild birds and over 300 million poultry. The number and diversity of mammal species infected by H5N1 2.3.4.4b is unprecedented. Although considered low, this strain’s potential to spillover to humans should not be underestimated, especially considering the current extremely high viral circulation in animals and increasing adaptation to mammals. Overall, HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b represents an ongoing and growing threat to poultry, wildlife, and human health.

La antigua Roma y las zoonosis

Human and veterinary medicine obviously share most concepts and contents. However, both academic and scientific issues and the daily practice of many health disciplines can differ largely between human and veterinary medicine. Such differences can easily go unnoticed among other healthcare collectives or the general public. The aim of the present work was to provide an update, as well as some definitions of what we understand under the terms Veterinary Public Health and Veterinary Health Policy.