“One World-One Health: A Holistic Approach to Prevent Zoonoses”
Dr Amandeep Goyal, M.V.Sc Scholar, Animal Nutrition ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
Dr Parul Rana, PhD Scholar, Animal Nutrition ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
Dr Harneet Kaur, PhD Scholar, Animal Nutrition ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
Dr Raman Malik, Principal Scientist, Animal Nutrition ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
Abstract
Zoonotic diseases are caused by germs that spread between animals and people. Some zoonoses, such as Ebola virus disease, salmonellosis, Marburg illness, rabies, and anthrax, can cause recurring outbreaks. Others, such as the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, have the potential to produce global pandemics. Because of our close contact with animals in agriculture, as companions, and in the natural environment, zoonotic diseases are a huge public health hazard all over the world. As a result, this complex health concern necessitates a multisectoral collaboration known as the One Health concept. The “One Health” approach summarises a concept that has been known for more than a century; that human, animal and plant health are interdependent and bound to the health of the ecosystems in which they exist. One Health is an interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral, and collaborative approach that can operate at the global, regional, national, and local levels to ensure the best health by recognising links between the environment, humans, animals, and plants. By using a “One World, One Health” perspective, we can better understand and reduce the risk associated with zoonotic diseases.
Keywords: Zoonoses, One world, One Health, multisectoral collaboration, pathogen
Introduction
Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be passed from animals to people and vice versa (CDC,2021). Zoonotic pathogens can be bacterial, viral, or parasitic in nature, and they can infect people through direct contact with domestic, agricultural, or wild animals, as well as through food and water (World Economic Forum, 2022). In the last three decades, over 75 % of all new human infectious diseases have originated in animals (One Health Commission, 2022). Because the world is so interconnected, the threat of a particular disease anywhere is a threat everywhere (WHO,2020). The extensive interactions among animals, humans, and ecosystems that have resulted from the exponential growth of livestock and human populations; rapidly increasing urbanisation and changing farming systems; close interactions between wildlife and domestic animals (followed by forest encroachment, habitat destruction, and ecosystem changes); and globalisation in the trade of animal and animal products have increased the risk of disease spillover and burden (Jones et al.,2013). One Health is a concept that promotes the recognition of the links between human, animal, and environmental health. It emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration across different disciplines, such as human medicine, veterinary medicine, environmental science, and public health, in addressing health concerns caused by interactions between humans, animals, and the environment. This concept is crucial for controlling priority zoonotic illnesses including rabies, avian flu, and viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola. Furthermore, various cross-cutting challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance, food safety, climate change, and a lack of healthcare infrastructure, require a multisectoral and interdisciplinary response, which the One Health model ensures (WOAH, 2022).
One Health
The father of modern pathology, Rudolph Virchow emphasised in 1856, that there are no essential dividing lines between human and animal medicine. One health concept is being recognized as an effective way to fight health issues at the human-animal-environment interface, including zoonotic diseases. One health was proposed as a concept to foster such interdisciplinary collaboration. Human populations are increasing and spreading into new locations. As a result, more people are living near wild and domestic animals, including cattle and pets. Animals are vital in human life for a variety of reasons, including food, fibre, livelihood, travel, sport, education, and companionship. Close interaction with animals and their environs increases the likelihood of disease transmission between animals and humans. Climate and land use changes, such as deforestation and intensive farming practices, have occurred across the planet. Changes in climatic conditions and habitats can open up new avenues for disease transmission to animals. International travel and trade have boosted the mobility of people, animals, and animal products. As a result, diseases can quickly spread across borders and around the world. These changes have resulted in the development of both current or known (endemic) zoonotic illnesses as well as novel or emerging zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can transfer between animals and humans. Every year, zoonotic illnesses infect millions of people and animals worldwide (CDC,2022). Examples of zoonotic diseases include Rabies, Salmonella infection, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Lyme disease, Q fever, Ringworm, Ebola, West Nile virus infection etc. One Health Approach is adopted by international agencies charged with the control of zoonoses. One health issue includes Zoonotic diseases, Antibiotic resistance, Food safety and security, Vector-borne diseases, Environmental Health, Chronic diseases, Mental health, and Occupational health. The Manhattan Principles is a set of 12 proposals for a more holistic approach to preventing epidemic / epizootic disease and preserving ecosystem integrity for the benefit of humans, their domesticated animals, and the underlying biodiversity that supports us all (WCS). Human, animal, and environmental health partners must collaborate for successful public health interventions. Human health professionals (doctors, nurses, public health practitioners, epidemiologists), animal health professionals (veterinarians, paraprofessionals, agricultural workers), environmental professionals (ecologists, wildlife experts), and others must communicate, collaborate, and coordinate activities. Law enforcement, legislators, farmers, communities, and even pet owners might all be important stakeholders in a One Health strategy. No single person, organisation, or sector can handle concerns at the animal-human-environment interface (CDC, 2022). A One Health approach is also critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (FAO).
Prevention of Zoonoses by One Health Approach
Surveillance and Early detection: All relevant sectors should consider collaborative and/or coordinated surveillance systems for the early detection of zoonotic diseases. The primary goal of zoonotic disease joint monitoring is to identify disease episodes and enable the implementation of coordinated response, preventative, and mitigation strategies. In addition to advancing research, the understanding of disease burden, monitoring, and intervention is facilitated (Hattendorf et al., 2017). Data sharing between the human health, animal health, and environmental sectors allows for a more complete understanding of disease patterns and guides evidence-based solutions. When zoonotic disease outbreaks occur, collaborative investigations combining public health professionals, veterinarians, and ecologists can aid in determining the source of infection, method of transmission, and risk factors. This data is essential for designing effective control methods.
Care and management of animals: Keeping animals healthy through adequate veterinarian care and management helps to lower the risk of zoonotic infections. Veterinarians are critical players in this animal-based food chain. They are professionally accountable for farm animal health to ensure food safety and public health. One Health initiatives encourage the development and execution of zoonotic disease prevention immunisation programmes for both people and animals. Vaccinating domestic animals, for example, which might act as reservoirs for the disease, can minimise the chance of transmission to humans.
Wildlife conservation: The illegal wildlife trade is a lucrative business worth up to USD $23 billion per year. Trafficking in wild animals and their products is often carried out by multinational criminal syndicates in the same way that drugs and weapons are. While the poaching of elephants and tigers for their parts has received widespread attention, a plethora of other animals that are at high risk of zoonotic illness are equally exploited for meat consumption or as exotic pets. In unregulated wildlife markets, domestic livestock and live wildlife of various species are cramped in close quarters. These markets often disregard health and sanitary protocols and are typically found in densely populated, urban areas – all creating a staging ground for the transmission of novel diseases (World Wildlife Fund). Therefore, protecting wildlife habitats and implementing wildlife conservation measures can reduce human-wildlife interactions which leads to zoonotic disease transmission.
Food safety: Meat, dairy products, and eggs are the main ways by which people are exposed to zoonotic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella species, Campylobacter species, L. monocytogenes, and E. coli are the major zoonotic pathogens which are the causative agents of food-borne illness and death in the world associated with consumption of contaminated animal products (Abebe et al.,2020). Because of the complicated relationships between animals and people, livestock food safety is a major problem. Pathogens can spread at any point in the animal food handling process, including breeding, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, marketing, and consumption (Qian et al., 2023). Antibiotic use in domestic animals is a controversial issue because, while antibiotics can combat food-borne zoonotic pathogens and promote animal growth and productivity, they can also result in the spread of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and antibiotic-resistant genes across species and habitats. One Health advocates healthy food production and consumption practices, notably in livestock farming. Proper food safety precautions can lower the danger of zoonotic pathogens entering the food chain.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Improving hygiene practises and access to clean water in both human and animal populations can aid in the prevention of zoonoses transmission. Managing the waste disposal of humans and animals is directly linked with environmental contamination. Open defecation and animal faeces contain certain chemicals and zoonotic pathogens that are noxious to humans and the environment. livestock waste could act as a reservoir for many pathogens because spores can carry and transmit the pathogens to groundwater, surface water runoff etc (Yasobnat et al., 2022).
Public Awareness and Education: It is critical to raise the public, healthcare professionals, and animal carers’ understanding of zoonotic diseases and their prevention. Education can help people comprehend and implement preventive measures. Increased public awareness will promote the proper use of antibiotics and lead to the appropriate provision of medical and veterinary care.
Global Cooperation and Research: Zoonotic diseases have little regard for national borders, so international cooperation is essential. Data, skills, and resources can be shared among countries to better the global response to zoonotic disease epidemics. WHO, FAO, WOAH, and UNEP are working together to mainstream One Health so that they are better prepared to prevent, predict, detect, and respond to global health threats and promote sustainable development. One Health promotes zoonotic disease research, transmission mechanisms, and prevention techniques. Scientific and technological advancements can lead to novel techniques for preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.
Conclusion:
Emerging and re-emerging zoonoses pose a growing international concern. They have caused significant economic and public health harm in a number of local and global multi-sectoral economies. Several deadly zoonotic disease outbreaks have been documented throughout the world. Because of the global interconnection at the human-animal-environment interface, a disease hazard anywhere is a threat everywhere. As a result, zoonotic illnesses may become the primary public health and economic problem in the future. As a result, to effectively minimise the burden of, prevent, and control such zoonoses, a robust multi-sectoral cooperation and institutional structure (the One Health approach) is necessary. We can dramatically lower the danger of zoonotic disease transmission, safeguard public health, and enhance the well-being of all living species on our planet by adopting the One Health concept and implementing these initiatives.
Abbreviations:
WHO: World Health Organization
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization
WOAH: World Organization for Animal Health
WCS: Wildlife conservation society
UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Corresponding Author-
Dr Amandeep Goyal, M.V.Sc Scholar, Animal Nutrition ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
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