One Health Publications

Exploring Ways to Prevent Future Pandemics

“…Mitigating the risk of future spillovers requires steps to be taken to promote animal welfare by recognizing its interconnection with public health and environmental protection. This notion is reflected in the concept of One Health embraced by the United Nations and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However, notwithstanding this linkage, there is as yet no international treaty in which States have agreed to binding minimal standards of treatment for animals. …”

OHNL 2021 – VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1

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“… Dr Richard Pebody, who leads the High Threat Pathogen Team at WHO/Europe, was quick to reassure: “The people who were reported to be infected did not develop symptoms and they were all exposed to an infected poultry flock in the course of their work. The infection does not appear to have come from other human beings – which is good news.”

Dr Pebody added, “The poultry flock has been culled and no further infections in humans have been found. It is also encouraging that this incident shows the system that alerts local and international authorities is working. However, this underlines the ongoing importance of global surveillance in the face of constantly evolving influenza viruses. Changes to the influenza virus must be closely monitored in animals and humans alike; this is a good example of the One Health approach, recognizing that human and animal health are intertwined and depend on each other.”…”

CONCLUSIONS: Timely and powerful measures as part of the One Health approach (https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/one-health) effectively and efficiently controlled the COVID-19 outbreak in Anhui, which can be a good real-world example strongly demonstrating the usefulness of such measures in places with outbreaks originating from imported cases. Precise and dynamic prevention and control measures should be implemented and based on features including sex, age group, exposure history, and phase of outbreak.

“ … To conduct such effective surveillance, developed countries need to rethink current global security strategies and form better global health partnerships, embracing the interdisciplinary One Health approach to novel respiratory virus surveillance. Surveillance at the human-animal nexus is likely to be better focused and less expensive than some of the other strategies currently being contemplated.”

By Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP | February 25, 2021

Note: For a greater appreciation and understanding of the One Health concept/approach readers may consult additional references including:

Resource library information, i.e. internationally available broad spectrum and comprehensive websites for further information as listed particularly in the CDC’s historic One Health chronicle.

The Australian government late last week released a One Health Master Action Plan (OHMAP) to support the country’s 2o20 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy.

The plan highlights areas the Australian government and other stakeholders need to focus on to achieve the seven objectives of the 202o AMR strategy, which established a 20-year vision to minimize the development and spread of AMR in humans, animals, and the environment. The objectives include clear governance for AMR initiatives, prevention and control of infections, greater public awareness of AMR, appropriate antibiotic use and stewardship practices, integrated surveillance, and a strong collaborative research agenda across all sectors.

To achieve these goals, the action plan calls for the creation of sustainable funding for AMR initiatives based on evidence of the economic and societal costs of drug-resistant infections, the adoption of evidence-based and nationally consistent standards for infection prevention and control, and the development of coordinated, evidence-based antibiotic prescribing guidelines across all sectors. It also calls for the creation of a One Health communication strategy, a national One Health surveillance system, and a national AMR research and development agenda.

“By implementing a One Health approach with the OHMAP guiding the way, Australia can minimise the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance and ensure the continued availability of effective antimicrobials,” the plan states. “This will help achieve a healthier future for Australians.”

In his new book, the microbiologist talks about the covid-19 ‘infodemic’ and why we will see the emergence of more viruses

“ … We need more people interested in science, working on diseases of the future that haven’t emerged or made that spillover jump from animals yet. The other thing we need is what is called a “one-health approach”, in which we consider animals, the environment and ourselves as part of one combined ecosystem.  …”

OPINION

It begins with critical actions to bolster our biotech economy

“… The federal government also would be wise to adopt a “One Health” policy approach that recognizes the intertwined relationship between human, animal and environmental health. Human health is closely linked to the environment, with the prevalence of infectious disease increasing as climate change and population growth forces people and animals closer together. …”

Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath is a physician-scientist and the president and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the world’s largest biotech trade association.

February 2021 | Canadian Food Inspection Agency

#1 ON TRENDING

As COVID-19 continues to spread, John Oliver discusses what could cause the next pandemic, what we can do to avoid it, and why you shouldn’t kiss pigs. …

[The need for having a One Health approach is addressed]