ONE WORLD, ONE HEALTH: PREVENT ZOONOSES, STOP THE SPREAD
-P. Harini, K. Sudharsanam., PG scholar,
Department of veterinary public Health and Epidemiology,
Madras veterinary college, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
INTRODUCTION:
In today’s interconnected world, the health of humans, animals, and the environment is increasingly recognized as intertwined and interdependent. The concept of “One Health” epitomizes this interconnectedness, emphasizing that the well-being of all species is intricately linked. At the heart of this approach lies the imperative to prevent zoonoses—diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans—thus safeguarding global health security. Zoonotic diseases have long posed significant challenges to public health, exemplified most recently by the COVID-19 pandemic, which starkly underscored how an animal-origin virus can rapidly spread worldwide, causing immense human suffering and economic upheaval. Beyond COVID-19, zoonoses such as Ebola, Zika virus, avian influenza, and others continue to threaten populations globally, highlighting the critical need for proactive and collaborative approaches to disease prevention. This essay delves into the principles of One Health, exploring its significance in preventing zoonoses and advocating for global cooperation and action to ensure a healthier and more resilient future for all.
HARMONY IN HEALTH: EMBRACING THE ONE HEALTH APPROACH:
The prevention of zoonotic diseases is not merely a matter of human health alone but encompasses a broader spectrum that includes animal welfare and environmental sustainability. By understanding and addressing the complex interactions between humans, animals, and ecosystems, we can mitigate the risks of disease emergence and transmission.
UNDERSTANDING ZOONOSES:
Zoonotic diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that are naturally transmitted from animals to humans. These diseases can range from relatively common infections like influenza (from birds and pigs) and salmonellosis (from reptiles and birds) to emerging threats like Ebola and COVID-19. The factors contributing to the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases are diverse and complex, involving human behaviours, ecological changes, and global trade and travel. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that integrates human health, animal health, and environmental factors, underpinned by collaboration across disciplines and sectors.
UNDERSTANDING THE ONE HEALTH APPROACH:
The One Health concept acknowledges that the health of humans is intricately linked to the health of animals and the environment they share. This approach emphasizes collaboration across disciplines such as human medicine, veterinary medicine, environmental science, ecology, and public health. By integrating these fields, the One Health approach addresses the complex factors driving disease emergence, transmission, and persistence
THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF HEALTH:
The One Health approach emphasizes that the health of humans is intricately linked to the health of animals and the environment. For instance, deforestation and habitat destruction can bring humans into closer contact with wildlife, increasing the risk of zoonotic spillover. Similarly, intensive animal farming practices can create environments conducive to the emergence and spread of zoonotic pathogens. In our increasingly interconnected world, the health of humans, animals, and the environment is intricately linked in ways that profoundly impact global well-being and sustainability. The concept of One Health recognizes this interdependence, highlighting the need for integrated approaches to address complex health challenges that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.
MAJOR COMPANION ANIMAL VECTOR BORNE DISEASES OF ZOONOTIC SIGNIFICANCE:
The human relationship with animals including pets, have numerous positive interactions, there is a long history of certain negative consequences – such as infectious diseases, zoonoses, parasitism, and bite injuries as well. They are capable reservoir hosts for a variety of zoonotic agents and can provide a convenient source of nourishment for numerous blood-feeding arthropods. Despite the fact that these diseases exist in both developed and developing countries, their public health burden is borne primarily by poor populations in developing countries that serves as a hot spot for many of these life-threatening zoonotic diseases. However, the potential risk of these zoonotic diseases can be reduced, if not eradicated, by a ‘One Health’ approach that encompasses intensive surveillance, early diagnosis, prompt response and management approaches that could benefit both the humans, animals and environment. Therefore, the implementation of large-scale prophylactic and control initiatives through inter sectoral collaboration between various national and international authorities concerning the veterinary and medical field as appraised in the ‘One health, One welfare policy’ is an absolute necessity.
EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING ZOONOSES- A ONE HEALTH APPROACH TO INTERCEPT:
The emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic diseases is continuously happening over the past three decades. Presently, there has been a spurt in the occurrence of infectious diseases in human beings emanating from animal reservoirs. Examples are the Ebola virus, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronaviruses (Kelly et al., 2020). Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the need for an urgent, systematic, concrete and intersectoral measure to prevent, control and mitigate the impact of animal derived infections, which will continue to occur in future. The scale of the problem is significant as epidemiological data shows that at least 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic and of wildlife origin. Prevention measures are difficult to implement because the events causing the emergence or recurrence of zoonoses are complex and influenced by multiple factors, such as genetic evolution, demographic changes, environmental conditions or climate changes that affect the ecosystem. Health systems must be able to recognize early signs of such threats quickly and react instantly (E Clinical Medicine Editorial, 2020). The human-animal relationship is essential for survival and cannot be eliminated in the foreseeable future, which encourages zoonoses. In developing countries, the rural population has a stronger coexistence with animals.
UNIFYING HEALTH: CONNECTING HUMANS, ANIMALS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT:
If a small outbreak is not detected and contained in its early stages, it can develop into an epidemic or even a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and eventually lead to a pandemic (WHO, 2022). Ever-increasing proximity to wildlife due to land-use change, illegal wildlife trade and other economic activities make it conducive for circulating wildlife pathogens to get closer to peri domestic areas and infect animals and humans in these environments (Gibb et al., 2020). The following steps like understanding the causes of disease development, the ecology of the pathogens involved and their animal hosts, and the creation of a network that can bring together the contributions of different experts and work together holistically. Currently, the main actors of the network (e.g., Physicians, veterinarians, public health experts and food quality inspectors) act separately and the current system lacks a cohesive network capable of receiving and responding to early warnings at different levels. The One Health approach aligns separate work to collective efforts effectively and recognizes the interdependence of human health, animal health and environmental health to achieve better public health outcomes. This approach implies a multidisciplinary effort in policy, research and, program implementation, where multiple sectors communicate and collaborate with the common goal of supporting disease prediction, prevention and preparedness.
ONE WORLD, ONE HEALTH: HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CONTROL ZOONOTIC DISEASES:
About 75% of emerging human pathogens are of animal in origin and 80% of pathogens that are concerned about bioterrorism are of animal origin. Globally, about one billion cases and one million deaths in humans are due to Zoonotic diseases (OIE, 2015). Thus, the maintenance of animal health is the utmost important to break the chain of disease transmission and emergence and/or re emergence of zoonotic diseases in the human population. Reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases in animals is also necessary to meet the required animal protein in the human diet, people’s livelihood, welfare and ecological balance. Thus, considering all the perspectives, the ‘concept of one health’ was begun in the year 2008. The concept of one health signifies the co-existence and interdependent of animal and human population in the shared environment (Figure 1). Thus, promoting a collaborative, transdisciplinary and multisectoral approach focusing at regional, national and global level to achieve optimal health of people, animals and plants (CDC, fact sheet) which could be a suitable strategy to combat the zoonotic disease emergence and re-emergence.
KEY STRATEGIES TO CONTROL DISEASE SPREAD:
- Early Detection and Surveillance
Early detection is crucial in preventing disease outbreaks from escalating into epidemics or pandemics. Surveillance systems that monitor human populations, animal reservoirs, and environmental indicators enable rapid identification of emerging threats. Integrated surveillance networks facilitate timely data sharing and coordinated responses across sectors.
- Rapid Response and Preparedness
Effective response mechanisms rely on preparedness efforts that include contingency planning, simulation exercises, and stockpiling essential medical supplies. Multi-sectoral response teams equipped with clear communication channels and protocols can swiftly contain outbreaks and mitigate their impact on human and animal populations.
- Vaccination and Disease Control Programs
Vaccination programs play a pivotal role in preventing disease transmission within animal populations and reducing the reservoir of pathogens that can spill over to humans. Targeted vaccination campaigns, particularly in high-risk areas or species, contribute to herd immunity and decrease the likelihood of zoonotic outbreaks.
- Promoting Public Awareness and Education
Community engagement is essential for fostering behaviors that minimize disease transmission. Public awareness campaigns educate individuals about zoonotic risks, proper hygiene practices, safe handling of animals, and the importance of seeking timely medical care. Empowering communities to recognize early warning signs and adopt preventive measures enhances resilience against disease threats.
- Addressing Environmental Factors
Environmental health impacts the dynamics of disease transmission, particularly for vector-borne and waterborne diseases. Sustainable land-use practices, habitat conservation, and pollution control initiatives reduce environmental stressors that drive disease emergence. Protecting biodiversity and ecosystem integrity supports natural disease regulation mechanisms and enhances overall public health resilience.
- Policy Development and International Collaboration
Effective governance frameworks and policies facilitate cross-sectoral cooperation and resource allocation for disease control efforts. International collaboration through organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) fosters information sharing, capacity building, and standardized protocols for disease surveillance and response.
CASE STUDIES AND SUCCESS STORIES
Examples such as the eradication of smallpox through global vaccination campaigns demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated public health initiatives. Additionally, initiatives to combat Ebola outbreaks in Africa have highlighted the importance of rapid response teams, community engagement, and international support in containing infectious diseases.
GUARDIANS OF GLOBAL HEALTH: THE ONE HEALTH PARADIGM:
At the heart of the One Health paradigm lies the integration of efforts across diverse disciplines:
- Human Health:Addressing zoonotic diseases and emerging infectious threats that originate in animals but affect human populations.
- Animal Health:Monitoring and managing disease outbreaks in animal populations to prevent spillover into humans and mitigate economic losses in agriculture.
- Environmental Health:Protecting biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural habitats to preserve ecological balance and reduce environmental factors that contribute to disease transmission.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the One Health approach stands as a pivotal strategy in combating the spread of zoonotic diseases, recognizing the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the environment. By integrating efforts across these sectors, we can effectively prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks before they escalate into global health crises. The multifaceted nature of the One Health approach allows for early detection through robust surveillance systems that monitor disease trends in animal populations, wildlife reservoirs, and human communities. This proactive monitoring enables swift responses, facilitating containment measures such as targeted vaccination campaigns, enhanced biosecurity protocols, and rapid deployment of medical resources. In essence, the One Health approach offers a comprehensive and sustainable framework for controlling zoonotic diseases, emphasizing proactive measures and collaborative efforts across disciplines and borders. By investing in prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities, we can safeguard public health, promote environmental stewardship, and foster resilient communities in the face of emerging health threats. Embracing the principles of One Health is not only imperative for current health challenges but also crucial for building a healthier and more secure future for generations to come.
