S.R. No. 65 Summary

• Requests the Department of Health to hire a State Veterinary Medical Officer to help prevent the spread of rat lungworm disease and other zoonotic diseases in Hawaii's human population.

• Identifies zoonotic diseases (transmitted from animals to humans) including leptospirosis, E. coli, MRSA, ringworm, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, tuberculosis, bird flu, swine flu, brucellosis, and rat lungworm disease as significant public health threats.

• Notes the Department of Health previously employed a Public Health Veterinarian position filled by a doctor of veterinary medicine, and that most state health departments nationwide maintain similar positions.

• Indicates a State Veterinary Medical Officer could revive and distribute public health publications on zoonotic diseases, provide continuing medical education to physicians, nurses, and veterinarians, and address the current rat lungworm disease outbreak.

• Requires certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.