One Health Heroes, Dec 15, 2025: Pet Vaccine Hesitancy, Rabies in an Organ Donor, H5N1 and Elephant Seals
Episode Description
In this One Health Heroes update, Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communication specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians, discusses:
- Avian influenza is now widespread across the U.S., affecting wild birds, backyard flocks, commercial poultry, and even dairy herds, underscoring the need for continued surveillance and reporting.
- Wildlife impacts are profound, with avian influenza linked to catastrophic population losses in Southern elephant seals, highlighting the broader biodiversity consequences of emerging diseases.
- Vaccine hesitancy is increasing among pet owners, with studies estimating hesitancy in ~21% of dog owners and ~25% of cat owners, mirroring trends seen in human medicine.
- Rabies remains a fatal but preventable disease, with recent cases illustrating how small wildlife exposures (including bats and skunks) can lead to tragic outcomes in both animals and humans.
- Canine parvovirus is resurging in some areas, causing severe, often fatal disease in unvaccinated puppies—reinforcing the importance of routine vaccination and herd protection.
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