Working as a Government Vet

Question 1

What does the WHO define veterinary public health as?

Answer 1

“The sum of all contributions to the physical, mental and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinary science”

Question 2

What is the primary aim of government vets?

Answer 2

Serve to safeguard the health and welfare of animals and humans, contributing to a safer environment for all

Question 3

Who is the main direct employer of vets in government?

Answer 3

The APHA

Question 4

What is the role of the APHA?

Answer 4

Work to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy.

Question 5

What are some of the veterinary roles within the APHA?

Answer 5

• Field work
• Policy advice
• Research
• Management
• Surveillance and pathology

Question 6

Describe the roles of field worker vets within the APHA

Answer 6

Includes work with;
- Major notifiable 
disease outbreaks 
(e.g. Avian influenza, Foot and Mouth disease)
- Endemic notifiable disease case work (e.g. TB)
- Animal welfare
- Animal by-products
- Import/export premise inspection work
- Veterinary Medicine investigations
- Investigations of reportable diseases
- Investigations of illegal feeding

Question 7

Describe the work of the APHA in regards to animal welfare

Answer 7

• Farm animals only
• Audit work to ensure farmers comply with the law
• Response to complaints and concerns
• Work with local authorities

Question 8

Describe the roles of surveillance and pathology vets

Answer 8

• Ability to carry out PME on a wide variety of species
• Decision making on what tests to do, and interpretation of results
• Requires good veterinary diagnostic capabilities
• Forms the backbone of national surveillance
• Input into legal cases on occasion

Question 9

Describe the roles of research vets

Answer 9

• Vaccine development
• Diagnostic test development
• Conference attendance (as speakers and delegates)
• Response to disease outbreaks: Endemic disease and Exotic disease

Question 10

Policy advice vets provide authoritative veterinary advice on…?

Answer 10

• Animal welfare
• Disease control
• New legislation

Question 11

Describe the roles of the APHA in an outbreak situation

Answer 11

• Disease report cases
• Surveillance and licencing
• PME surveillance
• Laboratory diagnosis
• Research and development

Question 12

Which other individuals/groups are involved in an outbreak situation

Answer 12

• Central government
• FSA
• Home office
• Private vet
• UK heath security agent

Question 13

What is the difference between a notifiable and reportable disease?

Answer 13

For a notifiable disease you only have to SUSPECT disease on farm to notify APHA

Question 14

Following a report of a (suspected) disease who is the first to get involved, and how?

Answer 14

APHA vet will make the initial triage – collect history, assess all risk factors

Question 15

Who is deployed to further investigate a report?

Answer 15

Field vet

Question 16

What are the actions of the field vet once deployed?

Answer 16

• Serve restrictions
• Inspection and examination of stock, further assessment of risks (e.g. movements, recent contacts)
• Can disease be ruled out?

Question 17

If disease cannot be ruled out by the field vet what must happen next?

Answer 17

• They must then liase with the Exotic ND team in London. They will require further evidence about why disease is suspected and if in agreement will authorise sample collection.
• The vet in the field is then required to take samples e.g. blood and swabs
• The field vet then sends the samples down to APHA Weybridge for official testing.