The Health Protection Agency & Zoonosis

Zoonosis are diseases and infections which are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. 

HPA is an independent public body which was established in 2003 to provide an integrated approach to protecting UK health through provision and support of the NHS, LA, emergency services and department of health. It does not have any statutory powers to enforce legislation but works closely to  support other agencies that do e.g. LA & FSA.

It possesses three specialist centres:

• Centre for Infections- horizon scanning and assessment of infectious disease threat. Co-ordinate zoonosis activities across HPA, provide medical and health protection advice and work with vets on assessment, management and control of zoonosis. 
• Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response.
• Centre for radiation, chemical and environmental hazards. 

Specialist lab functions are provided by a number of reference labs. 9 regional offices and 25 local health protection units. 

Local Responsibilities

• Investigate and manage incidents and outbreaks.
• Trace contacts which have been in contact with infectious disease, radiation or chemicals.
• Local disease surveillance.
• Deliver and monitor national health protection programmes at a local level.
• Work with partners to prepare for emergencies, help deliver effective vaccination programmes, and help prevent healthcare associated infections. 
• Reactive work includes minimising the risk to the general public once an incidence happens. 
• Proactive work involves preventing risks from happening. 

Consultant in Communicable Disease Control

• Skills in epidemiology, risk assessment, outbreak management, dealing with the media etc.
• Statutory powers conferred by LA, proper officer function with regards to receipt of notifications. 

The HPA is set to be replaced by the Public Health England. Local HPUs will be replaced by 15 PHE centres across the country. Staff and ways of working remains the same. 

By LAW clinically diagnosed cases of notifiable disease including zoonosis in humans should be reported by the responsible clinician in the proper office of local authority (CCDC at the health protection unit). 

Annual UK Zoonoses Report by DEFRA.

Data on zoonotic infection in humans reported quarterly in the Health Protection Report by HPA.

Formal Liason between Human and Animal Health by the following groups:

• UK zoonoses, Animal Diseases and Infection Group.
• Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance Group (HAIRS).
• HPA Regional Zoonosis Lead group.
• Zoonosis liaison group.
• Defra Antimicrobial Resistance Co-ordination Group. 

Disease incidents in animals with zoonotic potential should be discussed with local HPU on a case by case basis on the discretion of the vet surgeon involved. Report should always be made if there is a possible human case. CCDC for major zoonotic outbreaks. 

Incidents and outbreaks involved with non-statutory zoonoses such as E.Coli 0157, cryptosporidium and Q fever fall within the remit of the VLA and assistance can be given to the HPA on request.