Date: April 4, 2023

Source: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Summary:

Scientists have demonstrated that, globally, the association between antibiotic consumption and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) between human and animals goes both ways.

AMR is a major threat to global health, with resistant bacteria … of strong governance and anti-corruption within a ‘One–Health‘ context, …

Having  preparedness for  such future animal pandemics is a key priority for the National One health Mission.

Advancing Health Care in Humans, Animals and the Environment

Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies

In the paper, the authors propose a One Health approach, in which human, animal, and environmental health are considered together, …

Water is critical to health, climate and environment, cooperation — our sustainability; outcomes of the World Water Conference 

” … A new agenda topic needed: One Health and Water

What was absent in the past, and is only tangentially included in the present is the concept of One Health. A One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) comprised of WHO, FAO, UNEP, and WOAH and external experts formulated a now widely accepted definition, namely:

“One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent.”

That there is at least a modicum of attention is reflected in two events, one in the run up by UNEP, the other by FAO as a presentation alongside the main debate.

Going forward, the integration of One Health and its linkage to water needs to be an integral part of water planning and action agenda in the future.

The indispensability of water

While we can live for long periods with minimal food, humans, animals, and most plants cannot long survive without water. As highlighted by the Conference themes, the importance of water is not just for drinking or washing but cuts across virtually all sectors.

We need new thinking such as the One Health approach, to make renewed efforts to identify and apply new technologies and innovations so that by 2030 we will have done much better in the time remaining than we did since 1977.”

“ … Plants and animals which are now extinct may have preventive and curative benefits for us today, which is consistent with growing recognition of the One Health concept, rooted in the interface of humans, animals, plants, and the environment. 

More research and application of modern technology will likely uncover other ancient and valuable health practices.  Thanks, early ancestors!”

“DrPH. William Pan, of the Duke Global Health Institute and Nicholas School of the Environment, understands that human health is intricately tied to how climate change can effect our environments. Pan works with the concept of One Health, which demonstrates the overlapping consequences to human health, animal health and environmental health.

Pan explores how issues such as malaria, human migration due to inhospitable environments and unhealthy iron levels exacerbated by flooding, contribute to humans being more susceptible to infectious and chronic disease, as well as issues with animal and ecosystem health.  …”

“… The 2022 Bali Summit committed to a multi-sectoral One Health approach and to enable global pathogen surveillance to implement the International Health Regulations (2005). Reaffirming the One Health approach, the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting also committed to accelerating the response to AMR in the context of agriculture and food and emphasised cross-sectoral collaboration.

The need to develop policies, invest in research and build the ecosystem to strengthen the connection between environment and human and animal health has been highlighted as a top priority not just by G20 but at all global high-level for a ranging from the discussions in UNGA, G7 to G20 Presidencies.  …”

“… Following the TEAM28, WHO assumed the Chair of the Quadripartite and committed to further strengthen efforts in One Health, together with the Quadripartite partners, as per the agreements and actions from the TEAM28.  …”

This week news came out that a French scientist had “discovered” genetic data from the Wuhan market where wildlife is sold, pointing to a possible “natural spillover” from animals rather than a “lab leak”; what if both theories were correct? Here are the facts

“… The prevailing theory among experts back then was that the virus originated in bats and then had jumped to an intermediate host, possibly a pangolin or another animal, before being transmitted to humans.

This was in line with the One Health concept that is gaining traction worldwide – the notion that we are all part of the same interface and intimately connected – humans, animals and our shared environment – a concept that is gaining traction around the world and that we have often referred to in our articles here.  …”

By *Claude Forthomme, MA – Senior Editor   March 19, 2023 in Health, Society

* Member One Health Initiative Team Advisory Board

“… It’s time we sounded the war bugle for AMR and One Health.”