One Health Publications

“ … Role of One Health approach against zoonotic Monkeypox outbreak

Given the importance of human–animal–environment interface in the emergence and spread of outbreak, fostering One Health approach activities and multisectoral collaboration have benefits through timely and robust sustained investment on Monkeypox and other emerging epidemics population-based programs to reduce poverty, while leveraging from lessons learnt from others pandemics or outbreaks implementation. Increasing the most vulnerable poor health education and awareness outreach, coupled with evidence-based COVID-19 response and recovery programs, financial mechanisms and interventions, community health workers training and capacity building in COVID-19 and other routine vaccination programs efficient and sustainable delivery is needed. In addition, increasing effective mitigating and information communication against the social media rumors, and misinformation to prevent and control the growing Monkeypox outbreak coupled with COVID-19 pandemic public and global health effects [2, 6]. Furthermore, operational One Health research agenda on poverty related outbreaks and pandemic should be initiated in improving local and regional surveillance, preparedness and response interventions, in contributing to global health security agenda.

Strengthening International Health regulations and global security actions against Monkeypox outbreak, should include effficient preventative and precautionary measures, prompt clinical management and vaccines research collaboration. Most importantly, fostering One Health approach implementation, are crucial implementation after understanding Zoonotic viral diseases including Monkeypox and COVID-19 animal reservoirs–human link, environment transmission and interconnections for evidence based solutions. Interestingly, two smallpox vaccines (ACAM-2000 and MVA-BN) have been recommended for vaccination against Monkeypox to people at risk of occupational exposure (Laboratory technician, clinical workers, frontline staff) by the European Medicines Agency in 2013 and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 respectively [2, 6]. However it efficacy and safety of these vaccines approved still require further clinical trials and pharmacovigilance monitoring amongst vulnerable groups to guarantee herd immunity against this viral infection. These include better diagnostic for surveillance, improved hospital infection prevention and control measures, and social and safety containment countermeasures. These are required joint actions implementation to curtail the outbreak by securing equitable risk and information sharing and public engagement, widely access to vaccines, vaccine distribution, and effective contextual risk communication and engagement strategies to target Monkeypox vaccination coverage amidst COVID-19 pandemic response to the most vulnerable and marginalized poor and rich people.

Prompt, reliable and secured information sources ought to continue rise citizens and country awareness and education outreach, healthcare decentralization and transparency for readiness by governments and stakeholders to prevent, monitor and tackle any eventual outbreak of Monkeypox. Country-led poverty alleviation strategies and efforts in improving effective partnership and governance, strengthening quality care delivery services, vaccination stockpile, coverage and effectiveness are vital for resilience building and improved health outcomes. These are required to prepare and strengthen at risk and marginalized communities, enhanced empowerment and knowledge of all risk populations including travelers, pilgrims and tourists, to such unprecedented global outbreak effects on travel medicine, global trade and health agenda [1, 7, 8]. More operational research is needed in building evidence for comprehensive and efficient decisions policies and public engagement targeted actions. It is crucial to address knowledge gaps and poverty linked outbreak and NTDs roadmap and research priorities 2030 [1, 2]. This is paramount to improve available data and information to build evidence-based decision making policies, effective and sustainable countermeasures, and innovative response solutions to prevent and contain these emerging and reemerging infectious diseases outbreaks in old and new zones.  …”

[A Reprint Revised with updated links from original One Health Initiative website posting on July 2, 2019]

“…There can be no doubt about the unique potential for the One Health Model for Multidisciplinary Training and Collaboration.”

Gary S. Roubin, BVSc. (Hons.), MB, BS., PhD, MD, FRACP, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, Cardiovascular Associates of the Southeast Birmingham, Alabama …a veterinarian-physician trained Interventional Cardiologist research team member who helped developed the first Balloon-expandable Coronary artery stent for humans.

Dr. Roubin provided these comments to the OHI team: The-One-Health-concept-is-a-worldwide-strategy-for-expanding-interdisciplinary-collaborations-and-communications-in-all-aspects-of-health-care-for-humans-1.pdf (onehealthinitiative.com)

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Revised links, July 2022

Veterinarians merged with physician educations: Past and present combined into one individual “One Health” examples—a useful conjoined degree program?

SEE: https://onehealthinitiative.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/UPDATED-July-2-2019-DVM-VMD-MD-DO-Joint-Degree-Program-1.pdf

By Bruce Kaplan, DVM and *Steven W. Atwood, VMD, MRCVS, MD, MPH

Dr. Kaplan is a co-founding member of the One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team: Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP ▪ Bruce Kaplan, DVM ▪ Thomas P. Monath, MD ▪ *Lisa A. Conti, DVM, MPH ▪ Thomas M. Yuill, PhD ▪ Helena J. Chapman, MD, MPH, PhD ▪ Craig N. Carter, DVM, PhD ▪ Becky Barrentine, MBA  *Deceased November 6, 2020

* Dr. Atwood practices veterinary medicine at Animal Health Care Associates, West Tisbury, MA (USA) Meet the Team | Animal Health Care Associates, LTD (animalhealthcaremv.com).  He has also uniquely earned a human medical degree (MD) and is a longstanding member of the One Health Initiative team’s Advisory Board.

Focus on One Health model wherein the human, animal, environmental components require equal attention

This is One Health’s year of recognition, with the World Bank’s latest fund for pandemic response… But what about more and sustained action?

by *Richard Seifman   July 2, 2022  in Health, Politics & Foreign Affairs

*Member One Health Initiative Advisory Board

ONE HEALTH INITIATIVE TEAM: Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2022

World Bank Approves New Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPR) includes One Health Financing Possibilities

 SEE: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/pandemics/brief/factsheet-financial-intermediary-fund-for-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-response

“Will the FIF also fund activities related to One Health (intersection between human health, animal health and environment)?

Yes, activities related to One Health, which recognize that human and animal health are interdependent and bound to the health of the ecosystems they share, will be eligible for financing from the FIF.  A multi-sectoral One Health approach is central to the prevention of public health risks.”

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With broad support from the G20, on June 20, 2022 the World Bank Board of Directors approved establishment of a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) whose purpose will be to address pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR). Already over $1 billion commitments have been announced. These and other new resources will be to assist low and middle-income countries increase their pandemic investments, improve coordination among partners, and serve as a platform for advocacy.

FIF will seek to strengthen country capacity in areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory systems, health workforce, emergency communication and management, and community engagement; as well as strengthening regional and global capacity in data sharing, regulatory harmonization, and coordinated development, procurement, distribution and deployment of countermeasures and essential medical supplies.

The World Bank will administer the FIF with technical expertise provided by the World Health Organization, both working closely with donors and other partners. The FIF scope and design is a work in progress but indications of what is likely to be included is contained in an accompanying FIF Fact Sheet. It states, “A multi-sectoral One Health approach is central to the prevention of public health risks.”

The plan is to launch the FIF in three-to- four months. That time should be used to have countries and regional leaders begin to consider ways to be ready with One Health policies, programs, and projects.

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Mining the Ocean for Viruses: Researchers at the University of Texas A&M at Galveston Aim to Understand the Role of Ocean Viruses in Overall Ocean Health

COVID-19 Pandemic Precautions Have Profound Impact on Other Respiratory Tract Infections

Rickettsia: Vector-borne Bacterial Infections and One Health

by *Richard Seifman, JD, MBA   June 30, 2022  in Health, Politics & Foreign Affairs

Ukraine is the latest example of the damage caused by war on human health, animals and the environment; external partners can help reduce losses

“Mental Health and One Health, the latter being the interface of human/animal/ecosystem health, address largely different scientific research, methods, public awareness and actions. Yet both face unanticipated challenges as a result of the Russian invasion, putting much greater burdens on an already overwhelmed Ukraine Government. External allies and donors can direct some of their human and financial resources to these non-military needs. Doing so will have multiple benefits, including helping to move Ukraine’s candidacy for European Union membership one step further.

Why should we address these two subjects together? What mental health and One Health have in common are supportive pronouncements by experts and public authorities, limited numbers of fully trained practitioners, and insufficient funding to do what is needed and known effective in crisis situations. Typically, neither are attentive to the other’s pursuits, scientific issues, and responses. This is partly because the disciplines have very different professional education and interests, and operational focus. But in this conflict situation, there are commonalities.  …”

 *Member, One Health Initiative team Advisory Board.

“In the wake of the COVID pandemic, and with the race against antibiotic resistance becoming ever more pressing, it is more important than ever to make the ‘One Health’ approach a reality.

The idea is to create a collaborative, cross-cutting approach which recognises the interconnections between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment with a view to achieving optimal health and well-being outcomes.

In this Event Report, EURACTIV explores how this concept can go from words to action and what role healthy animals play for One Health, in terms of producing safe and sustainable food but also in preventing outbreaks of diseases and their transmission between other animals or people.  …”

“ … The One Health concept is a global strategy to study the relationship between human, animal, and environmental health. The exchange of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms among these settings, associating the interconnection between humans, animals, and the environment, has been the main focus of one health study¹⁰.  …”

Lemos, L.N., de Carvalho, F.M., Santos, F.F. et al. Large Scale Genome-Centric Metagenomic Data from the Gut Microbiome of Food-Producing Animals and Humans. Sci Data 9, 366 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01465-5

“ … Eng Fahd Al-Jalajel, the Saudi Minister of Health, recently emphasised the importance of bolstering global health systems and improving coordination through the implementation of the “One Health” approach. …”

Promoted by UNIVERSITY OF NICOSIA MEDICAL SCHOOL

“ … UNIC Vet School further encourages multidisciplinary excellence by encouraging its DVM cohort to study closely and conduct research with other medical and health students at UNIC. This level of collaboration ensures the programme truly enhances the holistic concept of One Health.

“The close synergies between the School of Veterinary Medicine, the Medical School and other health-related departments at UNIC create exciting research and interprofessional learning opportunities for our students,” confirms Professor Malas. “We are at the forefront of offering holistic veterinary medicine that meets the collective health and safety needs of the modern world. This approach to global public health education is unparalleled.”  …”

Press release

From Department of Health;  Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Published on 23 June 2022

Last updated on 23 June 2022

One Health Initiative [website] Editor’s Note: Also see dynamic extensive recognition of the criticality of institutionalizing the One Health concept/approach worldwide by many visionary One Health Impakter articles!

RIYADH, 1 days ago

“Saudi Arabia has announced its support to G20’s working group on the global pandemic Preparedness Prevention and Response (PPR), and the need to ensure sustainable funding to combat global health security threats.

Saudi Health Minister Eng Fahd Al-Jalajel stressed the need to strengthen global health systems and enhance coordination through the ‘One Health’ approach. 

 This came during his speech delivered virtually on June 20, to the meeting of G20 health ministers held in Jakarta. …”