New York City Health Department Launches Digital Tool to Help Veterinary Professionals Prevent Infections in Animals and People

This tool aims to close critical gaps in veterinary infection prevention and control (IPC) in animal care environments

November 18, 2025 — Kicking off U.S Antibiotic Awareness Week and highlighting the importance of antibiotics for both human and animal health, the New York City Health Department (NYC Health Department) launched a digital tool to help prevent infections in dogs, cats, and people and ultimately reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Resistance to antibiotics can develop when overprescribed or misused, and these life-saving medications can lose their ability to treat bacterial infections. By preventing infections, this new digital tool can help reduce the total amount of antibiotic prescriptions.

“For many New Yorkers, their pets are beloved members of their families. The NYC Health Department recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are all deeply connected,” said Acting NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “Providing veterinary professionals easy access to guidance on infection prevention and reducing antibiotic resistance is an essential way to promote the health and longevity of New Yorkers and their pets.”

This free digital tool can be accessed on Firstline which offers quick, reliable infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance for companion animal veterinary settings. Firstline is a clinical decision support tool, available as a mobile app and web-based platform, specifically designed to help health care providers make informed decisions. Typically used for human healthcare settings, the Firstline platform will now include an entire interface targeted for companion animal veterinary settings in the U.S. The Firstline platform is used by health care organizations and has been proven to enhance patient care and health outcomes.

IPC in Veterinary Settings

IPC is a professional specialty that aims to reduce infectious disease transmission in health care settings. Veterinary professionals routinely make IPC-related decisions, big and small, with implications for the health of their patients, animal owners, and their colleagues. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can pose a unique challenge to IPC since animals can carry resistant-bacteria and show no clinical signs. While rare, this can enable antibiotic-resistant bacteria to spread silently among patients and even across the veterinary facility.

Firstline: An IPC Resource for Veterinary Professionals

The NYC Health Department’s veterinary IPC Firstline tool is designed for veterinary professionals, including students, technicians, and animal care workers. It offers information in four broad categories:

• Veterinary IPC Principles
• Applied IPC for Veterinary Practice
• Veterinary IPC by Disease and Agent
• NYC Health Department Veterinary Health Alerts and Advisories

These resources equip veterinary professionals with accessible guidance to help minimize healthcare-acquired infections. Whether hospitalizing an animal with an infectious disease, developing protocols for routine clinic hygiene, or educating staff on antimicrobial stewardship, the veterinary IPC Firstline tool supports ongoing professional development and strengthens infection prevention efforts across companion animal veterinary settings.

To get started with Firstline, download the app on your smart phone or visit the web-based version of the app here.

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MEDIA CONTACT: PressOffice@health.nyc.gov