GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – More than 100 military veterinary personnel from 20 countries participated in the International Military VeterinarySymposium, hosted by Public Health Command Europe in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, May 6-10.
The theme of this year’s symposium was “Combating Global Health Threats through Veterinary Services” and brings together military veterinarians from the U.S., NATO allies and partner nations to exchange and discuss best practices, share ideas, build interoperability and foster relationships.
According to Lt. Col. Lisa Barden, Public Health Command Europe Veterinary Services Chief, the theme “is based on the wide range of global threats, both man-made and natural, that personnel in military veterinary services are called to respond to and have a critical role in action (protection of animals, food, and people), prevention, mitigation or resolution.”
During the four-day symposium, representatives from the participating countries provided presentations that accentuated best practices and challenges in veterinary public health, food safety and defense and zoonotic disease surveillance and controls.
“Military veterinary personnel are engaged in public health, food protection, and animal health/medicine around the world; therefore, expertise and readiness are vital not only for the military personnel and working animals, but families and the local civilian population. Bringing personnel together at events like IMVS builds bonds that decrease response time and communication hurdles when hazards arise,” stated Public Health Command Europe Commander Col. Paul Lang. “IMVS started as regional approach, but over the last few decades of increased globalization we have seen an increase in human and animal disease and public health threats on a global scale, to include BSE, Ebola, and COVID.”
Presentations aimed to highlight the many ways attending countries approach public health. The conference offered the opportunity to exchange knowledge, ideas, and challenges in hope of building and strengthening partnerships in the dynamic European theater.
One of the first presentations was given by Lt. Col. Shane Andrews, Director of Veterinary Medical Center Europe, who discussed the role of veterinary services during Operation Tomodachi following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan of March 2011.
“The devastating natural disaster in Japan was not expected nor anticipated, however, it provided an opportunity for the US Veterinary Corps to unite with international partners and militaries and ultimately extend support, aid, and relief services,” said Andrews. “This conference enables these relationships to develop and grow allowing interoperability in order to combat future health threats to our nations.”
Amongst others, military veterinarians from Germany and Denmark were represented by Dr. Sven Ramdohr and Major Dr. Lena Rangstrup-Christensen, who presented a report on developing a field preventive medicine unit in the Danish Armed Forces with the help of the German Bundeswehr.
According to Rangstrup-Christensen, who attended the symposium for the second time and is one of six veterinarians in the Danish Army, “the Danish military needs subject matter experts from other nations to cooperate, help and consult, so we can learn from them since we aren’t many. Knowing what each other does is crucial because in the moment a disaster occurs it is too late to ask questions. Therefore, we need to have a shared understanding and establish communication ahead of time to work together and successfully execute in an emergency.”
For more than 15 years a spokesperson the American Veterinary Medical Association attended IMVS.
“The AVMA is the nation's leading advocate for the veterinary profession. Representing more than 105,000 members, we protect, promote and advance the needs of all veterinarians and those they serve,” said AVMA President Dr. Rena Carlson. “Our commitment is to advance the shared interests, values and goals of AVMA members, through a variety of avenues such as educational accreditation and certification programs.”
The symposium concluded with Food and Water Safety and Veterinary Support Panel meeting. The NATO meeting consisted of expert panel members from more than 10 countries and focused on working towards standardizing public health and food safety and procurement processes amongst participating NATO countries.
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