One Health Publications

Overgaauw, P.A.; Vinke, C.M.; Hagen, M.A.; Lipman, L.J. A One Health Perspective on the Human–Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 3789.

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Abstract  

Over time the human–animal bond has been changed. For instance, the role of pets has changed from work animals (protecting houses, catching mice) to animals with a social function, giving companionship. Pets can be important for the physical and mental health of their owners but may also transmit zoonotic infections. The One Health initiative is a worldwide strategy for expanding collaborations in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment. However, in One Health communications the role of particularly dogs and cats is often underestimated. Objective: Evaluation of positive and negative One Health issues of the human–companion animal relationship with a focus on zoonotic aspects of cats and dogs in industrialized countries. Method: Literature review. Results: Pets undoubtedly have a positive effect on human health, while owners are increasing aware of pet’s health and welfare. The changing attitude of humans with regard to pets and their environment can also lead to negative effects such as changes in feeding practices, extreme breeding, and behavioral problems, and anthropozoonoses. For the human, there may be a higher risk of the transmission of zoonotic infections due to trends such as sleeping with pets, allowing pets to lick the face or wounds, bite accidents, keeping exotic animals, the importation of rescue dogs, and soil contact. Conclusions: One Health issues need frequently re-evaluated as the close human–animal relationship with pet animals can totally differ compared to decennia ago. Because of the changed human–companion animal bond, recommendations regarding responsible pet-ownership, including normal hygienic practices, responsible breeding, feeding, housing, and mental and physical challenges conforming the biology of the animal are required. Education can be performed by vets and physicians as part of the One Health concept.

“… Meanwhile, veterinarians are no strangers to zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19, which originate in animals and spread to humans. And, when it comes to public health, they have much to offer when it comes to watching for their emergence and preventing their spread. With this in mind, the One Health initiative is seeking greater collaboration between human and veterinarian medicine. …”

“… ECDC also promotes the One Health approach, a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. …”

“… The One Health Action Plan is an approach that aims to address the causes leading to the rise of AMR. These include excessive use of pharmaceutical products, mainly (but not limited to) antibiotics in human and animal medicine (70 percent of all antibiotic use), lack of financial incentives for the industry to research and develop new generations of antibiotics and closing the knowledge gap on the impact that the environment has over the spread of AMR.

Although the Commission’s One Health Action Plan paves the way for how Member States should adopt a holistic approach to tackling AMR, we need to do much more if we want to reverse the current trend. …”

“ One Health

… we should embrace the concept of One Health — the recognition that human, animal and environmental health are inextricably connected. The idea of One Health should figure in our personal consumption choices as well as our political decisions.

In education, health, law enforcement, food, care and every other sector, One Health should be at the heart of thoughtful, responsive and pro-active policy-making and practice. …”

A new review argues that not enough research has analyzed the implications of animals acquiring SARS-CoV-2.

“ … In the absence of this evidence, public health bodies around the world have generally downplayed the role of animals in transmitting the infection.

For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that “[b]ased on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.”

However, review co-author Prof. Tracey McNamara — from the Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA — and colleagues argue that “[a]bsence of evidence is not the same thing as evidence of absence.”

According to Prof. McNamara and team: “In the immediacy of the COVID-19 crisis, the focus has understandably been on human health. But we have ignored the opposite side of the coin of emerging zoonotic disease threats — the animals themselves.

“This lack of a One Health approach has resulted in an unnecessary delay in the investigation of important veterinary issues as they pertain to public health. Had we taken a proactive approach, we could have gotten ahead of this.”

A study of 108 adults finds that the vaccine produced neutralizing antibodies and T-cell response against SARS-CoV-2, but further research is needed to confirm whether the vaccine protects against SARS-COV-2 infection.

“… They make a convincing case for adopting a “One Health” approach at all levels of decision-making — from the global to the most local — recognizing the complex interconnections among the health of people, animals, plants, and our shared environment….”

The Sustainable Development Goals need to include One Health. And here is why.

Public health systems have critical and clear relevance to the World Bank’s twin goals of poverty eradication and boosting shared prosperity. In particular, they are impacted by, and must respond to, significant threats at the human-animal-environment…

OneHealthLessons.com has LAUNCHED!

An excellent first of its kind “One Health” teaching program is now available online. Please see:

One Health Education Resources – One Health Commission

DESTRUCTION OF HABITAT AND LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY ARE CREATING THE PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR DISEASES LIKE COVID-19 TO EMERGE

As habitat and biodiversity loss increase globally, the novel coronavirus outbreak may be just the beginning of mass pandemics

March 17, 2020 — Mayibout 2 is not a healthy place. The 150 or so people who live in the village, which sits on the south bank of the Ivindo River, deep in the great Minkebe forest in northern Gabon, are used to occasional bouts of diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and sleeping sickness. Mostly they shrug them off. …

TOMMY TUCKER, WWL FIRST NEWS

Dr Greg Gray joins Tommy to talk about infections and diseases that can be caught in our every day lives. What should you know especially during the coronavirus pandemic?

Dr. Gray discusses the issues involved including the need to utilize the One Health concept/approach…

WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH -OIE

Prepared by the OIE Preparedness and Resilience Department and the OIE ad hoc Group on COVID-19 and the human animal interface .

Version 1, 7 May 2020

“… 1. SARS-CoV-2 as an emerging disease in animals. Collaboration and coordination across all relevant sectors and disciplines, using a One Health approach, is required to address zoonotic diseases and other shared health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. This involves a broad range of actors including the Veterinary Services, public health services, wildlife agencies, ecology organizations, and the private sector….”

  Universities announce a One Health Center SHINE Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Edinburgh announced the setting up of a One Health Center to study human health, animals and ... https://www.shine.cn/news/metro/2005087742/

The Lancet: Calling for a COVID-19 One Health Research Coalition https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31028-X/fulltext

Animal Doctor: Comments on root causes of COVID-19 appreciated Tulsa World https://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/animal-doctor-comments-on-root-causes-of-covid-19-appreciated/article_78494be2-2cc0-5c68-8ca7-5b8f72f65305.html ... Are Telling Us: A Holistic Veterinary and One Health View,” and also “From Conventional Medicine to One Health: An Essential Transformation.”.

Pet Health Pharmacy

The Collaboration Between Human and Animal Medicine
Written by Carol Petersen, RPh CNP – Pet Health Pharmacy

The idea of a “One Health” organization started with the AVMA, the American Veterinary Medical Association, back in 2006 who called together a multi-discipline task force to further develop the idea. They called together representatives from many health professions to discuss the possibilities of blending and collaborating information, solutions and treatments in order to improve animal and human health and the environment. The information and ideas and final presentation they gathered can be found at www.onehealthinitiative.com.