Response to Bowsher et al. (2021) veterinary intelligence.

Firstly, can we thank Bowsher et al. for their work on zoonotic threats and the role that the veterinary profession can play in mitigation. This paper highlighted some very relevant points, in particular the need for more veterinary involvement in monitoring for zoonotic disease; that this work requires greater funding and that animal diseases are human diseases. We would also strongly agree with the conclusion that human and veterinary scientific communities need to collaborate to prevent any future pandemics.

The concept of one health is not new, having been used for many years within the veterinary world. As the authors mentioned, SAVSNET is already undertaking surveillance, as are many of the Vet Schools, wider universities and Government. As always, funding will be required to develop this work further.

The paper highlighted the need for more post-mortems on zoo animals in the UK. We would like to clarify that comment; whilst it may not be a legislative requirement to undertake post-mortems of all animals that die within a zoo setting, the Secretary of State Standards for Modern Zoo Practice (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secretary-of-state-s-standards-of-modern-zoo-practice) and the so-called ‘Balai’ Council Directive 92/65EEC (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudr/1992/65/2019-07-16) both legally require that zoo licensed premises continuously monitor for infectious and particularly ‘notifiable’ diseases within their collection and are therefore undertaking all forms of regular monitoring for disease.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Fellowship was founded over 140 years ago. It is a learned society that aims to advance veterinary standards by providing a resource of independent knowledge. Fellows come from all aspects of veterinary medicine in addition to a number of Fellows who work in human medical research including zoonoses.

The Fellowship would be keen to work with Bowsher et al. to take forward discussions around zoonotic disease monitoring and the integration of human and veterinary science as we agree that vets have a vital role to play and collaboration is the only way we can successfully take forward this work to prevent any future pandemics. We would like to support the development of further networks, integration and synergy between the human and veterinary fields.