The first Zoonotic Diseases Symposium was held at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine on February 6-8, 2009. It was the first and only symposium that specifically addressed zoonotic diseases and its impact on the health of all species. Open to students in DVM, MD, MPH, Nursing and other health care programs, the symposium not only addressed a much needed aspect of the One World, One Health initiative, it also fostered better communications between future health care workers in hopes of promoting the best control and prevention of zoonotic diseases.

The 2009 Zoonotic Diseases Symposium featured lectures on MRSA, rabies, BSE, anthrax, food-borne diseases, vector-borne diseases, parasites, ecological disruption, and an avian influenza outbreak session, and it was a resounding success. Further continued interest in the topic, including a request by the USDA for symposium proceedings so that the Government of Pakistan can use the material to generate public health education programs, reiterates the international importance of this topic, as well as the lack of information available regarding zoonotic diseases.

Due to the success of the 2009 of the Zoonotic Diseases Symposium, the Symposium will now become an annual event, and will continue to address an important, international, and under-served topic, as well as promote a more unified approach to health care regardless of the species of the patient. The 2010 Zoonotic Disease Symposium is scheduled for March 5-7, and more information about the symposium can be found at http://www.vet.cornell.edu/Conferences/zoonotics/.