One Health Publications

“… My government and most importantly our people have recognized the need to better prepare to deal with viruses, bacteria, and parasites.  For us, a future epidemic might well come from a viral transfer from an animal, probably a bat, to an intermediary specie, and then cross over to humans.   As a result, some years ago we invited UN technical agencies, including WHO, FAO, UNEP, to help us understand  the challenges and prepare a strategy to deal with the interface of human, animal, and environmental health, often referred to as One Health [https://www.onehealthinitiative.com]. With their assistance  we developed a strategy which includes strengthening intersectoral coordination at national and district levels; enhancing  surveillance and risk analysis systems for prioritized zoonotic diseases; improving  the effectiveness of our communication tools and networks; strengthening coordinated joint field outbreak investigation and response; and investing in human, animal, and wildlife professionals. …”

One Health recognises that the health of humans, animals and our environment are all inter-connected. …

In recognition of each stakeholder’s mission and its contribution to the One Health concept, the task force articulates a clear mission: to bring professions, stakeholders and citizens together in multiple ways to share knowledge, find common ground, refine planning and policies and take actions to coordinate definitive gains in human, animal, plant and ecosystem health.

“Animal, human and environmental health leaders gather to explore insights and derive solutions using the One Health approach to responsible antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. …”

“… In a One Health perspective, Fangcang Shelter hospitals, with its functions of isolation and treatment of confirmed COVID-19 patients, engaged professionals from many disciplines, such as medicine, engineering, architecture, psychology, environmental health, and social sciences. The results of this study provide a valuable reference for health policy makers in other countries.”

Conclusions

The findings in this report can be considered in conjunction with other public health data to detect emerging trends and inform interventions to prevent further animal contact outbreaks. The 59 enteric disease outbreaks that were linked to animals or their living environments in 2017 indicate the need to better understand enteric diseases using a One Health approach. Successful public health interventions rely on integrating human, animal and environmental health efforts to achieve optimal health outcomes. Outbreaks can be prevented by using data-driven interventions, such as proper handwashing after contact with animals or their environments, regardless of the setting or the type of animal.³

ONE HEALTH

University of Glasgow researchers and Colombian collaborators are working towards community-led responses to the challenges of COVID-19 within indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.

“The World Health Organisation defines ‘One Health’ as “an approach to designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes”. …”

Please see One Health article “One Health Research, Education, and Mentorship during the COVID-19 Pandemic” on pages 22-25.

“This current global health crisis has demonstrated that junior doctors are – and will continue to be – influential leaders in One Health research applications, educational outreach activities, and academic mentorship opportunities.”

“We know some influenzas are seasonal, and the common cold is more common in winter. But what about COVID-19? Many people have been wondering whether the weather plays a role in its spread. …”

The study researchers believe that their findings would help researchers to improve future virus outbreak preparedness

“DEAR READERS: I have received a couple of letters from readers demanding that I keep to the subject of pet care in my Animal Doctor column. The evident reason is that they do not like my “politics.”

As an advocate of One Health (meaning the collective, connected health of humans, nonhumans and the environment), I raise issues concerning financially and ideologically driven political decisions that could harm the environment, animal health and public health. I regard this as my responsibility as a holistic veterinarian, just as it is the responsibility of all citizens to be involved in politics that serve the common good. I consider it ethically imperative to speak truth to power and examine the truths we live by, since a life unexamined is a life unlived. For further details and discussion, see my book “Animals and Nature First.”

Scientific evidence — essential for our decision-making when it comes to diagnosing, preventing and treating disease — should inform politics, rather than be discounted, as by some U.S. politicians in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more, see my article “What SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Disease Are Telling Us: A Holistic Veterinary and One Health View,” posted on my website (drfoxonehealth.com).”

“… AMR action plans are being implemented on global² and national³ levels. In recognition of the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health (the “One Health” perspective, Fig. 1), these plans encourage multisectoral collaboration, including (but not limited to) governments, agriculture, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical sector’s role in developing new antimicrobials is well recognized, but industry also helps to address AMR by supporting AMS. …”