BROOKINGS, S.D. - Russ Daly, Extension veterinarian based at South Dakota State University, also will serve as South Dakota's state public health veterinarian.
Daly's new role will complement his efforts in his Extension position, while adding his expertise as a resource for health care providers, the state's Department of Health and other state agencies, and the public when it comes to dealing with diseases that can pass between animals and humans. SDSU Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences head David Zeman said Daly would benefit South Dakota greatly by bolstering public health services, especially at the urban-rural interface in this agriculture-intensive region.
"Having a state public health veterinarian means that South Dakota will be able to more readily collaborate between other states on public health investigations and projects," Zeman said. "In recent years, the link between animal and human health has been illustrated by the 'One Health' initiative, in which both medical and veterinary expertise can combine to control and possibly eradicate disease conditions that are important to both human and animal health. Russ will play a crucial role in that effort."
Common issues that public health veterinarians deal with include zoonotic diseases such as rabies and influenza, foodborne illnesses, vector or insect-borne disease, antibiotic resistance, and animal contact in public settings such as fairs and petting zoos. South Dakota Department of Health State Epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger said Daly's new post would add strength to an already positive relationship between human and veterinary professionals.
"South Dakota is a rural state where many people have occupational, recreational or random contact with animals or insects that transmit diseases to humans, and every year we have many cases of animal-origin diseases, including E. coli O157:H7, West Nile, tularemia, and hantavirus, to name a few," Kightlinger said. "We also have an ever-present threat from rabies, anthrax, and plague. That's why a public health veterinarian will help the Department of Health better understand, prevent, and control animal disease transmission to humans."
