ROME, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Italy has created a system of digital health cards and a national health data bank system for the benefit of the its pet animals, government officials said.
The health card program, launched by the health ministry in collaboration with the Italian National Veterinarians Association, will enable owners to keep better track of their pets' health, Italian news agency ANSA reported.
The $37-a-year service will enable animal owners provide a full history of a pet's health even if they visit a vet who is not familiar with the animal.
The cards also aim to help avert the spread of dangerous animal diseases by making it possible to set up a national pet-health data bank.
''This data will permit the ministry to monitor epidemics,'' Health Ministry Undersecretary Francesca Martini explained.
After owners receive the cards it will be up to their primary care vet to register the data in their files in the national data bank. The information will be available 24 hours a day after that. UPI
