<p>The world is facing daunting health challenges with the rise of <a href=”https://www.emro.who.int/fr/about-who/rc61/zoonotic-diseases.html” target=”_blank”>zoonotic</a> diseases—infections that are transmissible from animals to humans. These diseases—which include Ebola, avian flu, COVID-19 and HIV—show how the health and wellbeing of humans, animals and ecosystems are closely connected.</p>
<p>Zoonotic diseases have become more and more <a href=”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10215220/#:%7E:text=As%20we%20have%20demonstrated%20in,and%20interact%20with%20each%20other.” target=”_blank”>common</a> due to factors such as urbanisation, deforestation, climate change and wildlife exploitation. These dangers are not limited by borders: they are global and demand a coordinated response.</p>
<p>By looking at health holistically, countries can address the full spectrum of disease control—from prevention to detection, preparedness, response and management—and contribute to global health security.</p>
<p>The World Health Organization has a basis for such an approach: <a href=”https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health” target=”_blank”>One Health</a>. This recognises the interdependence of the health of people, animals and the environment and integrates these fields, rather than keeping them separate.</p>
<p>I lead the Health program at the <a href=”https://www.ilri.org/about-us” target=”_blank”>International Livestock Research Institute</a>, where we are looking for ways to effectively manage or eliminate livestock-related diseases, zoonotic infections and foodborne illnesses that disproportionately affect impoverished communities…</p>
<p><a href=”https://theconversation.com/preventing-the-next-pandemic-one-health-researcher-calls-for-urgent-action-255229″>Read the full article in The Conversation.</a></p>