On the lookout for disease threats

In the fight against emerging disease threats to humans, a national surveillance network uses the medical records of pets to pinpoint geographic areas where treatment methods may need to be implemented. According to scientists at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine, The National Companion Animal Surveillance Program is the next critical defense against avian flu and other diseases that affect humans and animals. The data is collected from 80,000 pets treated weekly at more than 500 Banfield hospitals in 44 states and reports from a nationwide network of laboratories that 18,000 private veterinary practices use. The data show clear patterns in flea and tick infestation compared to the incidence of Lyme disease in humans and allow veterinarians to anticipate unusual occurrences of diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans.

Web watch

Visit the Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists Web site at www.apaws.org for public health and disease prevention information and a searchable, international directory of pooper-scooper companies.

www.purinavets.com/technicians features an online training program about nutrition.