Veterinary parasitology and human health

Veterinary parasitology is a subdiscipline of veterinary medicine and is concerned (a) with diseases in animals caused by protozoan and metazoan parasites, (b) with parasitic zoonoses and (c) with parasites acting as disease vectors. Veterinary parasitology is related to human health and well-being in a number of ways. It plays a role in treatment, prevention and control of parasitoses in animals which serve as food sources for humans, which are used in agriculture as farm animals or which are companion animals of humans. Of direct significance to human health are activities of veterinary parasitology in prevention and control of food-, water-, vector-borne and other zoonoses, such as toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, leishmaniosis, taeniosis/cysticercosis, echinococcosis and others. In this context the evolution of veterinary parasitology, progress in the control of parasitic animal diseases, the concerns of mass-treatment of livestock against parasitoses, environment related problems and other factors are discussed. Finally, examples of current and predictable future research trends in veterinary parasitology are summarized. It is concluded that an innovative veterinary parasitology in cooperation with other disciplines will be in a position to contribute further to the improvement of human health and well-being.