Animal Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 228-238 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 228 Feature Review Open Access Disease Prevention and Control for Improved Animal Welfare Zhaolin Wang Ruipai Pet Hospital, Sanya, 572000, Hainan, China Corresponding email: 745457309@qq.com Animal Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.3 doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0024 Received: 08 Apr., 2024 Accepted: 24 May, 2024 Published: 13 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang Z.L., 2024, Disease prevention and control for improved animal welfare, Animal Molecular Breeding, 14(3): 228-238 (doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0024) Abstract Animal welfare is intricately linked to effective disease prevention and control measures. This study explores the various strategies and methodologies employed in veterinary epidemiology, biosecurity, and infection control to enhance animal health and welfare, highlights the critical role of veterinary epidemiology in identifying risk factors and implementing control measures for livestock diseases, and discusses the importance of systematic reviews in synthesizing research on animal health, welfare, and food safety, providing a scientifically defensible summary of current knowledge. Effective infection control practices within veterinary settings are examined, emphasizing the need for consistent implementation and the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, this study underscores the necessity of evaluating subsidized veterinary services to ensure their effectiveness in controlling zoonotic diseases and promoting animal welfare. The findings suggest that a multifaceted approach, including biosecurity, systematic reviews, and robust infection control practices, is essential for improving animal welfare through better disease prevention and control. KeywordsAnimal welfare; Disease prevention; Veterinary epidemiology; Biosecurity; Infection control 1 Introduction Animal welfare is a multifaceted discipline that intersects with veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, and applied animal ethology. It encompasses the ethical treatment of animals, ensuring their well-being, and minimizing suffering through proper management and care (Fraser, 1989). The importance of animal welfare extends beyond ethical considerations; it is also crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of animals, which in turn impacts human health and economic outcomes (Fraser, 2008; Hemsworth et al., 2015). The scientific assessment of animal welfare involves evaluating the physical and psychological states of animals, often through indirect physiological and behavioral indices (Broom, 1988). This comprehensive approach helps in understanding and improving the living conditions of animals, thereby promoting their overall well-being. The relationship between disease prevention, control, and animal welfare is intricate and deeply interconnected. Good management practices and high standards of animal welfare are essential in reducing the risk of infections and diseases in farm animals. Environments that promote positive affective states and reduce stress can enhance the immune response, thereby lowering susceptibility to diseases (Düpjan and Dawkins, 2022). Conversely, poor welfare conditions can lead to increased stress and compromised immune function, making animals more vulnerable to infections (Heath, 2012; Hemsworth et al., 2015). Effective disease control measures, including preparedness and proven management techniques, are vital in minimizing the adverse impacts of disease outbreaks on animal welfare. Thus, improving animal welfare is not only an ethical imperative but also a practical strategy for disease prevention and control. This study explores the role of disease prevention and control in enhancing animal welfare, examining scientific frameworks and methods for assessing animal welfare and its correlation with disease prevention, investigating the impact of good welfare practices on disease resistance and overall health, identifying effective management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of disease outbreaks on animal welfare, comprehensively understanding the dynamic interactions between welfare, immunity, and disease, and highlighting future research areas aimed at contributing to ongoing efforts to improve animal welfare through better disease prevention and control strategies.
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