The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) and its role in the control ofzoonotic disease

The aetiology of zoonotic infections embraces organisms from every branch o f the microbial world. In addition, zoonoses must be considered as a truly global problem, both in terms of their distribution and the measures requir ed for their control. Within the UK, zoonotic disease is considered to be l ess frequent than in some less developed parts of the world. However, its c ontribution to overall morbidity and mortality within the UK population is not well established. In an attempt to define the impact of zoonotic infect ion more accurately, a multicentre prospective study of disease in farmers in England and Wales was initiated by the PHLS in 1992. The study involved the completion by participants of annual questionnaires dealing with their own health and the range and health of their livestock. Our results confirm ed that some infections occur frequently in farmers. For example, ringworm and Q fever were associated with contact with cattle and orf with the handl ing of sheep. Some findings were unexpected; the incidence and prevalence o f leptospirosis, for example, were far lower in the farmers than had been a nticipated, whilst there was a higher than expected incidence and prevalenc e of hantavirus infection. The success of the project was largely due to th e adoption of a multidisciplinary approach and the continuity of funding wh ich enabled the study of the same cohort to continue for 7 years. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.