Vets United programme

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐙𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲

On this World Zoonoses Day, we would like to shine a spotlight on fish-associated zoonoses.

While zoonotic diseases in terrestrial animals are widely discussed, fish zoonoses have received far less attention.

Poor welfare, chronic stress, and inadequate husbandry can increase fish susceptibility to disease. Some of these diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from fish or the aquatic environment to humans.

Zoonotic agents associated with fish include bacteria, parasites, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, with bacteria responsible for most fish-related zoonotic infections and diseases. For example, Mycobacterium marinum causes mycobacteriosis in both fish and humans. Similarly, Aeromonas spp. can cause gastrointestinal infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and septicemia, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Most fish-associated zoonotic infections occur through direct contact with infected fish or contaminated water, exposure of cuts or wounds, or the consumption of raw or undercooked fish and seafood.

By improving fish welfare through good husbandry, biosecurity, and health management, we can reduce disease risks, strengthen sustainable aquaculture, and protect both animal and public health.

For more information on fish welfare, check our fish welfare teaching module on www.teaching-animal-welfare.org

Should fish welfare receive more attention in One Health discussions? Share your thoughts below.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫?

Effective animal welfare legislation should provide clear and specific regulations for all major areas where animals interact with humans. A comprehensive legal framework helps ensure that animals are protected, cared for, and treated humanely across different settings.

Key areas that animal welfare laws should address include:

🔹 Companion animals including traditional pets, exotic pets, and stray animals.

🔹Animals kept for farming purposes: promoting humane handling, housing, transport, and sustainable production systems.

🔹 Animals used for experimentation including research, testing, and educational purposes, with strong ethical and welfare considerations.

🔹 Wildlife and animals in zoos and aquaria: ensuring conservation, appropriate care, and welfare standards.

🔹 Animals used for work in areas of transport, security, and other labour-related activities.

🔹Animals used for sports, leisure, and entertainment: ensuring activities do not compromise animal wellbeing.

As human interactions with animals continue to evolve, animal welfare laws must also adapt to reflect scientific knowledge, ethical responsibility, and societal expectations.

Which area of animal welfare legislation do you think requires the most urgent attention in your country?

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮-𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 (𝗨𝗥-𝗖𝗩𝗔𝗦)

Assoc. Prof. Martin Nwawubizi, Principal of the University of Rwanda – College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (UR-CVAS), successfully conducted a three-day hybrid orientation workshop for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
The newly established committee comprises 9 members from diverse disciplines, including Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Food Science, and Medicine. The committee is now fully operational, with the first set of applications already received for ethical review.
This initiative marks an important milestone in strengthening animal welfare ethics and research governance through multidisciplinary collaboration at UR-CVAS.
In addition, Dr. Jean Claude Manirambona has been appointed as the Animal Welfare Focal Person at UR-CVAS.