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

The aetiology of zoonotic infections embraces organisms from every branch of the microbial world. In addition, zoonoses must be considered as a truly global problem, both in terms of their distribution and the measures required for their control. Within the UK, zoonotic disease is considered to be less frequent than in some less developed parts of the world. However, its contribution to overall morbidity and mortality within the UK population is not well established. In an attempt to define the impact of zoonotic infection 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 confirmed that some infections occur frequently in farmers. For example, ringworm and Q fever were associated with contact with cattle and orf with the handling of sheep. Some findings were unexpected; the incidence and prevalence of leptospirosis, for example, were far lower in the farmers than had been anticipated, whilst there was a higher than expected incidence and prevalence of hantavirus infection. The success of the project was largely due to the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach and the continuity of funding which enabled the study of the same cohort to continue for 7 years.