FOR MORE INFORMATION

Michael San Filippo
Phone: 847-285-6687
Cell: 847-732-6194
e-mail: [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 8, 2006

Protect Public Health

U.S. Rep. Lois Capps Schaumburg, Ill. — Citing concern over emerging animal-borne diseases such as avian influenza and the “critically necessary” role veterinarians play in detecting and responding to such diseases, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) has sponsored a bill that would expand the workforce of veterinarians engaged in public health practice.

Known as the Veterinary Workforce Expansion Act, the bill would provide $1.5 billion over the next 10 years to expand the size of veterinary schools and increase the number of veterinarians trained in public health and biomedical research.

“Veterinarians provide an invaluable service to our communities, providing a front line of defense against animal-borne diseases like the avian flu and performing the critically necessary research to avert other public health threats,” Rep. Capps said. “Given the myriad of issues that threaten our animal populations – and the dangers those threats may pose to humans – we have to rebuild our veterinary medicine infrastructure.

“It’s critically important that we take steps now to produce more veterinarians and improve our veterinarian medicine research efforts,” added Rep. Capps.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is pushing for the passage of the bill, stressing that the neglect of veterinary medical education threatens the lives of U.S. citizens.

“Highly contagious avian influenza, foot and mouth disease and mad cow disease are all naturally occurring threats that have the potential to severely impact animal health and welfare, food safety and public health, and devastate the U.S. economy,” AVMA President Henry Childers, DVM, said. “As first responders, veterinarians are critical to preventing, diagnosing and controlling biological agents that can be transmitted between animals and human beings.

The bill (S. 914) was introduced in May by Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), a retired veterinarian, and has received bipartisan support from 12 cosponsors, including Sen. Stabenow. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Charles “Chip” Pickering (R-Miss.)

“Veterinarians are in a position to detect and respond early to emerging infectious diseases and potential bioterror threats,” Allard said in a statement. “By increasing the number of graduates and improving our research capabilities in veterinary medicine, we can make sure that our country is ready to face the public health challenges of the future.”

Dr. Childers of the AVMA cited the work of Tracey McNamara, DVM, a former veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo, who in 1999 connected the deaths of crows at the zoo with the deaths of several people in New York, leading to the discovery of West Nile virus in the United States and potentially saving hundreds of lives.

###

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 73,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association’s issues, policies and activities.