Dr. Andrea Ellis (DVM) is a Board member with Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord U.S.
Dr. Andrea Ellis (DVM) is a veterinary epidemiologist who has worked in foodborne, waterborne and zoonotic diseases for the past 30 years in the Canadian public service and at WHO. In Canada, she worked in Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada managing the outbreak response unit in what is currently called the Centre for Foodborne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. Dr. Ellis was seconded to WHO in Geneva from 2002-2004 to develop the epidemiology curriculum for the Global Foodborne Infections Network and worked on the response to SARS and avian influenza. She went back to WHO from 2009-2011 to lead the International Food Safety Authorities Network. Upon returning to Canada, she joined the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and spent 10 years as senior advisor to the Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada and WOAH Delegate for Canada before retiring from government in March 2023.
Dr. Ellis is currently an independent consultant and has been working with WOAH and WHO.
This article explores the diverse and often underrecognized roles of veterinarians within a One Health framework, highlighting how their work in animal health, food safety, wildlife conservation, and climate adaptation strengthens communities, safeguards ecosystems, and supports global health resilience.
This article examines the vital role of veterinarians in immunization and disease prevention, highlighting how VWB’s One Health approach — through vaccination campaigns, CAHW training, and real-time disease surveillance — protects public health, supports farmer livelihoods, and strengthens animal health systems in vulnerable communities.
In remote areas, like the far North, dog bites are more prevalent. This Dog Bite Prevention Week, we're raising awareness about how reading dog body language and improving access to veterinary care can reduce bites—and prevent the spread of diseases like rabies.
