WSAVA announces new chair of One Health Committee
Professor Mike Lappin has been announced as chair of the WSAVA's One Health Committee.
The WSAVA has announced US veterinary surgeon Professor Mike Lappin as chair of the One Health Committee (OHC).
Mike Lappin heads the Centre for Companion Animal Studies at Colorado State University. He replaces UK veterinary surgeon Professor Michael Day, who is taking up new responsibilities with the WSAVA.
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Lappin said: “One Health has been my major career interest since completing my PhD studying feline toxoplasmosis. Joining the OHC has been a career highlight and I am honoured to have been elected to follow in his footsteps and to lead the WSAVA’s work in this area.
“We have a range of activities planned for 2018, including the launch of an online modular continuing education (CE) programme in One Health for WSAVA members.”
The OHC works to ensure the prominence of the small animal-human interface in the global One Health agenda. Created in 2010, the group has worked to build international understanding of the importance of companion animal care in aspects of One Health.
To date its activities have included organising a memorandum of understanding to promote increased collaboration between the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the WSAVA. It has also hosted two major symposia and published a number of scientific manuscripts and editorials.
Professor Michael Day, who was recently elected to the WSAVA’s executive board, said: “It has been an honour to have served as the inaugural chair of the WSAVA OHC and we have made great progress in promoting the importance of small companion animals in One Health.
“I’m grateful to our Committee members who have given freely of their time and I would also like to thank our eight industry sponsors. Without them, our achievements would not have been possible."
He added: “Mike Lappin has been an active member of the OHC since its early days and has an international reputation for his work on zoonotic infectious diseases. He is ideally placed to lead the OHC going forward.”
The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.
