Zoonoses

Zoonoses are diseases and infections which are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man. Monitoring the field occurrence of appropriate animal diseases highlights the potential for zoonotic transmission.

VLA aims to:

  • Provide accredited data on trends and sources of salmonella and other zoonotic agents in animals and feedstuffs in Great Britain.
  • Provide specialist microbiological and epidemiological expertise and research activities on food safety and zoonotic diseases, working closely with other organisations including the Health Protection Agency and the Food Standards Agency.
  • Provide emergency response to assist public health professionals with the investigation of on-farm food safety and environmental animal - associated zoonotic incidents in England and Wales.
  • Carry out national surveys of food borne and environmental zoonotic pathogens at abattoirs and farms and develop validated sampling protocols.
  • Participate in multi-desciplinary Zoonoses Liaison Groups and other zoonotic surveillance activities and groups across England and Wales.

VLA publishes the following:

See also the disease information pages on:

VLA, Health Protection Agency, Defra, Food Standards Agency and others have agreed guidelines for the collaborative investigation of zoonotic diseases and infections in England and Wales. The guidelines are available on the HPA website.