BUSINESS
Infection control and prevention of zoonotic diseases AR Digital Interactive - Veterinary Industry Guide to Workplace Safety 2021/22 Veterinarians, their staff, and clients have inherently high risks of exposure to and infection with zoonotic diseases. It is estimated that of the 1,415 agents causing disease in humans, 868 (61 per cent) are zoonotic (capable of transferring between humans and animals). Moreover, of the 175 pathogens defined as emerging infections, 75 per cent are zoonotic. The newly released AR Interactive – Veterinary Industry Guide to Workplace Safety 2021/22 focuses on risks associated with Zoonosis and Antimicrobial Resistant (AMR) Microbes with best Practice Control Measures optimised through augmented reality (AR) experiences to maximise WHS compliance performance based on the updated AVA Guidelines for Veterinary Personal Biosecurity which details the zoonotic diseases present in Australia and dealing with high-risk situations. The Pro-Visual (AR) Interactive – Veterinary Industry to Guide to Workplace Safety 2021/22 in collaboration with Industry Associations, Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), Veterinary Business Group (VBG) and endorsed by the National Safety Council Australia (NSCA) highlights Infection Prevention Control AVA guidelines recommended to mitigate the transmission and spread of potentially highly infectious zoonotic diseases and emerging threats such as Q fever and MRSA in veterinary settings and adapted to individual practices in alignment with State and Federal Government WHS legislation
via a modifiable word document; with ongoing training to establish consistent and cohesive implementation. Developed with advanced technologies such as interactive augmented reality (AR) capabilities for use with a smartphone or tablet, upon installation of the free Pro-Vis AR App available from the App Store or Google Play, virtual WHS can be downloaded and viewed at any time. Designed to be displayed in the workplace, the AR Interactive - Veterinary Industry Guide to Workplace Safety 2021/22 is a key resource to support the Veterinary Industry and is also available to students, graduates, and educators in applying complex WHS regulatory documentation via a suite of interactive visualisations, such as 3D animation and videos, is a targeted response to a digital landscape. It reflects a shared interest of the AVA, VBG and regulators to ensure safety is at the forefront through clarity, accessibility, and consensus to veterinary practices of all types. Together Pro-Visual Publishing and their partnering Associations have carefully selected additional subject matter that addresses WHS issues pertinent to the industry, which include: ■
Sharps and needlestick injury prevention
■ Surgical and therapeutic lasers: best practice control measures inclusive of state and territory regulatory compliance
Compressed gas cylinders: risk assessment, best practice control measures inclusive of storage and handling.
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“We are continuing to make leaps and bounds by improving WHS education and training supported by advances in digital technology and AR,” Pro-Visual CEO John Hutchings said. “The biggest impact of digitisation can be seen in how it can revolutionise engagement, which underpins success and effectiveness, by reducing risk to improve health and safety performance overall.” “I would like to thank our corporate sponsors and industry associations in promoting specific, practical guidance on how to institute and evaluate WHS standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will safeguard staff from the hazards associated with individual work duties and prevention of zoonotic disease exposure.” For free Guides email marketing@provisual.com.au
FIV awareness campaign launched Celebrate 150 years of the Cat and new kitten owners are being cats can support their cat, allowing urged to speak with their veterinarian many to live a relatively normal life. RSPCA with new stamps about feline immunodeficiency Advocating for prevention to be a virus (FIV). FIV has a high prevalence in Australia compared to most other countries and can cause serious and potentially fatal disease in cats by depressing the immune system. It has also been linked to kidney disease, neurological disease, chronic gingivostomatitis, skin disease and weight loss. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is behind the mission to support veterinarians to minimise the impact of FIV in our cat population – and has assembled the Australian Feline Retrovirus Advisory Panel, an independent panel of feline medicine and veterinary infectious disease experts. The panel have developed guidelines to help veterinarians with diagnosing, preventing, and managing FIV. Primarily transmitted via bite wounds that introduce saliva containing virus and FIV-infected white blood cells, the virus can leave cats predisposed to chronic and recurrent infections of various types and has been shown to increase the risk of some cancers. While FIV infection in some cats can have devastating health impacts, it is important to stress to owners that FIV is not a death sentence and does not constitute grounds for euthanasia. Some FIV-infected cats can live a relatively normal life for a protracted period, with a near-normal lifespan. With management and housing conditions impacting the outcomes of FIV infection, owners of FIV-infected
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priority, Mark Westman, chairperson of the Australian Feline Retrovirus Advisory Panel said. “Infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) can have serious consequences. Vaccination to prevent infection with FIV is recommended for pet cats whose owners are unable to, or cannot be persuaded to, keep their cats away from the risk of being bitten by an FIV-infected cat,” “Sadly, once a cat has been infected with FIV, there is no cure which is why it is important for cat owners to adopt a prevention protocol to ensure cats are safe and protected. Australia has one of the highest rates of FIV infection in the world, however it is also one of the few countries that has access to an effective vaccine,” Westman said. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health manufactures a polyvalent FIV vaccine to prevent FIV infection. The primary vaccination course of 3 doses given 2-4 weeks apart can be administered to healthy kittens or cats from eight weeks of age to aid in the prevention of infection with FIV, followed by annual boosters. Additional resources on FIV are available from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Territory Managers. Further information for veterinary staff can be found on www.animalhealthacademy com.au or www.vetplus.com.au. If registering for Animal Health Academy for the first time, use access code myAcademy.
Australia Post is celebrating 150 years of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) with the release of five stamps representing their mission and practice: research, shelter, protection, certification, and advocacy. With the RSPCA’s history in Australia dating back to a public meeting to discuss the ill treatment of horses in Victoria in 1871, this stamp issue commemorates the organisation’s 150 years of caring for and protecting animals in Australia. Australia Post Group Manager Philatelic Michael Zsolt said the RSPCA deserves to be celebrated for their tireless work towards preventing animal cruelty.
“The RSPCA’s long history of advocating for animal welfare issues is something all Australians are proud of,” Zsolt said. “The stamp designs really show the breadth of the RSPCA’s work across companion animals, farm animals, animals in sport, recreation and industry, and wildlife. RSPCA Australia Chief Executive Officer Richard Mussell said the stamps were a fitting addition to the 150th anniversary commemorations. “It’s wonderful to see the RSPCA’s work over many years acknowledged in this way by Australia Post,” Mussell said. “These stamps are a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our great breadth of work and what has been achieved in what is an important milestone year for us.” The stamps and associated products, including a minisheet, stamp pack, first day cover and maxicard set, are on sale at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794, and online while stocks last. For more information visit auspost.com.au/stamps.
OCTOBER 2021 TheVeterinarian 29
