The health of humans, animals and ecosystems are interconnected; this is referred to as the One Health concept.   Collaboration between human and animal health professionals on disease surveillance, outbreak response and prevention is required to achieve optimal health outcomes.

In BC, human and animal health professionals communicate and collaborate regularly to protect the health of British Columbians.  An example of this collaboration is the BC Reportable Animal Zoonoses Program, initiated in 2015, through which the Chief Veterinary Officer informs the Public Health officer about the occurrence of certain zoonotic diseases. These diseases were selected for the value in reporting to public health to take action to protect human health, through increased knowledge and awareness of their occurrence in animals.

The reportable zoonoses are:  Anthrax, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Brucellosis, Chlamydiosis (psittacosis in humans), Influenza A in swine, Avian Influenza H5 and H7, Plague, Q fever, Rabies, Trichinosis, Tuberculosis, Tularemia, West Nile Virus, Zoonotic Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers.  The Chief Veterinary Officer will also inform the Public Health Officer about the detection of any new or unusual animal diseases (or disease cluster) with potential public health significance.