Application of Epidemiology and Principles of Herd/Flock Health for the Exotic Animal Veterinarian.

Against a backdrop of climate change and epidemics, the exotic animal veterinarian is well positioned to detect emerging and exotic disease threats, prevent and control zoonotic diseases, and identify antimicrobial resistance. Within the traditional context of animal and public health, epidemiology has had a focus on veterinary preventive health and in disease investigation and control particularly in food animal and safety application. The understanding of preventive health management and veterinary epidemiology expands the repertoire of the clinical veterinarian to advise and implement and evaluate group animal health programs and biosecurity measures as well as conduct disease investigations.