ONE WORLD, ONE HEALTH: PREVENT ZOONOSES, STOP THE SPREAD

ONE WORLD, ONE HEALTH: PREVENT ZOONOSES, STOP THE SPREAD

Shruti Shaurya¹

¹M.V.Sc. Scholar, Division of Medicine, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, U.P., 243122.

Abstract

The health of humans, animals, and ecosystems are intricately connected and disruptions in these relationships can elevate the risk of new diseases. The One Health approach advocates for the integration of human, animal and environmental health sectors to optimize overall health outcomes. About 30 new pathogens affecting human beings have been detected since past 30 years, 75% of which are contributed by animals. With emerging infectious diseases originating from animals, this approach is crucial in addressing the increasing threats posed by human activities and stressed ecosystems. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity for a global, integrated surveillance system. One Health addresses antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, food safety and environmental health. The World Bank estimates the potential global benefit of One Health to be at least $37 billion annually, with preventive measures requiring less than 10% of these benefits.

Keywords: Global health, Interdisciplinary collaboration, One Health

Introduction

The health of humans, animals and ecosystems are closely interlinked, disruptions in these relationships can elevate the risk of new diseases developing and spreading. The One Health approach advocates for the integration of human, animal and environmental health sectors to optimize overall health outcomes, necessitating collaboration, communication and coordination among relevant sectors. Around 60% of emerging infectious diseases originate from animals, with over 30 new human pathogens detected in past 3 decades, 75% of which are from animal sources. Human activities and stressed ecosystems, such as animal trade, agriculture, urbanization and climate change, create opportunities for disease emergence and spread.

One Health is a unified approach that balances and optimizes the health of people, animals and ecosystems by leveraging their interdependent links to develop new surveillance and disease control methods. For instance, land use impacts malaria cases, weather patterns and water controls influence dengue, and wildlife trade increases the risk of disease spillover to humans. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a global framework for enhanced surveillance and a more integrated health system. Addressing gaps in One Health knowledge, prevention and integration was seen as key to managing the pandemic.

One Health addresses issues such as antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, vector-borne diseases, food safety and environmental health. The World Bank estimated the global benefit of One Health to be at least $37 billion annually, with preventive measures costing less than 10% of these benefits. Since 2003, over 15 million human deaths and $4 trillion in economic losses have been attributed to disease and pandemics, along with significant losses from food and water safety hazards. Thus, collaboration across sectors and disciplines through a One Health approach is vital for addressing complex health challenges. To effectively prevent, assess and counter emerging health threats.

One health approach

One Health is a multidisciplinary strategy that recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. It advocates for collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, veterinarians, ecologists, and policymakers to address health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. The core principles of One Health include:

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):The ability of germs to resist drugs, allowing them to spread.
• Zoonotic Diseases:Diseases transmitted between animals and humans, such as Ebola & Avian influenza.
• Vector-Borne Diseases:Diseases spread by vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, including malaria and Lyme disease.
• Food Safety:Prevention of foodborne diseases at all stages of food production and consumption.
• Environmental Health:Addressing pollution and climate change impacts on health.

Significance in Preventing Zoonoses

Deforestation destroys habitats and forces wildlife into closer proximity with human populations, facilitating the transmission of pathogens. As forests are cleared for agriculture or urban development, animals that once lived in these habitats are displaced, often coming into direct contact with humans and domesticated animals, creating new pathways for disease transmission.

Urbanization further exacerbates this problem by creating densely populated areas where humans and animals coexist. Cities often attract rodents and other wildlife that adapt to urban environments, increasing the potential for zoonotic disease outbreaks. The construction of new infrastructure can disturb local wildlife, bringing them into contact with humans and increasing the chances of cross-species infections.

The global wildlife trade and the encroachment into wild areas for resource extraction contribute significantly to the emergence of zoonotic diseases. Markets that sell live wild animals, sometimes under unsanitary conditions, provide ideal settings for pathogens to jump from animals to humans. The trade and consumption of exotic animals, which may carry novel viruses, also pose a substantial risk.

Climate change plays a role by altering habitats and migration patterns, leading to new interactions between species that can facilitate the spread of diseases. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can expand the geographic range of vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, introducing zoonotic diseases to new regions.

Therefore, the One Health approach is critical in preventing zoonotic diseases, which are infections that transfer from animals to humans. The increasing incidence of zoonotic diseases is closely linked to various anthropogenic activities that disrupt natural ecosystems and increase human-animal interactions.

Opportunities

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which led to the COVID-19 pandemic, has underscored the critical need to reinforce the One Health approach. The pandemic has illustrated the pitfalls of underinvesting in environmental protection, emergency preparedness, robust health systems, water and sanitation infrastructure and social safety nets. The cost of neglecting these areas is now apparent, as the financial and human toll of the pandemic has far exceeded any perceived savings. In light of these lessons, we have a unique and unprecedented opportunity to enhance collaboration and develop comprehensive policies across these sectors. By doing so, we can mitigate the risk of future pandemics and epidemics while also addressing the ongoing challenges posed by endemic and non-communicable diseases. A holistic One Health approach can facilitate a more resilient and sustainable global health framework. Effective surveillance is a cornerstone of this integrated approach. We need sophisticated monitoring systems that can identify and track risks across human, animal, and environmental health. These systems should be capable of detecting patterns and early warning signs of potential outbreaks, enabling timely and coordinated responses. New research must focus on understanding the complex interactions between these fields. Investigating the drivers of health crises—such as habitat destruction, climate change and human encroachment on wildlife habitats—can provide valuable insights. By integrating the impacts of various sectors, researchers can develop more effective strategies for preventing and managing health threats. Enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration and policy-making, supported by robust surveillance and research, can significantly reduce the likelihood of future health crises. By addressing the interconnected challenges of human, animal and environmental health, we can build a healthier, more resilient world.

Challenges

To implement One Health effectively, significant structural reforms are necessary to integrate the fields of human, animal and environmental health. This includes fostering multi-sectoral communication, collaboration, coordination and enhancing capacity. Key deficiencies in One Health implementation include:

• Establishing databases and resources to facilitate information sharing and action aligned with One Health principles.
• Identifying and promoting exemplary instances of implementation.
• Mapping existing initiatives and capabilities for research and cultivating the next generation of professionals in the field.
• Developing a model for a unified One Health surveillance system.
• Establishing mechanisms for regular and emergency coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Enhancing understanding of the factors driving the transmission of zoonotic diseases, such as animal trade, agriculture, livestock management, urbanization and habitat fragmentation.
• Standardizing approaches for assessing the risks of pathogen spillover between different animal populations and humans, including those originating in food systems.
• Implementing strategies to identify and mitigate spillover risks and the spread of zoonotic diseases in a manner that minimizes trade-offs and maximizes synergies with other health and sustainable development goals.

Conclusion

One Health approach emerges as a crucial framework for addressing the complex interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health. As evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health challenges, zoonotic diseases pose significant threats to public health, economies, and ecosystems worldwide. Over 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, originating predominantly from wildlife, underscoring the urgent need for integrated strategies. Implementing One Health requires substantial structural changes to facilitate seamless integration across sectors and enhance communication, collaboration, and coordination. Critical gaps remain, including the need for robust databases, best practice examples, and an integrated surveillance system capable of detecting and responding to disease threats promptly. Addressing the drivers of zoonotic disease spillover—such as animal trade, agriculture and urbanization— demands standardized risk assessment approaches and proactive measures. By prioritizing preventive actions and fostering interdisciplinary research, One Health not only mitigates the immediate risks posed by zoonotic diseases but also contributes to broader health and sustainable development objectives.

A continued investment in One Health is imperative to build resilience against future pandemics and epidemics while promoting global health security. Through collaborative efforts and innovative strategies, the vision of One Health as a cornerstone of global health governance can be realized, ensuring a safer and healthier future for all.

References:
1. Grace, D., Mutua, F., Ochungo, P., Kruska, R., Jones, K., Brierley, L., Lapar, L., Said, M., Herrero, M., Phuc, P. M., Thao, N. B., Akuku, I., & Ogutu, F. (2012). Mapping of poverty and likely zoonoses hotspots. Zoonoses and Public Health, 59(7), 537-545.

2. Karesh, W. B., Dobson, A., Lloyd-Smith, J. O., Lubroth, J., Dixon, M. A., Bennett, M., Aldrich, S., Harrington, T., Formenty, P., Loh, E. H., Machalaba, C. C., Thomas, M. J., & Heymann, D. L. (2012). Ecology of zoonoses: Natural and unnatural histories. The Lancet, 380(9857), 1936-1945.
3. World Health Organization. One Health (2020).
4. One Health.World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). (2020). One Health: A strategic framework for reducing risks of infectious diseases at the animal-human-ecosystems interface.
5. World Bank. (2022). The costs of pandemic prevention: Applying One Health to avoid the next outbreak.
6. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2021). Preventing the next pandemic: Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission.
7. Havelaar, A. H., Kirk, M. D., Torgerson, P. R., Gibb, H. J., Hald, T., Lake, R. J., Praet, N., Bellinger, D. C., De Silva, N. R., Gargouri, N., Speybroeck, N., Cawthorne, A., Mathers, C., Stein, C., & Angulo, F. J. (2015). World Health Organization global estimates and regional comparisons of the burden of foodborne disease in 2010. PLoS Medicine, 12(12), e1001923.

Please follow and like us: