One Health Publications

Abstract

The One Health approach calls for collaboration across various sectors and different scales to improve understanding of complex health issues. Regarding epidemiological surveillance, this implies the development of integrated systems that link several surveillance components operating in different domains (human, domestic animals, environment) and involving several actor networks. However, surveillance continues to operate in a very compartmentalized way, with little interaction between sectoral institutions and with the community for the governance and operation of surveillance activities. This is partly explained by the insufficient consideration of the local context and the late involvement of national stakeholders when developing programmes that aimed at strengthening the integration of surveillance. In low- and middle-income countries in particular, there is a strong influence of external partners on the development of intersectoral programmes, including surveillance systems. In this context, we developed and implemented a participatory planning process to support stakeholders of the surveillance system of anthrax in Burkina Faso, in the definition of the One Health surveillance system they wish for and of the pathway to reach it. The workshop produced an action plan that reflects the views and perspectives of representatives of the different categories of stakeholders and beneficiaries of surveillance. In addition, the participation of stakeholders in this participatory co-construction process has also improved their knowledge and mutual understanding, fostering a climate of trust conducive to further collaboration for surveillance activities. However, the quality of the participation raises some questions over the results, and contextual factors may have influenced the process. This underlines the need to include a monitoring and evaluation plan in the process to assess its implementation and ability to produce One Health surveillance modalities that are appropriate, accepted and applied over the long term.

The World Health Assembly just closed its doors with disappointing results: an effective prevention plan to address future pandemics requires full recognition of linkages between human health, animal and plant health, and environmental factors, i.e., the One Health approach

“The principle of resilience and survival is crucial for medically significant fungi. These microorganisms are far from creating the postapocalyptic scenario depicted in TV series like The Last of Us, and much work is necessary to learn more about them. Accurate statistics on fungal infections, accompanied by clinical histories, simple laboratory tests, new antifungals, and a necessary One Health approach are lacking. …”

” … One Health in Fungal Infections

The All Life Institute is a global think tank based in Washington D.C. that is uniquely dedicated to protecting and enhancing all life on this planet including humans, nonhumans and the Earth.

Provided by:

 *David O. Wiebers, M.D.

Emeritus Professor of Neurology

Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation

Chair, Board of Directors

All Life Institute

*Dr. Wiebers is a prominent One Health concept/approach advocate.   See Eminent National and Internationally Recognized Physician Neurologists Endorse One Health Approach for Brain Health – One Health Initiative

The Institute is “a global think tank based in Washington D.C. that is uniquely dedicated to protecting and enhancing all life on this planet including humans, nonhumans and the Earth.”

Three  fundamental  truths appear on the introductory page:

• “All that we do depends upon abundant plant and animal life as well as clean air and water.”
• “Our collective future depends upon the decisions that we are making now.”
• “What is good for nonhumans and the Earth is virtually always in the best interests of humans, given the profound interdependence of all life.”

Provided by:

*George Lueddeke, PhD MEd Dipl.AVOHS (Hon.)

*Member Advisory Board – One Health Initiative

Advancing Health Care in Humans, Animals and the Environment

“We need a paradigm shift, which transcends traditional silos to achieve a more holistic approach, one that places the well-being of all life and ecosystems at the forefront of our collective efforts.”

“… Climate change can drive many of the health threats we are facing today. The rise in cases of vector-borne diseases transmitted through mosquitos such as Chikungunya is a clear example of the impact of climate change on health and reinforces the need for a One Health approach. EMA, together with other EU Agencies, has recently published a joint One Health framework for action to support the implementation of One Health in Europe and help build a region better able to prevent, predict, prepare, and respond to emerging public health threats.”

Abstract

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a lethal viral disease that has severe public health effects throughout Africa and a case fatality rate of 10%–40%. CCHF virus was first discovered in Crimea in 1944 and has since caused a substantial disease burden in Africa. The shortage of diagnostic tools, ineffective tick control efforts, slow adoption of preventive measures, and cultural hurdles to public education are among the problems associated with continued CCHF virus transmission. Progress in preventing virus spread is also hampered by the dearth of effective serodiagnostic testing for animals and absence of precise surveillance protocols. Intergovernmental coordination, creation of regional reference laboratories, multiinstitutional public education partnerships, investments in healthcare infrastructure, vaccine development, and a One Health approach are strategic methods for solving prevention challenges. Coordinated efforts and financial commitments are needed to combat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and improve all-around readiness for newly developing infectious illnesses in Africa.

“… One Health in Fungal Infections

The increasing resistance to antifungals is a clear testament that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected. This is why a multidisciplinary approach that adopts the perspective of One Health is necessary for its management.

“The use of fungicides in agriculture, structurally similar to the azoles used in clinics, generates resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus found in the environment. These fungi in humans can be associated with infections that do not respond to first-line treatment,” explained Dr Carlos Arturo Álvarez, an infectious diseases physician and professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Colombia.

According to Álvarez, the approach to control them should not only focus on the search for diagnostic methods that allow early detection of antifungal resistance or research on new antifungal treatments. He believes that progress must also be made with strategies that allow for the proper use of antifungals in agriculture.

“Unfortunately, the One Health approach is not yet well implemented in the region, and in my view, there is a lack of articulation in the different sectors. That is, there is a need for true coordination between government offices of agriculture, animal and human health, academia, and international organizations. This is not happening yet, and I believe we are in the initial stage of visibility,” Álvarez opined. …”

Sharing news from mid-April to mid-May 2024

Abstract

Background

Snail-borne trematodes afflict humans, livestock, and wildlife. Recognizing their zoonotic potential and possible hybridization, a One Health approach is essential for effective control. Given the dearth of knowledge on African trematodes, this study aimed to map snail and trematode diversity, focusing on (i) characterizing gastropod snail species and their trematode parasites, (ii) determining infection rates of snail species as intermediate hosts for medically, veterinary, and ecologically significant trematodes, and (iii) comparing their diversity across endemic regions.

Interview with *Laura H Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP  View bio via Project Save The World with Professor Metta Spencer.

Connecting NASA Data and Tools with Health and Air Quality Stakeholders

Provided by:

  *Helena J. Chapman, MD, MPH, PhD – View bio

 Dr. Chapman noted, “The meeting is open to the public and will have recordings posted after the meeting.”

* Member, One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team