One Health Heroes, Dec 15, 2025: Pet Vaccine Hesitancy, Rabies in an Organ Donor, H5N1 and Elephant Seals

In this One Health Heroes update, Dr. Mandy Sorensen, communication specialist with the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians, discusses: ​Avian influenza is now widespread across the U.S., affecting wild birds, backyard flocks, commercial poultry, and even dairy herds, underscoring the need for continued surveillance and reporting. ​Wildlife impacts are profound, with avian influenza linked to catastrophic population losses in Southern elephant seals, highlighting the broader biodiversity consequences of emerging diseases. ​Vaccine hesitancy is increasing among pet owners, with studies estimating hesitancy in ~21% of dog owners and ~25% of cat owners, mirroring trends seen in human medicine. ​Rabies remains a fatal but preventable disease, with recent cases illustrating how small wildlife exposures (including bats and skunks) can lead to tragic outcomes in both animals and humans. Canine parvovirus is resurging in some areas, causing severe, often fatal disease in unvaccinated puppies—reinforcing the importance of routine vaccination and herd protection. Pet owners and veterinary professionals, sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/newsletter Veterinarians are invited to join the American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians. Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.   By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,   2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,   3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and   4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.   Connect with Your Vet! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow