News

SEE: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/03/1135162

“... ‘One Health’ response to zoonotic threat 

The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats, and Tedros called the outbreaks “another reminder” of the interconnectedness of human, animal and planet health, which required a holistic approach.

“A ‘One Health’ approach will be essential for preventing viruses from spilling over from animals to humans,” he stated, adding “that’s how many outbreaks have started, including HIV, Marburg, Ebola, avian influenza, mpox, MERS and the SARS epidemic in 2003”.

He reiterated the call which he made earlier this week together with the heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) to prioritize “One Health” approaches “by strengthening the policies, strategies, plans, evidence, investment and workforce needed to properly address the threats that arise from our relationship with animals and the environment”.  

Tedros also said that he was pleased to see “One Health” included as a key principle in the “zero draft” of a future agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, currently under negotiation.  ...”