With H5N1 avian bird flu and other diseases that can affect both animals and humans, the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department is bringing awareness to One Health Day.
Marked on Nov. 3, One Health Day brings awareness to the One Health approach, which recognizes the connection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
One Health means that public health is involved, along with other experts, in working together to improve the health of not only people, but animals that include pets, livestock and wildlife, as well as plants and the environment.
H5N1, avian bird flu, is an example of a zoonotic disease, which can be spread between animals and people, and more than half of all infections people can get are this type of disease. In order to protect themselves and other animals from bird flu, those with backyard flocks are advised to not touch sick or dead birds, their litter and any surface of which they may have had contact, and should wear personal protective equipment while dealing with them. Keep other animals away from the birds and their equipment, which includes livestock and pets, and watch for signs of illness in them if they have been exposed.
Those interested in learning more about H5N1 can visit the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department’s website, www.movhd.com/h5n1 and can also sign up for our newsletter at that link. Learn more about One Health Day at https://www.cdc.gov/one-health/about/index.html