Vets in DC on Watch for Inauguration Animal Illnesses

In the nation's capital, veterinarians are on high alert for any strange sicknesses in animals. This is due to the presidential inauguration, which brings potential zoonotic threats into focus. Zoonotic diseases can spread from animals to humans, making them a concern for bioterrorism. The Virginia health department asked local vets to keep an eye out for any unusual illnesses in pets or other animals that have been near the National Mall between January 19 and January 21. If a vet sees an animal with a severe illness within 14 days of being in that area, they should quickly report it to the state's Zoonotic Disease Program. This kind of surveillance has been done before, like during the last inauguration. It shows how important it is to have a "One Health" approach, which considers the connection between animal, human, and environmental health. Pets and other animals can be the first to show signs of a disease, helping us understand how big and serious an outbreak might be. For example, the bacterium that causes tularemia, a serious illness, affects rabbits and rodents quickly. This bacterium is also considered a possible bioterror weapon.