Protecting human and animal health through education and awareness of zoonotic diseases.
Seventy-five per cent of all new human diseases are zoonotic — meaning they originate in animals and cross to humans. The Stephen Rose Foundation exists to change that trajectory through education, awareness and action at the critical intersection of animal and human health.
About the Foundation
The Stephen Rose Foundation promotes improvements in public health with a focus on zoonotic diseases — infectious diseases that can pass from animals to humans. A key objective is providing education in the control and treatment of zoonotic diseases and promoting actions that reduce their future incidence.
For equine veterinarians in particular, managing zoonotic risk has become an increasing burden of workload and stress. Veterinarians must follow government regulations and guidelines to protect themselves, their clients and their communities. The Foundation supports that work.
Current focus — Hendra virus
A serious zoonotic risk
Hendra virus can be transmitted from horses to humans and carries a significant mortality risk. Equine veterinarians face this risk as part of their daily practice.
Vaccination is the answer
A widely available Hendra vaccine is considered the gold standard for managing the risk. Because vaccination cannot be mandated by law, horse owner education is vital to uptake.
Education in action
The Foundation focuses on reaching horse owners directly with evidence-based information to encourage vaccination and reduce the risk to animals, veterinarians and the public.
Equitana Melbourne 2018
In November 2018, the Foundation took its education program to Equitana in Melbourne — the largest equestrian exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere — where 50,000 horse owners attended over four days. The Foundation managed an exhibition booth staffed by volunteer veterinarians, providing brochures and direct conversations about the risks of Hendra virus and the importance of vaccination. It was education at the scale the issue demands.
Support the foundation
Your contribution supports the education and awareness work that protects veterinarians, horse owners and the broader community from the risks of zoonotic disease. To make a donation, contact our Member Services team.
Call: 1300 137 309
Email: members@ava.com.au
Donate or bequest
Make a one-off donation, give in memory of a special animal, or leave a bequest.