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One Health Movement News / One Health Topics 'in' the News

Illinois One Health Workshop Prepares United Front of Health Heroes in Illinois

12/06/2024

The more than 60 attendees included the state’s chief medical officer, the state veterinarian, and representatives from the FBI, the Farm Bureau, Extension, FEMA, USDA, Lincoln Park Zoo, and many academic institutions. During the workshop, participants assessed the needs in Illinois related to zoonotic diseases and outbreak response, agriculture and animal husbandry, environment, climate change, access to healthcare, antimicrobial resistance, and data interoperability.

Raising our Collective One Health Voices: UN General Assembly - Summit of the Future Fails to include One Health

09/21/2024

Simultaneous to the WOHC in Cape Town, World leaders were meeting in New York at the UN General Assembly  Summit of the Future and adopting a Pact for the Future. However, that Summit program failed to include One Health in discussions in spite of the UN Quadripartite (WHO, FAO, WOAH, UNEP) actively embracing and leading for One Health.  When attendees at the 8th World One Health Congress became aware of this serious oversight, on 21 September, 2024 they collectively prepared and shared a message to the UN General Secretary, the Summit of the Future Actions Days and other UN contacts urging that One Health be fully embraced with specific suggestions of where it could be included in the draft PACT.

Tourism and the Environment: From a One Health Perspective

05/22/2024

Authors: Cheryl Stroud and Richard Seifman    In:  IMPAKTER

“Much has been written about the positive and negative aspects of both tourism and human health, but rarely from a One Health perspective……. Environmental quality, biodiversity and ecosystem health have huge implications for our collective future, and tourism can play a positive or negative role…….. One Health thinking based on our interconnectedness with animals, ecosystems, and environments can provide a framework for that balancing act.”

Leave them bats alone! At least, that’s what scientists suggest to prevent future pandemics

02/18/2024

Author: StudyFinds Staff    In:  StudyFinds

 

One Health Bill introduced into the Colombian Congress, Colombia, South America

05/22/2023

Through Which the Concept of One Health Is Incorporated for the Protection of the Environment, Animal Welfare, Public Health and Guidelines Are Established For the Formulation of the Public Policy of One Health.

World Veterinary Association (WVA) Position Statement on One Health Education

03/15/2023

WVA recognizes that the One Health concept should be present in veterinary education. WVA encourages veterinary schools to conduct a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach with a One Health mind-set throughout the curriculum.

 

The Caribbean One Health Alliance (COHA) highlights Caribbean Women Leaders in One Health for International Women’s Day 2023

03/08/2023

COHA is a One Health network of phenomenal, highly experienced, passionate professionals from across the Caribbean who are very invested in One Health and who work to embrace equity, diversity and inclusion in One Health locally, regionally and globally. 

Visit the COHA webpage.

Hawaii One Health Month Proclamation 2023

12/27/2022

In celebration of One Health Awareness Month, actions were taken by a local Hawaii resident to have January proclaimed One Health Month in Hawaii.

U.S. SENATOR GILLIBRAND INTRODUCES GROUNDBREAKING ONE HEALTH BILL TO PREVENT, DETECT, AND RESPOND TO BIOLOGICAL THREATS

10/21/2022

The One Health bill would create a federal council charged with preventing, detecting and responding to biological threats that significantly impact our national health, economy, and national security.

Rutgers University Hosts Regional One Health Consortium Conference

08/05/2022

A group of scientists, experts, and representatives from New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, and West Virginia convened for a mid-Atlantic Regional One Health Consortium Conference at Rutgers University

World Bank Board Approves New Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPR)

06/30/2022

The goal of the FIF is to provide financing to address critical gaps in pandemic PPR to strengthen country capacity in areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory systems, health workforce, emergency communication and management, and community engagement.

 

One Health Commission Launches new One Health Tools and Toolkits webpage

06/23/2022

Many governmental and non-governmental organizations, academics, and other individuals have created a diverse array of tools to assist One Health practitioners and lifelong learners. These aid in health systems management, disease surveillance, research, learning, and much more. To help streamline awareness of and access to them, the One Health Commission has gathered tools and toolkits from across the globe and compiled them on one webpage freely open to the world.

One Health is Critical in Dealing with Infectious Diseases But Few People Know It

03/31/2022

Author:  Richard Seifman    In:  IMPAKTER

A new global entity should be created to focus on effective communication to promote One Health with the general public

Such a broader “process and promotional” answer could be to create an entity singularly mandated to focus on One Health science, information, and performance on a sustained and multidisciplinary basis. This body would exist outside technical entities such as WHO, FAO, or OIE, drawing on their expertise as appropriate. 

Quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed for a new era of One Health collaboration

03/17/2022

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have signed a groundbreaking agreement to strengthen cooperation to sustainably balance and optimize the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment…..

Celebrating Caribbean Women in One Health for International Women's Day 2022

03/08/2022

The newly forming Caribbean One Health Alliance shines a light on female trailblazers in their region who are working to implement One Health related solutions, encouraging systems thinking and empowering others to work collaboratively on the Caribbean's most urgent, complex health issues

One Health approach needed to address bird flu

03/06/2022
Author: Jonathan Mayuga    In: Business Mirror
 
“The health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment are interlinked………
.....in response to recent large-scale outbreaks of HPAI [Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza] in wild birds, the Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds….......The scientific group said authorities with responsibility for animal health should apply the “One Health” approaches for communicating and addressing avian influenza, the task force said. This means recognizing that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment are interlinked and acting with a coordinated and unified approach.”

Considerations on the sidelines of the second principle of the Rome Declaration: The challenge of the One Health concept on the health of the future

12/29/2021

Author: Di Paolo T    In: International Journal of Risk and Safety Medicine

The paper analyses the reasons for which the One Health approach has become fundamental in the control of pandemic phenomena, by arguing the necessity to place it at the basis not only of health policies but also of intersectoral policies.

One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP)'s New Definition of One Health

12/01/2021

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) welcome the newly formed operational definition of One Health from their advisory panel, the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP), whose members represent a broad range of disciplines in science and policy-related sectors relevant to One Health from around the world. 

One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems.

It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent.

The approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, taking action on climate change, and contributing to sustainable development.

One Mission, One Health, One Home Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine 10 Year Report

11/18/2021

In its first 10 years, what began as a department of one has grown to a team of nine that is now recognized as a leader, both nationally and globally, in conservation medicine and One Health. In fact, the ICM helped establish the groundwork for Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions to be key players in One Health. The Institute for Conservation Medicine now serves as a template for zoos and aquariums around the world as they seek to develop similar programs and departments within the growing conservation medicine and One Health movements.

U.S. Congress and Defense Establishment: Early Signs of One Health On Horizon

11/11/2021

Author: Richard Seifman  In:  IMPAKTER

Promising language in “The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022” approved in the U.S. House of Representatives and now at Senate............ “.....there is still much to be done to put One Health at the center of the health and wellbeing stage…..At this point, there is some reason for measured optimism. Stay tuned for further developments.”

TEPHINET and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advancing One Health in Central America

11/03/2021

With support from TEPHINET and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Central American countries are working to create a framework for a One Health approach to zoonotic disease threats.

PAHO Directing Council agrees to apply "One Health" approach to cope with threats connected to the links between people, animals and environment

09/24/2021

The 59th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) approved the resolution "One Health": a comprehensive approach to address health threats at the human-animal-environment interface

G20 Ministers of Health reaffirm the urgent need to address global health under a One health approach

09/17/2021

The G201 this year is hosted under the Italian Presidency and focused on three main pillars of action: People, Planet and Prosperity. In the framework of global health, the G20 aims to lead an effective international response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to anticipate future health crises by building more resilient health systems. After this recent meeting, the G20 Ministers of Health released a Declaration   reiterating the importance of operationalising the One Health approach, an objective also highlighted during the Global Health Summit last May and in the “Rome Declaration

G20 Ministers of Health reaffirm the urgent need to address global health under a One health approach

09/17/2021

The G20 this year (2021) is hosted under the Italian Presidency and focused on three main pillars of action: People, Planet and Prosperity. ....  After this recent meeting, the G20 Ministers of Health released a Declaration (http://www.g20.utoronto.ca/2021/210906-health.html ) reiterating the importance of operationalising the One Health approach, an objective also highlighted during the Global Health Summit last May and in the “Rome Declaration"

New Jersey first state in US to legislate a One Health task force to fight disease transmission from animals to people - How it got started

07/28/2021

Author:  Patti Verbana    In:  Rutgers Today webpage

Last month, New Jersey became the first state in the US to legislate a “One Health Task Force,” which promotes communication between state agencies and scientists who study human health, animal health and the earth sciences. The state law is based on the Rutgers One Health Steering Committee, which was started in 2016 by Gloria Bachmann, director of Women's Health Institute at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Amy Papi, a volunteer at the Women's Health Institute and Sona Jasani, an instructor at the Medical School.

G20 Summit: Make One Health a Reality

07/23/2021

Authors: George Luedekke, Rohini Roopnarine, Richard Seifman    In:  IMPAKTER

“This is the summer of Italy on the World Stage–And recognition of One Health as a global concern: What happens in the Fall when the G20 meets? Will the G20 follow up on the recognition given to One Health by the G7, turning it into a world priority and adopting an actionable plan?..... “People, Planet, and Prosperity” is the very comprehensive agenda of the G20 that will include the results of the late July [2021]meetings on climate change and energy to be held in Naples, and those of a separate Health Ministerial meeting (September 5-6) to be held on Rome. ……………. A second concern is in the way the G20 Finance Minister’s report is written. It anchors One Health in the World Health Organization (WHO) and that at its core means “human health”. While mention is made of the OIE, FAO, UNEP, and others, it is WHO which is given the lead role and its brand seen everywhere….. The concern here is that WHO would hold human health – now getting the lion’s share of international, national, and non-profit funding, almost in the trillions – the principal focus, with animal and environmental aspects getting much less money and attention……… One Health provides a framework and way to consider the impact of socio-behavioral and cultural factors on public health."

 

One Health approach: a symphony of effort … a health exigency worldwide

07/15/2021

Author: Bruce Kaplan   In: Innovation News Network

The bottom line is that One Health needs to be institutionalised and imbedded into the discerning philosophy of human society ex post facto! Zealotry on behalf of One Health principles is a virtue.

One Health Needs Global Recognition: A Call for Superstars to Come Forward

07/09/2021

Authors: Craig Carter, Rahinia Roopnarine, Richard Seifman

“One Health needs …….. a mega-star and megaphone to take it from the inner circle of expert advocates, and the occasional public discussion, to the next level of awareness and commitment. ……. …we also need to recognize that public institutions cannot do it on their own. They need visible endorsement from the body politic. So, this is a cry for help: Who is that someone or are there someones with the vision, courage, and visibility to garner community attention and interest to move One Health to its rightful level of public concern?  ……We need to act soon!”

Launch of An international alliance against health hazards in trade in wild animals, framed in One Health

07/05/2021

On the occasion of World Zoonoses Day (5 July) and supported by numerous international partners, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU) initiated an International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade.

One Health prominent at July Meeting of the U.S. Presidential Advisory Council on Combatting Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB)

06/30/2021

Virtual meting - The second day of public meeting included an update on the status of the antibiotic development pipeline, an open council discussion on provocative questions in AMR and presentations on Operationalizing One Health and the Environmental Dimensions of AMR.

New Jersey is the first (US) state to legislate a One Health Task Force to fight disease transmission from animals to people

06/24/2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for scientists to address how humans, animals and the environment affect each other and to develop protocols to stop diseases from transmitting from animals to humans.

Last month (June), New Jersey became the first state to legislate a “One Health Task Force,” which promotes communication between state agencies and scientists who study human health, animal health and the earth sciences.

New 'Frontiers In' Journal Special Issue Research Topic - One Health, Environmental Health, Global Health, and Inclusive Governance: What can we do?

04/30/2021

Editors are Ulrich Laaser, Vesna Bjegovic-Mikanovic, Richard Seifman, Flavia Senkubuge, Zeljka Stamenkovic. 

Call for Papers.  Abstracts will be received until 16 July 2021 with full papers due by 30 October 2021.

Livestock pathways to 2030: Seven ways to invest in One Health

03/22/2021

Seven key areas and more than 20 practical action areas that governments, investors, experts in One Health and policymakers can promote and invest in for better health and improved food systems were identified.

See also: https://www.ilri.org/news/livestock-pathways-2030-seven-ways-invest-one-health

More (needed) for The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

03/18/2021

Balancing the One Health (WHO/OIE/FAO) Tripartite Equation .....  We need to make better use of the OIE to enable it to fulfill its defined animal health mission, including unique contributions to One Health interdisciplinary collaborations and developmental research.

One Health Act Reintroduced in US House and Senate

One Health Legislation, U.S.
03/18/2021

Senate Bill S. 861 was introduced in the US Senate on March 18, 2021, by Senators Tina Smith and Todd Young.  That same day the identical bill H.R. 2061 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Kurt Schrader and Dusty Johnson.

The CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) leads a new approach to One Health risk assessment for SARS-CoV-2

02/15/2021

Authors: Sharon Calvin, Andrea Osborn   In:  Blog Post, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

" The need for a One Health approach to risk assessment has been an important topic internationally, and we are working closely with our colleagues across the globe. For example, we are sharing methodological tools with those involved in One Health signalling and risk assessment in Europe (including the Netherlands, the One Health European Joint Programme, and the Tripartite Joint Risk Assessment Operational Tool). Sharon is also in regular contact with risk assessors in the USA, United Kingdom and Australia. "

History of the One Health Initiative (OHI) Autonomous pro bono team and website

02/04/2021

The One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team (OHI) was created in April 2006 when Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP published the CDC article, ‘Confronting Zoonoses, Linking Human and Veterinary Medicine’. Her article prompted Bruce Kaplan, DVM to contact her and that year they started the One Health Initiative team. Thomas P. Monath, MD, joined the team in March of 2007 and suggested that they create a website. Together on October 1, 2008 they launched the OHI website with Dr. Kaplan as the designated contents manager / editor.

Wildlife Trade, Pandemics and the Law: Fighting This Year’s Virus with Last Year’s Law.

01/24/2021

Wingard, J., S. Belajcic, M. Samal, K. Rock, M. L. Custodio, M. Heise, S. Fiennes,C. Machalaba, A.A. Aguirre. (2020).  Legal Atlas, LLC. January 2021.

Bird Flu Outbreak: Another call for the One Health Approach

01/16/2021

Still fighting COVID-19 and its socio-economic impact, another health hazard quite significant from One Health perspective is knocking our doors though transmission to humans is quite low (Sporadic) but who knows what next? Particularly, when scientists across the globe are predicting more severe than COVID-19 outbreaks in future, often referred to as “Disease X”.

‘One Health’ approach to nasal bacteria could lead to new treatments for bovine respiratory diseases

01/15/2021

Author not stated.     In:  Innovation News Network

New research by the University of Bristol Veterinary and Medical Schools, UK, has used a ‘One Health’ approach to study three bacterial species in the noses of young cattle, which could lead to bovine respiratory diseases.

One Health Awareness Month: Bringing One Health to the World

01/14/2021

It’s One Health Awareness Month so Science Rendezvous is partnering with One Health Lessons to talk about how people, other animals and the environment are all interconnected. We impact each other perhaps more than we realize. 

FAO Director-General stresses crucial role of biodiversity in combating zoonotic diseases

01/12/2021
Emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental, animal and human health, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu reiterated FAO's commitment to continue supporting the mainstreaming of biodiversity across agriculture and food sectors also by the Hand in Hand Initiative.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the close links between human, animal and environmental health, in a context of increased human-livestock-wildlife contacts and ecosystem degradation," the Director-General said Monday, noting the "importance of environmental sustainability as a key determinant of a long term "One Health for All".

January is One Health Awareness Month

01/01/2021

The One Health Awareness Month Campaign was launched December 31, 2019 on Facebook by the One Health Commission and Louisiana One Health in Action.   It was conceived in response to U.S. Senate Resolution S. 462 declaring January 2020 to be U.S. National One Health Awareness Month. (See more background) 

Help raise awareness about the critical power of and urgent need for One Health! Each year during the month of January join the One Health Commission,  Louisiana One Health in Action and One Health Lessons in leading the annual One Health Awareness Month campaigns via social media and innovative outreach.

U Bern Veternary Public Health Institute leads One Health Essay Challenge

12/15/2020

Community involvement, guidance, and leadership is crucial for taking equity-focused One Health approaches to our work. However, not many researchers and practitioners know how to actually do this work. Therefore, this competition will get you to reflect on the importance of community engagement, its applicability to the field of One Health, and how work at the intersection of animal-human-environment health can be complimentary.

Humans are polluting the environment with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and I'm finding them everywhere

11/25/2020

Author:  Michelle Power     In: The Conversation

To combat antibiotic resistance, we need to use "One Health"—an approach to public health that recognizes the interconnectedness of people, animals and the environment. ….And this week's appointment of federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley to the world's first One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, brings me confidence we're finally heading in the right direction.

The launch of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel is a crucial step in preventing global epidemics

11/13/2020

A One Health High-Level Expert Panel, initiated by the French government with the support of the German government, was launched on 12 November 2020 at the Paris Peace Forum. What is the aim?

UNEP joins three international organizations in expert panel to improve One Health

11/12/2020

Presentation of the work of the Alliance for Multilateralism,  The One Health High-Level Expert Council and the Fight against Infodemics.
 

Grieving the death of One Health Champion, Lisa Conti, DVM, MPH, ACVPM, CPM

11/07/2020

The world has lost a tremendous One Health Champion. LIsa was a vital part of the One Health Initiative pro bono team through which she also served as a member of the One Health Commission's Council of Advisors.

What Is One Health?

10/31/2020

Athor:  John Drake   In: Forbes Magazine

This interconnectedness of the health of people, animals, and the environment is known as one health. But, one health is more than the acknowledgement of a fact.

Marking One Health Day 2020 - One Health in action: Research by ILRI and partners improves the health of people, animals and the environment

10/30/2020

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has an established record of collaborative One Health research in Africa and Southeast Asia.  To mark One Health Day coming up next week on 3 November, we bring you highlights of some One Health research initiatives by ILRI and partners.

Launch of Africa CDC Framework for One Health Practice in National Public Health Institutes

10/26/2020

This framework was developed through an interactive, consultative process with African Union (AU) Member States, experts in One Health and zoonotic diseases, international organizations and other Africa CDC partners. An initial Technical Working Group (TWG) was convened by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to oversee the development of the initial draft and subsequent revisions. The TWG included experts from Africa CDC, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), Chatham House and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). To inform the framework development, the TWG reviewed published One Health plans and reports developed by Member States and synthesized common themes, as well as referencing available One Health global guidance. The resulting framework is the product of extensive work by the TWG, whose role and dedication in its creation is deeply appreciated.

Leaders Pledge for Nature - United to Reverse Biodiversity Loss by 2030 for Sustainable Development

09/28/2020

At a UN summit in September 2020, more than 70 world leaders (not including the US, China or Brazil ) signed the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, promising to clamp down on pollution, eliminate the dumping of plastic waste and strengthen environmental agreements worldwide. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed noted at the event, to “rescue the planet’s fragile tapestry of life, we need vastly more ambition and action”. (Excerpts from the pledge)

3.We will re-double our efforts to end traditional silo thinking and to address the interrelated and interdependent challenges of biodiversity loss, land, freshwater and ocean degradation, deforestation, desertification, pollution and climate change in an integrated and coherent way, ensuring accountability and robust and effective review mechanisms, and lead by example through actions in our own countries.

8.We commit to integrating a “One-Health” approach in all relevant policies and decision-making processes at all levels that addresses health and environmental sustainability in an integrated fashion.

UCL-Lancet Lecture 2020: Global Health Preparedness in the Face of Emerging Epidemics

07/23/2020

Dr Muhammad Pate, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank Group emphasized utilization of a “One Health approach” in his comments. In this video see approximately: minutes 28:15 – 29:30  and  33:05 – 33:15.

One Health Networks and Workforce Response to COVID-19 Global Survey launched

07/15/2020

The One Health Commission (OHC) and the One Health European Joint Programme (OHEJP), in partnership with the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak and Response Network (WHO-GOARN) launched a collaborative project to describe the contributions of the diverse One Health workforce to the COVID-19 pandemic and the connection of One Health networks (OHNs) to workforce response activities. The survey will remain open until August 14, 2020. Results will expand the understanding of the value of a OH approach and the role of OHNs and will be utilized to develop targeted interventions to improve workforce capacity for public health response to COVID-19 and future pandemics. For more details see the Participant Information Sheet.

Take the survey.

Special UNEP Report: '‘Preventing the next pandemic: Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission’

07/06/2020

Produced by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), this report highlights the environmental side of the zoonotic dimension of  the COVID-19 pandemic.  Examining the root causes of this pandemic and other zoonoses, it fills a critical knowledge gap and provides policymakers with a better understanding of the context and nature of potential future zoonotic disease outbreaks. The report recommends the need for a One Health approach.

 

New One Health course on Coursera: Bats, Ducks, and Pandemics: An Introduction to One Health Policy

06/29/2020

The concept of One Health provides a useful framework for examining complex health issues such as food safety and security, emerging and vector-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. It can be used to analyze government policies to determine if they are effective in improving health and well-being.

Tuberculosis spread (in India) from animals to humans may be greater than previously thought

06/15/2020

"The increasing evidence supporting M. orygis endemicity in south Asia and the identification of M. tuberculosis in cattle highlight the importance of using a One Health approach, involving multisectoral collaboration across the veterinary and clinical sectors, to meet the WHO's goal in India."

Appian Project Podcast- The Path to One Health - Interview with Dr. Cheryl Stroud

06/15/2020

One Health Practitioner Podcast with Dani Kilani

What it means to be a One Health Practitioner, and the drivers of One Health acceptance and awareness.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact & Response … Passing the Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act

06/14/2020

Author: Bruce Kaplan    Post on the One Health Initiative website

In the U.S. - Passing the Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act

06/11/2020

The COVID-19 global pandemic has punctuated the need for taking an integrated One Health approach to fostering and protecting human health and wellbeing.

 

In the U.S. last year a bipartisan bill, the One Health Act of 2019, was introduced into both chambers of Congress, the Senate and the House. https://tinyurl.com/yyn8b8vj     Adtalem Global Education recently produced an informational video about the Bill that reveals the nature and the urgency of passing the legislation.  The [U.S.] government has FEMA to handle natural disasters, posits Congressman Schrader; why not have a One Health apparatus to handle public health disasters? View the video  https://tinyurl.com/ycb9aj8r

@Cracking One Health Podcast Interview with Dr. Deb Thomson about teaching One Health to children

06/09/2020

@Cracking One Health is a podcast series led by Dr. Sara Perestrello to connect humans, animals and the environment

One Health champion Michael Day dies

05/12/2020

The Australian-born veterinarian founded the World Small Animal Veterinary Association One Health Committee and now has a scholarship named in his honor.

U Edinburgh / Shanghai (China) partnership to build One Health links

05/08/2020

The University of Edinburgh will work with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Merchants Group, and the Hainan government to help the province of Hainan establish a strong One Health force, through research, education and global reach.

"One Health" - also for the good of the animals!

05/07/2020

Author: Christoph May  On:  World Animal Protection Website      (Open in Chrome for English translation)

"A message from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) holds hope in these dark times: German development aid is to be given a new focus that could benefit millions of animals in emerging and developing countries. The key word is "One Health", the ministry wants to set up a separate unit for this.  "The corona crisis makes it unmistakably clear what we risk if nothing changes in our dealings with the animals. Now it is time to bring sustainable solutions for a healthy coexistence of humans and animals on the way. “   Daniela Schrudde, head of animal protection work, world animal protection society

COVID-19 Call to the Global One Health Commnity: Short-Term Assignments with the WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN)

04/29/2020

Reaching to the Global One Health Community for volunteers to serve in the pandemic response.

One Health champions in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Maryland form NE U.S. One Health Regional Consortium

04/22/2020

A One Health approach encourages collaborative efforts of experts working across the human, animal, and environmental health to improve the health of people and animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.

January - February 2020 - See multiple Op Eds and Commentaries about Covid-19 and the urgency to implement One Health

02/11/2020

“One Health integrates knowledge from several different spheres, including human health, animal health, environmental health and agricultural businesses. The approach is gaining traction among academics, government officials and international policymakers as the best way to approach complex problems such as emerging zoonotic diseases. But we need to do more to integrate this approach into how we prepare for viruses like the newly emerged coronavirus."    Dr. Greg Gray

Elevating the One Health Approach and Saving Lives: Veterinary pathologist Tracey S. McNamara on advocating for a species neutral approach

02/03/2020

Salzburg Global Seminar Newsletter post

“All bets are off. It’s time for every diagnostician, whether in human or wildlife or agricultural species, to strip away those preconceptions and then go that extra step and think, what if this is something new?”

 

“If you don’t start funding the wildlife sector and making it possible to do wildlife disease surveillance, then we may as well all just close up shop and go home because nothing will change.”   Tracy McNamara

CORE Group forms new One Health interest Group

02/03/2020

Washington, DC., USA

CORE Group’s One Health Interest Group supports coordination, communication, and collaboration for strengthened community engagement across human, animal and environment sectors before, during and after outbreaks.

Coronavirus declared global health emergency by WHO

01/31/2020

The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China.

"The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World” Legislative Briefing on U.S. Capitol Hill

01/30/2020

These One Health educational events for US lawmakers and their staff, one for the House and one for the Senate, were sponsored by the Veterinary Caucus, the Public Health Caucus, AVMA, AAVMC, the One Health Commission and a coalition of over 70 organizational U.S. One Health partners.

One Health Certified Animal Protein Program Launched in the US

01/14/2020

 One Health CertifiedTM, a comprehensive animal care program, establishes verified animal production practices in five core areas: disease prevention, veterinary care, responsible antibiotic use, animal welfare, and environmental impacts.

January 2020 is One Health Awareness Month

01/01/2020

To promote collaboration between animal, environmental, plant and public health scientists, on December 19, 2019 the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan Senate Resolution 462 (S Res 462) introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (Democrat-California) and Martha McSally (Republican-Arizona) designating January 2020 as “National One Health Awareness Month” in the U.S.  See  Press Release.

Then, on January 14, 2020, US House Representatives Kurt Schrader and Ted Yoho introduced the same resolution H.Res.794. See Press Release. Unfortunately this Resolution was not passed in the House.

To highlight these events the One Health Commission and Louisiana One Health in Action are leading a One Health Awareness Month Campaign that includes a 30-Day Social Media Challenge. See the One Health Awareness Month Guide  for ways to raise awareness about the importance of One Health during One Health Awareness Month.

One Health Awareness Month Campaign

12/31/2019

To promote collaboration between animal, environmental, plant and public health scientists, on December 19, 2019 the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan Senate Resolution 462 (S Res 462) introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (Democrat-California) and Martha McSally (Republican-Arizona) designating January 2020 as “National One Health Awareness Month” in the U.S.  See  Press Release.

Then, on January 14, 2020, US House Representatives Kurt Schrader and Ted Yoho introduced the same resolution H.Res.794. See Press Release.

To highlight these events the One Health Commission and Louisiana One Health in Action are leading a One Health Awareness Month Campaign that includes a 30-Day Social Media Challenge. See the One Health Awareness Month Guide  for ways to raise awareness about the importance of One Health during One Health Awareness Month.

Germany’s BMZ initiates a new ‘One Health Research, Education and Outreach Centre for Africa’ (OHRECA)

11/19/2019

Today, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) signed a letter of intent to establish a ‘One Health Research, Education and Outreach Centre for Africa’ (OHRECA) to be hosted by ILRI, which is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Coming one week after global celebrations of One Health Day, on 3 November, Germany’s parliamentary state secretary, Maria Flachsbarth, and ILRI’s deputy director general, Dieter Schillinger, signed the letter of intent in Nairobi, Kenya to formalize this initiative.

Army One Health Week events showcase need for comprehensive public health support

10/31/2019

....... communication, coordination and collaboration among partners working in animal, human and environmental health as well as other relevant partners are an essential part of the One Health Approach.

Burkina Faso advances its multidisciplinary “One Health” system

09/26/2019

In Burkina Faso the establishment of a national One Health platform has been a significant achievement which has resulted from the overall recommendation and coordination of the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment, Green Economy and Climate Change.

Bi-Partisan One Health Bills introduced in U.S. Senate and House in the 116th Congress

One Health legislation, US
07/16/2019

Senate Bill S.1903, ‘‘Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act of 2019’ was introduced in the US Senate on June 19, 2019, by Senators Tina Smith and Todd Young. This was followed on July 16, 2019 with introduction in the House of Representatives of the companion (identical text) Bill HR.3771 by Representatives Kurt Schrader and Ted Yoho.

India launches One Health Initiative with help from Penn State's ABRL

03/28/2019

Pennsylvania State’s Applied Biological and Biosecurity Research Laboratory (ABRL), together with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Biological Threat Reduction Program, worked with India’s Department of Biotechnology within the Ministry of Science and Technology to help the Indian government launch its complex and ambitious One Health Initiative at the One Health India Conference 2019, a two-day gathering held Feb. 18-19 in New Delhi.

UK One Health Report (on antibiotic use)

01/31/2019

The UK One Health Report has today been published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. The report brings together data on the levels of antibiotic use in humans and animals

United towards Global Health: Common Strategies for Common Challenges

11/06/2018

At the November, 2017 G7 meeting of Health Ministers several important references were made to One Health - a significant sign that the top 7 industrial nations of the world have embraced the concept and approach.

Synergizing One Health Collaborations (October 17 and 24, 2018)

Synergizing One Health Collaborations
10/17/2018

Two online meetings hosted by the One Health Commission provided an opportunity for 25 invited organizations working in the One Health Space toward common/parallel goals to share their initiatives and establish collaborative relationships. See Agenda and Participant list.

The Role of One Health Initiative to Achieving Rabies Eradication in Nigeria by Year 2030

09/28/2018

Ibadan, Nigeria. Symposium organized by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association in partnership with the Family Medicine Department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan and the International Veterinary Students Association, Ibadan.

Eight diseases that pets can pick up from people

09/26/2018

Most people are aware of the existence of zoonoses - those few diseases that pets can pass onto people: examples include rabies, ringworm, Toxoplasmosis and a number of bacterial infections which can be picked up by hand-to-mouth contact, or by contamination of a human skin wound. Simple attention to prevention, including vaccination and basic hygiene, are usually sufficient to keep these potential problems under control.

Now is the time for academic institutions to step forward in leading new One Health initiatives

academic institutions
08/20/2018

Now is the time for academic institutions to step forward in leading new One Health initiatives to create impactful, relevant research-driven solutions and train the next generation of innovative leaders. One Health concepts are ideally suited to provide robust, system-wide health-related solutions that the global society will need and expect. There is an enormous unrealized potential for all schools/colleges on a campus or amongst campuses to collaborate and leverage their strengths to solve many of society’s most important One Health issues such as prevention and treatment of obesity in humans and animals, infectious and zoonotic diseases that threaten global peace and security, health care costs and the need to adopt wellness programs, and safe and nutritious food and water for the world’s growing population—just to name a few.

Republic of Liberia Second National One Health Coordinating Platform meeting

06/27/2018

The launch of the One Health approach in Liberia emerged from the experience of the 2014-2016 Ebola Virus Disease epidemic that gave rise to the urgent need for a multi-sectoral coordinating mechanism for effective and prompt prevention, preparation, detection and response to public health threats.  As a result, the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) for International Health Regulations conducted in 2016 highlighted several gaps and recommended the urgent need to strengthen multi-sectorial coordination as a cost- effective way to better prepare for public health threats.  With support from World Health Organization (WHO), USAID, US-CDC and other partners, Liberia has made steady progress in institutionalizing the One Health approach and the establishment of a permanent One Health Coordinating Structure, the One Health Coordination Platform (OHCP), with the Vice President of the Country serving as the chairperson of the platform.

UTMB Hosts Training in One Health and Outbreak Investigation

06/12/2018

A new four-week course recently wrapped up at UTMB, and according to the organizing faculty, the students felt it achieved its objective of teaching them about investigating, managing and controlling an outbreak of a zoonotic agent of unknown origin.

Dennis Bente, PhD, DVM, an Associate Professor in the UTMB Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, teamed with Matt Dacso, MD, an internal medicine faculty member in the UTMB School of Medicine, to champion the ambitious four-week course, which involved collaborations with Texas A&M University and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

FAO, OIE, WHO working together to achieve One Health

FAO, OIE, WHO
05/30/2018

In a Memorandum of Understanding, FAO, OIE and WHO agreed to strengthen their long-standing partnership, with a  focus on tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Report  

First One Health Summit India held in New Delhi

05/03/2018

Cornell-Sathguru Foundation for Development (CSFD), with the support of the Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies (INFAH)  and the University of Hyderabad, hosted the first One Health Summit in India.

Soulsby Foundation names recipients of inaugural One Health travel fellowships

04/26/2018

Baron Soulsby of Swaffham (Lord Soulsby), who died in May 2017, was a pioneer and champion of the One Health concept who sought to inspire colleagues and students to view animal and human medicine as one continuous health-related tapestry.

Volunteer ad hoc committee of U.S. One Health leaders prepares one-page ‘Call to Action’ for support of non-partisan Senate Bill S. 2615 ‘‘Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health"

04/18/2018

One Health is a nonpartisan issue. Governments embracing and implementing it in all countries will be beneficial to the entire world.

One Health Day 2018 Launch Press Release Introduces Exciting Updates

04/04/2018

3 November is the official observance date of the annual global One Health Day.  Launched in April 2016 by three leading international One Health groups, the One Health Commission, the One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team, and the One Health Platform Foundation, One Health Day raises awareness about the One Health approach to complex health problems involving people, animals, and the environment. One Health Day has grown into a sustainable platform for One Health supporters around the world to educate about One Health and One Health issues in their locals.   

A Saint Louis Zoo vet links human health to wildlife

03/27/2018

A TEDxGatewayArch talk on wellness suggests we’re all in this together. “We people, the 7.6 billion of us, need to come to grips with spike and kotto in perenco.jpg the realization that human health is dependent upon the environmental health and animal health,” Deem says. “We’re the ones who make the changes on this planet.”

U.S. Senate One Health Bill introduced to Congress: "Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act of 2018"

03/22/2018

On March 22, 2018, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a bi-partisan bill, S.2615 “Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act of 2018” which has been referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) for their review.

S.2615 will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the U.S. Government’s response to (disease) emergencies by requiring the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) to do more than justcoordinate but actively collaborate among themselves and other relevant Departments and Agencies to develop and implement a federal One Health Framework. Human health, animal health and environmental health are inextricably linked and a One Health approach is the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally and globally to address issues of mutual concern, such as: emergency preparedness for disease outbreaks.

The One Health Framework in S.2615 would:

  • Advance workforce development related to prevention of and response to disease outbreaks in animals and humans.
  • Improve coordination between federal agencies who study human and animal health and the environment.
  • Advance scientific understanding of the connections between human, animal, and environmental health.

Review S. 2615  https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2615/text?q=%7B%22search%22:%22tina+smith%22%7D&r=18  

See a description of the Bill

Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance (TATFAR) meeting held in Atlanta

03/07/2018

On March 7-8, a two-day Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance (TATFAR) meeting was held in Atlanta. TATFAR members convened to strengthen collaboration against growing resistance to life-saving antimicrobial drugs. The meeting included government agency representatives from Canada, the European Union, Norway, and the United States, along with other leading experts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

First 'Global Flipped Classroom in One Health': From MOOCs to research on real world challenges

02/21/2018

'Flipped' classroom One Health MOOC: The One Health Unit, Institute of Global Health (Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva) in collaboration with Professor Jakob Zinsstag, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, has just published a description of the first global 'flipped'  classroom in One Health.

Feral macaques in Florida pose herpes B risk to humans

02/14/2018

Feral rhesus macaques living in a Florida state park can transmit herpes B virus, which is potentially deadly in humans.

Transmission is a low-incidence, high-consequence risk, according to an article in the February issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Antimicrobial Resistance: Forging A New Strategy Against an Old Threat

02/14/2018

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is sadly not a new threat, and despite Alexander Fleming’s warnings about resistant bacteria rising up because of the frequent and misuse of antibiotics,1 only fairly recently have individuals truly started to pay attention. Not only is there a growing threat of resistant bacteria, but the development of new antibiotics has been woefully insufficient. A recent report found that “of the drugs in development, only 12 have the potential to address the most critical Gram-negative pathogens on the World Health Organization’s antibiotic-resistant priority pathogens list: carbapenem-resistant Enterobactericaeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumanii.

Animal House: Leptospirosis Can Infect You And Your Pet

02/13/2018

If your pet ventures outside, even for a short time each day, then your furry friend is at risk for a zoonotic disease that has the potential to kill you both.

Tanzania commits to embrace the One Health approach

02/13/2018

Today, the Government of Tanzania and partners launched the One Health Coordination Desk and the National One Health Strategic Plan, as an important milestone towards addressing emerging health challenges at the animal-environment-human interface. Establishment of the One Health Coordination Desk and other elements of the National One Health Platform, underscores national commitment to strengthen mechanisms for prevention, detection and response to outbreaks. This is critical as the country embarks on building core capacities for preparedness and response to public health events under the International Health Regulations.

Young woman in Oregon, USA first human known to have been infected with a rare eye worm found in cows.

02/12/2018

Abby Beckley thought her left eye was irritated because of a stray eyelash. She rubbed her eye, flushed it with water, but when the discomfort remained, she peered into the mirror. She thought she saw a piece of clear fuzz. She pinched it with her fingers and pulled it out.

World must act faster to prevent pandemic diseases - U.N. risk chief

02/10/2018

The world must ramp up efforts to prevent huge infectious disease outbreaks - such as flu strains that can jump from animals to humans - which could kill millions of people, the chief of the U.N.’s disaster risk agency said on Saturday.

Scores of monkeys killed in Rio yellow fever panic

02/10/2018

Fears of spreading yellow fever are behind the illegal killing of scores of monkeys in Rio de Janeiro, complicating efforts to fight the virus, authorities say.

10 threats to global health in 2018

02/09/2018

Another influenza pandemic is inevitable. In this interconnected world, the next global flu outbreak is a matter of “when” not “if” — with far-reaching consequences. A severe pandemic could result in millions of deaths and destroy over 1% of global GDP.

Vaccines for Zoonoses: a One Health Paradigm

02/09/2018

Bruce Kaplan, DVM, describes some of the achievements of Dr. Thomas Monath who is launching a new vaccine company. The Abstract to this journal article reads: “This review focuses on the immunization of animals as a means of preventing human diseases (zoonoses). Three frameworks for the use of vaccines in this context are described, and examples are provided of successes and failures.

Microplastic Pollution Threatens Giants Of The Ocean, Scientists Warn

02/06/2018

In a new study published in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution, researchers revealed that giant sea creatures are swallowing large amounts of microplastic every day, which can pose a threat to their health, and possibly lead to the further decline of their population.

Project aims to prevent pandemics using One Health approach

02/05/2018

Ebola, H1N1 flu and other outbreaks in the past decade have killed hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Zika emerged from their hiding places just a few years ago, surprising and frustrating public health experts and scientists who could only respond to these infectious diseases, rather than prevent them.

Call for Papers: Special Journal Issue, "Canine Rabies Surveillance, Control and Elimination"

02/01/2018

MDPI Veterinary Sciences, Guest Editor: Ricardo Castillo-Neyra, DVM, PhD, MSPH.

 

This Special Issue is dedicated to discussing recent developments in canine rabies surveillance and exploring new control and elimination strategies for canine rabies. Manuscripts using the One Health approach are especially encouraged. Deadline March 31, 2018 https://goo.gl/tJMB6J

Multistate Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter Infections Linked to Contact with Pet Store Puppies (Final Update)

01/31/2018

CDC, several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) investigated a multistate outbreak of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter infections. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that contact with puppies sold through Petland stores was a likely source of this outbreak. This outbreak investigation is over; however, illnesses could continue because people may be unaware of the risk of Campylobacter infections from puppies and dogs. This multi-drug resistant outbreak highlights the need for responsible use of antibiotics in pets.

A Professor’s Passion: Progress in Animal Therapy

01/29/2018

Therapy animals can be especially helpful with children who lack self-confidence and are struggling in school.

More Data Needed in Health Emergencies, Lawmakers Told

01/23/2018

The federal government needs to help public health agencies better pull together data from various sources during a public health emergency, witnesses said at a Senate committee hearing Tuesday.

Cats and Dogs Could Help Human Disease Breakthrough

01/22/2018

The University of California, Davis' veterinary school is a surprising center for spina bifida and cancer research, thanks to some furry pals. 

 

UMN research aims to treat cancer in dogs and humans

01/22/2018

Researchers hope a new University of Minnesota study will create better brain cancer treatment for both dogs and humans. 

Could Colorado’s Zombie Deer Disease Ever Spread To People?

01/16/2018

Would you eat venison if there was a chance it could slowly eat away at your brain? Chronic wasting disease has infected deer, elk and moose in 24 states and Canada, Norway and South Korea, and a recent study results suggested that humans are not immune to the prion disease. Wildlife officials urge hunters to have game killed in areas where the disease has been found to have their animals tested, but some hunters forgo testing, particularly on animals killed in low-risk areas.

The Parasite on the Playground

01/16/2018

Roundworm eggs, shed by stray dogs, can be ingested by children playing outside. The worm’s larvae have been found in the brain, experts say, perhaps impairing development.

U.S. CDC's Zoonotic Disease Prioritization Workshops

01/10/2018

CDC collaborates with countries and other partners to conduct One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization workshops toBoy in field with cattle help countries identify their top five zoonotic diseases of greatest national concern. Workshop participation can help strengthen multisectoral collaborations in a country, as participants include a wide-ranging group of partners who work to protect the health of people, animals, or the environment. Prioritizing zoonotic diseases means countries can more efficiently build laboratory capacity, conduct disease surveillance, plan outbreak response and preparedness activities, and create collaborative disease prevention strategies to reduce illness and death in people and animals. Information on these workshops and summary reports can be found on CDC’s One Health website.

Links between animal and human health

01/04/2018

Animal and human health are intimately connected – think about avian influenza which is transmitted from birds to humans and the problem of toxoplasmosis being passed from animal faeces to children and adults. The University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine, has successfully secured an award worth up to €2 million from the European Commission to undertake interdisciplinary research to tackle the growing threat of foodborne zoonoses (infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans) to the population’s health and the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

World Veterinary Association Declaration of Incheon on the Role of the Veterinary Profession in One Health and EcoHealth Initiatives

12/10/2017

One outcome of the World Veterinary Congress 2017 in Incheon, Seoul, South Korea is the VETERINARY VISION 2050 Declaration that emphasizes the professional and societal roles of veterinarians in One Health networks.  On 10th December 2017, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) Council adopted that Declaration as the ‘WVA Declaration of Incheon on the Role of the Veterinary Profession in One Health and EcoHealth Initiatives.’

Challenges and Opportunities by Dr. Bruce Kaplan

Challenges and Opportunities, Kaplan
12/01/2017

Dr. Bruce Kaplan of the One Health Initiative collated both his own and his colleagues' responses on the importance of a worldwide one health approach. 

Toward holistic governance in an interdependent world

11/26/2017

Founder of the ‘Global One Health Think Tank’ and Chair of the One Health Commission’s International One Health Education Task Force calls for ‘One Health in all policies’ in SEEJPH Editorial

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds declares November as “Iowa One Health Month”

11/20/2017

Spearheaded by Iowa One Health Co-Chairs Jake Swanson and Neil Vezeau, the purpose of this Proclamation is to support, strengthen and expand One Health-related efforts in Iowa, and to increase awareness of One Health principles to improve human health, veterinary health, agriculture, and land stewardship.

One Health: Developing Indicators to Monitor Progress toward Implementation

11/16/2017

In March 2017, a meeting was co-organized by the Chatham House Centre on Global Health Security and the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute in Geneva titled ‘Global Health Crises: Monitoring and Reporting Progress towards Preparedness’. The meeting explored the types of indicators that would be most useful to monitor progress and hold national, regional and global health stakeholders accountable for their commitments. Several gaps in the existing body of indicators were identified for further discussion and action. Importantly, attendees recognized the linkages between human, animal and environmental health and the need to monitor specific One Health activities.

Three Decades of Responding to Infectious Disease Outbreaks

11/14/2017

Author:  Fauci AS         NIH  NIAID website

“The insidious emergence of HIV/AIDS and the lack of due attention by policymakers illustrate how some outbreaks that start subtly can grow to global proportions if they are not aggressively addressed early on,”

Ohio State's Global One Health initiative Celebrates Eastern Africa Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

11/10/2017

Global One Health connects Ohio State to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Brazil, Thailand, China, India and beyond in a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to improve health, build capacity, and provide learning opportunities for students across the globe. The program expanded three years later to include Ohio State’s seven health sciences colleges as well as the colleges of agriculture, business, engineering and social work. Today hundreds of Ohio State students, faculty and staff are involved in the project, building capacity in various cross-cutting issues including Zoonotic diseases (such as Rabies and Brucellosis), Antimicrobial resistance, cancer, maternal and child health, medicinal plants, food safety, curriculum twinning and control and sharing the information through innovative e-learning technology. Global One Health is the university’s largest, interdisciplinary example of institutional teamwork operating on a global scale. 

Cats may prevent children getting asthma, scientists say

11/09/2017

Keeping a cat in the home may prevent asthma in young children, according to Danish scientists.

Antibiotic Resistance is a One Health Problem

Antibiotic Resistance, One Health
11/08/2017

The health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment, which are all affected by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Chasing a Killer: The CDC searches for Monkeypox in Congo Republic, Africa

Monkeypox, Congo Republic
11/03/2017

U.S. and Congolese scientists are tracking a virus. At a time when a deadly disease can cross the globe, they need to understand the mysterious monkeypox.

One Health – a joined up approach to tackling a global challenge

11/02/2017

November 3rd is One Health Day, and it was initiated in 2016 to promote the One Health message of looking at planetary health as a cross disciplinary, global challenge...and consequently finding collaborative solutions. But what does One Health encompass?

Plague’s Blast from the Past Carries a Major Lesson: One Health Matters

11/01/2017

Epidemics and pandemics can rewrite history. The Great Plague of the medieval ages, or “The Black Death,” which killed 75-200 million and wiped away 60% of the European population, is one of history’s most catastrophic examples. The last plague pandemic occurred in the 19th century, killing 10 million in the Indian sub-continent alone.

Want healthier children? Get a pet

10/25/2017

If youngsters have been eyeing fuzzy kittens or boisterous puppies at nearby shelters or pet stores, parents may want to give in to those cries for a family pet. Pets are added responsibilities, but the health benefits associated with pet ownership may be well worth the investment of time and effort.

Operationalizing One Health: Observe, Analyze, Communicate’

10/23/2017

Side Event at the 2017 US GEO (Group on Earth Observations) Conference

This side event will define and motivate the use of the One Health approach within a GEO Plenary context, to aid decision making by the GEO Member governments and GEO Participating Organizations. The Arctic will be used as an illustrative example throughout the session.  As a region of the world where One Health has long been recognized in local communities, the Arctic will be used as an illustrative example throughout the session. Speakers will be drawn from an interagency group that has focused on Arctic One Health under the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council, including the  U.S. Department of State, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S. Department of the Interior

https://www.earthobservations.org/geo14.php

http://www.earthobservations.org/index.php

The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, Landrigan PJ et al, (Open Access)

The Lancet Commission, Pollution
10/19/2017

Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world today. Diseases caused by pollution were responsible for an estimated 9 million premature deaths in 2015—16% of all deaths worldwide—three times more deaths than from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined and 15 times more than from all wars and other forms of violence. In the most severely affected countries, pollution-related disease is responsible for more than one death in four.

Pollution disproportionately kills the poor and the vulnerable. Nearly 92% of pollution-related deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries and, in countries at every income level, disease caused by pollution is most prevalent among minorities and the marginalised. Children are at high risk of pollution-related disease and even extremely low-dose exposures to pollutants during windows of vulnerability in utero and in early infancy can result in disease, disability, and death in childhood and across their lifespan.

OIE, FAO and WHO release their second One Health Tripartite document

OIE, FAO, WHO, Tripartite
10/13/2017

Today, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have released their second Tripartite strategic document reaffirming their commitment to providing multi-sectoral, collaborative leadership in addressing health challenges. The scope of their collaboration will be enlarged to more broadly embrace the “One Health” approach recognizing that human health, animal health, and the environment are interconnected.

Brain tumor treatment for dogs may soon be used in human patients

10/12/2017

Data from a clinical trial at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech to treat brain tumors in dogs may eventually be used to help humans.

Superbugs Don't Respect Borders: Pew Charitable Trust graphic on how Antimicrobial Resistance spreads around the world

10/10/2017

The recently reported outbreak of a deadly new type of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia in Hangzhou, China, has once again raised alarm around the world about the growing specter of an untreatable superbug. While not yet identified outside of China, it is likely just a matter of time.

Heal, Boy

10/04/2017

Retrievers in the lab and cats in chemotherapy: How your pet may save your life one day.

Launch of applications for Soulsby Fellowships in One Health

Soulsby Fellowships, One Health
10/01/2017

The Soulsby Foundation is now open for Veterinary & Medical graduates who have a proposal for an impactful project in the field of One Health, especially internationally, to apply for a Soulsby Fellowship up to the value of £20K

Insect Life and Climate Change: Pollinators and Pests, By Erin Strathe, Rebecca Tomasek, and Joaquin Baruch

Insect, Climate Change
10/01/2017

Without knowing what changes will occur or the impact these changes may have, we are left with many unanswered questions and a large unmapped area of risk. It is certain, however, that the prediction and solutions to these issues will require an interdisciplinary approach. Experts across multiple disciplines will need to come together to ensure that the changes in the ecosystem are not diminishing the quality of life of animals and humans. This will only be possible using One Health principles.

Vector-borne Disease Emergence and Climate Change, By Mariana Guerra, Samantha Boyjian, and Alexandra Allen, edited by So Lee Park

Vector-borne Disease Emergence and Climate Change
10/01/2017

Climate plays an essential role in environmental conditions, and it can directly affect the habitats of animals and insects. As climate changes over a period of time, certain species must either adapt or relocate to survive. Due to these environmental drivers, the number of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases that are transmitted by animals and insects are increasing, causing negative impacts on health.

What's the Difference? The Meaning of One Health

09/28/2017

If you’re just testing your interest in population-level health or you’re a veteran public health-er, you may be a bit bewildered by the proliferation of the various “healths:” public health, global health, planetary health, one health… The differences can be squishy, the distinctions cloudy or monumental.

Finding Lead in Pets: Lead contamination affects people and probably pets

lead, pets
09/27/2017

We know that pets can be sentinels for what people are being environmentally exposed to. But could people also be sentinels for what we should look for in pets?

"In the absence of surveillance for lead exposure in pets, the number or percentage of pets with exposure or toxicosis is unknown. The available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency provide some indication of how many homes have lead exposure risks. Most of those data are from public health campaigns intended to reduce lead exposure in children."
 

Healthy pets, healthy humans: The connections we make with our furry friends make us happier

09/26/2017

You might be responsible for your pet’s life, but your animal is returning the favor. Bonnie Beaver, professor at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, says that pets achieve this by helping you lead a happier, healthier and more fulfilling existence.

Pets and pests could stave off childhood asthma

pets, asthma, childhood
09/20/2017

New research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggests that exposing children to pet and other common indoor allergens before the age of 3 may prevent the development of asthma.

Kansas State University (USA) Takes Over Production of One Health Newsletter

One Health, Newsletter, Kansas State University
09/16/2017

After nearly nine years of highly successful publications with contacts worldwide, the One Health Newsletter (OHNL) is being transferred to the auspices of the Kansas State University.

The One Health Newsletter was initiated in 2008 by the Florida Department of Health (USA) and published through the winter of 2014 https://goo.gl/hjUWod.  It was then transitioned to the University of Florida (Emerging Pathogens Institute) which published until 2017 https://goo.gl/ATajrK [provided courtesy Mary M. Merrill, MHS, former University of Florida OHNL co-editor].Kansas State University faculty, staff, and students plan to feature current issues and innovations in One Heath in each edition, which will include 3-5 stories that will provide professionals and students a go-to source Of One Health news.

The great nutrient collapse

nutrient, One health
09/13/2017

A Must Read! One Health and The Great Nutrient Collapse:  Another quintessential One Health Challenge - this one on the food security/quality front. Please read all the way to the end to discover the One Health challenge that a mathematician wanting to learn about and contribute to plant biology experienced.

Big Chicken: The Incredible Story of How Antibiotics Created Modern Agriculture and Changed the Way the World Eats

09/12/2017

New book by Maryn McKenna, an award-winning author of two books, Superbug and Beating Back the Devil. This book tells the story of how antibiotics created modern agriculture and changed the way the world eats.

Contaminants in Dolphins Suggest Ecosystem Woes

09/12/2017

When Gregory Bossart began studying lesions on Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations over 10 years ago, he didn’t know the extent to which they would point to negative impacts in the ecosystem.

JWM Study: Contaminated Game Raises Health Concerns for Hunters

09/05/2017

When you buy meat in the supermarket, it’s been subjected to safety testing before being packaged and stacked in the refrigerator case. But hunters who eat game meat may be at risk of consuming untested environmental contaminants — sometimes at levels considered harmful to human health over time — especially when they hunt near contaminated areas.

National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2022

09/02/2017

National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2022 published by Nigerian Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Health. In line with her agreement in 2015 to the World Health Assembly’s Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance, Nigeria has assured her commitment by developing her National Action Plan through a ‘One Health’ approach and enrolling in the Global AMR Surveillance System (GLASS).

Optimizing Synergistic (One Health) Collaborations Online Meeting

08/22/2017

This invitational online meeting hosted by the One Health Commission provided an opportunity for thirteen invited organizations working in the One Health Space toward common/parallel goals to share their initiatives and establish collaborative relationships.

Want to keep America safe? Train more veterinarians

veterinarians
08/19/2017

Veterinarians don't come to mind when most people think of national security. But they play a vital role in protecting the U.S. food supply from bioterror attacks.

CDC Connecting human, animal, and environmental health

CDC, human, animal, and environmental health
08/18/2017

CDC’s One Health Office recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. A One Health approach encourages collaborative efforts of many experts (like disease detectives, laboratorians, physicians, and veterinarians) working across human, animal, and environmental health to improve the health of people and animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.

Check out the newest fact sheet to learn more about CDC's One Health work in the United States and around the world to protect the health of people, animals, and the environment.

More Evidence That Owning a Dog Is Really Good for You

07/24/2017

Dogs are more than just cuddly companions — research continues to show that pets bring real health benefits to their owners.

One Health for a Changing World: Zoonoses, Ecosystems and Human Well-Being

07/19/2017

Royal Society Publishing has recently published a special themed issue of Philosophical Transactions B entitled One Health for a changing world: zoonoses, ecosystems and human well-being compiled and edited by Andrew Cunningham, Ian Scoones and James Wood. The articles can be freely accessed directly at http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/372/1725

A print version is also available for order online via the above web page (enter special code TB 1725 when prompted) or, alternatively, you can contact debbie.vaughan@royalsociety.org

Blue Planet 3rd Symposium: The role of oceans in Earth’s life-support system

07/18/2017

Blue Planet Symposium explores the critical role that oceans play in the Earth’s life-support system, and the challenge of minimizing human impact on their wellbeing. Held in the run-up to the first UN Oceans Conference, the Symposium established that the GEO initiative will focus efforts on supporting the ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals.

New Guidelines for One Health Studies: Checklist for One Health Epidemiological Reporting of Evidence (COHERE)

07/17/2017

One Health is defined as the intersection and integration of knowledge regarding humans, animals, and the environment, yet as the One Health scientific literature expands, there is considerable heterogeneity of approach and quality of reporting in One Health studies. In addition, many researchers who publish such studies do not include or integrate data from all three domains of human, animal, and environmental health. This points to a critical need to unify guidelines for One Health studies. This report details the Checklist for One Health Epidemiological Reporting of Evidence (COHERE) to guide the design and publication format of future One Health studies.

Era of ‘Biological Annihilation’ Is Underway, Scientists Warn

07/11/2017

From the common barn swallow to the exotic giraffe, thousands of animal species are in precipitous decline, a sign that an irreversible era of mass extinction is underway, new research finds.

G-20 Summit declaration tackles antimicrobial resistance based on One Health approach

antimicrobial resistance, g20 summit
07/09/2017

HAMBURG: The G20 nations, including India, today pledged to strengthen health systems and also combat the menace of antimicrobial resistance, which the grouping termed as a "growing threat" to public health and economic growth.  The declaration adopted by the nations said they would aim to tackle the spread of AMR through the implementation of their respective national action plans based on "one health" approach. View the G-20 Leaders' Declaration HERE (see bottom of page 8). 

July 3 Students for One Health get organized. Call for Applications for newly forming Students for One Health Executive Council

07/03/2017

Students for One Health (SOH) is an umbrella organization for student One Health groups/clubs around the world. The SOH aims to empower and educate students within the One Health field. The SOH works closely with the One Health Commission (OHC) as a parent organization. Until now the SOH has functioned informally within the OHC with OHC providing expertise, an online meeting platform and IT support through webinar services, mailing lists and website support. Moving forward, the SOH intends to become an independent organization that works closely with the OHC.

The Healing Power of Music

07/03/2017

The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. was the site June 2–3 of an extraordinary public gathering. Leading neurologists, researchers, and health professionals joined musicians, music therapists, and other artists for Sound Health: Music and the Mind.

Scientists are Dusting Off a Long-Forgotten Weapon to Cope With Modern Bacteria

07/02/2017

In 1915, British scientist Frederick Twort saw something weird happening to the bacteria that had invaded his viral cultures: They were disappearing, a sign they had been destroyed. Two years later, French-Canadian microbiologist Félix d’ Hérelle observed the same phenomenon in his own lab.

How Getting a Dog Can Bring You Better Health

06/26/2017

Man's best friend can be our best exercise partner as well. Study after study has shown dog owners are more physically active than the average American and less likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or suffer from diabetes, obesity or depression.

CDC Surveys Find Increase in the Number of U.S. Counties With Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes That Can Spread Zika

06/20/2017

The Southern United States shows a substantial increase in the number of counties that reported evidence of the mosquitoes that can spread chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses, according to new research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published in the Journal of Medical Entomology. 

A European One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

06/17/2017

In June 2017, the European Commission adopted the EU One Health Action Plan against AMR, as requested by the EU countries in the Council conclusions of 17 June 2016. It builds on the 2011 action plan (see below), its evaluation, the feedback received on a European Commission Roadmap on AMR and an open public consultation.

Three Mutations Switch H7N9 Influenza to Human-Type Receptor Specificity

06/15/2017

The avian H7N9 influenza outbreak in 2013 resulted from an unprecedented incidence of influenza transmission to humans from infected poultry. The majority of human H7N9 isolates contained a hemagglutinin (HA) mutation (Q226L) that has previously been associated with a switch in receptor specificity from avian-type (NeuAcα2-3Gal) to human-type (NeuAcα2-6Gal), as documented for the avian progenitors of the 1957 (H2N2) and 1968 (H3N2) human influenza pandemic viruses. While this raised concern that the H7N9 virus was adapting to humans, the mutation was not sufficient to switch the receptor specificity of H7N9, and has not resulted in sustained transmission in humans. To determine if the H7 HA was capable of acquiring human-type receptor specificity, we conducted mutation analyses. Remarkably, three amino acid mutations conferred a switch in specificity for human-type receptors that resembled the specificity of the 2009 human H1 pandemic virus, and promoted binding to human trachea epithelial cells.

Celebrating the Next Generation of One Health leaders: Congratulations, Heather Fowler!

Heather Fowler, leaders, one health
06/12/2017

Heather Fowler, VMD, PhD, recently received her PhD in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences through the Center for One Health Research at the University of Washington (UW). Mentored by Peter Rabinowitz, M.D., MPH, she received the coveted Gilbert S. Omenn 2017 Award for Academic Excellence among hundreds in the UW School of Public Health, and gave the student address at the June graduation ceremony inviting her colleagues to join her in the practice of One Health. See the Video and transcript of her speech.
 

Integration of Social Sciences Into Health Interventions: the Wellcome Trust and the WHO Consult Afrique One-ASPIRE

06/09/2017

Since the first Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in West Africa that caused more than 11 000 deaths, the call for integrating social science knowledge into health interventions has reached a new peak. Western States and the WHO in particular were criticized for their late and often inappropriate response by ignoring regional histories of war, local burial rites and culturally-sensitive communication.

Operationalizing One Health in the Arctic: Tackling Emerging One Health Challenges in a Regional Diplomatic Forum

06/08/2017

Mr. Joshua Glasser will discuss Operationalizing One Health in the  Arctic: Tackling Emerging One Health Challenges in a Regional Diplomatic Forum.

Experienced Texas A & M University (USA) One Health Professor Enhances a Dynamic One Health Program

06/08/2017

Since 2015, Rosina (Tammi) C. Krecek, FRSSAf, BS, MS, PhD, MAP, MBA has been Research Professor of Global One Health and Interim Assistant Dean of One Health at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas (USA).

Animal Abuse Can Be ‘Tip of the Iceberg’ Indicator of Interpersonal Violence, Experts Say

06/07/2017

The intentional harming and killing of animals is often tied to violence against humans, and knowledge of this connection can be used to improve anti-cruelty and public safety efforts, according to experts in law, psychology and veterinary forensics from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

MV-CHIKV Chikungunya Vaccine Clinical Trial Begins

06/06/2017

A clinical trial of an experimental vaccine to prevent infection with chikungunya virus is now enrolling healthy adult volunteers at sites in the United States.

China H7N9 Total Grows by 8; Studies Detail Virus Mutations

06/02/2017

Reflecting continued slow decline of H7N9 avian flu cases in China, eight new illnesses were reported this week, as research teams from the country published new studies that provide an early glimpse of the epidemiology and clinical features of the highly pathogenic variant that recently emerged in poultry and is also infecting people.

Reading to Therapy Dogs Improves Literacy Attitudes in Second-Grade Students

05/31/2017

Second-grade students who read aloud to dogs in an afterschool program demonstrated improved attitudes about reading, according to researchers at Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction at Tufts University. Their research appears online in advance of print in the Early Childhood Education Journal.

Development of a Project Proposal Supporting a Sustainable Future for People and Planet

05/30/2017

Human  existence  is  deeply  embedded  in  the  natural  world  and  the  survival  of  all species, including our own, is wholly dependent on a healthy planet. But the health of our planet is in serious trouble (1).  According to the authors of ‘Safeguarding human health in the Anthropocene epoch: report of The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission on planetary health,’ (2)  while ‘human health is better today than any time in human history’ as life expectancy has risen across the globe  and child mortality rates have fallen significantly, our progress to date has come at a steep price, some have called the Ecology Paradox: ‘we have been mortgaging the health of future generations in order to realize economic and development gains in the present.’ (2).  Evidence of this trade-off  abounds, including, as highlighted by the Center for One Health Research at the University of Washington, ‘biodiversity loss, climate change, particulate air pollution, ocean acidification, and deforestation.’ (3).

Virginia High School Features Student's Dog in Yearbook for a Touching Reason

05/25/2017

One school made sure that a student's furry friend was remembered in the yearbook. Andrew "AJ" Schalk, 16, a junior at Stafford High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia, goes to school every day with his service dog, Alpha.

Prominent U.S. Tuberculosis Expert and One Health Leader Dies

Thoen, tuberculosis
05/24/2017

Dr. Charles O. Thoen, a veterinarian internationally recognized for his extensive knowledge and expertise in the scientific field of tuberculosis and an avid One Health leader/advocate died unexpectedly Monday, 8 May 2017.  Dr. Thoen credited his training at Mayo Clinic for providing him with research skills, and a childhood pet for sparking his lifelong interest in infectious diseases in animals and humans.

ASTMH and CSIS: Alan J. Magill Malaria Eradication Symposium

ASTMH, CSIS
05/24/2017

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), a sponsor of the One Health Commission, partnered with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to convene the inaugural Alan J. Magill Malaria Eradication Symposium in Washington, DC. The symposium will consist of three panels: progress towards malaria eradication and the critical role of the U.S., innovative science in support of elimination and countering resistance, and the role of the private sector, including faith-based organizations, in malaria elimination. 

AAVMC, APLU, FAO and World Bank Convene for AMR Roundtable

AAVMC, APLU, FAO, World Bank, antimicrobial resistance
05/24/2017

Fifteen stakeholders from the AAVMC, the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Bank met at the FAO Liaison Office for North America in Washington, D.C. in early April to discuss strategies for mitigating the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problem. Talks focused on educational, research and policy development initiatives with international impact, including methods for educating stakeholders, the potential establishment of a university-based Center of Excellence to coordinate research and educational programs, and Congressional outreach and potential One Health legislation.

Maccabe Discusses Sustainable Production/Global Development in CUGH's Keynote Plenary

05/24/2017

AAVMC CEO Andrew T. Maccabe spoke on livestock production, sustainability and poverty reduction during the opening plenary session of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health's 8th Annual Global Health Conference in Washington April 7-9. Attracting more than 1,800 registrants, the meeting was themed "Healthy People, Healthy Ecosystems: Implementation, Leadership and Sustainability in Global Health." Maccabe's One Health oriented presentation emphasized the interconnections between domestic animals, wild animals, human, and environmental health and described the important role healthy animals play in global food production systems and poverty reduction. To view his presentation, please click here.

The Self-Medicating Animal

05/18/2017

Chausiku was clearly sick. The chimpanzee was in her 30s, a chimp’s prime. She was usually a gentle, doting mother. But one day she built a nest in a tree, climbed in and lay down, letting her infant, a male named Chopin, roam unsupervised. Another female chimp began looking after Chopin while Chausiku rested.

One Health and Planetary Health

planetary health, human health
05/15/2017

"In 2015, the Rockefeller Foundation released a major report about the state of the planet, called Safeguarding Human Health in the Anthropocene Epoch. This document outlines the case that anthropogenic changes in the environment are now threatening the basic life support services of the earth’s systems. Some of the concerning trends include biodiversity loss, climate change, particulate air pollution, ocean acidification, and deforestation. The report indicates a number of ways that this environmental degradation can pose a serious threat to human health in the future, and calls for urgent research and policy action to address these large-scale problems.

At the Center for One Health Research (COHR), we view these critical environmental threats highlighted by the Rockefeller Planetary Health Report as intrinsic to our understanding and application of One Health."

Zoonoses: Protecting People and Their Pets. Online course available year-round from Iowa State University' Center for Food Security and Public Health.

Zoonoses, online course
05/10/2017

This online course provides an opportunity for veterinary, medical/public health professionals, and students to refresh and gain knowledge of key zoonotic diseases of companion animals. It is approved for 10 hours of CE for veterinarians or veterinary technicians in jurisdictions that recognize AAVSB RACE approval. All participants receive a copy of the book by the same title as the course

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Basics; The 123s of VFDs

Veterinary Feed Directive, AVMA
05/10/2017

The United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) went into effect on January 1, 2017.  This new set of federal rules requires, for the first time, veterinary oversight whenever medically important antibiotics—medications that are important for treating human disease- are administered to any food animal species via feed or water, even if the animals are not intended for food production. From pet rabbits and pigs to backyard poultry, to large livestock farms, the same restrictions apply. All medically important antibiotics to be used in feed or water for food animal species require a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) or a prescription. The new rule is intended to curtail indiscriminate use of antibiotics in an effort to slow the development of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

2nd International Who's Who in Students for One Health (SOH) Global Webinar

05/10/2017

ATTENTION!!! Help celebrate the One Health Day 2016 Student Event Competition Winners.

Date: Saturday, May 20, 2017, Time: 12:00 noon Eastern Daylight Savings Time Zone

Register here

CDC Celebrates National Pet Week

05/07/2017

Did you know that most households in the United States have at least one pet? Pets are an important part of our lives. Whether it’s your jogging buddy, couch companion, or quiet confidante, pets are there for us when we need them. Pets help us stay happy and healthy--keeping your pet healthy can help keep you healthy, too!

Can Saving Animals Prevent the Next Deadly Pandemic?

05/05/2017

A global disease monitoring network is banking on the idea that healthier wildlife means healthier humans.

Power of the Pet: Pets Enrich Our Lives

05/05/2017

I grew up in rural Texas surrounded by animals of all kinds: dogs, cat, rabbits, hamsters, goats, chickens, and even hermit crabs. My fondest childhood memories involve these pets – that’s a big part of why I’m a veterinarian. And because I’ve learned there are close links between animal health and human health, I signed on as a disease detective at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Can Saving Animals Prevent the Next Deadly Pandemic?

05/05/2017

In the fall of 2014, the deadly Ebola virus jumped from an unknown animal to a 2-year-old boy in Guinea. The virus quickly spread to others around him and began terrorizing West African nations; by April 2016, more than 11,000 people had died. Researchers now believe that fruit bats were the origin of this zoonotic disease—which refers to any disease that makes the jump from animals to humans (or vice versa), and includes around  75 percent of all emerging infectious diseases. 

Noise Pollution is Pervasive in U.S. Protected Areas

05/05/2017

Species in nature reserves are experiencing increased pressure from human encroachment in many forms. One type of pressure that is rarely discussed but perennial is human-produced noise. Buxton et al. looked at the degree to which such noise has affected protected areas across the United States. Human-produced noise doubled background noise levels in a majority of protected areas and substantially affected critical habitat areas for endangered species.

First Physician in History to Serve on American Veterinary Epidemiology Society (AVES) Board

Physician, Kahn, AVES
05/01/2017

The American Veterinary Epidemiology Society’s (AVES) current President and Executive Director, Dr. Craig N. Carter announced today that Dr. Laura H. Kahn accepted an appointment serving on the AVES board of directors.  Dr. Kahn will be the first physician in the history of AVES to serve on the board.  Kahn received the AVES’ highest honor, the prestigious “Gold Headed Cane” award at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) annual meeting/convention in San Antonio, Texas (USA) in August 2016.  She is a co-founder of the One Health Initiative team and website.

Bill Gates Won’t Save You From The Next Ebola

ebola, gates, public health
04/30/2017

The Gates Foundation says responding to deadly outbreaks isn’t its forte. But the Ebola crisis showed just how much global public health depends on the foundation.

Architecture that matters: Award-winning architecture promotes health and reduces carbon emissions

04/27/2017

The George Washington University is a world-class research center with a deep commitment to sustainability leadership. So, when the university commissioned a new 161,000 square-foot building for the Milken Institute School of Public Health, they challenged Payette, in association with Ayers Saint Gross, to create an expression of core public health values — light, air, physical activity, nature — to students and the public.

World Malaria Day

04/25/2017

This year’s global theme for World Malaria Day is End Malaria for Good. In the lead-up to 25 April, WHO is shining a spotlight on prevention, a critical strategy for reducing the toll of a disease that continues to kill more than 400 000 people annually.

How Dogs’ Sensitive Noses Could Change Cancer Diagnosis

04/24/2017

If you could “see” a smell, it would look something like a drop of food coloring dispersing through a cup of water with intense knots in some places and misty tendrils around the borders. Olfaction scientists call these “odor landscapes”—it’s why sometimes you get a whiff of a nasty smell while your cubiclemate sits blissfully unaware. 

15 years embracing the One Health initiative at the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Florida: Personal experiences

Veterinary Pathology, Mexico, One Health initiative
04/21/2017

15 years embracing the One Health initiative at the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Florida: Personal experiences. (3:00-6:30 p.m.)   Invited talk in the ‘Veterinary Pathology’ Session at the 3rd Annual Congress of Mexican Pathologists taking place April 28-May 2, 2017 in Mérida, Yucatan, México.  

Rat lungworm infection on the rise in Hawaii

rat, lungworm, Hawaii
04/20/2017

Hawaiian officials have confirmed 11 human rat lungworm infections this year, and four more human illnesses are considered "highly probable" infections. The parasites are passed from rats to snails and slugs through fecal matter, and humans contract the disease by ingesting infected, undercooked snails or contaminated produce.

Open Science Can Save the Planet – YouTube Commentary on Open Access Publishing by Kamila Markram

Save the Planet, YouTube, Kamila Markram
04/19/2017

One of the reasons we have become so ensiloed across professions is the exclusionary, closed structure of historic and current scientific publication systems. The world spends $2.3 Trillion taxpayer dollars on research to produce around 2 million research articles every year, but approximately 90% of our science results are locked away behind expensive paywalls, not widely available to the public, companies or researchers across disciplines. Open Access publishing Company, Frontiers’ CEO, Kamila Markram, makes a case for why open science is the key to innovation, economic growth and solutions for a sustainable future and how open science can save the planet. She may or may not realize that she is making a call to aid for the One Health concept.

One Health on Tulane's Public Health Radio Hour by Dr. Susan McLellan, Ben Norton, Samantha McKenzie

Tulane, McLellan, Norton, McKenzie
04/16/2017

David Rosten sits down with Dr. Susan McLellan, Ben Norton and Samantha McKenzie from Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine to discuss One Health. This dynamic approach to public health and infectious diseases combines a wide range health sectors.

 

One Health Day returns in November

one health day, education, awareness
04/12/2017

One Health Day, which debuted in 2016, will again be held Nov. 3. The One Health Commission, One Health Initiative team, and One Health Platform Foundation are calling on individuals and organizations to begin planning one-health education and awareness projects. Last year, One Health Day generated over 150 events in 35 countries, engaging 17,000 participants. In 2017, student awards will go to the top event in each of four global regions. Go to www.onehealthday.org.  

KC Researchers Testing Dog Vaccine for Use Against Child Brain Cancer

04/10/2017

Glioblastoma is a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer that kills about 60 to 70 percent of kids who get it within two years, even if they’re treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

CNN, New Documentary Film, ‘Unseen Enemy’, It Takes All of Us

04/07/2017

Premiering on April 7 on  CNN, New Documentary Film, 'Unseen Enemy, It Takes All of Us, Narrated by Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actor, Jeffrey Wright, written and directed by filmmaker, Janet Tobias.

One Health, One Planet Symposium and Reception, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

One Health, One Planet, Symposium
04/04/2017

Scientists, medical and public health professionals, animal health professionals, ecologists, architecture and green building professionals, community officials and organizers, educators, and students are invited to join us for One Health, One Planet, an exciting new symposium held at Phipps to explore the interconnectedness of environmental, human and animal health and examine the relationship between health and the built and natural environments in which we live, work, learn and play. 

Antibiotic-Resistant ‘Superbugs’ Are Here

04/03/2017

Since their advent in the early twentieth century, antibiotics have saved countless lives, curing human beings of diseases caused by harmful bacteria. But from the beginning of the antibiotics era, in the middle of the twentieth century, scientists warned that misuse or overuse of the drugs would render them less effective, or even useless as bacteria evolved into drug-resistant forms.

Perspective published in Nature Magazine: The One Health way

health care, Laura Kahn
03/30/2017

The health of animals, humans and the environment will be better served by breaking down barriers, says Laura H. Kahn.

 

Inaugural Ceremony of ONE-Health Research Fellowships in Pakistan

03/30/2017

Pakistan Academy of Sciences and U.S. Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine jointly organized an Inaugural Ceremony of ONE-Health Research Fellowship Program on March 30th 2017. U.S National Academy of Sciences is undertaking a fellowship program to build capacity of early to midcareer scientists from Pakistan in One Health (1-H) and foster collaboration and cooperation in preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases and other shared environmental health risks.

American University Radio Show, "Speak Freely" on 1A Presents Why We’re All At Risk When Bacteria Resist

Risk, Bacteria, bugs, antibiotic
03/28/2017

More dangerous and deadly bacteria are answering the battle cry of "resist!"

 

The Real Threat to National Security: Deadly Disease

03/24/2017

While the Trump administration is proposing significantly increased military spending to enhance our national security, it seems to have lost sight of the greatest national security threat of all: our fight against infectious disease.

CUGH Releases the Global Health Competencies Toolkit!

03/23/2017

This is a tool kit that provides learning objects and curricular content to support the competencies for those proficiency/trainee levels. The tool kit went through several iterations of peer review, however its contributors acknowledge that it is a work-in-progress and starting point, rather than a definitive, comprehensive resource.

AMR Legislative Briefing Highlights Need for Action, One-Health Approach

03/23/2017

The public health threat posed by antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria demands immediate attention and a comprehensive response. Partnering with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the AAVMC has recently outlined a series of research and educational strategies.

Professorship in One Health Established in the College of Veterinary Medicine

03/21/2017

A new endowed professorship has been created in Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine through a recent gift from Dr. Roger (’71) and Marilyn Mahr of St. Charles, Ill.

One Health From AIDS to Zika

03/21/2017

Dr. Bruce Kaplan ……“This concise practicable ‘real world’ One Health booklet should be read by every longstanding One Health supporter/advocate who believes they fully understand the One Health concept.  It is well written and prepared."

USDA Announces $11 million to Support Antimicrobial Resistance Research

USDA, Antimicrobial, Resistance, Research
03/21/2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $11 million in available funding for projects that mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing public health issue that affects more than 2 million people annually. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

One Health at Iowa State presents Physicians, Farmers, and the Politics of Antimicrobial Resistance

Physicians, Farmers, Antimicrobial Resistance, Kahn
03/21/2017

One Health at Iowa State presents Physicians, Farmers, and the Politics of Antimicrobial Resistance by Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP in honor of Dr. Roger Mahr, former CEO of the One Health Commission

March 21, 2017, at 5:30 pm (Central).  

Click link to recorded session

 

The Pet Effect

03/16/2017

Zoetis launches Human-Animal Bond project, the Pet Effect!

CUGH Members Help Author the Annals of Global Health Supplement, “Global to Local: Methods and Models"

03/15/2017

CUGH is proud to share the release of the Annals of Global Health Supplement, “Global to Local: Methods and Models” that was published on March 15, 2017. A number of CUGH members contributed to the 14 articles in the supplement.

Pet dogs help kids feel less stressed

03/10/2017

Pet dogs provide valuable social support for kids when they're stressed, according to a study by researchers, who were among the first to document stress-buffering effects of pets for children.

 

The One Health Institute Field Attachment 2017 - Makerere U / OHCEA

03/10/2017

The One Health Institute attachment is a multidisciplinary, experiential joint training in community engagement concerning assessment of infectious disease threats.

Makerere University, Uganda, One Health Institute Field Attachment (Training) for Makerere undergraduates and recent graduates

03/10/2017

The One Health Institute attachment is a multidisciplinary, experiential joint training in community engagement concerning assessment of infectious disease threats. As part of the program, successful applicants will attend weekend OHI theoretical classes on weekends (Saturday & Sunday) from 22nd April to 20th May 2017, followed by 28 days of field placements during the month of July. Students will be attached to the different One Health Field attachment sites in Uganda.

Makerere University, Uganda, One Health Institute Fellowship 2017 for Makerere students

03/10/2017

The One Health Institute (OHI) Fellowship is a multidisciplinary, experiential training, and mentorship training model where Fellows will be given high level placements in order to acquire competences in One Health approaches to problem solving. Fellows will attend One Health Institute theoretical classes for three weeks, on weekends (Saturday & Sunday) from 22nd April to 20th May 2017 then will be placed for two months with organizations where they will be mentored in outbreak investigation, contact tracing and follow up, data collection and analysis, writing and publication skills with a final week of summary presentations.

Animal to man, fear of the next pandemic

03/09/2017

On a frigid night a few days after Christmas 2012, Trish Khan drove back to the Milwaukee County Zoo to check on the star attraction, a playful, wildly popular 5-year-old orangutan named Mahal. It was almost 11 p.m.

Khan, the zoo’s primary orangutan keeper, was off on medical leave. Yet she’d come in earlier in the day, as soon as she heard something was wrong with Mahal.

Washington University helping to advance One Health movement in region

03/08/2017

ne Health– a movement aimed at understanding the relationship between human, animal and environmental health — continues to gain traction at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

On March 3, School of Medicine students officially formed One Health at WUSM, a group committed to a multi-disciplinary approach to medical research and health care that involves physicians, veterinarians and scientists.

WHO releases list of world’s most dangerous superbugs

02/27/2017

For the first time ever, the World Health Organization has drawn up a list of the highest priority needs for new antibiotics — marching orders, it hopes, for the pharmaceutical industry.

High levels of chemicals found in indoor cats

02/24/2017

A study has now established what was previously suspected, that the high levels of brominated flame retardants measured in cats are from the dust in our homes.

United Nations announces new global campaign to clear plastic from oceans

02/23/2017

The United Nations Environment Progam announced Thursday that it would be launching a new effort to clean the world’s oceans of plastic pollution. Called the #CleanSeas campaign, the ambitious program seeks to remove more than eight million tons of plastic leaks into the ocean each year, an amount that’s equal to a garbage truck of plastic hitting the sea every minute.

One Health Capacity Development: Turning Threats into Opportunities

02/23/2017

Synergising cross-sectoral collaboration in the fight against emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) Indonesia has paved the way for One Health capacity development among the different sectors working at the human, animal and environment health interfaces.

Ebola Vaccine Found Highly Protective

02/21/2017

A single dose of the experimental Ebola vaccine, rVSV-ZEBOV, was highly effective in preventing Ebola virus disease (EVD) among those in contact with patients with confirmed disease, according to the final results from a large trial conducted in Guinea.

3 Reasons to Celebrate Love Your Pet Day

02/20/2017

We know you love your pet because he or she is cute, loyal, and entertaining, too. But scientific evidence suggests that you might want to show your pet some gratitude for your good health.

Pet ownership can boost your health and your social life, says Erika Friedmann, Ph.D., associate dean of research at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, who has conducted several studies on pets and well-being.

One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team joins One Health Commission Council of Advisors

Council of Advisors, COA, Autonomous pro bono
02/20/2017

The founders of the One Health Commission saw a need to involve many minds in leading its One Health work and thus created a non-voting Council of Advisors (COA). Participants  may be included by being invited to serve by the OHC Board of Directors, being nominated by ‘Leader’ Corporate sponsors or by supporting the Commission as Individual sponsors at the ‘Leader’ level. These One Health leaders are called on from time to time to share expertise and guidance to the Commission. In this instance the OHI has provided a letter of support for the Commission’s One Health Education grant proposal in partnership with the Commonwealth of Nations Secretariat.     

BILL GATES: A new kind of terrorism could wipe out 30 million people in less than a year — and we are not prepared

02/18/2017

When I decided 20 years ago to make global health the focus of my philanthropic work, I didn’t imagine that I’d be speaking at a conference on international security policy. But I’m speaking here at the Munich Security Conference because I believe our worlds are more tightly linked than most people realize.

Climate and Health Meeting

02/16/2017

In an effort to provide a crucial platform for the diverse stakeholders in the public health and climate communities to come together around solutions, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, the American Public Health Association (APHA), The Climate Reality Project, Harvard Global Health Institute, the University of Washington Center for Health and the Global Environment and Dr. Howard Frumkin, former director of the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, will host a Climate & Health Meeting that will take place on February 16, 2017 at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Supported by the Turner Foundation and other organizations, the one-day event will fill the gap left by the recently-canceled Climate & Health Summit originally to be hosted and sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others.

Veterinarians: Warriors in the battle against disease

02/14/2017

Don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet. Even though the World Health Organization recently declared that the Zika virus is no longer a global health emergency, other diseases are growing more threatening each day. 

Call for Papers for Special Issue of Monash Bioethics Review on ‘One Health Ethics’

monash, bioethics, call for papers
02/09/2017

Guest Co-Edited by Zohar Lederman (Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore) and Chris Degeling (Centre for Values, Ethics & Law in Medicine (VELIM); University of Sydney)

Even as OH approaches are increasingly accepted at global, national and local levels of health research and practice, the ethics is lagging behind the science. OH explicitly aims to attain optimal health for humans, animals, and the environment, but few have considered the potential normative implications of such an aim. Only in the past three years have philosophers, scientists and bioethicists begun to examine ethical issues relating to this expanding science. They face the challenge of applying existing environmental ethical theories to multi-species public health problems and novel approaches to biomedical research and practice, in an era where the field of bioethics mainly shies away from such abstract theories.

As part of this interdisciplinary effort, we welcome submissions for a Special Issue of Monash Bioethics Review exploring the ethics of One Health.

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Receives NIH Grant to Study Transmission of Mosquito-Borne Diseases

02/07/2017

In recent years, mosquito-transmitted arboviruses such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika, have emerged as global public health threats. Scientists are still unsure as to how these viruses spread from their natural hosts, non-human primates in Africa and Asia, to people - resulting in epidemics around the world. Researchers at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (Ross) have been awarded a grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study these viruses and advance our understanding of how they may be transmitted between animals and humans.

The social and economic value of pets to human society

02/07/2017

The UK has around 65 million pets, living in around half of the country’s households. There’s no doubt that they have a profound effect on the social and economic fabric of this country. The publication of an important new report published by CABI, marks an attempt to quantify the economic costs and benefits of pets: it makes interesting reading.

One health economics for healthy people, agriculture and environment

02/06/2017

The World Heath Organization called for "heightened vigilance and strengthened surveillance efforts" last week to prevent and detect human transmission of a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza or ‘bird flu’. And while no human cases have been reported and WHO itself called the risk “relatively low,” we know the potential devastating impacts of diseases spread from animals to humans.

Dogs' similarities boost human cancer research

02/03/2017

"A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart... Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty." -- John Grogan, "Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog."

Climate Change and Public Health

02/02/2017

Provided is a link to the Oregon climate and health resilience plan press conference. 

Avian-type influenza sickens cats, veterinarian

02/02/2017

An avian-type influenza virus had infected 386 cats at a temporary quarantine facility for cats from Animal Care Centers of New York City shelters as of mid-January as well as one veterinarian who was involved in obtaining respiratory specimens from sick cats.

Saint Louis Zoo Tackles One Health Initiative and Demonstrates the Benefits of Zoos to Human Health

02/01/2017

For the greater part of our evolutionary history, we as humans have been tied to the natural world. Only in recent centuries has urbanization advanced to such a degree that we find ourselves disconnected to nature. 

Tuberculosis-resistant cows developed for the first time using CRISPR technology

01/31/2017

CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology has been used for the first time to successfully produce live cows with increased resistance to bovine tuberculosis, reports new research published in the open access journal Genome Biology.
 

Executive Summary of November 18 Online One Health Education Conference now available

OH education conference, task force
01/30/2017

The One Health Commission (OHC) established the One Health Education Task Force (OHETF) in 2015. The One Health Initiative (OHI) team was invited to participate and Dr. George Lueddeke, PhD (author and medical education consultant) was asked to serve as Chair of the Task Force. The OHETF published a concept paper (May 2016) and a Press Release (June 2016) calling for a global One Health education platform and exploring global interest. An online OH Education survey  was administered to press release respondents and they were invited to attend an online OH Education Conference on November 18, 2016 that gathered additional input.

Caring about wildlife: Turtle gets human MRI

01/30/2017

Chances are that "Homeslice," a juvenile green sea turtle severely injured last summer by a boat propeller near the Canaveral National Seashore, didn't have great health insurance. You can almost guarantee she was one of the uninsured.

Al Gore, APHA, Climate Reality, Harvard Global Health Institute and Others to Fill Gap Left by Canceled CDC Climate and Health Meeting

climate, public health, climate health
01/26/2017

Event will focus on nexus of climate change and public health

Today, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, the American Public Health Association, The Climate Reality Project, Harvard Global Health Institute, the University of Washington Center for Health and the Global Environment and Dr. Howard Frumkin, former director of the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, announced a Climate and Health Meeting that will take place on Feb. 16, 2017 at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Supported by the Turner Foundation and other organizations, the event will fill the gap left by the recently-canceled Climate and Health Summit originally to be hosted and sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others.

One Health concept highlights collaboration as key

01/24/2017

Influenza is one of the most common cross-species disease threats. That’s why many experts – including those at the Defense Health Agency’s Public Health Division – are increasingly integrating human medicine, animal health and environmental science to prevent and treat the flu, as well as other serious public health threats.

Known as the One Health concept, this multi-disciplinary approach aims to solve critical health challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.

Impending extinction crisis of the world’s primates: why primates matter

01/20/2017

An article coauthored by 31 internationally recognized experts on primate conservation from the U.S., Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, and recently published in the journal Science Advances calls for urgent action to protect the world’s dwindling primate populations.

Launch of the 'One Health Global Think-Tank for Sustainable Health & Well-being’ – 2030

GHW-2030, SDG, think tank, global
01/19/2017

The central mission of the GHW-2030 multi-sectoral think tank is to contribute to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by working toward achieving the education and health goals in cooperation with the Commonwealth Secretariat using an international interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary global One Health approach. A major focus of the think tank will be on the health and well-being – physical, emotional, aspirational – of children and young people particularly as these relate to their personal security, physical and emotional well-being, education and employment and the sustainability of life on the planet.

2017 EngineerGirl Essay Contest - Engineering and Animals

01/19/2017

Engineers affect everything about the way people live, so it is not surprising that they also have a big impact on the animal world.  Environmental engineers, for example, are often tasked with evaluating projects in order to minimize negative effects on valuable animal species. In some cases, engineers have developed ingenious solutions to help animals and people share the planet.

Practices encouraged to be proactive about antimicrobials

01/19/2017

A report now available from the AVMA Task Force for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Companion Animal Practice provides a framework for instituting a clinic-level approach for judicious antimicrobial use, along with educational materials. The task force said this is an initial step to raise awareness and encourage broad action by companion animal veterinarians to help the profession combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance. 

Lab tests show elephant DNA may be key to fighting cancer, says Utah researcher

01/17/2017

Josh Schiffman likes to think of the tumor-suppressing protein p53 as a superhero in a bright red cape.

It swoops in whenever there is DNA damage and fixes or eliminates the problem in an attempt to keep the body healthy. Most mammals, from humans to elephants, have some p53. But elephants — which rarely get cancer — have many more copies, Schiffman said, and they're stronger.

The Lancet Introduces a new online journal - Lancet Planetary Health

planetary health
01/14/2017

"Presenting The Lancet Planetary Health, a new online-only, open access title in The Lancet’s growing family of specialty journals. Building on the foundation of The Rockefeller–Lancet Commission on planetary health, this monthly journal is committed to publishing high-quality original Research Articles, Editorials, Comments, and Correspondence that contribute to defining and advancing planetary health worldwide."

Researchers identify Japanese tapeworm parasite in Alaskan-caught salmon

01/13/2017

In 2012, a Japanese man with a fondness for chilled salmon came down with what physicians described as a “watery” bout of gastrointestinal distress. This was uncomfortable enough, but his illness took a turn for the shocking. The 40-year-old discovered that a meter-long “tape-shaped object” had “emerged from his anus,” according to a 2012 article in BMJ Case Reports. At that point the man decided to check himself into a hospital.

Tightened rules for use of antibiotics by livestock producers go into effect in the United States

01/04/2017

‘A new rule that aims to safeguard essential antibiotics for humans by limiting their use in food animals is now fully in effect.

‘Under the Food and Drug Administration policy, antibiotics that have been designated “medically important”—in other words, they’re needed to treat people—cannot legally be given to healthy animals to speed their growth. The policy, three years in the making, required producers of agricultural antibiotics to change labeling on the drugs to make clear they should not be used for so-called growth promotion. All manufacturers agreed to abide by the new rule.

Bill Gates is worried about our ability to handle a global pandemic in the next 10 years

01/03/2017

BILL Gates is hoping the human race can make it through the next decade without any serious epidemics because otherwise we could be in a bit of trouble, he says.

The billionaire Microsoft founder turned disease-fighting philanthropist dedicates his time to eradicating diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and others.

One Health: It’s for All of Us (from FDA.gov)

01/02/2017

"The health of people, animals, and the environment is intertwined. A health hazard for people may likely be a health hazard for animals. For example, smoking is not only harmful to people; it’s harmful to pets too. Medical advances in understanding and treating a disease in one species, such as heart disease in people, may be applied to other species. And a change in the environment can affect all living things, from people to animals to plants. The One Health Initiative recognizes this inter-connectedness and advocates a comprehensive approach to health and environmental problems versus a piecemeal approach."

For the first time, researchers identify key proteins that may make Zika so deadly

01/02/2017

Now, a new study has for the first time identified seven key proteins in the virus that may be the culprits behind this damage. The study is the first comprehensive description of the Zika virus genome.

 

One Health: Working together for a healthy future

01/01/2017

Public health advocates know that health is affected by environment, and vice versa. That's the basis for the One Health movement — it outlines how human, animal and environmental health are related. On Nov. 3, the world will celebrate the first One Health Day and come together to discuss how improving health for each sector will improve health for all.

Washington: Improving Veterinary Antimicrobial Practices Will Help Combat Growing Global Health Issue

12/28/2016

Veterinarians play a key role in combatting the global risk of antimicrobial resistance, say researchers from the University of Washington School of Public Health. However, a new study shows that, while veterinarians are concerned about the threat of drug-resistant bugs, they face financial barriers to obtaining tests to guide therapy.

When the Wild & Domesticated Collide

12/27/2016

In a hushed conference room in the heart of Research Triangle Park, a veterinary scientist urged college students to picture what might go wrong when the wild and the tame collide. To focus their thinking, NC State University professor Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskopf shared a sobering scenario that could occur in North Carolina.

Culture, PCR, DNA sequencing, and second harmonic generation (SHG) visualization of Bartonella henselae from a surgically excised human femoral head

12/27/2016

Bartonella henselae is an emerging, zoonotic pathogen that appears to represent an occupational risk for individuals with
arthropod exposures and animal contact [1, 2]. Rheumatic and musculoskeletal abnormalities have been previously reported
in patients with or following historical cat scratch disease (CSD), caused predominantly or solely by B. henselae [3–5]
In contrast to the classical self-limiting clinical presentation of fever and lymphadenopathy and a history of cat scratch in
patients with CSD, recent evidence supports the possibility of persistent intravascular infections in previously immunocompetent
patients with accompanying rheumatic symptoms [1, 6].

Conquest of Ebola in Humans and Animals

12/23/2016

Henao-Restrepo et al. report the final results of a large efficacy trial of a novel, live attenuated vaccine against Ebola conducted in 2015 in the Republic of Guinea (Lancet, Published online December 22, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32621-6). A single inoculation of the vaccine proved 100% effective in preventing Ebola virus disease. The trial was conducted under the leadership of the World Health Organization, in difficult circumstances during the large West African epidemic underway at the time and utilized a ring vaccination strategy which is described in detail in the publication.

Vet Catches Bird Flu From a Cat in New York

12/22/2016

A vet at a New York City animal shelter where cats were infected with a strain of bird flu has also been infected, health officials said Thursday. 

The vet only had mild illness from the virus, called H7N2, the New York City Department of Health said.

What Does Vaccinating Cows Have To Do With A Girl's Education?

12/14/2016

Could vaccinating cattle get more girls into high school?

That's the intriguing prospect suggested by a new study of Kenyan cattle herding families in the journal Science Advances. But even more significant than the actual results of the study is the fact the researchers would even think to investigate whether there's a link between cattle vaccination rates and girls' high school attendance.

One Health, One Caribbean, One Love: 29 One Health Leaders Graduate

12/14/2016

"Congratulations to the "One Health, One Caribbean, One Love Project.” Representing twelve countries, twenty-nine professionals from the animal, human, and environmental health sector were successfully trained on the One Health Concept. The trainees new expertise will help Caribbean governments to more efficiently and effectively control and prevent the introduction of new and emerging diseases. For additional information, see the press release."

How Studying Animals Will Make Us Healthier

12/12/2016

To find a cure for a bacterial infection that kills 30,000 Americans annually, the National Institutes of Health just awarded a $1.5 million grant—to a veterinary lab.  

Scientists at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine will use that funding to study how the Clostridium difficile bacteria affects animals, with the hope that what they discover will apply to humans, too.

Ohio State (USA) Legistlature passes Bill declaring November 'One Health Awareness Month'

12/08/2016

Ohio HB 580 - To enact sections 5.238 , 5.239, and 5.2310 of the Revised Code to designate the month of November as "One Health Awareness Month," .................

Public health alum creates disease-tracking app for National Parks

12/07/2016

"West Nile virus, Lyme disease and rabies are some of the diseases that a visitor to a national park in the United States could encounter – but there’s an app for that.

Emma St. Aubin, a recent graduate of the master’s in public health program in the Colorado School of Public Health at CSU, has created a mobile application to provide National Park Service visitors with information needed to identify and prevent zoonotic, communicable and vector-borne diseases within the parks.

The mobile app, supported by an agreement between NPS and ColoradoSPH, serves as an electronic handbook for park visitors. If a visitor is not aware of a disease they may encounter, they can look up the symptoms, the causes of the symptoms and possible treatments of the disease. It also lists disease-spreading animals within the parks, so that visitors can readily identify the cause of their disease and accurately figure out a treatment."

The NPS application is currently only available at the Google Play store for Android devices.

To download the app visit the Google Play store.

For more information about the national parks, visit the NPS website.

U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit: Ready Resources

12/06/2016

The Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal is a knowledge management tool for locating the most relevant scientific literature on the health implications of climate change. It provides access to a database of studies from around the world, published between 2007 and 2014. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) developed the database as a technical input to the U.S. Global Change Research Program's Sustained Assessment process. The portal is an effort to make this database more accessible to a wider global audience, and to provide updates on a regular basis to further the study of climate impacts on human health.

How Smoking Destroys Your Pet's Health: Cats, Dogs and Even Fish Exposed to Secondhand Smoke Have Significant Risk of Developing Cancer

12/05/2016

You may not feel ready to kick the habit just yet.

But health officials are urging smokers to quit - if only to save their pets.

Chemicals in tobacco smoke wreak havoc on the blood and organs of cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters and even fish - driving up their risk of developing cancer, heart disease or lung disease.

New Drug for Heart Disease Shows Promise for Cats and Humans

12/01/2016

A new drug shows promise for treating heart disease in cats and humans, according to research by a team including veterinarians at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.

The novel drug, MYK-461, proved effective in a study of five cats with a naturally occurring form of inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a currently incurable disease that also affects humans.

Impacts of Environmental Change on Lemur Health: Need for One Health Approaches

12/01/2016

Dr. Barrett is the Vice President of Science and Research at Propeller Health, a health technology company dedicated to better understanding how the environment influences chronic respiratory disease. Her training in ecology, population health and spatial analysis has enabled her to study the impacts of environmental change on both infectious and chronic disease. She was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California Berkeley and San Francisco. She completed her PhD in Ecology at Duke University, where she was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and was mentored by Anne Yoder and collaborators at the Duke Lemur Center. Her research investigated how climate change drives spatial patterns of wildlife and human health in Madagascar, and how these patterns may influence the risk of disease transmission. Her research has been published in Science, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment and Big Data, among other journals, and in popular media such as The Huffington Post.

Assistance dogs take center stage at NIEHS Veterans Day event

12/01/2016

NIEHS welcomed Terry Henry and his psychiatric medical alert assistance dog, Campbell, Nov. 9 for a Veterans Day observance. Henry chairs the board of trustees and oversees operations for paws4people (P4P), an organization that breeds, trains, and places assistance dogs, to help those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other injuries or traumas.

“Those who think combat is required to get PTSD are sorely mistaken,” said Henry, a veteran and founder of paws4vets, a component of P4P.

Responding to the Next Ebola

11/29/2016

Earlier this year, the World Health Organization declared that Ebola is no longer a public health emergency. While there are still outbreaks of patients infected with Ebola in Africa, local health officials are able to quickly identify and treat patients, keeping the virus from spreading. All that is good. But we can't put our guard down just because Ebola is not making headlines. We must be prepared for the next epidemic.

In celebration of One Health Day 2016, special issue of "Infection Ecology and Epidemiology" highlights One Health Training, Research and Outreach

training, research, outreach, special issue, infection ecology epidemiology, one health day
11/29/2016

In celebration of One Health Day 2016 a special Issue highlighting One Health Training, Research and Outreach around the world was published in the online, open access journal,  Infection Ecology and Epidemiology

A Plea for Global Health Action Bottom-Up

11/29/2016

Authors Laaser (U of Bielefeld, Germany), Dorey and Nurse ( Commonwealth Secretariat, United Kingdom) make key recommendations relevant to implementing the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. They highlight that a ‘top-down political strategy for global health needs to be complemented by a bottom-up strategy to gain momentum’. The importance of involving public health professionals worldwide in implementation of the One Health concept is underscored.

New tricks in canine cancer research may improve treatments for humans, too

11/26/2016

Flyer, a 70-pound golden retriever, lies patiently on her left side on an examination table as technicians scurry around, placing little sandbags on her legs and neck to keep her still. She’s getting chest X-rays to answer a critical question: Has a deadly bone cancer spread to her lungs? 

When the session is over, Martha MaloneyHuss, a veterinarian at the University of Pennsylvania’s Ryan Veterinary Hospital, glances at the images. “I don’t see anything hugely obvious,” she says, “but we’ll see what the radiologist says.” Oblivious to the good news, Flyer hops down the hall on three legs, eager to find her owner.

Bumper load of new viruses identified

11/24/2016

An international research team led from Australia and China has discovered nearly 1,500 new viruses.

The scientists looked for evidence of virus infection in a group of animals called invertebrates, which includes insects and spiders.

Global Warming Alters Arctic Food Chain, Scientists Say, With Unforeseeable Results

11/22/2016

The Arctic Ocean may seem remote and forbidding, but to birds, whales and other animals, it’s a top-notch dining destination.

“It’s a great place to get food in the summertime, so animals are flying or swimming thousands of miles to get there,” said Kevin R. Arrigo, a biological oceanographer at Stanford University.

What Global Disease Threat Worries Public-Health Officials Most?

11/21/2016

Infectious-disease outbreaks not only have the potential to destabilize societies, they pose a threat to international economies, as well.

What should public-health officials and businesses be doing to prepare?

Physicians Thomas Frieden, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Susan Desmond-Hellmann, chief executive of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, sat down with Wall Street Journal Assistant Managing Editor Laura Landro to discuss this issue. Edited excerpts follow.

Another Emerging Mosquito-borne Infection Has Arrived in the Americas!

11/20/2016

In 2013 it was Chikungunya virus moving from across the oceans into the Caribbean before spreading extensively through warmer climates of the Western Hemisphere. In 2014 it was Zika virus entering Brazil from across the Pacific and from there on to locations through South and Central America and the Caribbean, then into the southern United States. Now, as of November 2016, another infectious pathogen has made its way for the first time into the Western Hemisphere. This one is a parasitic worm, long established in Europe, but appearing this month in Mexico and posing a threat of further expansion into a wide range of the Americas. In this case, the range may extend even into temperate areas with cold climates. The new disease-causing invader is a filarial worm, Dirofilaria repens, probably brought to Mexico in a dog reservoir host; and like the viral pathogens that preceded it, the transmitting vectors are mosquitoes that are common throughout the Americas.

CDC COCA Call: Advancing the One Health Concept through Collaborations that Connect, Create, and Educate

11/17/2016

Over the past few years, Ebola and Zika have shown the world the importance of One Health – an interdisciplinary approach to health care that brings together humans, animals, and the environment. Ecologists have repeatedly pointed out that human impact on the environment (via deforestation, development, etc.) is bringing people and wildlife into ever increasing contact. Additionally, the world must discover how to feed the projected population of nine billion people without causing further environmental harm. Clinicians in both human and animal health must find ways to communicate despite our siloed systems. This will require conjoined, sustained, and simultaneous attention across many professional arenas. One Health is a path to accomplishing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, from Planetary Health to Global Health Security. During this COCA Call, clinicians will learn about several arenas of One Health, discuss the critical need for and process of connecting the many passionate stakeholders around the world, and share an update on efforts across the U.S. and beyond to make One Health ways of thinking the ‘default way of doing business.’

World Antibiotic Awareness Week hosted by WHO, OIE, FAO, the One Health Tripartite

11/11/2016

Antibiotic resistance has become one of the biggest threats to global health & endangers other major priorities, such as development.

It is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world, compromising our ability to treat infectious diseases & undermining many advances in health & medicine. 

Beryl Ivey Endowed Chair in One Health

11/06/2016

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Western University is seeking an innovative scientist of international standing in One Health. One Health is an integrative, systems approach field comprising of medical, sociological, economical, ecological, and animal/wildlife aspects in relation to human health and disease. We invite applications from outstanding investigators with exceptional mentoring records and sustained, high levels of research productivity to apply. Qualified applicants must hold an MD, PhD or MD/PhD and a demonstrated record of outstanding research and publications in the field of One Health. 

OH SMART process mapping tool

11/03/2016

The “One Health Systems Mapping Analysis and Resource Toolkit”, OH SMART, is a process mapping tool co-developed by University of Minnesota (UMN) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

It serves as a standardised method to analyse and facilitate improvements to the system of communication and coordination among and between disciplines as they address complex One Health issues.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a joint statement on One Health

11/03/2016

Humans and animals have much in common. They share issues of health and disease and co-exist in common environments. Advancing technologies and science-based evidence are increasing awareness, knowledge, and understanding of these interdependencies, further supporting the concept of “One Health.” 

Today is One Health Day

11/03/2016

One Health Day Calls for Trans-disciplinary Collaborations to Improve Global Health

One Health Day 2016 Vimeo by USAID Preparedness and Response Project

11/03/2016

One Health is the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working to attain optimal health for humans, animals and the environment - and November 3, 2016 is International One Health Day! Find out more about what One Health means to the the practitioners in the Preparedness & Response project - and how it's an essential part of our response to emerging pandemic threats, and global health security.

An occupational hazard? Vet contracts TB from a wildebeest

10/31/2016

Late one night in April 2013, UK veterinarian Jonathan Cranston woke in agony. There was a sharp pain shooting through his chest.

"I felt like I'd been stabbed," he said. The pain soon passed, however, and he went back to sleep. "I didn't think much of it."

But that would not be the end of his ordeal.

In the weeks that followed, the stabbing pain didn't return, but it was replaced with night sweats, shortness of breath, coughing and weight loss. "I started deteriorating quite quickly," he said.

Global Health Security Threats: Are We Prepared?

10/27/2016

The series brings together thought leaders to share forward-looking perspectives in the areas of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. 

One Health and Sleep: New Mayo Clinic Studies powered by FitBark data reveal the effect of dogs on human sleep

10/25/2016

A while back Dr. Lois Krahn, a sleep medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine, set out to explore the impact of pets on human health – in particular on the quality of nocturnal sleep. One of her most popular studies, released in late 2015, was conducted by means of a questionnaire where 150 respondents were asked whether they believed their pets influenced the quality of their own sleep. While the general consensus in the medical community was that allowing dogs and cats in the bedroom is always a risk – especially for folks with sleep disorders – the study pointed out that 41% of respondents believed that having a pet in the bedroom leads to better sleep, whereas 20% of the respondents reported sleep disturbances because of pets. In other words, certain categories of people feel more cozy and secure when they sleep with their pet.

Extraordinary Scientist, Admired One Health Supporter-Activist-Leader Dies

Jack, woodall, dies, extraordinary, scientist
10/25/2016

Jack Woodall, PhD (John Payne Woodall) 1935 – 2016, a viral epidemiologist, scientist and visiting Professor and Director (retd.) Nucleus for the Investigation of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has died after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.

Bushmeat Hunting and Extinction Risk to the World's Mammals

10/19/2016

Terrestrial mammals are experiencing a massive collapse in their population sizes and geographical ranges around the world, but many of the drivers, patterns and consequences of this decline remain poorly understood. Here we provide an analysis showing that bushmeat hunting for mostly food and medicinal products is driving a global crisis whereby 301 terrestrial mammal species are threatened with extinction. Nearly all of these threatened species occur in developing countries where major coexisting threats include deforestation, agricultural expansion, human encroachment and competition with livestock. The unrelenting decline of mammals suggests many vital ecological and socio-economic services that these species provide will be lost, potentially changing ecosystems irrevocably. We discuss options and current obstacles to achieving effective conservation, alongside consequences of failure to stem such anthropogenic mammalian extirpation. We propose a multi-pronged conservation strategy to help save threatened mammals from immediate extinction and avoid a collapse of food security for hundreds of millions of people.

Prominent Israeli Physician Accepts Country Ambassador Role in Global ‘One Health Day’ Plans

10/18/2016

Prof. Itamar Grotto, MD, MPH, PhD, a physician and recently appointed associate Director General of the State of Israel’s Ministry of Health accepted serving as Israel’s “One Health Day” Country Ambassador on October 16, 2016.  A longstanding One Health supporter/advocate, Dr. Grotto and several physician and veterinarian colleagues from Israel collaborated to write an important One Health article in the landmark 2009 MONOGRAPH in Veterinaria Italiana "One Health - One Medicine": linking human, animal and environmental health.

A Threat to the Food System: We need to do a better job of protecting U.S. agriculture against bioterrorism

10/17/2016

The 15th anniversary of September 11 honored the far-too-many who lost their lives that horrific day. Almost unnoticed was the 15th anniversary of the U.S. anthrax attacks that occurred soon thereafter and left 5 dead, 17 infected and more than 10,000 at risk of exposure. The magnitude of those attacks clarified the need to address bioterrorism more comprehensively in the United States.

Can the rare, tiny Key deer survive a flesh-eating worm?

10/17/2016

As the rutting season for the planet’s lone surviving herd of Key deer got underway on Big Pine in late August, staff at the national refuge that manages the toy-sized animals started to notice something strange: the bucks, often wounded on the head and neck during the mating ritual, were turning up with gaping, festering wounds.

The numbers, and gory injuries, only worsened as the season deepened, leading staff to wonder what new peril faced a fragile herd threatened daily by speeding motorists, dogs and South Florida’s relentless development.

Long-Forgotten Research Unearths New Mystery about Lyme Disease

10/13/2016

The tick hunter was hopeful he had found the cause of the disabling illness, recently named Lyme disease, that was spreading anxiety through leafy communities east of New York City. At a government lab in Montana, Willy Burgdorfer typed a letter to a colleague, reporting that blood from Lyme patients showed “very strong reactions” on a test for an obscure, tick-borne bacterium. He called it the “Swiss Agent.”

Bartonella infection steals a life, long before it kills

10/11/2016

My daughter has struggled with a Bartonella infection for nine years, so I feel compelled to challenge the “ignorance is bliss” message Elizabeth Licorish delivered in "Please don't freak out about Cat Scratch Disease." Drama is never an apt response, but knowing the potential consequences of a Bartonella infection and taking precautions is advisable.

Zika Virus and Animals FAQ

zoonotic diseases, infectious diseases, zika
10/07/2016

With the rise of Zika virus in the United States, many people are concerned not just about the risk of human infection, but also the possibility of animals being infected as well. Can pets get Zika? Can they carry it within their bodies and pass it on to humans?

Anthrax in animals prompts warning in Nigeria, Zambia

10/06/2016

Officials in at least two African countries are warning the public against consuming certain animals due to the risk of the serious and potentially lethal bacterial disease, anthrax.

In Nigeria's north-central Jigawa state, the Jigawa Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is warning people not to consume meat slaughtered in the recognized abattoirs in the state due to anthrax.

The One Health Commission supports Bat Rabies Education in the Americas

09/28/2016

One Health is a very old concept being resurrected in the past 15 years to encourage awareness of the inextricable interconnectedness between humans, animals and the environment. The One Health Commission, a non-profit organization, supports One Health Action Teams that identify and try to address gaps in awareness and education about issues that fall at the intersection of these sectors. One example is the Bat Rabies Education Team (BRET) which promotes a critical message to prevent the spread of Rabies in the Americas: Never Touch a Bat. Educational posters have been developed in partnership with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control and Bat Conservation International (in English, Portuguese and Spanish) and are available free for anyone to download and print for educational purposes.

Taking Action: Global Animal Protein Leaders, Public and Private Organizations Outline Future Path for Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance

09/22/2016

More than 250 global food and health leaders representing the public and private sector gathered in Washington, D.C. this week at the One Health Summit, and declared priorities to help combat antimicrobial resistance as part of efforts to produce a sustainable food supply.

Summary Video can be found here. 

One Health Romania hosts First Inter-Regional European One Health Conference in Bucharest

romania, global, alliance, bucharest, inter-regional, european
09/22/2016

This conference convened One Health leaders from the One Health Commission, One Health Initiative, One Health Platform, One Health Romania and other One Health stakeholders from around the world.  The One Health Commission called for a Global One Health Alliance.

At UN, global leaders commit to act on antimicrobial resistance

09/21/2016

World leaders today signalled an unprecedented level of attention to curb the spread of infections that are resistant to antimicrobial medicines. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi develop resistance against medicines that were previously able to cure them.

Draft political declaration of the high-level Meeting of the General Assembly on Antimicrobial Resistance

09/21/2016

In September 2016, the United Nations General Assembly agreed that antimicrobial resistance threatened global health and recognized that a One Health approach was essential. One Health is called for four times in the document in items 8, 10, 12a and 12e.

Another Mosquito-Borne Virus Moves North From the Amazon

09/20/2016

Zika, dengue, chikungunya: As if there weren't enough mosquito-borne viruses to worry about, researchers say another has been spotted for the first time in Haiti. Blood test results revealed that an 8-year-old boy living in a rural area of the Caribbean country has contracted Mayaro virus. The infection was diagnosed after the boy developed a fever and belly pain, the researchers said.

Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB)

09/19/2016

Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Teleconference (Listen-only) and live webcast.  With participation of Member States, non-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector and academic institutions, the primary objective of this pubic meeting is to summon and maintain strong national, regional and international political commitment in addressing antimicrobial resistance comprehensively and multi-sectorally, and to increase and improve awareness of antimicrobial resistance. 

Can International Diplomacy Help Combat the World’s Superbugs?

laura, kahn, superbugs, diplomacy
09/16/2016

Dr. Laura Kahn interview on NPR's Science Friday with Ira Glass

Can International Diplomacy Help Combat the World’s Superbugs?

09/16/2016

Science Friday podcast interview with Laura Kahn about antimicrobial resistance and the environment.

Research Symposium Inspires With One-Health Success Stories

09/14/2016

The importance of veterinary biomedical research was fully evident at the 2016 Merial–National Institutes of Health National Veterinary Scholars Symposium, which took place July 28-31 at The Ohio State University. This year’s theme, “Transdisciplinary Approaches to Health and Wellness,” highlighted a number of one-health research topics, including infectious diseases, translational oncology, and regenerative medicine. 

Dr. Ab Osterhaus, a professor of virology at Erasmus University and Utrecht University, both in the Netherlands, gave the keynote presentation, “Combatting Emerging Viruses: One Health Approach.” A leading authority on zoonotic diseases, Dr. Osterhaus and his team at the Erasmus University Medical Center Viroscience Laboratory reacted quickly after the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak of 2003 when—in a collaborative effort with the World Health Organization—they determined that a coronavirus was the causative agent. Earlier, in 1997, Dr. Osterhaus and his team found that the H5N1 avian influenza virus could be transmitted to humans.

Study shows pig farm workers as main source of LA-MRSA in Norwegian herds of swine

LA-MRSA, MRSA, One Health, Swine, Norway, Pigs, Norwegian, Farms, antibiotic, antimicrobial, resistance, surveilance
09/14/2016

Norway is the only country to have implemented a "search and destroy" strategy against LA-MRSA among pig herds to date. A study of the strategy's effect shows that pig farm workers are the principal source of infection among Norwegian herds, a transmission route that was previously unidentified

Wicked Problems, Dynamic Solutions: The Ecosystem Approach and Systems Thinking

09/12/2016

We live in a complex and dynamic world. Many problems we face today involve interdependent structures, multiple actors, and are at least partly the result of past actions. Such problems are extremely difficult to tackle and conventional solutions have very often led to unintended consequences.

A systems thinking approach focuses on systems as a whole: how the parts interrelate and how interconnections create emerging patterns. Systems thinking tools allow us to map and explore dynamic complexity. With a better understanding of systems, we can identify leverage points that lead to desired outcomes and avoid unintended consequences. Environmental problems are often described as “wicked problems” to highlight their complexity and the difficulties they entail. Finding answers to current crises such as fisheries collapse, climate change, biodiversity loss, infectious diseases, and inequitable access to resources will be amongst the greatest challenges of our time. The ecosystem approach applies systems thinking to gain a better understanding of how ecosystems function. It can help us identify potential solutions to a myriad of problems inspired in part by the complex dynamics of ecosystems themselves.

Global Health Security Threats: Are We Prepared?

one health, global health, zika, ebola, H1N1
09/10/2016

Join Abt Associates and distinguished speakers for a discussion on the causes and consequences of infectious disease pandemics.

Sep 21st: High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance

antimicrobial resistance, United Nations
09/10/2016

On 21 September 2016, the President of the UN General Assembly convenes an one-day high-level meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York on “Antimicrobial Resistance“, with the participation of Member States, non-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector and academic institutions, in order to provide input.

The primary objective of the meeting is to summon and maintain strong national, regional and international political commitment in addressing antimicrobial resistance comprehensively and multi-sectorally, and to increase and improve awareness of antimicrobial resistance.

One Health: New term, Ancient Concept

09/07/2016

In September 2001, I was entering the Master’s degree program in public policy at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. I had already earned MD and MPH degrees but felt that a policy degree would enable me to rise higher in government and have a greater influence on public health policy.  I had been working in patient safety and hospital quality oversight at the New Jersey state health department. The work was important but hamstrung by politics.

My plans were turned upside down by the terrorist attacks of September 11th and the subsequent anthrax letter mailings in October of that year.  I decided to dedicate my career to bioterrorism, emerging diseases, and emergency preparedness instead. 

One Health Commission partners with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) in its "End Rabies Now” campaign.

rabies, end, now, global, alliance, rabies control, control
09/07/2016

Over 120 countries are still affected by canine rabies. It kills someone every 9 minutes, mostly ages <15 years. It doesn’t have to be this way. The world has the tools to End Rabies and protect both dogs and people.

United Nations Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance at the UN headquarters in New York City.

08/31/2016

On 21 September 2016, the President of the UN General Assembly convenes an one-day high-level meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York on “Antimicrobial Resistance“, with the participation of Member States, non-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector and academic institutions, in order to provide input.

The primary objective of the meeting is to summon and maintain strong national, regional and international political commitment in addressing antimicrobial resistance comprehensively and multi-sectorally, and to increase and improve awareness of antimicrobial resistance.

Global Health Security Threats: Are We Prepared

08/31/2016

Join Abt Associates and distinguished speakers for a discussion on the causes and consequences of infectious disease pandemics in Washington, DC as the fifth event in their Bold Thinkers series.

One Health Presentation on May 18, 2016 by Dr. Bernadette Dunham, One Health Commission Council of Advisors member, to the U.S. Library of Congress

08/29/2016

Bernadette Dunham discussed interconnections of human and animal health with environmental health. She explained that no one discipline or sector of society has enough knowledge and resources to prevent the emergence or resurgence of diseases in today's globalized world. This "One Health" concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment.

Free online course: Connecting Humans, Animals and the Environment. Starting November 7, 2016

MOOC, free online course, connecting humans, basel
08/27/2016

Become familiar with One Health, a promising concept, and the effective solutions it provides to urgent health problems

New Book released: "One Health and the Politics of Antibiotic Resistance" by Laura Kahn

08/23/2016

In One Health and the Politics of Antimicrobial Resistance, Dr. Kahn investigates the use of antibiotics and the surge in antimicrobial resistance in food animals and humans from a One Health perspective. Although the medical community has blamed the problem on agricultural practices, the agricultural community insists that antibiotic resistance is the result of indiscriminate use of antibiotics in human medicine. Dr. Kahn argues that this blame game has fueled the politics of antibiotic resistance and hindered the development of effective policies to address the worsening crisis. Her discoveries while conducting research for this data-driven book will surprise you.  Note: recordings of two OHC-hosted webinars on this topic by Dr. Kahn are available. July 6  July 13

See Narratives of One Health in Action. Shryock and Papich highlight need for standardized global antimicrobial testing protocols: 'One Health - One Method of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing.'

08/21/2016

Antimicrobial resistance is a globally recognized issue; therefore, efforts to combat this problem have been initiated by international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) as well as national antibiotic action plans in the United States, the European Union, and other countries. Many associations, stakeholders and professional societies have made commitments to fulfilling various components of these plans to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Historic Physician Epidemiology Leader and One Health Advocate Dies

08/21/2016

D. A. Henderson, MD, MPH https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Henderson, the great American physician who directed the eradication of small pox in the 20th century and a strong supporter/advocate of the One Health concept, died August 19, 2016.  

 

Dr. Henderson served on the One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono team’s (OHI) Advisory Board http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/advBoard.php.  Early in the development of the OHI’s campaign to promote the One Health approach to worldwide public health and clinical health (comparative medicine), Henderson expressed strong support and encouragement.

Common Cold and MERS Originated From Camels

camel, zoonosis, zoonotic, cold, MERS, dromedary, coronavirus
08/19/2016

Researchers of coronaviruses discovered that camels are the source of one of the four common cold coronaviruses, "HCoV-229E­."Camels were already known to be the source of the severe and often fatal Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus. Previous MERS studies led to the link between camels and HCoV-229E.

The Science of the Human-Animal Bond: How the Human-Animal Bond is Good for Us and Our Pets

08/19/2016

Marie couldn’t get out of bed in the morning. A 65-year-old widow, she had bouts of severe depression that had seized her physical energy and rendered her incapable of functioning normally on a daily basis. But according to Marie, adopting Slinky the Chihuahua completely changed her life.

“After I adopted my dog, my life had a focus again. I used to dread getting out of bed and facing the world. Now I take care of my little guy and walk him each day. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

Meeting of the USDA Secretary's Advisory Committee on Animal Health

08/18/2016

The USDA Secretary's Advisory Committee on Animal Health has scheduled a public meeting for September 7 and 8, 2016 in Washington, DC - Tentative topics for discussion at the meeting include: "... Human infections with Salmonella associated with contact with live poultry; Emerging diseases implementation guide; Emerging disease response; Comprehensive integrated animal health surveillance; VS stakeholder engagement; Foot and mouth disease vaccine availability; National bio and agro-defense facility update and request for input on process for identifying stakeholder priorities; How to maximize effectiveness of the committee; and Potential agenda items for the 2016-2018 committee term ..." - The Committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on "... matters of animal health, including means to prevent, conduct surveillance on, monitor, control, or eradicate animal diseases of national importance ..." - Members of the public may also join the meeting via teleconference in 'listen-only' mode.

Never Heard of Black Fever? It’s Killing People All Over the World

08/18/2016

Researchers focus on eradicating sand flies the transmit the disease since medical treatment is impractical. 

You might expect a disease that can kill 95 percent of its victims would be on everyone’s radar. But in the case of visceral leishmaniasis, that’s not the case.

Now Your Pets Might Infect You With Superbugs

Drug-resistance, superbugs, E. coli, antibiotics
08/16/2016

Pets might be a source of drug-resistant superbugs, Chinese researchers reported Tuesday. 

They found a pet shop worker infected with a much-feared antibiotic resistant strain of E. coli may have been infected by dogs at his store that carried the same strain.

A Wild Rotation

08/16/2016

The patient was rushed into the room, listless, intermittently trying to lift his head only to fall back down. Soon, he became unresponsive and cold. I placed the ultrasound probe on his chest and saw a barely contracting heart—heart failure. A massive clot filled the left atrium. The team became silent, then quickly regained its composure, and the supervising doctor began disbursing orders in rapid fire. We stabilized the patient, though he remained in serious condition, and then we shifted to research mode. We emailed doctors across the country: “Have you seen acute dilated cardiomyopathy before in similar patients? He is a 3-year-old meerkat.”

The OIE introduces its new ‘One health’ web portal

08/12/2016

A large amount of information on the ‘One Health’ concept can be found on this platform, along with details of global level action taken by the OIE and its partners to promote cooperation between the human health and animal health sectors.

Can clinical trials on dogs and cats help people?

companion animal, clinical trial, cat, dog, people
08/11/2016

Frankie is the third of 13 canines in the study—a clinical trial that's part of a growing push to develop new therapies for people by testing them in sick dogs and cats instead of lab rats or mice. Pets are a better model of human illnesses than rodents, advocates contend: They live in the same environments, sometimes eat the same food, and get many of the same diseases, particularly cancers, that we do. So, the thinking goes, they could hold the key to developing new therapies for humans at a fraction of the normal cost—and potentially yield a trove of new medicines for pets themselves.

New President of American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Endorses One Health

08/10/2016

“The concept of One Health has been described for millennia – from Hippocrates’ writings circa 400 B.C. to the AVMA website you can read today. Even with the passage of thousands of years, though, certain One Health principles remain constant: As human populations expand geographically, contact between human and domestic and wild animal habitats increases, introducing the risk of exposure of all three populations to new viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing pathogens. One Health, however, addresses not only concerns about diseases that can be communicated between people and animals, but also lifestyle issues (e.g., diet, exercise, impacts of different types of human-animal relationships) and environmental exposures that may affect both. And, as people and animals continue to rely on planet Earth for their sustenance and survival, the impact we have on our environment also increases along the way. This interconnection is why the practice of One Health is so critically important for each of us, particularly those in the medical and public health fields. The AVMA remains engaged in and an advocate for One Health. That cannot change. As veterinarians, we recognize and uphold our duty to promote the health of all species and the varied places in which they live. As an association, the AVMA is committed to helping advance the awareness and understanding of the interdependency of the health of humans and animals and the environments we share. We are committed to One Health.”

One Health Gearing Up to Battle the most "Wicked Problems" in our Universe

one health, wicked problems, one health day, gearing up, battle
08/09/2016

Envision our world as three circles representing people, animals, and the environment. At the moment, these separate shapes only slightly overlap and share a small, happy space nicknamed the"Ray of Hope for the Future." That ray of hope is One Health—a growing movement that envisions a path to planetary health through One Health education and collaborations. With an excited leader at its helm, the One Health Commission is poised to encourage the merging of those three circles into one unified, healthy world.

Study showing decline in dog fertility may have human implications

08/09/2016

At the heart of the research is not the dog, but the question of male human fertility. Repeated tests over more than 70 years have shown a downward trend in male fertility, but there has always been argument about the consistency and accuracy of the findings……. “Why the dog?” said Dr Lea. “Apart from the fact that it is a great population of animals to work with, dogs live in our homes, they sometimes eat the same food, they are exposed to the same environmental contaminants that we are, so the underlying hypothesis is that the dog is really a type of sentinel for human exposure.”

The Role of Clinical Studies for Pets with Naturally Occurring Tumors in Translational Cancer Research

08/09/2016

Tumors that spontaneously develop in pet dogs and other companion animals as a result of normal aging share many characteristics with human cancers, such as histological appearance, tumor genetics, biological behavior, molecular targets, and therapeutic response. They also exhibit acquired resistance, recurrence, and metastasis, similar to human cancers. The Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium was established to provide the infrastructure and resources needed to integrate clinical trials for pets with naturally occurring cancers into the development pathways for new drugs, devices, and imaging techniques for human cancers. However, the cancer research community has not reached agreement concerning the value of these clinical trial data for advancing human cancer research or when and how best to integrate comparative oncology trials within the cancer research continuum. Thus, the Institute of Medicine’s National Cancer Policy Forum, with support from a coalition of sponsors, hosted a workshop held in Washington, DC, on June 8–9, 2015, to examine the rationale and potential for integrating clinical trials for pet patients with naturally occurring cancers into translational cancer research and development. The workshop also highlighted potential opportunities to overcome existing challenges to that integration.

Minnesota takes a 'One Health' approach to antibiotic stewardship

08/08/2016

Minnesota has launched a comprehensive and multi-faceted plan to tackle the rise in drug-resistant bacteria and promote antibiotic stewardship. State officials are hoping the effort can break down some of the tension between human and animal health experts regarding antibiotic use and become a model for addressing the emerging public health crisis.

The 5-year plan, released in early July, calls for Minnesota's departments of health and agriculture, along with the Board of Animal Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), to work together to promote the judicious use of antibiotics in humans and animals and get a better sense of how antibiotic use is affecting environmental health. The idea of having all four agencies work on the issue is based on the One Health concept, which views the health of humans, animals, and the environment as being inter-connected.

Saving antibiotics for when they are really needed: the Dutch example

antibiotics, dutch, netherlands, agriculture, animal, farm
08/03/2016

Doctors have responded well to the call to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. But what about farming? The Dutch have shown that antibiotic use can be slashed in agriculture too. So why isn’t everybody doing it? Tony Sheldon reports

“Dutch healthcare uses the fewest antibiotics in the world,” is the bold and justifiable claim of the Dutch Health Council, the government’s independent scientific advisers. The country has had low use for decades.1 Yet in veterinary medicine the Netherlands, the world’s second largest exporter of agri-food products (after the United States), was, until a few years ago, among the highest users. This mismatch sparked action that saw the country cut antibiotic use in farm animals by nearly 60% from 2007 to 2015.

Spillover - PBS Documentary

Spillover, Ebola, Zika Virus, Nipah, One Health, Epidemics, Infectious Diseases
08/03/2016

"Throughout the last few decades, diseases that spill over from animals to humans have been on the rise. What’s behind their increase, and can we do anything to combat these dangerous foes? Join scientists as they investigate the rise of spillover viruses like Zika, Ebola and Nipah, and learn what science can do to anticipate and prevent epidemics around the world."

"Spillover — Zika, Ebola & Beyond is a harrowing drama that follows scientists into the world's hot zones in a search for answers. And it does so while providing much needed scientific context for the most recent Ebola and Zika outbreaks. Battle-hardened health workers and survivors share their untold stories, such as how a courageous band of Nigerians jumped into the breach to stop Ebola from turning into a truly global pandemic."

Russia anthrax outbreak affects dozens in north Siberia

anthrax, zoonotic diseases, Russia, Siberia
08/02/2016

Ninety people are undergoing hospital checks in remote northern Russia because of an anthrax outbreak that killed a boy on Monday.

Eight people are confirmed as infected with anthrax, a rare but deadly bacterial disease. It is believed to have spread from reindeer.

More than 2,300 reindeer have died in the outbreak, in the Yamalo-Nenets region of Siberia. Reindeer-herding families have been moved out.

Siberian Heatwave Sparks Anthrax Outbreak, Killing A Child And Thousands Of Reindeer

anthrax, Russia, zoonotic diseases, reindeer, siberia
08/02/2016

At least one child has died in Siberia after an outbreak of naturally occurring anthrax, which has been linked to a decades-old reindeer carcass exposed during a heatwave.

Russian officials have said the death of a 12-year-old boy, a member of a reindeer-herding family from the Yamal tundra 1,300 miles north of Moscow, was the first fatality in Siberia linked to the pathogen since 1941. Twenty others have been diagnosed with anthrax, according to CBS.

The unintentional exotic-pet bio-attack on US shores

08/01/2016

Invasive species are not generally considered bioweapons, but a few security experts, including some in the US military, are concerned about the damage they can cause to ecosystems and agriculture. For example, Lawrence Roberge, a professor at Labouré College in Boston, published a paper in Biosafety on the potential for adversaries to deliberately introduce non-native species as biological weapons. The Department of Defense is also concerned about invasive species because they can take over training grounds, erode natural resources, injure soldiers, and damage equipment. According to the US Defense Department’s Natural Resources Program, invasive species cause more than $138 billion in annual damage and management costs.

Green monkeys acquired Staphylococcus aureus from humans

zoonotic diseases, Gambia, green monkeys, Staphylococcus aureus
07/29/2016

 Many deadly diseases that afflict humans were originally acquired through contact with animals. New research suggests that pathogens can also jump the species barrier to move from humans to animals. The study shows that green monkeys in The Gambia acquired Staphylococcus aureus from humans.

One Health Meet and Greet, August 8, 2016 at AVMA Convention 2016, San Antonio, TX

07/29/2016

Will you be attending the AVMA convention next week? Do you want to meet other professionals and students in the veterinary community who share your interest in One Health? 

The OHCEA Uganda One Health Institute at Full Steam

07/28/2016

The One Heath Institute is a center where the knowledge of young interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral teams of professionals (undergraduate and graduate) in their final year of study and at the start of their careers is transformed and are given ability to detect, prevent and respond to infectious diseases.

This does not only include the scientists who are the primary core responders in cases of infectious disease outbreaks, but also the humanities who have important roles to play like bridging the gaps in understanding community culture, beliefs and gender, bridging communication gaps, technology and innovative gaps etc. An advertisement was made and students across eight colleges and schools in Makerere University applied.

PBS documentary - “SPILLOVER - ZIKA, EBOLA & BEYOND” Airing August 3, 2016

PBS, spillover, zika, ebola
07/28/2016

In 2015, a mysterious virus, eventually identified as Zika, first appeared in Brazil, flooding clinics with patients. Health care workers and researchers working in Brazil made a startling connection between the increase in prenatal Zika virus infections and the growing number of babies born with microcephaly and other devastating birth defects. The year before, as the world watched in horror, the Ebola virus tore through the heart of West Africa, leaving some 12,000 dead in its wake. The outbreak was historic: ten times worse than all other Ebola outbreaks combined. And beyond the headlines, out of the spotlight, other threats were unfolding at the same time: legions of viruses were continuing their march around the globe, largely unreported. Nipah. Chikungunya. MERS. All are diseases caused by viruses that reside in animals and spill over into humans. Over the last half century, the number of spillover diseases has increased rapidly. What's behind the rise in spillover viruses? What can we do to stop them? And what have we learned from the ultimate containment of Ebola?

Airing August 3, 2016 10 p.m. Eastern, Press Release  Film Website  Film Trailer

Slimy Green Beaches May Be Florida's New Normal

07/27/2016

The green slime that washed onto Florida beaches earlier this month marks the eighth time since 2004 that toxic algae have fouled the Sunshine State’s storied coastline.

The algae blooms of 2013 were so severe the event became known as Toxic Summer. And this year’s outbreak has so thoroughly spread through delicate estuaries on both coasts that Florida officials declared a state of emergency in four counties. Toxic sludge has killed fish, shellfish, and at least one manatee and has sickened people who have touched it.

From herdsmen to central bankers, southern Africa counts drought cost

07/27/2016

Molefi Ramantele, a small-scale livestock farmer who ekes out a living in Botswana's arid scrubland, lost a third of his cattle in the drought that has scorched southern Africa.

"My life is my cattle. I have never seen it so bad...It will take me years to get them back," the 67-year-old said of his livestock, often the main measure of household wealth in rural African economies.

The Georgia Aquarium, a Vanguard sponsor of the One Health Commission, plans to create the 'One Ocean, One Health Research Institute'

georgia aquarium, one health institute, research institute
07/26/2016

The One Ocean, One Health Research Institute will focus on the growing One Health movement - a collaborative effort among health science professions - to attain optimal health for people, animals and plants in our environment. It is an investment in our Planet, our Oceans, and our Species.

Scientists test nanoparticle drug delivery in dogs with osteosarcoma

cancer, osteosarcoma, bone cancer, university of Illinois, comparative medicine
07/25/2016

An engineer teamed up with a veterinarian to test a bone cancer drug delivery system in animals bigger than the standard animal model, the mouse. They chose dogs -- mammals closer in size and biology to humans -- with naturally occurring bone cancers, which also are a lot like human bone tumors.

More than 600 sick in 45 states because of poultry pets

07/21/2016

Salmonella traced to backyard flocks and pet chicks and ducklings continues to claim victims, with public health officials now tracking eight outbreaks across 45 states.

Since the outbreaks were reported on June 2, there have been 287 confirmed cases added, bringing the total to 611 people sickened, according to an update this week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

White House Summit on Global Development

07/20/2016

To mark our shared progress in global development, on July 20 we joined partners to host the White House Summit on Global Development, where President Obama delivered the keynote address. 

It was a day of reflection, inspiration and dialogue about the U.S. Government’s work around the globe. More than 700 development partners gathered to share stories of success and to ignite new partnerships. As USAID Administrator Gayle Smith said, “development is a team sport ... built on vision and belief in our common humanity.”

Partnerships Matter: Building the Right Team to #ZAPZika

07/19/2016

With tens of thousands of confirmed cases in the Americas, Zika is a growing public health emergency in the Western Hemisphere and beyond.  While we are harnessing all of our available resources to fight Zika here at home and abroad, we are also calling on communities, companies, and civil society to act now to build the global coalition required to beat Zika and the devastating birth defects it causes. 

Talking about the One Health mission in Viet Nam with FAO experts

07/18/2016

After responding to emergency zoonotic outbreaks, the importance of One Health Approach has been emphasized worldwide in effectively preventing and controlling these diseases. In order to discover more about this approach within the Viet Nam country context, a discussion was held with FAO Viet Nam’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) core One Health technical staff members (Pawin Padungtod – Senior Technical Coordinator, Nguyen Thuy Hang – One Health Advocacy and Communication Coordinator and Nguyen Phuong Oanh – Operations Officer to talk about their recent One Health assessment mission in Ha Giang and Quang Nam provinces.

Arthritis in Fish? It's Possible

Comparative research
07/18/2016

According to the Arthritis Foundation, over 50 million Americans have arthritis, making it the number one cause of disability in the country. But did you know that humans aren't the only species plagued by this disease?

Just in time for the Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month this July, a new study revealed that arthritis is prevalent in animal kingdom as well.

In times of crisis, dogs help heal

Crisis, Stress, Grief, Sorrow, Healing, Comfort Dogs
07/18/2016

"No matter one’s age, race or political affiliation, at least one thing relating to recent current events is indisputable: Stress, grief and sorrow are detrimental to one’s health.

Thankfully, though — especially for those directly impacted by the tragic goings-on in Dallas, Baton Rouge, Minneapolis and last month in Orlando — there’s a temporary antidote for their mental and emotional anguish: so-called “comfort dogs.”"

Study by Kansas State University veterinary team looks at wild amphibians as possible zoonotic disease hosts

07/15/2016

Three different laboratories at Kansas State University hopped on board for a study that looks at the potential role of amphibians as a host for the spread of infectious diseases.

Yongming Sang, research associate professor of anatomy and physiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is leading the project, which has produced the recently published article in Nature's Scientific Reports, "Expansion of amphibian intronless interferons revises the paradigm for interferon evolution and functional diversity."

FDA Releases Foods and Veterinary Medicine Strategic Plan

07/14/2016

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today released the Foods and Veterinary Medicine (FVM) Program's Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2016-2025, which outlines goals and objectives for the next 10 years. The FVM program encompasses the Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine, the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and the Center for Veterinary Medicine, as well as the related activities under the Office of Global Regulatory Operations and Policy and the Office of Regulatory Affairs.

The strategic plan is organized under four goals: food safety, nutrition, animal health, and organizational excellence. It is based on the following principles: (1) public health is the first priority, (2) partnerships are the key to success, (3) scientific expertise and research are the foundation of the FVM Program’s work, and (4) the FVM program is committed to operating openly and transparently.

These scientists are racing to prevent the next Ebola

Ebola, HIV, zoonotic, SARS, MERS, rabies, Hendra, Nipah, H1N1, Swine Flu, Spanish Flu, H5N1, Avian Flu
07/06/2016

A black, cloud-like mass billows from a cave on a mountainside in Tao Pun, Thailand. The dark shape rises skyward, shifts, and pivots as the sun sets behind the golden spires of a nearby Buddhist monastery and the green rice fields of western Thailand.

It's not smoke emerging from the cave, but Thailand's largest bat colony, embarking on its nightly search for a tasty meal of insects. And just below the mouth of the cave is a team of Thai scientists, waiting to catch some of the bats as they depart.

Learning From Healthy Bears (You Mean We Should Hibernate?)

Comparative Research
07/04/2016

ANCHORAGE — Gain a few hundred pounds and lie around in bed for months, and you are likely to develop a host of ailments, from diabetes and heart failure to muscle loss, osteoporosis and bedsores.

Unless, that is, you happen to be a bear.

Expansion of amphibian intronless interferons revises the paradigm for interferon evolution and functional diversity

06/30/2016

Interferons (IFNs) are key cytokines identified in vertebrates and evolutionary dominance of intronless IFN genes in amniotes is a signature event in IFN evolution. For the first time, we show that the emergence and expansion of intronless IFN genes is evident in amphibians, shown by 24–37 intronless IFN genes in each frog species. Amphibian IFNs represent a molecular complex more complicated than those in other vertebrate species, which revises the established model of IFN evolution to facilitate re-inspection of IFN molecular and functional diversity. We identified these intronless amphibian IFNs and their intron-containing progenitors, and functionally characterized constitutive and inductive expression and antimicrobial roles in infections caused by zoonotic pathogens, such as influenza viruses and Listeria monocytogenes. Amphibians, therefore, may serve as overlooked vectors/hosts for zoonotic pathogens, and the amphibian IFN system provides a model to study IFN evolution in molecular and functional diversity in coping with dramatic environmental changes during terrestrial adaption.

One Arctic, One Health: Arctic Health Challenges in an Era of Rapid Change

06/29/2016

Raging wildfires. Large-scale die-offs of birds and marine mammals.  Invasions by disease-bearing ticks. Houses and water pipes collapsing as permafrost thaws. These occurrences are no longer future scenarios—they have become the daily experience of many people living in the Arctic, which is the fastest-warming region of the world.

These increasingly common events endanger environmental, animal, and human health. Birds and seals may be dying for various reasons—changing climate leading to anomalous or extreme weather events, accumulation of chemical contamination or toxins from mass blooms of algae, or even random chance. Such events should serve as a signpost directing us toward a more collaborative approach to preparedness and response. The list of stakeholders who should assume a role includes doctors, public health officers, and veterinarians as well as departments of environment and wildlife—in fact, everyone concerned about the safety and security of their homes, their families, and their food sources has a role to play. Recognition that these wide-ranging stakeholders need to work together from observation to analysis to response is known as taking a One Health approach.

We Finally Know How Dogs Sniff Out Diabetes

06/27/2016

For years, assistance dogs have been used to detect low blood sugar levels in their diabetic owners and warn of an impending hypoglycemia attack. Scientists have finally figured out how dogs are able to accomplish this feat—an insight that could lead to new medical sensors.

Dogs don’t so much see the world as they do smell it. Our canine companions can detect the tiniest odor concentrations—around one part per trillion. For us, that would be like detecting a teaspoon of sugar in two Olympic sized swimming pools. This allows them to work as medical detection dogs, where they sniff out various forms of cancer and diabetes.

Shark jelly is strong proton conductor

06/27/2016

Sharks have a sixth sense that helps them locate prey in murky ocean waters. They rely on special pores on their heads and snouts, called ampullae of Lorenzini, that can sense electric fields generated when nearby prey move. The pores were first described in 1678, but scientists haven’t been sure how they work. Now, the answer is a bit closer.

The pores, which connect to electrosensing cells, are filled with a mysterious clear jelly. This jelly is a highly efficient proton conductor, researchers report May 13 in Science Advances. In the jelly, positively charged particles move and transmit current.

From bird flu to malaria: open access journal takes holistic approach to disease control

bird flu, zoonotic diseases, holistic
06/21/2016

In September 2005, Senior UN System Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza David Nabarro made a public statement that bird flu could kill as many as 150 million people. The virus – H5N1 avian influenza – was only spread by birds but was already having a huge impact on people in South East Asia: 55 percent of people hospitalized with this infection since 2003 had died and there was emerging evidence that the virus was spreading further.

Sharks Could Hold Key to Solving Human Health Woes

06/19/2016

The ocean's deadliest predator could be the one, in years to come, that could save your life.

Nova Southeastern University professor Mahmood Shivji has found sharks are genetically more similar to humans than to other sea-going creatures.

A Kalamazoo County resident exposed to a bat is receiving treatment for rabies after the bat tested positive for the disease.

rabies, bat, bat rabies, prevention
06/17/2016

A Kalamazoo County resident exposed to a bat is receiving treatment for rabies after the bat tested positive for the disease.

One Health and the Sustainable Development Goals

06/16/2016

"One Health and the Sustainable Development Goals" will be the theme of the 17th Inter-American Ministerial Meeting on Health and Agriculture-RIMSA 17, to be held in Paraguay, 21-22 July 2016. Organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)'s Veterinary Public Health Section, based in Rio de Janeiro, this will be a closed meeting of the Ministers of Health and Agriculture.

'My dog is family': domestic abuse victims and the pets they can't leave

06/16/2016

There was a cat, the man at the shelter tells me, who was put in a microwave. The man was furious at his partner for leaving the house to run errands without his permission. Knowing she was half an hour away, he told her that if she did not return home within the next 10 minutes, he would put her beloved cat in the microwave. The feat was impossible – and the resulting punishment and distress hard to imagine.

See also the National Link Coalition's work on the Link between Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence.

Updated: Superbug found in Illinois and South Carolina

06/15/2016

U.S. officials have found bacteria resistant to the antibiotic of last resort in a sample from a second pig, increasing concerns about the spread of a newly discovered superbug that initially surfaced in this country in March.

The latest report involves an antibiotic-resistant strain of E. coli from a pig intestine, which was detected by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a spokeswoman said Monday evening. The E. coli bacteria carried a gene making it resistant to the antibiotic colistin, the drug used against particularly dangerous types of superbugs that can already withstand many other antibiotics.

Lyme, heartworm disease difficulties forecast for 2016

lyme, heartworm disease, companion animals, borrelia, ehrlichia
06/15/2016

A forecast published this spring warns that ticks transmitting Lyme disease have expanded their range, increasing the disease risk for dogs in the Midwest. 

Find out more at capcvet.org

Predicting disease spread from animals improving with new model

Zoonotic Disease, Animal Models, Prediction, Computer Modeling, Lassa Fever
06/14/2016

"Scientists have developed a computer model that predicts outbreaks of zoonotic diseases - those that spread from animals to people - based on changes in climate, population growth, and land practices. They hope the tool will help governments and communities improve their decision-making."

The computer based model developed by researchers at the University College London (UCL) in the United Kingdom was tested to predict Lassa fever outbreak in West Africa. It is believed it could be fine-tuned to predict disease spread for a number of other factors and disease spreads within human populations.

3 Takes on the Future of Public Health

Public Health, Prevention, Ecosystems, Wildlife, Pandemics
06/10/2016

In a key event as a part of Johns Hopkins' Centennial celebration, prominent authors and journalists came together to speak about key considerations for the future of public health. In reference to pandemics and the future of public health Sonia Shah said, "Ultimately, the goal is to prevent,” Shah said. How? By restoring wild habitats and protecting the most vulnerable.  By approaching outbreaks holistically, and not just as biomedical phenomena. By re-imagining our relationship to the microbial world."

“There is no us and them,” she insisted. “Our health is connected to the health of society, but also wildlife, livestock and ecosystems. We live in a microbial world.”

OHC Executive Director to speak at NIEHS Global Environmental Health Day June 29, 2016

NIEHS, global environmental health day, environment, environmental health
06/09/2016

Global Environmental Health research addresses pressing environmental health problems and aims to improve the lives of the most vulnerable populations, both in the United States and around the world.

“One Health” Work in the Ninth District, U.S. Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newslette

work in ninth district, congressman griffith
06/06/2016

A recent Washington Post story picked up by the Roanoke Times touches on what is a fairly new phrase, though it has long been accepted as a concept: the “One Health” concept

Inspiring a New Generation to Defy the Bounds of Innovation: A Moonshot to Cure Cancer

06/06/2016

As part of the ambitious Cancer "Moonshot” Initiative  to eliminate cancer, Vice President Joe Biden encouraged collaboration and team science within the field of oncology during a speech at the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting. He said, "Over the next year, I will lead a dedicated, combined effort by governments, private industry, researchers, physicians, patients, and philanthropies to target investment, coordinate across silos, and increase access to information for everyone in the cancer community. Here’s what that means: The Federal government will do everything it possibly can — through funding, targeted incentives, and increased private-sector coordination — to support research and enable progress. We’ll encourage leading cancer centers to reach unprecedented levels of cooperation, so we can learn more about this terrible disease and how to stop it in its tracks." 

Veterinarians and physicians team up to StopLyme in children and pets

AVMA, Lyme Disease, dog, canine, companion animal, human
06/02/2016

StopLyme is a new public awareness campaign joining veterinarians and pediatricians to stop a common enemy: Lyme disease. While this tick-borne disease can’t be spread directly between dogs and people, if your dog has been exposed to ticks that spread Lyme disease, you may have been too. To listen to the audio recording on Pet World Radio go to: http://www.petworldradio.net/show-582-time-to-stop-lyme/.

One Health International Journal Volume 2

06/01/2016

One Health International Journal Volume 2 published by One Health New Medical Concept Association in Romania. The articles in this issue of "One Health - International Journal" are informative materials that were presented at a scientific session organized by "Dr. Victor Babes" Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Bucharest earlier in 2016.

4 Reasons Disease Outbreaks are Erupting Around the World

05/31/2016

MERS, H1N1, swine flu, chikungunya, Zika: Another virus with a peculiar name always seems to be right around the corner, threatening to become a pandemic.

Over the past decade, the World Health Organization has declared four global health emergencies. Two of them were in the past two years: the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and the Zika outbreak that's spread through the Americas.

Open Innovation, Open Science, Open to the World - the European Commission on open access to scientific data and publications

european commission, open innovation, open science, open to the world, vision for europe
05/29/2016

In a perfect world, all scientific literature would be open access as most research is accomplished with public dollars.  But this isn't the case and it is a huge challenge, a block to our ability to communicate across professions, to making One Health the default way of doing business.  Not only do we never have an opportunity to directly interact with each other across disciplines (example: get CE for attending each other's meeting, etc) , we cannot even read each others' journals without being part of a given discipline / association.  In the old days one could go to a library and read the hard copies of other profession's journals; but in today's digital world and people's limited access to Institutional libraries (and so many of them only taking digital subscriptions now), we are totally locked out of each other's literature.The European Commission has started discussing the need and a new vision in this report. 

Dogs may be able to smell malaria in humans and help with quicker detection, scientists claim

05/27/2016

Dogs may be able to sniff out malaria through their acute sense of smell, thereby saving thousands of lives through quick and non-invasive detection, scientists have claimed.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a grant to commission research into the possibility to scientists at Durham University, Medical Detection Dogs and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, along with counterparts in Gambia.

Pet Pooch May Help Ease PTSD in Veterans

05/27/2016

Dogs may be more than best friends for military veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a small study suggests.

Researchers found that vets who were given pet dogs showed significant improvement in their PTSD symptoms.

Indonesian birds face extinction due to pet trade – study

05/25/2016

Thirteen species of Indonesian birds, including the country’s symbolic Javan hawk-eagle, are at serious risk of extinction mainly due to the pet trade, a wildlife watchdog warned Wednesday.

The vast Indonesian archipelago is home to a dizzying array of birds and keeping them as pets has long been part of the national culture, with birdcages a common sight outside homes and shops across the country.

The OIE presents the basic principles of its strategy to fight antimicrobial resistance

OIE, Antimicrobial Resistance, Animal Welfare, Human Health
05/24/2016

"At the 84th General Session of the World Assembly of National Delegates, the OIE presented to its Members, and proposed for adoption, the basic principles of its new strategy to fight antimicrobial resistance. Built on the foundations of many years’ work by the Organisation to protect the effectiveness of antimicrobials used in veterinary medicine, and to contribute towards maintaining the efficacy of the molecules used in human medicine, this strategy aims to provide countries with the necessary tools to assist them in managing this problem more effectively, regardless of their actual animal health situation. "

Continuing Education with a One Health Focus” 2016 Award, World Organization for Animal Health’s (OIE’s) World Veterinary Day

05/22/2016

The Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association was selected as the winner of the World Organization for Animal Health’s (OIE’s) World Veterinary Day Award 2016 for its activities related to this year’s theme “Continuing Education with a One Health Focus”. Those activities  included the One Health Symposium (link), the Sunday Gleaner supplement, the JVMA Trophy race at Caymanas, a seminar on Antimicrobial Resistance, One Health-related technical presentations at General Meetings and more. Outreach to colleagues in the human health sector were noted.

 

A One Health Approach for Enhancing Capacity to Address Antimicrobial Resistance and Zoonotic Emerging Infectious Disease Threats in India

05/22/2016

A consultative workshop to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and emerging zoonotic infectious disease (EID) threats was organized by FAO in partnership with the Government of India.  The workshop took place in Kolkata from 20-22 May 2016.   This was a unique platform bringing together over 41 key decision makers from government and institutional stakeholders representing livestock, wildlife, and human health attended the workshop.

The main focus of the workshop was to develop a 3-year programme to mitigate the risk of emergence and spread of viral zoonotic EIDs and AMR.  The project is financially supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

“Continuing Education with a One Health Focus” - Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association wins World Veterinary Day Award

05/22/2016

Activities included the One Health Symposium (see below), the Sunday Gleaner supplement, the Trophy race at Caymanas, a seminar on Antimicrobial Resistance, One Health-related technical presentations at General Meetings and more. Outreach to our non-veterinary colleagues in the health sector was noted.

See JVMA press release

 

No health workforce, no global health security

Global Health Security, Resilience, public health, health workforce
05/21/2016

A recent Lancet editorial emphasized the need for a well trained medical and public health workforce to ensure global health security and endorsed the Workforce 2030 strategy on human resources for health in hopes that WHO member states will as well at the World Health Assembly.

"Since the recent epidemics of Ebola, MERS, and Zika viruses, the ever-present threat of pandemic influenza, and now the menace of a yellow fever crisis, the notion of global health security has risen to the top of concerns facing the 194 member states attending next week’s 69th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland. Without global health security, the common goal of a more sustainable and resilient society for human health and well being will be unattainable."

"There can be no health security without a skilled health workforce. That is the lesson of Ebola that remains to be learned."

'One Health' presentation by Dr. Bernadette Dunham at the Library of Congress

05/18/2016

Bernadette Dunham discussed interconnections of human and animal health with environmental health. She explained that no one discipline or sector of society has enough knowledge and resources to prevent the emergence or resurgence of diseases in today's globalized world. This "One Health" concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment.

Link to Recording https://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=7365

Link to Library of Congress Blog post https://blogs.loc.gov/inside_adams/2016/05/one-health-lecture-may-18-dr-bernadette-dunham/
 

Researchers Discover Rare Human Disease in Dogs

PVOD, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, dogs
05/17/2016

"Researchers say they have discovered a rare, severe form of pulmonary hypertension in dogs. Up until this point, it had only been classified as a human lung disease.

The study, which recently appeared in the journal Veterinary Pathology, involved researchers from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and the University of London’s Royal Veterinary College.

“Our research is the first to document the existence of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, or PVOD, in dogs,” said Kurt Williams, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVP, the lead author of the study and associate professor of pathology and diagnostic investigation in MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “PVOD is considered one of the most severe forms of pulmonary hypertension.”

Walking Fido Is Doggone Good for Your Health

dogs, human-animal bond, exercise
05/06/2016

"FRIDAY, May 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Walking the dog may be a health boon for older Americans, new research suggests.

Dog walking helps cut back on excess weight and the overall need to visit a physician while raising overall moderate and vigorous exercise levels among the over-60 set, investigators found.

And the strong emotional bonds formed between owner and pet offer social benefits, encouraging increased contact with other pet owners."

Keeping an Open Mind

research
05/06/2016

"New paper suggests researchers who are more open to other disciplines and worldviews produce higher-quality research."

How Portland's Unusual Moss Uncovered an Air Pollution Problem

air pollution, portland
05/06/2016

On a drizzly March day, Sarah Jovan pauses to inspect a leafless maple growing through a hole in a downtown Portland sidewalk. She passes a slender hand over the miniature ecosystem colonizing its trunk—chartreuse savannahs that stretch between stands of thick, shaggy moss and lone shrubs of fruticose lichen. “These look stressed,” she says of the latter, noting that the pale green epiphytes seem dull and stunted compared to their brethren in the wild.

CDC: 1 in 3 antibiotic prescriptions unnecessary

antibiotics, prescriptions, resistance
05/03/2016

"At least 30 percent of antibiotics prescribed in the United States are unnecessary, according to new data published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with Pew Charitable Trusts and other public health and medical experts.

The study analyzed antibiotic use in doctors’ offices and emergency departments throughout the United States. CDC researchers found that most of these unnecessary antibiotics are prescribed for respiratory conditions caused by viruses – including common colds, viral sore throats, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections – which do not respond to antibiotics. These 47 million excess prescriptions each year put patients at needless risk for allergic reactions or the sometimes deadly diarrhea, Clostridium difficile."

Going to the Dogs

05/03/2016

To say that dogs hold a special place in American life is putting it mildly. The U.S. is home to about 70 million pet dogs, who live in more than 40 million of our homes — about one in every three households has a dog. Not only do many people own and care for at least one dog, many of them are absolutely crazy for their canines. We post their pictures on Facebook, sleep with them in our beds, buy them toys and treats, refer to them as “fur babies,” celebrate their birthdays, dress them up for Halloween, and send them to day care. Some of us even subscribe to magazines with names like Dogster and Modern Dog. This year Americans will spend an estimated $60 billion on their pets, and it’s safe to assume that much of that hard-earned money will be spent on our dogs.

Corals: Drained of Color, Drained of Life

05/02/2016

Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef a few years ago, I was overwhelmed by the cartoon-like colors: orange clownfish, blue tangs and green sea turtles set against corals that were purple, bright yellow, rusty red and aqua-blue. 

It was like swimming into a Dr. Seuss book, a fantastical scene that was rich and alive. I saw a giant clam covered in a rough lavender sheen, the orange edges of its shell like smiling lips. Even the branching coral shoots were a striking shade of blue, translucent and almost glowing.

One Health is the Approach for Uganda's Prevailing Health Challenges-Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda

05/01/2016

The World Veterinary Day week-long celebrations came to a climax  today, Saturday 30th April 2016 at Makerere University Main Hall. The  The World Veterinary Day is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of April. This year's theme is 'Continuing Education with a One Health Focus'. Makerere University was chosen by The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA). 

One Health is the Approach for Uganda's Prevailing Health Challenges-Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda

05/01/2016

The World Veterinary Day week-long celebrations came to a climax today, Saturday 30th April 2016 at Makerere University Main Hall. The  The World Veterinary Day is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of April. This year's theme is 'Continuing Education with a One Health Focus'. Makerere University was chosen by The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA). 

WVA President's Message for World Veterinary Day2016

04/29/2016

We celebrate the importance of the One Health concept and approach – that the health of people and animals is intimately connected and people need to communicate and work across many professions for the greater public good.  People benefit from animals through companionship, protection, safe and nutritious food products, work-related and recreational activities, the biodiversity of our wildlife, and research and new knowledge to better our lives.
 

OHCEA sets out to articulate the One Health Research agenda and a resource mobilization plan for research funding

04/26/2016

Between April 11th and 15th a multi-disciplinary team of nineteen faculty from OHCEA (One Health Central and East Africa) member institutions and Secretariat staff set out to develop the networks’ draft research agenda and a resource mobilization plan to guide resource mobilization for research projects at a meeting that was held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi Kenya.  The team comprised specialists in public health, veterinary health, gender and health systems strengthening.

WSAVA and CDC to Host Ground-breaking Symposium on Preventing Obesity in People and Their Pets

obesity, people and pets, WSAVA, CDC, symposium, one health committee, World Small Animal Veterinary Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
04/25/2016

Envisioning a world where regular activity, a balanced diet and healthy weight are part of every family’s life, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association One Health Committee and CDC  are partnering on this event planned for November 9-11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.  This two-day symposium will focus on comparative aspects of human and pet obesity.  For more information visit: https://www.wsava-obesity.com/

ZIKA VIRUS MICROCEPHALY AND GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME

zika, virus, mosquito
04/21/2016

Summary

"From 1 January 2007 to 20 April 2016, Zika virus transmission was documented in a total of 66 countries and territories.

Mosquito-borne transmission:  42 countries are experiencing a first outbreak of Zika virus since 2015, with no previous evidence of circulation, and with ongoing transmission by mosquitos.  17 countries have reported evidence of Zika virus transmission prior to 2015, with or without ongoing transmission or have reported an outbreak since 2015 that is now over.

Person-to-person transmission:  Eight countries have now reported evidence of person-to-person transmission of Zika virus, other than mosquito-borne transmission (Argentina, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal and the United States of America).

In the week to 20 April, no additional countries have reported mosquito-borne Zika virus transmission. Peru and Portugal are the latest countries to report person-to-person transmission. Microcephaly and other fetal malformations potentially associated with Zika virus infection or suggestive of congenital infection have been reported in six countries (Brazil, Cabo Verde, Colombia, French Polynesia, Martinique and Panama). Two cases, each linked to a stay in Brazil, were detected in Slovenia and the United States of America. A further case, linked to a brief stay in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, was detected in a pregnant woman in the United States of America. In the context of Zika virus circulation, 13 countries and territories worldwide have reported an increased incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and/or laboratory confirmation of a Zika virus infection among GBS cases. Based on a growing body of research, there is scientific consensus that Zika virus is a cause of microcephaly and GBS. The global prevention and control strategy launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Strategic Response Framework encompasses surveillance, response activities and research. This situation report is organized under those headings."

Launch of the ‘One Health Global Think-Tank for Sustainable Health & Well-being’ – 2030 (GHW-2030)

04/20/2016

"Abstract: The central mission of the GHW-2030 multi-sectoral think tank is to contribute to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by working toward achieving the education and health goals in cooperation with the Commonwealth Secretariat using an international interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary global One Health approach. A major focus of the think tank will be on the health and well-being – physical, emotional, aspirational – of children and young people particularly as these relate to their personal security, physical and emotional well-being, education and employment and the sustainability of life on the planet."

Link to PDF

A New Dark Age Looms

climate, climate change, temperature
04/19/2016

Excerpt: "Boulder, Colo. — IMAGINE a future in which humanity’s accumulated wisdom about Earth — our vast experience with weather trends, fish spawning and migration patterns, plant pollination and much more — turns increasingly obsolete. As each decade passes, knowledge of Earth’s past becomes progressively less effective as a guide to the future. Civilization enters a dark age in its practical understanding of our planet.

To comprehend how this could occur, picture yourself in our grandchildren’s time, a century hence. Significant global warming has occurred, as scientists predicted. Nature’s longstanding, repeatable patterns — relied on for millenniums by humanity to plan everything from infrastructure to agriculture — are no longer so reliable. Cycles that have been largely unwavering during modern human history are disrupted by substantial changes in temperature and precipitation."

Planetary health—where next?

planet, planetary health
04/16/2016

Offline: Planetary health—where next?

Horton, Richard

The Lancet , Volume 387 , Issue 10028 , 1602

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30196-9

Excerpt: "2 years ago, we proposed an idea we called planetary health. Friends jokingly asked when we would be launching intergalactic health. I could see their point. We already had global health. Why planetary health? The globe and the planet—aren't they the same thing? Wait. I love museums. I especially enjoy meandering through rooms replete with ancient artefacts from long-lost civilisations. Seeing the small accoutrements of past lives—cups, vases, remnants of clothes, perfume bottles, jewellery—one is invited to imagine and recreate a past existence. Those communities were every bit as real as our own today. But they vanished, destroyed perhaps by cataclysmic war, natural catastrophe, inept leadership, or simply the slow erosion of a society unable to adapt to changing circumstances. It's hard not to think about our own contingency when one walks through these rooms of distant cultures. In a “manifesto” to address the sustainability of today's civilisations, we argued that planetary health stood for a broader attitude to health than we are usually given to consider in medicine."

 

Looking, hopefully, towards an Ebola-free future

ebola, who, vaccine
04/15/2016

Excerpt: "

WHO, partners and affected countries are stepping up planning for how to use an Ebola vaccine in response to an outbreak.

The Ebola outbreak that struck Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone in 2014 prompted the search, on an exceptionally accelerated schedule, for a vaccine to prevent the disease.

Although there has been more than one promising candidate, the vesicular stomatitis virus-ebola virus (VSV-EBOV) vaccine was selected based on an algorithm produced by the WHO Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee on Ebola Experimental Interventions for the critical Phase III trial in Guinea and Sierra Leone.

The committee considered various parameters, including efficacy in non-human primates the ability to provoke an immune response in humans in the early days after vaccination, and availability."

Dogs in Flint test positive for lead in water crisis during MSU screenings

dogs, Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, MSU, Flint, lead, positive
04/08/2016

Excerpt: "Several dogs in Flint have tested positive for lead during three recent screenings by Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Daniel Langlois, assistant professor with MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine, said 14 of more than 170 dogs tested showed lead in their blood during the free screenings being primarily funded through gift funds.

Of those 14 dogs, Langlois said 10 showed levels suggestive of recent or low-level exposure to lead -- 25-45 part per billion -- while four tested positive above the reportable limit of 50 ppb and reported to the state."

Hearing to conduct oversight of the U.S. Geological Survey

04/07/2016

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. EDT to conduct oversight of the U.S. Geological Survey.

The hearing will be webcast live on the committee’s website, and an archived video will be available shortly after the hearing is complete. Witness testimony will be available on the website at the start of the hearing.

Hearing to conduct oversight of U.S. Geological Survey

04/07/2016

One Health mentioned during U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Comparative Medicine and Translational Research: Going to the Dogs

04/05/2016

Dogs, and particularly purebred dogs, also suffer from many other diseases that are high on the list of human health concerns: epilepsy, allergies, cataracts, and heart disease, not to mention bleeding disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and dementia. Dogs aren’t just living alongside us; they are suffering with the very same diseases and frequently dying like us, too. That dogs and humans have many shared health problems might not sound like good news, but it does present an opportunity for improving the health and health care of both species.

FACT SHEET: What Climate Change Means for Your Health and Family

white house, climate change, health, family
04/04/2016

"Obama Administration Releases Scientific Assessment on Impact of Climate Change to Human Health in the United States

Today, delivering on another commitment in the President’s Climate Action Plan, the Obama Administration released a new final report called The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment, which significantly advances what we know about the impacts of climate change on public health, and the confidence with which we know it."

White House Says Climate Change Will Damage Public Health

white house, climate change, public health
04/04/2016

"Climate change will contribute to a wide array of public health issues in the United States in the coming decades, including everything from the spread of vector borne illness to the diminished nutritional content of food, according to a new White House report.

The report, the product of a three-year collaboration between a number of federal agencies, suggests that extreme heat alone will drive more than 11,000 additional deaths in the summer of 2030 and 27,000 additional deaths in the summer of 2100, barring an accelerated effort to address climate change."

Global "One Health Day" Planned By Three International One Health Groups - November 3, 2016

one health day
03/31/2016

Three leading international One Health groups, the One Health Commission, the One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team, and the One Health Platform Foundation are partnering to create a global “One Health Day”. 

One Health Commission Sponsor, Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), leads research on 'Long-Term Benefits of Dog Ownership in Families with Children with Autism'

Autism, Dogs, Benefits, Stress
03/29/2016

This study, published by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) a One Health Commission sponsor, was the first to explore the long-term effects of acquiring a pet dog for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. They found a reduction in parental stress in a number of domains.

The International Veterinary Students' Association launches Standing Committee on One Health website

ivsa, scoh, veterinary, students, standing committee, international
03/22/2016

The International Veterinary Students' Association (IVSA), Standing Committee on One Health (SCOH) have just launched a new page created by students for the benefit of all. This is the latest in initiative by the committee to better disseminate information. Toolkit, journals and much more can be found on the website. If you have any ideas on how to better it, please feel free to contact IVSA or SCOH through the Facebook page, as One Health is an ever evolving movement so will the new website.

Link to website for the Standing Committee on One Health

Link to website for International Veterinary Students' Association

Researchers offer new insights into animal-to-human disease transmission

disease, transmission, human, animal
03/18/2016

Key findings on who gets sick and why from the Dynamic Drivers of Disease in Africa Consortium are being shared at One Health for the Real World: zoonoses, ecosystems and wellbeing, a high-level international symposium taking place at the Zoological Society of London this week.

New EAT Foundation launching today will change the way we feed the world

food, world, global, nutrition
03/17/2016

"A new foundation launches today with the ambition to reform the global food system, enabling us to feed a growing global population with healthy food from a healthy planet."

A Shelter Dog Saved This Man’s Life

03/07/2016

Eric wasn’t happy with his life. He worked too much, had few friends, was overweight and suffered from Type 2 Diabetes. After a plane incident Eric wanted to change his life. On advice from a nutritionist he adopted a shelter dog named Peety. He wanted someone just like him, fat and middle aged, but wasn’t sure how a dog would help him change his life. On the adoption day, Eric saved Peety’s life, but within just six months, the dog returned the favor. Here’s what happened.

Home » Newsroom » Press Releases Sen. Franken Pushes Bill to Establish National Plan for Fighting Diseases Like Zika & Ebola

zika, ebola, national
03/04/2016

"U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) has introduced legislation that would establish a coordinated national plan to fight diseases that come from animal sources, including Zika and Ebola.

The One Health Act of 2016 would charge the nation's agencies—from the Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—to work together on identifying specific goals and priorities to help understand, prevent, and respond to animal disease outbreaks."

WHO Report: Preventing disease through healthy environments: a global assessment of the burden of disease from environmental risks

environmental health, environments, WHO, global assessment, burden of disease
03/01/2016

The main message emerging from this new comprehensive global assessment is that premature death and disease can be prevented through healthier environments – and to a significant degree.

One Health Teaching Case Studies: AAVMC (Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges) and APTR (Association for Prevention Teaching and Research) make One Health Case Studies available

one health teaching case studies, aavmc, aptr
03/01/2016

The One Health Inter-professional Education Initiative seeks to integrate One Health concepts into the degree programs of health professions students through the case study method of instruction. To accomplish this goal the AAVMC in collaboration with the APTR), convened a Working Group and the Healthy People Curriculum Task Force (HPCTF). The Working Group has developed a broad-based One Health Educational Framework designed for use in all health professions education. The One Health Case Study project aimed to engage faculty in developing inter-professional teaching cases as well as case studies specific to an individual field of study.15 case studies were selected for publication and teaching and their teaching materials are free to download.

How Forest Loss Is Leading To a Rise in Human Disease

forest, zika, dengue, malaria, primates, tropical
02/23/2016

"A growing body of scientific evidence shows that the felling of tropical forests creates optimal conditions for the spread of mosquito-borne scourges, including malaria and dengue. Primates and other animals are also spreading disease from cleared forests to people."

One Health clinic recognized with science award

Knights landing, human medicine journal, patricia conrad, COHA, transdisciplinary projects
02/18/2016

The Knights Landing One Health Clinic has been recognized with a Clinical and Translational Science Award One Health Alliance One Health In-a-Minute Program award. The clinic is held on the third Sunday of each month at the Knights Landing Community Center. Knights Landing One Health Clinic Vet Med funds are grant-based and only for the KL community members with proof of residence. In being selected for this honor, the clinic will have the funds and support to develop a professional video and accompanying manuscript for human medicine journals that will showcase a compelling One Health story illustrating synergy between the veterinary and other scientific communities.

What You Get When You Mix Chickens, China and Climate Change

china, chicken, poultry, climate, virus
02/05/2016

Excerpt: "Every few months, it seems, an invasive virus from a distant land attacks the Americas: dengue, chikungunya and, most recently, Zika. But the pathogens that frighten me most are novel strains of avian influenza.

I’d come to see their birthplace. Highly virulent and easily transmissible, these viruses emerge from open-air poultry farms and markets of the kind that stretch across Asia. Thanks to rising demand for chicken and other poultry, they’ve been surfacing at an accelerated clip, causing nearly 150 percent more outbreaks in 2015 than in 2014. And in late 2014, one strain managed to cross the ocean that had previously prevented its spread into the Americas, significantly expanding its reach across the globe.

Novel avian influenza viruses are mongrels, born when the influenza viruses that live harmlessly inside the bodies of wild ducks, geese and other waterfowl mix with those of domesticated animals like the ones at Jiangfeng, especially poultry but also pigs. It’s possible to squelch their emergence. One way is to protect domesticated animals from the excreta of waterfowl, which can spread infection. But no such protections are in effect at markets such as Jiangfeng, which, like the rest of southern China’s booming poultry industry, lies within the East Asian flyway, one of the world’s most important waterbird migration routes."

Influenza is for the birds … and dogs, pigs, horses, and humans

influenza, zoonoses, bird, dog, pig, horse, human
02/03/2016

"On the surface, it might seem like we had a really mild flu season.  As 2015 came to a close and most were making plans for the New Year, more than 13,000 people were tested for seasonal influenza A in a single week. Of those, 157 were positive, and one additional novel A infection was confirmed, reflecting an unusually low level of human influenza activity across the nation so far this season.

However, animals haven’t been quite so lucky.  Last year saw a number of influenza A outbreaks in several different species, including horses, dogs, birds and pigs. 

Outbreaks that start in an animal population might not stay there.   One Health, the concept that animal, human and environmental health are connected,  can help us work more effectively with partners across different disciplines, such as doctors, veterinarians, ecologists, and public health experts, to identify and address emerging threats to health that start in animal populations.  

Global ecologic research has confirmed that influenza A viruses are especially likely to make the jump from animal to human hosts.  Influenza A viruses are able to mutate easily causing large-scale or even global outbreaks. They are responsible for all six historical pandemics and the only flu strain with the capability to present such a threat in the future."

What Does a Parrot Know About PTSD?

parrot, ptsd, human animal bond, human-animal, bond, psychology
01/29/2016

"An unexpected bond between damaged birds and traumatized veterans could reveal surprising insights into animal intelligence" by Charles Siebert

Zika virus 'spreading explosively,' WHO leader says

zika, virus, microcephaly, america, pregnancy, mother
01/28/2016

(CNN)The Zika virus is "is now spreading explosively" in the Americas, the head of the World Health Organization said Thursday, with another official estimating between 3 million to 4 million infections in the region over a 12-month period.

"The level of concern is high, as is the level of uncertainty," Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO's director-general, told her organization's executive board members. "We need to get some answers quickly."

The Emerging Zika Pandemic: Enhancing Preparedness

zika, pandemic, america. virus. mosquito, microcephaly
01/27/2016

"The Zika virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus related to yellow fever, dengue, West Nile, and Japanese encephalitis, originated in the Zika forest in Uganda and was discovered in a rhesus monkey in 1947. The disease now has “explosive” pandemic potential, with outbreaks in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas.1 Since Brazil reported Zika virus in May 2015, infections have occurred in at least 20 countries in the Americas.2 Puerto Rico reported the first locally transmitted infection in December 2015, but Zika is likely to spread to the United States. The Aedes species mosquito (an aggressive daytime biter) that transmits Zika virus (as well as dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever) occurs worldwide, posing a high risk for global transmission. Modeling anticipates significant international spread by travelers from Brazil to the rest of the Americas, Europe, and Asia.3 What steps are required now to shore up preparedness in the Americas and worldwide?"

Citation: Lucey DR, Gostin LO. The Emerging Zika Pandemic: Enhancing Preparedness. JAMA.Published online January 27, 2016. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.0904.

Zika virus set to spread across Americas, spurring vaccine hunt

Zika, vaccine, Americas, transmission, Brazil
01/25/2016

Excerpt: " The mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been linked to brain damage in thousands of babies in Brazil, is likely to spread to all countries in the Americas except for Canada and Chile, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

Zika transmission has not yet been reported in the continental United States, although a woman who fell ill with the virus in Brazil later gave birth to a brain-damaged baby in Hawaii."

Here's scientific proof that your dog feels you

pets, emotion, state of mind
01/12/2016

Excerpt: "A new study strongly suggests that the domestic dog does indeed recognize and distinguish among different states of mind in humans.  The research demonstrates that dogs use both facial expressions and voice characteristics as cues to a human's state of mind. Its authors underscore that while this ability to detect the mood of another is common enough within the same species, our canine companions appear to be unique in sharing with humans the ability to transcend species boundaries in reading emotions."

First Zika Virus Case in United States Confirmed in Texas

zika virus, zika, microcephaly, Texas
01/11/2016

Excerpt: "Zika virus, a mosquito-borne infection believed to cause microcephaly in infants born to infected mothers, has crossed from Latin America into Texas, experts reported today.  The case of Zika in a traveler recently returned from El Salvador was confirmed through investigations by Harris County, Texas, health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The case is expected to result in major new surveillance and vector-control initiatives."

Center for Wildlife forced to euthanize bald eagle

Center for Wildlife, bald eagle, Maine
01/10/2016

A rescued, seemingly healthy bald eagle was found to be suffering from lead poisoning and was euthanized.   Links to hunting with lead in the environment are believed to be the cause, with reports from The United States Humane Society estimating " as many as 20 million wild animals die from lead poisoning every year." 

Six Cases of Bird Flu Reported in China, With One Fatality

Bird Flu, China, H5N6, avian flu
01/07/2016

Excerpt: "Local officials in China have reported six new cases of H5N6 avian flu — commonly referred to as bird flu — in the country, though they say the virus is not currently transmittable through human-to-human contact.  Half of the six cases were reported in the southern province of Guangdong, where three individuals fell ill after coming into contact with live poultry or visiting markets where it was sold, reports the South China Morning Post."

Toxic chemicals from gold mining destroys environment

mining, gold mining, illegal mining, Vietnam
12/23/2015

Illegal mining has become a social and environmental issue for certain communities in Vietnam.  Much of these illegal operations introduce toxic chemicals into the environment, impacting the health of communities nearby.  These operations are estimated to involve 200 illegal miners each day in the mountains across Vietnam.  

Dogs 'Catch' Emotions From People

dogs, emotions, emotional contagion
12/22/2015

Excerpt: "Dogs often copy the facial expressions of others, according to a new study that suggests dogs, like humans and other primates, show a phenomenon known as "emotional contagion.  Emotional contagion, which is a basic building block of empathy, is when an individual instantaneously shares the same emotional state of another. Its existence was never fully proven in dogs until now." 

WHO Sets Priority for Emerging Diseases Research

emerging diseases, WHO, world health organization, virus, bacteria
12/22/2015

"The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an initial list of diseases needing urgent research attention to prevent severe outbreaks. This list, which includes Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola and Marburg virus diseases, Lassa fever, Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus diseases, Nipah, and Rift Valley fever, is expected to be a key element in the WHO Research and Development (R&D) Blueprint for infectious diseases with epidemic potential currently under development for presentation in May 2016 at the 69th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland."

By cutting down forests, humans may be giving themselves malaria

deforestation, malaria, Malaysia, Malaysian Borneo
12/21/2015

A new research study is currently linking the deforestation of trees in Malaysia with the spread of malaria.  A version of the disease, previously found only in monkeys, is becoming more transmissible by environmental disturbances, reported by the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. 

A new way to cut back on health costs? Get a dog

George Mason University, health care, pet ownership
12/21/2015

Excerpt: "You can forget how much you spent on your beloved pet this year. A new economic analysis from George Mason University researchers suggests you should be thanking your furry companion for improving your health — and for cutting back on health care costs."

Wild bees on the decline in key US agricultural ecosystems – study

Wild bees, bees, US agriculture, agriculture ecosystems, pollinators
12/21/2015

Excerpt: "Wild bees, crucial pollinators for many crops, are on the decline in some of the main agricultural regions of the United States, according to scientists who produced the first national map of bee populations and identified numerous trouble spots.

The researchers on Monday cited 139 counties as especially worrisome, with wild bee numbers decreasing while farmland for crops dependent on such pollinators is increasing. "

Lab staple agar hit by seaweed shortage

research, agar, seaweed, environment, algae
12/08/2015

Exceprt: "Microbiology’s most important reagent is in short supply, with potential consequences for research, public health and clinical labs around the world.

Agar — the seaweed-derived, gelatinous substance that biologists use to culture microbes — is experiencing a global downturn, marine biologists, agar producers and industry analysts toldNature. “There’s not enough seaweed for everyone, so basically we are now reducing our production,” says Pedro Sanchez, deputy managing director of Industrias Roko in Polígono de Silvota, Spain, which processes seaweed to make some 40% of the world’s agar.

The shortage can be traced to newly enforced trade restrictions on the seaweed, arising from environmental concerns that the algae are being overharvested. It is unclear how deeply the dearth will hit researchers, but it has already pushed wholesale prices of agar to an all-time high of around US$35–45 per kilogram — nearly triple the price before scarcities began. Individual researchers, who buy packaged agar from lab-supply companies, can pay many times this amount."

The ethics of climate change: what we owe people – and the rest of the planet

ethics, climate change, planet
12/08/2015

Ethics is a particularly relevant if underreported topic of conversation at the United Nations conference on climate change in Paris. While technical disputes grab the lion’s share of attention, we should not forget the moral reasons we must address global warming – because of the substantial harm it does and will do to the human and nonhuman world.

Dirty Yamuna water harbours drug-resistant bacteria

drug resistant bacteria, bacteria, e. coil, Escherichia coli, river, water
12/07/2015

Excerpt: "The Yamuna river is harbouring a high number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which can have serious ecological and public health implications, a recent study published in the latest issue of International Journal of Bio Assays has revealed. 

Strengthening the global concern that the development of resistance for antibiotics in bacteria will make the use of these antibiotics ineffective in humans, the study has reported that all the isolated E. coli strains in the Yamuna were found to be resistant to most of the tested antibiotics. 

This may be explained by high and uncontrolled use of these antibiotics in humans and animals apart from pollution from pharmaceutical companies as well as heavy metals or biocides."

Original article: 

Bhardwaj R, Gupta A, Garg JK: Prevalence of multidrug resistance in Escherichia coli strains isolated from river Yamuna, Delhi stretch.
International J Bioassays, 2015; 4(11): 4492-8; available at <http://www.ijbio.com/index.php/ijb/article/view/828/pdf>

Hawaii’s Dengue Fever Outbreak Grows

dengue, hawaii, asian tiger mosquito
12/07/2015

"The Asian Tiger mosquito is contributing to the spread of the dengue fever outbreak in Hawaii.  The number of cases of dengue fever in Hawaii has risen to 139, prompting health authorities this week to warn residents and travelers to the popular winter vacation destination to take precautions to avoid contracting the virus."

This Is the Scariest Superbug Yet

antimicrobial resistance, bacteria, Escherichia coli, E. coli, drug resistant, colistin
12/03/2015

Excerpt: "In mid-November, a group of Chinese and UK researchers published a paper in The Lancet delivering some sobering news: They had found a strain of E. coli in Chinese pigs that had evolved to withstand colistin, a potent antibiotic widely considered to be a last resort against a variety of pathogens that can resist antibiotics. Worse, the gene that allowed the E. coli to shrug off colistin easily jumps among bacterial species, and is thus "likely to spread rapidly into key human pathogens"—think fun stuff like salmonella and Klebsiella. The cherry on top: The authors warn that these colistin-defying nasties are "likely" to go global."

Seabirds Are Dumping Pollution-Laden Poop Back on Land

seabirds, murres, Coats Island, toxic waste
11/30/2015

"Chemicals we've poured into the ocean are coming back to sting us thanks to seabirds defecating in their onshore colonies.  New research is finding that these and other birds are bringing ocean pollution back onto land; the birds eat contaminated fish and poop out the chemicals." 

 

Children with pets have less stress

pets, dogs, stress, child, chronic disease
11/29/2015

"A pet dog may protect your child from childhood anxiety, according to research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

Link to original CDC article: Pet Dogs and Children’s Health: Opportunities for Chronic Disease Prevention?

Vets and doctors pledge to cooperate on One Health

vets, doctors, one health
11/28/2015

Excerpt: "A MEMORANDUM of understanding between the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) was renewed on November 16 with the aim of strengthening cooperation between doctors and veterinarians in Europe.

The memorandum of understanding sets out an interprofessional cooperation framework for both disciplines to act together in recognition of the One Health concept. One key area of collaboration is antimicrobial resistance. Katrín Fjeldsted, president of the CPME, said: ‘It is only by working together that we will win against antimicrobial resistance. The CPME-FVE memorandum of understanding, by identifying joint actions to be undertaken in this field, is part of this collaborative exercise.’

In addition to action on antimicrobial resistance, the FVE and CPME also agreed to closer cooperation on issues relating to professional regulation, as well as to ensuring awareness across both disciplines in other policy areas, such as the ongoing negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership."

Vets and doctors pledge to cooperate on One Health. Veterinary Record. 2015;177(21):533.2-533. doi:10.1136/vr.h6368.

A Tick that Feeds on Birds May Increase the Range of Lyme Disease

birds, song birds, tick, Ixodes affinis, Lyme, Borrelia burgdorferi
11/23/2015

Excerpt: "If you have lived in the northeastern United States any time in the last 25 years or so, you have almost certainly heard of Lyme disease. You may have scrutinized odd-looking insect bites, wondering if they are developing the disease’s tell-tale “bulls-eye” rash. And you may have become skilled at distinguishing blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), which can transmit the pathogen, from American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), which cannot.

But, blacklegged ticks aren’t the only tick species that plays a role in the Lyme disease story. Researchers at Old Dominion University in Virginia are focusing on another tick, Ixodes affinis, that can also serve as a vector for Lyme disease. But don’t look for this tick on your pant legs; I. affinis doesn’t bite humans."

NOAA: Parasite common in cats killed monk seal

parasite, seal, cats, toxoplasma, toxoplasma gondii
11/20/2015

"HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

Scientists now know what caused the death of a Hawaiian monk seal found near the Ala Wai Boat Harbor last week: toxoplasma gondii, a parasite commonly associated with cats.

"It's something that is shed into the environment from cats and their feces," said Michelle Barbieri, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Division. "It's washed mauka to makai in the environment."

The parasite lives in the muscle tissue of its host animals, which are rodents and small birds. When consumed by cats, the parasite reproduces in the digestive tract and is released into the environment through the cat's defecation."

America’s War on the Kissing Bug

kissing bug, america, triatomine, bug, protozoa, parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas disease
11/20/2015

Excerpt: If Thomas Cropper, a public-health veterinarian at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas, thought about Chagas disease at all, he thought about it as a Central and South American problem. Named after the Brazilian physician who described it, in 1909, Chagas is a classic—one might say egregious—example of a neglected tropical disease. It is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is delivered to its host by kissing bugs, known formally as triatomines. The bugs are bloodsuckers—their nickname comes from their penchant for biting near the eyes or mouth—and they can swell to the size of grapes as they feed, causing them to defecate and leave the parasite behind to make its way into the host’s bloodstream. A gross and not particularly efficient mode of transmission, it’s still good enough to have kept Chagas going since pre-Columbian times. According to the World Health Organization’s shifting estimates, between six and seven million people in Latin America are currently infected. If you’re infected but don’t have symptoms, you’re likely to find out only after donating blood. If you do have symptoms, you’re probably in trouble. About a third of Chagas patients develop a chronic form that leads to heart damage and failure.

Antibiotic resistance: World on cusp of 'post-antibiotic era'

antibiotic, resistance, colistin
11/19/2015

Excerpt: "The world is on the cusp of a "post-antibiotic era", scientists have warned after finding bacteria resistant to drugs used when all other treatments have failed.  They identified bacteria able to shrug off the drug of last resort - colistin - in patients and livestock in China. They said that resistance would spread around the world and raised the spectre of untreatable infections."

WHO Launches Framework for Building Climate Resilient Health Systems

WHO, operational framework, health systems, climate
11/18/2015

"With increasing evidence of health risks associated with climate change, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a publication, titled ‘Operational framework for building climate resilient health systems.' The framework, geared towards public health professionals and health managers, is also meant to support decision-makers and development agencies working in the areas of nutrition, water and sanitation, and emergency management, public health, health system strengthening and climate change adaptation.
read more: http://climate-l.iisd.org/news/who-launches-framework-for-building-climate-resilient-health-systems/

Read full PDF: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/189951/1/9789241565073_eng.pdf

World Health Organization Calls for Health Professionals to Take Action in Addressing Climate Change

11/17/2015

The World Health Organization (WHO) directs and coordinates international health within the United Nations’ system. It makes sense, then, that the worldwide organization has created a "call to action" for health professionals to address the threats from climate change, particularly as we approach the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) this December. The health effects of climate change and the potential health co-benefits associated with clean energy options are reason enough for health professionals to engage on this topic. As a health sector, we also need to minimize the environmental impacts of our own health systems. This is why WHO is calling on the global health community "to add its voice to the call for a strong and effective climate agreement, that will save lives, both now and in the future." Please take a moment to read the call to action, sign it and pass it on.

USDA Embraces One Health Approach for Solving Problems Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance

11/16/2015

This week is World Antibiotic Awareness Week and USDA remains focused on prolonging the usefulness of a very precious resource—antibiotics. 

More than 120 Partners Join CDC to Fight Antibiotic Resistance

cdc, centers for disease control, antimicrobial resistance, antibiotics, bacteria
11/16/2015

Excerpt: "The President has proclaimed Nov. 16-22 “Get Smart About Antibiotics Week.”    Get Smart Week builds on the momentum generated at the White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship, where more than 150 organizations pledged to improve antibiotic use and slow the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance – the rise of deadly germs no longer stopped by the drugs that once controlled them – threatens to take us back to the days when minor infections commonly killed.

CDC estimates that each year two million Americans get an infection with an antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Every year 23,000 of those patients die. CDC has made combating antibiotic resistance a top priority and is partnering with public institutions and private industry to overcome this challenge. It is critical to use these life-saving drugs when truly necessary, such as when treating patients with sepsis, while also using the right drug at the right dose and duration to  protect the effectiveness of antibiotics."

Presidential Proclamation -- Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, 2015

11/13/2015

The discovery of antibiotics marked an important medical moment in history, and for decades, antibiotics have served as crucial components of our fight against bacterial infectious diseases. Saving millions of lives around the world each year, antibiotics provide an effective method for treating patients and help us combat many diseases that were at one time considered fatal. However, their overuse and misuse has created bacteria with increased levels of antibiotic resistance, posing significant challenges to countering infectious disease. 

New life for pig-to-human transplants

gene-editing, transplants, xenotransplantation
11/10/2015

New technologies, thanks to improved immunosuppressant drugs and advances in genome-editing technologies, are allowing scientists to edit certain species' genes and have more successful pig-to-primate transplants. "Some researchers now expect to see human trials with solid organs such as kidneys from genetically modified pigs within the next few years. "

Most poultry farms hit by bird-flu now cleared to restock flocks

bird-flu, avian influenza, Iowa
11/09/2015

Excerpt: "Most commercial chicken and turkey farms that were infected by avian influenza earlier this year in 15 states have now been cleared to restock their flocks, USDA officials said on Friday. They also said scientists are continuing to keep a close eye on migrating waterfowl this fall, testing thousands of the wild birds to see if the virus is present."

Deadly bacteria can kill your dog, lurks in Southwest Florida waterways

bacteria, dog, leptospirosis, spirochete, florida
11/09/2015

CAPE CORAL, FLA.- A deadly bacteria lurking in canals, lakes, and standing water, here in Southwest Florida, could attack your dog with little warning, and your dog could then transfer that disease to you.

It's called leptospirosis and it's spread through wildlife, like raccoons or rats, urinate into local waterways. Their contaminated urine contains bacteria can spread and grow in the water, or even in your backyard, according to Dr. Justin Kerr with Kindness Animal Hospital. 

Relationship Matters: How pets enrich our lives

pets, human-animal bond, health
11/07/2015

Excerpt: "Most people react positively to endearing pets. Cats and dogs, the most popular family pets, enchant both young and old members of the family and even endear themselves to some strangers they encounter. Aside from the intermittent delight of admiration and pleasure for both humans and animals, does this temporary or permanent connection enhance humans’ well-being?

The joys of pet ownership are many and span the gamut of physical and psychological enhancements to both pets and their owners. The unique bond of love and interdependence that is cultivated between humans and their animals often includes dutiful caring, unique loyalty and a sense of belonging and safety that is mutually rewarding. The intense protectiveness, love and devotion deeply reward both species.

In addition, research indicates humans gain health benefits rarely equaled in other relationships."

How Vietnam Mastered Infectious Disease Control

infectious disease, veterinary, public health, agriculture, poultry, avian, influenza, one health
11/05/2015

Excerpt: "Southeast Asia is recognized as a hotspot for new viruses—it’s where virus hunters go to figure out what to put in next year’s flu vaccines. O’Leary says that Vietnam’s large population of domestic ducks, chickens, and pigs makes the country particularly vulnerable. “There’s a lot of potential contact with human populations,” he says. And then there’s the continued impact of human activity on forests. “The forests have been extensively logged, and so the opportunities for wildlife, for instance, to come into contact with domestic animals and into contact with humans are great,” he says.

Public health leaders in Vietnam are well aware that the country is a breeding ground for new diseases. And they’re sold on One Health, both for Vietnam itself and for global health security. “Diseases used to be enclosed in certain regions or countries,” says Dr. Tran Dac Phu, head of the Ministry of Health’s Preventive Health Department. “Now globalization has made them easier to spread.” In 2003, Vietnam was the second country to report a case of SARS, a disease that whipped up waves of panic as it threatened to spread around the world. It was also the first country to contain the outbreak."

One Health New Medical Concept Association created in Romania

11/01/2015

The members of ”One Health New Medical Concept” Association are highly qualified specialists in different domains of activity, who work together under the newly established association colours, ”One Health New Medical Concept” - Romania, permanently bringing their product launches to new heights. The aim of their activity resides in the achievement, as a national premiere, of the ”one health” which comprises the globalization of the notions of human, animal and environmental health.

Minnesota loons remain under close watch in their migration to Gulf of Mexico

loons; wildlife; deepwater horizon; oil spill; migration
10/29/2015

"Minnesota’s loons have begun to migrate south, and as they do scientists and citizens are tracking migration routes and wintering locations with pinpoint precision.

New satellite telemetry research has surprisingly shown that three Minnesota loons have spent much of the past year in the Atlantic Ocean near or north of Nova Scotia. In addition, some birds even tell wildlife biologists how deep and often they dive, which is up to 150 feet deep in the south end of Lake Michigan.

Deeper still — and worrisome — is what researchers are learning about the effects of the massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 on some of the loons that spend winter in the Gulf of Mexico."

Anthrax case confirmed on farm in Westbury, Wiltshire

anthrax, bacteria, cow, zoonoses
10/27/2015

"A case of anthrax has been confirmed in a cow on a farm in Wiltshire, Public Health England has said.

This case was "rapidly detected" after the death of the animal in Westbury last week. The cow has been incinerated and movement restrictions are in place.

Public Health England said any risk of infection to those who were in close contact with the animal was "very low".

Anthrax is a bacterial disease which primarily affects grazing animals, although all mammals are susceptible."

Migratory Songbirds Transport New Ticks & Pathogens Across the Gulf

tick, songbirds, migration, microbiology, virus, bacteria, rickettsia
10/21/2015

Excerpt: "An invasion of 19 million ticks. It might sound like the plot of a horror movie, but it’s real, and it happens every spring as migratory songbirds transport ticks — and the pathogens they carry — into the United States.

As covered previously on Cool Green Science, researchers from The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) and Texas A&M University are trying to figure out just how many ticks and tick-borne pathogens neotropical songbirds are transporting from Central and South America during their annual migration.

And now they have an answer. Their results, recently published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, reveal that neotropical songbirds are transporting an estimate of more than 19 million non-native ticks species into the country each year."

Harvard Says, Get a Dog! Its New Report Details the Many Ways Having a Dog Make Us Healthy

human-animal bond, dogs
10/19/2015

Multiple studies show that the activity a dog needs to thrive — fresh air, regular walks, and consistent connection — improves the vitality of BOTH the dog and the human.

ODNI Releases Global Food Security Assessment

food security, global
10/14/2015

"The overall risk of food insecurity in many countries of strategic importance to the United States will increase during the next 10 years because of production, transport and market disruptions to local food availability, lower purchasing power and counterproductive government policies, according to an assessment released today by the U.S. intelligence community.

The inter-agency assessment, “Global Food Security,” was prepared under the leadership of the National Intelligence Council’s Strategic Futures Group within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and drafted principally by the CIA."

New Director Appointed for Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's ONE HEALTH OFFICE (USA)

10/09/2015

Captain Casey Barton Behravesh MS, DVM, DrPH, DACVPM, a veterinarian, is the new Director for the CDC One Health Office (http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dhcpp/one_health/). She is a Captain in the United States Public Health Service. Dr. Barton Behravesh is an advocate of using an interdisciplinary One Health approach involving human, animal, and environmental health to address emerging

'Bad Bugs' Focus of 2015 IDWeek: Ebola, dengue, chikungunya, and a host of others under scrutiny at joint meeting

10/07/2015

Smith M. 'Bad Bugs' Focus of 2015 IDWeek. Medpagetodaycom. 2015. Available at: http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/IDWeek/53946?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2015-10-08&eun=g722750d0r. Accessed October 22, 2015.

New Students for One Health Club forms at University of Georgia

09/22/2015

The UGA One Health Club is a University wide student run/student founded organization that facilitates open discussion and collaboration among various disciplines studied at the University of Georgia such as ecology, veterinary medicine, public health, human medicine, microbiology, pharmacy, law, sociology, economics and more! Members include graduate, undergraduate, and professional students from any field. The Mission:

 

  1. Increase education and awareness of One Health activities and principles in the student population at the University of Georgia through monthly lectures, clinical experiences, wet labs and field trips.
  2. Engage local and global communities through outreach, service projects, and education.
  3. Start conversations and relationships among undergraduate, professional, and graduate students of any discipline through club meetings, social events and an annual student research symposium.

Website: www.ugaonehealth.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/UGAOHC

Email: ugaonehealthclub@gmail.com

World Veterinary Association holds summit on the theme "One Health – concrete actions in the field of Animal Health"

WVA, OIE, FAO
09/18/2015

3rd WVA SUMMIT

On 15 September 2015, the WVA held [sic] its 3rd Summit with high-level support of FAO, OIE and WHO on the theme of “One Health – concrete actions in the field of Animal Health”.

The organisations representatives delivered presentations on private-public partnership experiences in the field of Animal Health. During the Summit,  a panel discussions moderated by Dr Bonnie Buntain took place where the organisations representatives exchanged vies and replied to questions from the audience on different One Health issues.    

Global Impact of Tropical Disease Leptospirosis Underestimated: Study

infectious disease, bacteria, spirochete, leptospirosis, zoonosis
09/17/2015

Excerpt:

More than 1 million people contract a tropical disease known as leptospirosis each year, resulting in nearly 59,000 deaths, a new study shows.

That worldwide estimate of the impact of the illness, which typically affects underdeveloped areas in Latin America, Africa, Asia and island nations, is far greater than previously thought, the Yale School of Public Health researchers noted.

"The study identified an important health burden caused by this life-threatening disease, which has been long neglected because it occurs in the poorest segments of the world's population," study leader Albert Ko, chair of the department of epidemiology of microbial disease at Yale, said in a news release from the New Haven, Conn.-based university.

"At present, there are no effective control measures for leptospirosis. The study provides national and international decision makers with the evidence to invest in initiatives aimed at preventing the disease, such as development of new vaccines," Ko added.

Spirochetal bacteria, which is found in the urine of rats and other mammals, causes leptospirosis. The germ can survive in soil and water, infecting people through cuts and scrapes on the skin. In developing countries, leptospirosis can lead to bleeding in the lungs and kidney failure.

Asthmatic sea otter learns to use inhaler

09/17/2015

Excerpt:

While an otter having asthma may seem novel, Mischka's diagnosis has a connection to human health, according to Peter Rabinowitz, a professor at the University of Washington in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health.

"More and more there starts to be this concept of what we're calling "One Health," which really is that there's a connection between health of people and the health other species," said Dr. Peter Rabinowitz. "Sometimes those species can tell us there is a problem in the environment that could be important for human health as well."

Deadly Heartland Virus Is Much More Common Than Scientists Thought

09/16/2015

"It's called the Heartland virus disease. Since it was first detected in 2009, there have been only nine reported cases in the Midwest, including two deaths.

So scientists thought the Heartland virus was limited to a small region.

That assumption was wrong.

A team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now found signs that Heartland virus is circulating in deer, raccoons, coyotes and moose in 13 states — from Texas to North Carolina and Florida to Maine."

Establishment of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

09/15/2015

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announce the appointment of nationally recognized experts to the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (the Advisory Council). 

Why Animal Health Matters [A One Health perspective]

09/15/2015

Dr. Laura H. Kahn, Physician and Research Scholar at the program of Science and Global Security at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public at International Affairs at Princeton University discuss the concept of one health.

Dengue Hemorrhagic Shock Protein Identified

09/11/2015

Excerpt:

"If you’ve made it to the end of the summer with no mosquito bites, consider yourself lucky. There are many places in the world where these vexatious insects carry debilitating diseases that can not only adversely affect individuals, but also severely cripple local economies—making it even more difficult to care for the stricken. Affecting up to 400 million people per year, dengue virus (DENV) is one such infectious commuter within these mosquitos, for which there is currently no vaccine or targeted therapies. However, efforts have been made over the past several years to introduce genetically modified mosquitos, in an attempt to control the disease-carrying mosquito population.  

Now, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley have identified what they believe is the key protein responsible for the fluid loss and subsequent shock that are the hallmarks of severe—and potentially fatal—DENV infections. Known as nonstructural protein 1 (NS1), the scientists observed that it is the only one of the 10 viral proteins secreted by DENV infected cells to circulate freely throughout the bloodstream."

Furry pets ‘enrich’ gut bacteria of infants at risk for allergies

09/10/2015

In a small, preliminary study, infants in households with furry pets were found to share some of the animals’ gut bacteria - possibly explaining why early animal exposure may protect against some allergies, researchers say.

AVMA supports U.S. surgeon general's call to action on walking and walkable communities

09/09/2015

The American Veterinary Medical Association today joins U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and his office in their efforts to promote walking and walkable communities as a way to engage more people in the benefits of regular exercise and enhance human health.

Why infectious disease research needs community ecology

ecology, infectious disease, borrelia, lyme disease, giardia, hookworm, bacteria, parasite, rickettsia, host
09/04/2015

BACKGROUND: Despite ongoing advances in biomedicine, infectious diseases remain a major threat to human health, economic sustainability, and wildlife conservation. This is in part a result of the challenges of controlling widespread or persistent infections that involve multiple hosts, vectors, and parasite species. Moreover, many contemporary disease threats involve interactions that manifest across nested scales of biological organization, from disease progression at the within-host level to emergence and spread at the regional level. For many such infections, complete eradication is unlikely to be successful, but a broader understanding of the community in which host-parasite interactions are embedded will facilitate more effective management. Recent advances in community ecology, including findings from traits-based approaches and metacommunity theory, offer the tools and concepts to address the complexities arising from multispecies, multiscale disease threats.

Animal Pragmatism (University of Miami Magazine)

09/01/2015

For the past dozen summers, veterinary pathologist Gregory Bossart and a team of researchers have made a series of what could be called house calls to Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, where more than 200 of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins who frolic there have perished in three mass die-offs since 2002. In steamy, unpredictable July weather, the scientists wade into the water, taking blood and other biological samples and measuring the respiration and heart rates of the friendly mammals. Then the researchers quickly release them back into the estuary, which stretches from Palm Beach to Volusia counties, until their next annual physical. Like many humans, dolphins tend to stay close to where they grow up. Also like many humans, these dolphins are susceptible to emerging viral, neoplastic, and other diseases, which Bossart and his colleagues have linked to possible environmental degradation, including high levels of mercury. As it happens, the mercury is also affecting fishermen who have long worked in the region.

Could Fido Fetch A Cure? Clinical trials involving dogs may help cancer researchers develop treatments for human beings

oncology, cancer, clinical trials
08/24/2015

Excerpt from the article:

"Cancer is not merely a human problem. This revelation quickly dawns at a public presentation about comparative oncology. “In the first five or 10 minutes of my presentation,” says North Carolina State University genomics researcher Matthew Breen, “somebody will always raise their hand and say, ‘I’m sorry, but you’re saying that dogs get cancer?’ ”

Indeed they do. Any organism that is multicellular and grows by cell division can have that process spin out of control. And for reasons genetics researchers are just beginning to pin down, some organisms are more likely to develop cancer than others. Dogs are one of them.

After years of inbreeding, certain kinds of dogs develop specific cancers with startling frequency. For instance, golden retrievers—one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.—are particularly prone to hemangiosarcomas, a highly invasive cancer of the blood vessels that kills about two in 10 goldens. Likewise, Scottish terriers have an 18- to 20-fold increased risk of developing a certain form of bladder cancer.

Although heartbreaking for owners, the phenomena help researchers such as Breen understand how genetics figure into the development of cancer. And the more genes researchers identify as playing a role in cancer, the more clues they will have to help them find promising drug targets."

Ohio State University establishes Dr. Lonnie King One Health Endowed Scholarship

08/01/2015

In celebration of Dr Lonnie King's meaningful accomplishments and tireless commitment to the veterinary profession, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine is establishing the Dr. Lonnie King One Health Endowed Scholarship. Donate by phone at 614-688-8433 or online at: https://vet.osu.edu/deanking

A die-off of newborn lambs in Australia leads to the discovery of a new toxin and clues to a devastating liver disease in children

die-offs, biliary atresia
08/01/2015

Lamb die-off in Australia, caused by biliary atresia, or damage bile ducts, has been linked to toxic diet changes brought on by weather variations.  These environment influences are being explored for the presence of biliary atresia in humans.

One Health Afghanistan: Characterization of Zoonoses Conference

07/27/2015

A conference titled “One Health Afghanistan: Characterization of Zoonoses” was held at Resolute Support, Kabul, Afghanistan on July 27 - 28, 2015. Supported by Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S.  Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP), which both provide ongoing support for training and biosecurity safety issues for the Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), this conference was created to provide a venue for stakeholders in the animal and public health sectors to discuss, describe, and raise awareness of the impact that zoonoses have on communities, provinces, and the country. Speakers were selected based on expertise and knowledge of a given disease or disease situation. The two day conference consisted of panel discussions and poster presentations targeting priority zoonosis: brucellosis, rabies, Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, and influenza. The panels were arranged such that both public and animal health experts had the opportunity to discuss the disease situation in Afghanistan with emphasis on recent outbreaks, disease distributions, reservoirs, and methods of transmission. In addition, experts were asked to provide a summary of diagnostic tests, control strategies employed, and outreach programs currently available in Afghanistan. Each panel closed with a discussion on communication efforts between public and animal health.

Mowing Grass in Water-Detention Basins Increases Mosquito Populations

07/23/2015

Mowing grass and weeds is a useful way of managing some pests. For example, clearing yards and fields is one way of managing ticks without using insecticides because mowing discourages rodents — on which some ticks feed on.

However, for other situations it may have the opposite effect. A study of the West Nile virus risk associated with water-detention basins in Central Illinois took an unexpected turn when land managers started mowing the basins. The mowing of wetland plants in basins that failed to drain properly led to a boom in populations of the northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens), which can carry and transmit the deadly virus, researchers report. A paper describing their findings was published in the journal Ecological Applications.

UK one health report: joint report on human and animal antibiotic use, sales and resistance, 2013

07/22/2015

This report brings together the most recently available UK data from 2013, on antibiotic resistance in key bacteria that are common to animals and humans. It also includes details on the amount of antibiotics sold for animal health and welfare and antibiotics prescribed to humans

Kenya: Anthrax outbreak kills more than 100 animals at Lake Nakuru National Park

07/22/2015

Agriculture officials in Nakuru County, Kenya are investigating an anthrax outbreak that has killed scores of animals at Lake Nakuru National Park. For more news on recent outbreaks, visit Outbreak News Today. 

Extraordinary One Health Leader Awarded Gold Headed Cane (USA): an internationally recognized physician virologist and vaccine developer

07/13/2015

Dr. Thomas P. Monath [MD, FACP, FASTMH] received the prestigious American Veterinary Epidemiology Society (AVES) Gold Headed Cane Award at the July 10-14, 2015 annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convention in Boston, Massachusetts (USA) on July 13 at a breakfast ceremony.   The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 86,500 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities and dedicated to the art and science of veterinary medicine. 

 

An internationally renowned physician virologist and dexterous vaccinologist pioneer, Dr. Monath was a co-founder of the *One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team (OHI team); the originator and sponsor of the highly successful One Health Initiative website www.onehealthinitiative.com; and a former member of the landmark AVMA’s One Health Initiative Task Force (OHITF) and its current successor, the One Health Commission www.onehealthcommission.org.

Extraordinary One Health Leader Awarded Gold Headed Cane (USA): an internationally recognized physician virologist and vaccine developer

07/13/2015

Dr. Thomas P. Monath [MD, FACP, FASTMH] received the prestigious American Veterinary Epidemiology Society (AVES) Gold Headed Cane Award at the July 10-14, 2015 annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convention in Boston, Massachusetts (USA) on July 13 at a breakfast ceremony.   The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 86,500 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities and dedicated to the art and science of veterinary medicine.

Dolphins are Looking Healthier in Volusia, Brevard section of Indian River Lagoon

07/12/2015

Things may be looking up for bottlenose dolphins in the northern end of the Indian River Lagoon.

A team of experienced researchers who just concluded a two-week long health assessment of bottlenose dolphins in southern Volusia and northern Brevard counties say the results and related scientific analysis will take months, but their initial, anecdotal observations found positive signs.

"On the whole, the animals we looked at appeared to be in pretty good shape," said Greg Bossart, chief veterinary officer and senior vice president at Georgia Aquarium.

OIE Press release: Public health, animal health and security sector must speak with one voice on the need to strengthen health

07/02/2015

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) hosted the first Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction in Paris, 30 June – 2 July 2015. For the purposes of the Conference, ‘Biological Threats’ or ‘Biothreats’ are threats that result from or are exacerbated by infectious diseases of animals (including zoonoses) which may arise from natural or manmade disasters, laboratory accidents or from the deliberate manipulation or release of pathogens. The Conference, which was held in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), brought together world leading scientists, educators, and key decision makers from international organisations and national governments. The participants who represented the public health, animal health, ecosytem health, and security sectors came from more than 90 countries.

FACT SHEET: Obama Administration Announces Actions to Protect Communities from the Health Impacts of Climate Change at White House Summit

06/23/2015

"President Obama is committed to combating the impacts of climate change and protecting the health of future generations. We know climate change is not a distant threat, we are already seeing impacts in communities across the country.  In the past three decades, the percentage of Americans with asthma has more than doubled, and climate change is putting these individuals and many other vulnerable populations at greater risk of landing in the hospital.  Certain people and communities are especially vulnerable, including children, the elderly, the sick, the poor, and some communities of color. Rising temperatures can lead to more smog, longer allergy seasons, and an increased incidence of extreme-weather-related injuries."

National Academies of Practice Letter to the President

Policy, One Health, Collaboration, Health Care Delivery and Prevention
06/15/2015

"I write in support of the sentiments shared by seven U.S. Senators in a February 12, 2015 letter and the May 21, 2015 letter from the American Public Health Association to you advocating for a multidisciplinary “One Health” approach to pandemic prevention. This approach considers the integral connections between human, animal and environmental health to more effectively address the current and future disease threat within the United States and globally."

USAID fosters One Health Disease Surveillance and strengthens Uzbek Food Safety Systems

disease, surveillance, food safety, foodborne pathogens
06/10/2015

"On May 27-28, USAID and its program partner, the World Health Organization (WHO), held a workshop for representatives from the Ministries of Health (MOH) and Agriculture (MAWR), along with the newly established United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, to discuss a food safety systems survey in Uzbekistan. Survey results revealed that anti-microbial resistance (AMR) detected from the two most common foodborne pathogens, Salmonella and Campylobacter, is linked to the improper use of antibiotics in Uzbekistan's poultry industry."

Why The Human Side Lags Behind in One Health

one health, medicine, human, veterinary
06/10/2015

Pioneers of the One Health movement to blend human, veterinary and environmental health are gaining respect, epidemic by epidemic, but capturing the attention of the human health care establishment remains a challenge.

“You have to take the long view,” acknowledged Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, of the One Health Initiative team. “It took people over a century to realize the significance of basic sanitation, and lots of countries don’t even have that.”

Play your Part in the Fight against Rabies - Access new tools from the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC)

rabies, virus, zoonoses, global rabies alliance
06/03/2015

"This is an exciting partnership, aligning the small companion animal veterinary community with the major international organizations spearheading global rabies control programs.  More news of our joint plans to follow soon!

GARC offers free online education programs including the Rabies Educator Certificate (REC) aimed at anyone working in communities where rabies is prevalent.   If you work in rabies control, do check it out!"

The White House Hosts a Forum on Combating Antibiotic Resistance

White house, antibiotic, resistance
06/02/2015

The White House hosted a forum on combating drug-resistant bacteria and enhancing good antibiotic stewardship.

The Eyes Have it....

05/29/2015

While I was scanning the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) last month, these photographs “caught my eye” (pun intended). But they reminded me of an important zoonotic disease. Do you know what it is ?

From NEJM (Apr 16, 2015): “A 33-year-old man who was a pig farmer presented with sudden blurred vision, pain, redness, and photophobia in both eyes. He had a 10-day history of persistent fever (temperature, 39.4 C°), malaise, and myalgia. Ophthalmologic examination revealed bilateral iridocyclitis (anterior uveitis). Laboratory testing revealed a γ-glutamyltransferase level of 129 U per liter (normal value), and a white-cell count of 11,700 per cubic millimeter (normal range, 4400 to 11,300). Clinical and laboratory findings suggested a diagnosis of leptospirosis. Serologic tests revealed IgM and IgG antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serovar serjoe.”

This spring (2015) the Center for One Health Research was excited to offer the first course about One Health at the University of Washington. Introduction to One Health Course (ENV H 490/590 C)

05/29/2015

This spring (2015) the Center for One Health Research was excited to offer the first course about One Health at the University of Washington. Introduction to One Health Course (ENV H 490/590 C), a course for both undergraduate and graduate students, consisted of learning modules focusing on Introduction to One Health, Zoonoses, Animals as Sentinels for Environmental Health Hazards, The Human-Animal Bond, and Human-Animal Medicine. Group interdisciplinary problem solving sessions which stressed integrated human-animal-environment assessments and interventions for emerging health problems were a key part of the course structure. Students also participated in  field trips to the Seattle Aquarium, the Woodland Park Zoo and a class visit from Drama, the miniature horse therapy animal., and an online educational exchange session with students at the Washington State University Allen School for Global Animal Health.

The One Health course director was  Peter M. Rabinowitz, MD MPH,  associate professor in the UW Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Science and the Department of Global Health and director of the UW Center for One Health Research. Veterinarian Dr. Heather Fowler VMD MPH, a veterinarian with clinical and public health experience who is a Ph.D. candidate in occupational and environmental hygiene at the UW School of Public Health, also assisted in teaching the course.

One Health Interprofessional Education Working Group Calls for Case Studies

05/26/2015

The recent Ebola outbreak, growing antimicrobial resistance, and a spectrum of emerging and re-emerging diseases have brought new urgency to interprofessional work that focuses on the important connections between human, animal, and ecosystem health. The One Health Interprofessional Working Group, co-chaired by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and the Association of Prevention, Teaching, and Research, has issued a call for proposals for case studies to be used in health professions degree programs in three topic areas—microbiologic influences on health and disease, environmental health, and human-animal interactions. Proposals must be submitted by June 12.

Hong Kong health partnership agreed

05/22/2015

The University has concluded an agreement with the Hong Kong Government. The Memorandum of Understanding focuses on researchers from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, and will encourage more exchange programmes and increased knowledge transfer with animal health professionals in Hong Kong. The signing took place at a two-day workshop at the Hong Kong Science Museum. A wide range of topics were discussed, with an overarching theme of One Health - the concept that human and animal medicine are inextricably linked, with research outcomes which are applicable to more than one species.

European Space Agency backs work mapping Scottish tick hotspots

05/13/2015

The European Space Agency (ESA) has given financial backing to a Scottish project to test a new app mapping tick hotspots.

Blood-sucking ticks have been linked to a rise in Lyme disease in humans in the past 10 years, according to NHS Highland.

Untreated tick bites can result in neurological problems and joint pain months or years later.

ESA has awarded the mapping effort a grant of almost £180,000.

NHS Highland, the University of the Highlands and Islands and Scotland's Rural College are involved in the project which will test the new LymeMap app.

People out walking or cycling will be encouraged to use the app to upload information about where they find ticks.

Using GPS technology, the application will also gather details such as the height, temperature and vegetation cover of the location where a person uploads their information.

A one-year study will test the technical and commercial feasibility of LymeMap.

Bacteria making meds in wastewater outflows

05/13/2015

By Brian Bienkowski

Environmental Health News

Wastewater treatment plants not only struggle removing pharmaceuticals, it seems some drugs actually increase after treatment.

When researchers tested wastewater before and after treatment at a Milwaukee-area treatment plant, they found that two drugs — the anti-epileptic carbamazepine and antibiotic ofloxacin — came out at higher concentrations than they went in. The study suggests the microbes that clean our water may also piece some pharmaceuticals back together.

Fish and other animals produce their own sunscreen: Copied for potential use in humans

05/12/2015

Scientists from Oregon State University have discovered that fish can produce their own sunscreen. They have copied the method used by fish for potential use in humans.

Journal References:

  1. Taifo Mahmud et al. De novo synthesis of a sunscreen compound in vertebrates. eLife, May 2015 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.05919
  2. Carolyn A. Brotherton and Emily P. Balskus. Shedding light on sunscreen biosynthesis in zebrafish. eLife, May 2015 DOI:10.7554/eLife.07961

Health of humans and livestock linked in Kenya

05/11/2015

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 11 (UPI) -- There is a plethora of anecdotal evidence that the health of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa is closely linked to the health of their livestock. Now there is quantitative evidence too.

Researchers at Washington State University's Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health recently tracked the health of some 1,500 households and their farm animals in rural Kenya. Their findings showed a strong link between illnesses in the house and in the animal pens.

One Health: a concept led by Africa, with global benefits

global health, africa, veterinary medicine, veterinary, human health
05/09/2015

"One Health evolved from the recognition that an interdisciplinary approach is required to understand complex health problems, and that the health of humans and animals are inextricably linked. Through closer cooperation between the human, veterinary and environmental health sectors, added value, in terms of health metrics, cost savings and environmental services is achievable."

Kamani, T., Kazwala, R., Mfinanga, S., Haydon, D., Keyyu, J., Lankester, F., & Buza, J. (2015). One Health: a concept led by Africa, with global benefits:. Veterinary Record, 176(19), 496-497. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.h2461

Colorado dog was key to U.S. plague outbreak

04/30/2015

"A Colorado dog last year caused the largest outbreak of pneumonic plague -- also called the Black Death -- in the United States since 1924, scientists reported Thursday.

Four people, including the dog's owner, ended up contracting the rare and potentially deadly infection, Colorado public health officials reported. Their findings were published in the May 1 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's journal, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."

Link to original study from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) MMWR, May 1, 2015. 64(16);429-434. Outbreak of Human Pneumonic Plague with Dog-to-Human and Possible Human-to-Human Transmission — Colorado, June–July 2014.

USGCRP Climate & Health Assessment open for public comment until June 8, 2015.

04/27/2015

"Climate change threatens human health and well-being in many ways. The draft report, The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment (available to download below), was developed by USGCRP’s Interagency Group on Climate Change and Human Health as part of the sustained National Climate Assessment and as called for under the President’s Climate Action Plan. This assessment report is intended to present a comprehensive, evidence-based, and, where possible, quantitative estimation of observed and projected public health impacts related to climate change in the United States. Once finalized (expected early 2016), the report will provide needed context for understanding Americans’ changing health risks."

SIAARTI Study Group in Animal Anesthesia (Naples, Italy) Issues Strong One Health Endorsement Message: Recommends Applying Comparative Medicine One Health Approach to human and animal anesthesiology

04/25/2015

The One Health philosophy encompasses a combination of disciplines joined by the concept that our ecosystem relies on the welfare of animals and plants. By banning an anthropocentric approach, the One Health initiative www.onehealthinitiative.com aligns human medicine, veterinary medicine and agronomics, fostering cooperation with other scientific endeavors, from economics to engineering including the humanities, to achieve global sustainability. Further, the One Health, One Medicine, One Anesthesia paradigm fully embodies the One Health Initiative by promoting an interdisciplinary cooperation between human and veterinary anesthetists.

2 dogs from Texas sniff out snails in Ecuador's Galapagos

04/24/2015

"When Darwin the Labrador retriever crashed out of a service dog program for people, conservationists found him a very different sort of job: sniffing out giant African land snails that are threatening crops on the most visited of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands."

Bees may become addicted to nicotine-like pesticides, study finds

04/22/2015

Bees may become addicted to nicotine-like pesticides in the same way humans get hooked on cigarettes, according to a new study, which was released as a landmark field trial provided further evidence that such neonicotinoids harm bee populations.

In a study published in the journal Nature, scientists from Newcastle Univeristy showed that bees have a preference for sugar solutions that are laced with the pesticides imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, possibly indicating they can become hooked on the chemicals.

Also published in Nature on Wednesday was a study that has been endorsed as the most conclusive evidence yet that the group of pesticides, neonicotinoids, harm wild bee populations, which include bumblebees and solitary bees.

Health of animals and people is inextricably linked

04/16/2015

Medical, veterinary and ecology students are coming to the St. Louis Zoo on Saturday, April 18, to talk about health with the thousands of visitors who typically come to see the animals on a Saturday in spring.

With about 15 zoo staff members, these young scientists from around the world will stand before lemurs, orangutans, hellbenders and a range of other creatures to tell everyone from young to old about a concept that extends back to ancient times, now expressed in a single phrase: One Health.

Health of animals and people is inextricably linked

04/16/2015

Medical, veterinary and ecology students are coming to the St. Louis Zoo on Saturday, April 18, to talk about health with the thousands of visitors who typically come to see the animals on a Saturday in spring.

With about 15 zoo staff members, these young scientists from around the world will stand before lemurs, orangutans, hellbenders and a range of other creatures to tell everyone from young to old about a concept that extends back to ancient times, now expressed in a single phrase: One Health.

Mycetoma: The Untold Global Health Story of 2015

04/07/2015

After reviewing more than 170 entries for the 2015 Untold Global Health Stories Contest, Global Health NOW from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Consortium of Universities for Global Health have selected the chronic inflammatory disease mycetoma as the Untold Story of 2015.

Johns Hopkins begins using high-tech equipment on pets

04/07/2015

For the past few months, veterinarians from outside practices have been able to get advanced diagnostic scans and therapies for their animal patients — mainly dogs and cats, but also birds and other more exotic creatures — at the renowned medical school for humans. 
With the Center for Image-Guided Animal Therapy, [Johns] Hopkins joins the ranks of veterinary schools, specialty veterinary clinics and even stand-alone imaging facilities that offer such high-tech services to pets.

American Academy of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) Hosts One Health Luncheon at Global Health Meeting

04/01/2015

It was standing room only when almost 50 guests showed up for the Global Environmental Health/One Health Interest Group luncheon sponsored by the AAVMC at the 2015 conference of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) in Boston.

Anglo-Saxon Remedy kills hospital superbug MRSA

03/30/2015

"The medieval medics might have been on to something. A modern-day recreation of this remedy seems to alleviate infections caused by the bacteria that are usually responsible for styes. The work might ultimately help create drugs for hard-to-treat skin infections."

White House Plan to Combat and Prevent Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

antibiotic, resistance, white house
03/27/2015

Summary: The Administration is releasing the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (NAP). The NAP outlines a whole-of-government approach over the next five years targeted at addressing the threat of drug-resistant bacteria.

Novel avian influenza virus strain (H7N9) raise red flags

03/25/2015

"The most worrisome of the avian flu viruses to emerge in recent years is looking even more menacing. Since it first began killing people in eastern China 2 years ago, the H7N9 virus has infected poultry throughout the country and could be poised to spill into Central Asia. Worse, strains of H7N9 are promiscuously swapping DNA with other avian viruses in circulation, report virologist Yi Guan of the University of Hong Kong and colleagues this week in Nature. That could increase the chance that a pandemic strain will emerge."

White House should encourage “One Health” integration at domestic, global levels

03/23/2015

"Although the concept of “One Health” is increasingly accepted around the world as the interface between human, animal and environmental health, the agencies responsible for monitoring and preventing zoonotic disease outbreaks have yet to fully integrate, exposing gaps in the government’s response. Now, several senators and the AVMA are calling on the White House to look into how to better integrate the agencies responsible for One Health initiatives within the domestic and international arena."

Radical reframe: The surprising talks in Session 6 of TED2015

03/18/2015

“We need a different view of the world,” says Chris Anderson, the host of Session 6: Radical Reframe, on the Wednesday morning of TED2015. Enjoy these recaps of the speaker in this session, who might just flip your thinking on things you thought you knew — from antibiotics to papayas."

In the Pastures of Colombia, Cows, Crops and Timber Coexist

03/13/2015

"Over the last two decades, cattle rancher Carlos Hernando Molina has replaced 220 acres of open pastureland with trees, shrubs, and bushy vegetation. But he hasn’t eliminated the cows. Today, his land in southwestern Colombia more closely resembles a perennial nursery at a garden center than a grazing area. Native, high-value timber like mahogany and samanea grow close together along the perimeter of the pasture. The trees are strung with electric wire and act as live fences. In the middle of the pen grow leucaena trees, a protein-packed forage tree, and beneath the leucaena are three types of tropical grasses and groundcover such as peanuts."

World Veterinary Association President Reiterates Strong Endorsement of One Health Concept

03/09/2015

The WVA has practiced support of the One World-One Health concept in principle since its inception in 1863 even though the name applied to One Health may have changed over the years.

Methodological Innovations in Public Health Education: Transdisciplinary Problem Solving

one health, interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, public health, education
03/01/2015

The argument for improving public health education through case studies and blending disciplines has been made for the past decade, setting the stage for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary education that will build workforce capacity in science and practice to solve complex public health problems.

Newborn horses give clues to autism

02/28/2015

Just a few hours after its birth, the long-legged brown foal stands in its stall, appearing on first glance to be sound, sturdy and healthy. But something is very wrong with this newborn horse.

The foal seems detached, stumbles towards people and doesn’t seem to recognize its mother or have any interest in nursing. It even tries to climb into the corner feeder.

The bizarre symptoms are characteristic of a syndrome that has puzzled horse owners and veterinarians for a century. But recently, UC Davis researchers have discovered a surprising clue to the syndrome and intriguing similarities to childhood autism in humans.

Validated predictive modelling of the environmental resistome

02/13/2015

Abstract

Multi-drug-resistant bacteria pose a significant threat to public health. The role of the environment in the overall rise in antibiotic-resistant infections and risk to humans is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate drivers of antibiotic-resistance levels across the River Thames catchment, model key biotic, spatial and chemical variables and produce predictive models for future risk assessment. Sediment samples from 13 sites across the River Thames basin were taken at four time points across 2011 and 2012. Samples were analysed for class 1 integron prevalence and enumeration of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant bacteria. Class 1 integron prevalence was validated as a molecular marker of antibiotic resistance; levels of resistance showed significant geospatial and temporal variation. The main explanatory variables of resistance levels at each sample site were the number, proximity, size and type of surrounding wastewater-treatment plants. Model 1 revealed treatment plants accounted for 49.5% of the variance in resistance levels. Other contributing factors were extent of different surrounding land cover types (for example, Neutral Grassland), temporal patterns and prior rainfall; when modelling all variables the resulting model (Model 2) could explain 82.9% of variations in resistance levels in the whole catchment. Chemical analyses correlated with key indicators of treatment plant effluent and a model (Model 3) was generated based on water quality parameters (contaminant and macro- and micro-nutrient levels). Model 2 was beta tested on independent sites and explained over 78% of the variation in integron prevalence showing a significant predictive ability. We believe all models in this study are highly useful tools for informing and prioritising mitigation strategies to reduce the environmental resistome.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Free-Roaming Cats (Felis catus) Across a Suburban to Urban Gradient in Northeastern Ohio

01/17/2015

Abstract

Felids serve as the definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii contaminating environments with oocysts. White-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus) are used as sentinel species for contaminated environments as well as a potential source for human foodborne infection with T. gondii. Here we determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in a WTD and felid population, and examine those risk factors that increase exposure to the parasite. Serum samples from 444 WTD and 200 free-roaming cats (Felis catus) from urban and suburban reservations were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT, cut-off 1:25). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 261 (58.8%) of 444 WTD, with 164 (66.1%) of 248 from urban and 97 (49.5%) of 196 from suburban regions. Significant risk factors for seroprevalence included increasing age (P < 0.0001), reservation type (P < 0.0001), and household densities within reservation (P < 0.0001). Antibodies to T. gondiiwere found in 103 (51.5%) of 200 cats, with seroprevalences of 79 (51%) of 155 and 24 (53.3%) of 45 from areas surrounding urban and suburban reservations, respectively. Seroprevalence did not differ by age, gender, or reservation among the cats’ sample. Results indicate WTD are exposed by horizontal transmission, and this occurs more frequently in urban environments. The difference between urban and suburban cat densities is the most likely the reason for an increased seroprevalence in urban WTD. These data have public health implications for individuals living near or visiting urban areas where outdoor cats are abundant as well as those individuals who may consume WTD venison.
Link to article: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10393-014-0975-2

Essential Oils Might Be the New Antibiotics

01/16/2015

Essential oils often evoke thoughts of scented candles and day spas, but their benefits beyond relaxation are less well-known. Essential oils are ultimately just plant extracts—and those are used in countless cleaning and personal-careproducts, and are the main ingredient in some pest-control products and some over-the-counter medications, like Vick's VapoRub and some lice sprays. They’re used in the food industry because of their preservative potency against food-borne pathogens—thanks to their antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Various oils have also been shown to effectively treat a wide range of common health issues such as nausea and migraines, and a rapidly growing body of research is finding that they are powerful enough to kill human cancer cells of the breast, colon, mouth, skin, and more.

Essential Oils Might Be the New Antibiotics

drug-resistance, antibiotic resistance, essential oil, plant extract
01/15/2015

"Faced with increasingly drug-resistant bacteria, scientists and farmers are now looking to plant extracts to keep people and animals healthy."

One Medicine One Science and policy

01/15/2015

"Today, Humans, Animals, and the environment are remarkably interconnected and interdependent at a global level through international commerce and movement. Thus, we have access to safe and nutritious food that fuels health, medicines and vaccines that protect us and our animals, and natural resources that support good living standards. However, conflicts arise as exponentially growing populations require more food, demand better living standards, and act to preserve the environment. How do we simultaneously produce more food, reduce disease, afford equitable living standards, and create an environment fit for humans, our animals, and wildlife? Science has played a critical role in finding solutions to many of these challenges, but difficult conflicts continue to emerge. For example, strategies that promote efficient production of food—such as concentrated farming systems, mono-culture cropping, and chemical inputs of fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides—have unintended consequences that threaten human, animal, and environmental health (1). A more integrated, holistic problem-solving approach informed by science is needed for development of public policies that address these complex problems."

REFERENCES

1. R. S. DeFries, J. A. Foley, G. P. Asner, Front. Ecol. Environ. 2, 249 (2004).

2. D. A. Travis et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1334, 26 (2014).

3. Golden Rice Project (www.goldenrice.org).

4. C. Larson, Science 343, 1415 (2014).

Scotland’s gray seals harbor common human pathogen

01/14/2015

Evidence of land-sea transfer of the zoonotic pathogen Campylobacter to a wildlife marine sentinel species.

Abstract: Environmental pollution often accompanies the expansion and urbanization of human populations where sewage and wastewaters commonly have an impact on the marine environments. Here, we explored the potential for faecal bacterial pathogens, of anthropic origin, to spread to marine wildlife in coastal areas. The common zoonotic bacterium Campylobacter was isolated from grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), an important sentinel species for environmental pollution, and compared to isolates from wild birds, agricultural sources and clinical samples to characterize possible transmission routes. Campylobacter jejuni was present in half of all grey seal pups sampled (24/50 dead and 46/90 live pups) in the breeding colony on the Isle of May (Scotland), where it was frequently associated with histological evidence of disease. Returning yearling animals (19/19) were negative for C. jejuni suggesting clearance of infection while away from the localized colony infection source. The genomes of 90 isolates from seals were sequenced and characterized using a whole-genome multilocus sequence typing (MLST) approach and compared to 192 published genomes from multiple sources using population genetic approaches and a probabilistic genetic attribution model to infer the source of infection from MLST data. The strong genotype-host association has enabled the application of source attribution models in epidemiological studies of human campylobacteriosis, and here assignment analyses consistently grouped seal isolates with those from human clinical samples. These findings are consistent with either a common infection source or direct transmission of human campylobacter to grey seals, raising concerns about the spread of human pathogens to wildlife marine sentinel species in coastal areas.

Link to article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mec.13001/abstract

 

Canine and feline obesity: a One Health perspective

obesity, companion animals
12/20/2014

Recent years have seen a drastic increase in the rates of overweight and obesity among people living in some developed nations. There has also been increased concern over obesity in companion animals. In the latest article in Veterinary Record's series on One Health, Peter Sandøe and colleagues argue that the relationship between obesity in people and in companion animals is closer and more complex than previously thought, and that obesity should be treated as a One Health problem.

One Health approach to use of veterinary pharmaceuticals

12/12/2014

An estimated 6051 tons of active substances went into the production of veterinary pharmaceuticals (VPs) for the treatment of food animals in the European Union (EU) in 2004, including 5393 tons of antibiotics and 194 tons of antiparasitics (1). With global meat production projected to increase (2) and the growing market for companion animal pharmaceuticals (3), the use of VPs will continue to increase. Although VPs may benefit the health and welfare of domestic animals and the efficiency of food animal production, they can contaminate the environment through manufacturing, treatment of animals, and disposal of carcasses, offal, urine, feces, and unused products (4) (see the chart). This contamination is a threat to nontarget species, including humans. With Spain having recently authorized marketing of a VP that was banned in South Asia in the past decade in light of environmental impacts, we recommend strengthening of current procedures and addition of a more proactive, holistic, One Health approach applicable to all VPs.

One Medicine One Science: a framework for exploring challenges at the intersection of animals, humans, and the environment.

12/04/2014

Characterizing the health consequences of interactions among animals, humans, and the environment in the face of climatic change, environmental disturbance, and expanding human populations is a critical global challenge in today's world. Exchange of interdisciplinary knowledge in basic and applied sciences and medicine that includes scientists, health professionals, key sponsors, and policy experts revealed that relevant case studies of monkeypox, influenza A, tuberculosis, and HIV can be used to guide strategies for anticipating and responding to new disease threats such as the Ebola and Chickungunya viruses, as well as to improve programs to control existing zoonotic diseases, including tuberculosis. The problem of safely feeding the world while preserving the environment and avoiding issues such as antibiotic resistance in animals and humans requires cooperative scientific problem solving. Food poisoning outbreaks resulting from Salmonella growing in vegetables have demonstrated the need for knowledge of pathogen evolution and adaptation in developing appropriate countermeasures for prevention and policy development. Similarly, pesticide use for efficient crop production must take into consideration bee population declines that threaten the availability of the two-thirds of human foods that are dependent on pollination. This report presents and weighs the objective merits of competing health priorities and identifies gaps in knowledge that threaten health security, to promote discussion of major public policy implications such that they may be decided with at least an underlying platform of facts.

"The value of intersectoral working - One Health", Chapter 2 of the WHO report urging action on Neglected Zoonotic Diseases.

11/19/2014

Report of the fourth international meeting held at WHO headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland 19-20 November 2014

The Richard & Hinda Rosenthal Symposium 2014: Antimicrobial Resistance: A Problem Without Borders

10/17/2014

.....summarizes remarks by and an engaging discussion with Dr. Rima Khabbaz, Dr. Stuart Levy, Dr. Margaret (Peg) Riley, and Dr. Brad Spellberg on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Problem Without Borders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified antimicrobial resistance as one of five urgent health threats facing the United States this year. Antimicrobial resistance is a global health security threat that will demand collaboration from many stakeholders around the world. This report highlights the crosscutting character of antimicrobial resistance and the needs for many disciplines to be brought together to be able to deal with it more effectively.

New Executive Actions to Combat Antibiotic Resistance and Protect Public Health

white house, antibiotic, resistance
09/18/2014

Summary: The Obama administration announces a comprehensive set of new federal actions to combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and protect public health.

Executive Order to Combat Antibiotic Resistance

PCAST Releases New Report on Combating Antibiotic Resistance

white house, antibiotic, resistance, PCAST
09/18/2014

Summary: Today, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) released a report, Combating Antibiotic Resistance. The report was released simultaneously with a National Strategy on Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria as well as with a Presidential Executive Order, emphasizing to the Nation the importance of addressing this growing challenge.

REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT ON COMBATING ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

Risk Factors for Human Lice and Bartonellosis Among the Homeless in San Francisco, CA

09/15/2014

Homeless persons in San Francisco, California, USA, have been shown to have head and body lice infestations and Bartonella quintana infections. We surveyed a self-selected population of homeless persons in San Francisco to assess infestations of head and body lice, risks of having body lice, and presence of B. quintana in lice. A total of 203 persons who reported itching were surveyed during 2008–2010 and 2012: 60 (30%) had body lice, 10 (4.9%) had head lice, and 6 (3.0%) had both. B. quintana was detected in 10 (15.9%) of 63 body lice pools and in 6 (37.5%) of 16 head lice pools. Variables significantly associated (p<0.05) with having body lice in this homeless population included male sex, African–American ethnicity, and sleeping outdoors. Our study findings suggest that specific segments of the homeless population would benefit from information on preventing body lice infestations and louse borne diseases.

Ebola and other emerging diseases:Losing the trees before we see the forest's connection to our health

09/15/2014

The current Ebola outbreak highlights the links between health, global environmental change and socio-ecological systems – and shows how exploring those links is key to finding solutions.

Veterinarian and Pediatrician groups issue reminder about shared environmental risk of Lyme disease in people and pets

09/09/2014

Published with the permission of Michael San Filippo  (msanfilippo@avma.org) 1-847-285-6647.

Excerpt: "​Even during the last weeks of summer, it's important to remember children and pets are at greater risk of being infected with Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases such as anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Because people and their pets often spend time in the same environments where Lyme and other disease-transmitting ticks are found, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) are working together to offer advice to households with children and pets."

Full article: https://www.avma.org/news/pressroom/pages/avma-aap-lymedisease.aspx

The One Health Concept: How Multidisciplinary Training and Collaboration Leads to Major Advances in Health Care

09/05/2014

By Gary S. Roubin BVSc. (Hons.), MB, BS., PhD, MD, FRACP, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI

IDSA Convenes New National Stakeholder Group on Antimicrobial Resistance

antimicrobial resistance, bacteria, infectious disease
09/04/2014

"Today the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) launched the U.S. Stakeholder Forum on Antimicrobial Resistance (S-FAR) and released the Forum’s foundational principles. More than 75 national organizations, representing medical and allied health professionals, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, patients and consumers, public health, research and advocacy, industry, and international health organizations have joined the partnership so far. Partners will convene for the inaugural S-FAR meeting in Philadelphia on Oct. 9, 2014."

Vets and Doctors warned of potential epidemic

09/01/2014

Bartonella could be responsible for a hidden epidemic of disease in animals and humans, according to a US veterinary infectious disease expert.

Edward Breitschwerdt, from the Centre for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, updated doctors and veterinarians at the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases Zoonoses conference in Brisbane last month.

India needs 'One Health' policy to eradicate zoonotic diseases

07/22/2014

India needs to tweak her public health policy on eradication of endemic and emerging zoonotic diseases by replacing the pathogen-centric approach with a holistic human-animal-environment approach. Public health experts and scientists at an international conference looking at a variety of zoonotic pathogens – bugs which jump from animals to humans – felt that India urgently needs to put in place a ‘One Health’ programme that focuses on factors beyond pathogens.

Humanity's unsustainable environment footprint

06/06/2014

Within the context of Earth’s limited natural resources and assimilation capacity, the current environmental footprint of humankind is not sustainable. Assessing land, water, energy, material, and other footprints along supply chains is paramount in understanding the sustainability, efficiency, and equity of resource use from the perspective of producers, consumers, and government. We review current footprints and relate those to maximum sustainable levels, highlighting the need for future work on combining footprints, assessing trade-offs between them, improving computational techniques, estimating maximum sustainable footprint levels, and benchmarking efficiency of resource use. Ultimately, major transformative changes in the global economy are necessary to reduce humanity’s environmental footprint to sustainable levels.

Change is coming to northern oceans

06/06/2014

The cold-temperate regions of the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans, from about 40°N latitude to the Arctic fronts, support large and productive fisheries (1), particularly in the northernmost regions: the Bering Sea in the Pacific and the Barents Sea in the Atlantic. The two main near-bottom fish species in the Bering and Barents seas are walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) and Atlantic cod (G. morhua), respectively. In the past decade, the two species have responded differently to ocean warming. These response patterns appear to be linked to a complex suite of climatic and oceanic processes that may portend future responses to warming ocean conditions.

Kansas State Medical Society Adopts One Health Resolution

06/04/2014

“The Kansas Medical Society, through its endorsement of One Health and One Health Kansas, supports collaboration between human and veterinary medicine; supports joint educational efforts between human and veterinary medical schools; encourages joint efforts in clinical care through the assessment, treatment and prevention of cross-species disease transmission; supports cross-species disease surveillance in public health and supports joint efforts in the development of new diagnostic methods, medicines and vaccines for the prevention and control of diseases across species.”

Infection control and MERS-CoV in health-care workers

05/31/2014

The recent exponential rise in the number of reported cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is of major global concern. The Fifth Meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee concerning MERS-CoV was convened on May 13, 2014, by WHO's Director-General and concluded that, although the seriousness of the situation had increased, there was no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission and that conditions for a Public Health Emergency of Intern ...

How to Fight MERS and Other Zoonotic Diseases, Dr. Laura H. Kahn

Zoonotic, MERS, One Health, MD
05/13/2014

Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which has sickened at least 495 people, killed 141, and now popped up in the United States, has much in common with other recent outbreaks, including SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which killed some 775 patients in 2002 and 2003: They can spread rapidly across borders, stir up fear in the public, and be transmitted from human to human.

Link to Full Article by Dr. Laura H. Kahn

Record Turnout for Pathology Grand Rounds By Marine Mammal Expert

marine mammals, greg bossart, georgia aquarium, university of miami
05/13/2014

"The Department of Pathology, in conjunction with the Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), hosted a special Grand Rounds by marine mammal expert and pathologist Gregory Bossart, V.M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Animal Health, Research, and Conservation and Chief Veterinary Officer at Georgia Aquarium. In his May 1 presentation, “Marine Mammals as Sentinels for Ocean and Human Health,” Bossart discussed the application of aquatic species as sentinels for the effects of global climate change, ecosystem and human health."

El Nino is coming back

el nino, climate, weather, NOAA
05/09/2014

"The little boy could soon be back. El Niño, a periodic warming in the waters of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, will probably emerge in the coming months, according to a forecast issued yesterday by the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If strong, the El Niño event could not only wreak havoc on weather around the world, but could also trigger a resumption of global warming that has been seemingly stalled for the last 15 years."

Emerging infectious diseases: opportunities at the human-animal-environment interface

05/01/2014

Infectious diseases pose a serious threat to the wellbeing of both human and animal populations. Here, in the fifth in Veterinary Record's series of articles promoting One Health, Mathew Dixon, Osman Dar and David Heymann examine lessons learned from previous disease outbreaks; they also consider current threats and how a better understanding of underlying risk factors could stimulate a paradigm shift from treatment to prevention of zoonotic infectious diseases

WHO's First Global Report on Antibiotic Resistance Reveals Serious World Wide Threat

04/30/2014

30 APRIL 2014 | GENEVA - A new report by WHO–its first to look at antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, globally–reveals that this serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future, it is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country. Antibiotic resistance–when bacteria change so antibiotics no longer work in people who need them to treat infections–is now a major threat to public health.

New article outlines pathway to develop business case for One Health

04/28/2014

One Health refers to the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. Although the usefulness of the One Health approach is widely appreciated, thanks to a growing body of evidence, its uptake remains limited and health management is still largely organized by sector.

One Health Commission all about the human-animal bond

Steve Dale, My Pet World, Chicago Tribune
04/03/2014

Interview of Dr. Roger Mahr by Steve Dale, My Pet World, Chicago Tribune April 3, 2013

In Memoriam: James Harlan Steele (1913–2013)

Veterinarian, obituary, steele, james, public health, brucellosis
02/20/2014

James Steele, DVM, MPH, passed away on November 10, 2013, in Houston; he was 100 years old. Jim Steele was an extraordinary man. All of the dimensions of his life were on a grand scale. He was larger than life in so many ways; his vision, his leadership, his accomplishments in public health, his worldwide friendships, his mentorship of scores of young acolytes who came within his orbit, his extraordinary memory, his bear hugs, and his longevity were all manifestations of his boundless enthusiasm for life.

The full article can be found here: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/20/3/im-2003_article#suggestedcitation

Schultz, Myron G. "In Memoriam: James Harlan Steele (1913–2013)". Emerg. Infect. Dis.20.3 (2014): n. pag. Web. 14 Aug. 2016.

One Health: People, Animals and the Environment

One Health, microbiology, environmental
02/01/2014

In this book editors Ronald M. Atlas and Stanley Maloy have compiled 20 chapters written by interdisciplinary experts that present core concepts, compelling evidence, successful applications, and the remaining challenges of One Health approaches to thwarting the threat of emerging infectious disease.  It is a valuable resource for physicians, veterinarians, environmental scientists, microbiologists, public health workers and policy makers, and others who want to understand the interdependence of human, animal, and ecosystem health.

Hendra Virus Vaccine, a One Health Approach to Protecting Horse, Human and Environmental Health

One Health, Human, Horse, Environmental
01/17/2014

In recent years, the emergence of several highly pathogenic zoonotic diseases in humans has led to... 

 

(Rabinowitz, et. al.) Toward Proof of Concept of a One Health Approach to Disease Prediction and Control

12/01/2013

A One Health approach considers the role of changing environments with regard to infectious and chronic disease risks affecting humans and nonhuman animals. Recent disease emergence events have lent support to a One Health approach. In 2010, the Stone Mountain Working Group on One Health Proof of Concept assembled and evaluated the evidence regarding proof of concept of the One Health approach to disease prediction and control. Aspects examined included the feasibility of integrating human, animal, and environmental health and whether such integration could improve disease prediction and control efforts. They found evidence to support each of these concepts but also identified the need for greater incorporation of environmental and ecosystem factors into disease assessments and interventions. The findings of the Working Group argue for larger controlled studies to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the One Health approach. 

James Steele, Veterinary Public Health Pioneer, Dies at 100

11/18/2013

The One Health Community honors the contributions of Dr. Steele

James Steele - a father of One Health - dies at 100 years old

11/10/2013

Dr Steele came to CDC in 1947, just after its beginning. There was no road map for the work he did—he was a pioneer, creating CDC’s veterinary public health program. He pioneered the integration of veterinary public health into the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The message of the One Health Initiative is that human health and animal health are inextricably linked: we cannot have good public health unless we have good animal health, and we cannot have good animal health unless we have good public health. Jim Steele was a father of the One Health Initiative. He didn’t merely profess this concept—he practiced it for 7 decades, and he taught it to younger generations of veterinarians.

AVMA and Federation of Veterinarians of Europe Issue Joint Statement

10/15/2013

Statement details the essential role of veterinarians in protecting animal, human, public and environmental health

Vaccines against diseases transmitted from animals to humans: A one health paradigm

10/09/2013

The One Health movement, during the 20th century and the early 21st century, has documented a powerful case for implementing this critically needed approach to assist solving many of the world’s health problems in both the public health and clinical health sectors. Time is not on the side of the health care communities of planet earth. Witness the known crisis evolving with antibiotic resistance which is causing many to speak of threats to human (and animal) life with a frightening new “post antibiotic” era lurking in the near future. We can imagine a time where a routine strep (sore) throat—a bacterial infection typically treated and cured with an antibiotic—could no longer have an effective antibiotic available or even be in the pharmaceutical pipeline!

International Development, Emerging Diseases and Ecohealth

09/30/2013

How do we reconcile the developed world’s concern about
emerging diseases, and a critical need for international
development resources to tackle all infectious disease
threats, emerging and endemic?

Rabies Still Kills: OIE asks, why are we waiting to act?

09/27/2013

Three short video films raise awareness on the ravages caused by rabies and the resources that must be mobilised to control the disease

IVSA (International Veterinary Student Association) launches its Standing Committee on One Health

IVSA, One Health, Veterinary students, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Veterinary public health
09/01/2013

"SCOH is a Standing Committee of the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) which was founded at the 62nd IVSA Congress in Utrecht, The Netherlands, based on the proposal of Pim Polak (IVSA The Netherlands). SCoH is one of three IVSA Standing Committees, the others being the Animal Welfare Committee and the Standing Committee on Veterinary Education (SCoVE). The first Chair of SCOH was Theofanis Liatis (IVSA Thessaloniki), who served also as a Member of ExCo 2013/2014 (Veterinary Public Health Director).

The one health concept is directly related to one of IVSA’s objectives, as stated in the Constitution, namely to “Encourage veterinary students to use their knowledge and abilities for the benefit of both animals and humans”. The role of SCOH is twofold: One Health & Veterinary Public Health. This committee aims to promote the importance of One Health and the interdisciplinary collaboration between vets and other public health related scientists as well as awareness of the role of Veterinary Public Health. The role of SCOH is important for IVSA and its members, as it broadens the collaborations of vets, spreads knowledge of veterinary public health, provides opportunities in this sector and promotes activity of the members within local and global projects."

Animal Connections to Continue Its Travels

08/27/2013

After a successful introduction in Chicago, watch for this mobile exhibit in other cities later this year

“One Health” Paradigm for the Future Featured In Medical School Textbook

medical student, textbook
05/16/2013

"New York (May 16, 2013) – In the new medical textbook, Jekel’s Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health (Elsevier, 2013), Wildlife Conservation Society veterinarian and Director of Health Policy, Dr. Steve Osofsky, offers a holistic approach to meeting challenges that result from humanity’s ongoing population growth, globalization trends, and unsustainable demand for earth’s finite natural resources.

As the human population grows and becomes more interconnected, there is increased need for land, food, water and energy. These pressures have implications for health, economies and the environment that sustains us all. Dr. Osofsky and his co-author Dr. Meredith A. Barrett, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar at UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley, point out that too often in today’s world individual disciplines related to the environment, climate, human behavior, food and agriculture, and economic development – function largely in isolation. Their chapter is called One Health: Interdependence of People, Other Species, and the Planet."

One Health Team Combats Animal-to-Human Disease Transmission

05/16/2013

Living on a planet with more than seven billion people and countless more animals, viruses have many options to invade - and they're not picky. Viruses often jump from animals to humans, causing many diseases ranging from avian flu to Lyme disease, West Nile virus to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). 

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) estimates that more than 60 percent of emerging infectious diseases in humans are transmitted from animals in a process called zoonoses. Though some diseases transmit from livestock, many more - at least 74 percent - come from wildlife, which is most likely a result of human encroachment into animals' habitats. Making matters worse, some diseases, such as anthrax, can be harvested for bio-terrorism.

Med students taught bedside manner using horses

05/14/2013

First-of-its-kind class uses horses to instill compassion in medical students

Open up, say 'neigh': Horses help teach med students

Bedside manner, patient care, body language, cross-species learning
05/06/2013

"For the next generation of doctors to develop a better bedside manner, it’s important to spend some time in a stable.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Allan Hamilton of the University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, is using his ranch for a first-of-its-kind class to help train first year medical students, bringing the humans in close contact with large flighty four-legged patients who can’t talk and who can be highly -- and violently -- reactive to doctors who aren’t attuned to their patients’ body language."

One Health Event Highlights Ugandan Military, CJTF-HOA Veterinary Care

04/29/2013

Traverse north by car a few hours through the bustling and sprawling city of Kampala to the rolling and lush, green hills of Luwero with its dense jungles packed with banana trees, pineapple fields and livestock, and it's easy to see why thousands of Ugandans call this picturesque but remote district home.

Food, friendly smiles and warm hospitality are abundant in Luwero, despite harsh realities and heartbreak caused by disease that has rocked local villages in recent years. Ground zero for the world's last few breakouts of Ebola--a highly contagious, often-fatal virus believed to be transmitted by animals to humans-Luwero residents are looking for answers and shelter in a storm of daily uncertainty.

Vets and Medical Doctors Should Team Up to Tackle Diseases

04/25/2013

Study concludes that it is crucial to address the interlinks between humans, animals and the environment to control animal brucellosis and BTB.

Global Team to Assist with H7N9 Outbreak

04/17/2013

Flu experts on way to China according to World Health Organisation

US Defense Dept's Woodson Stresses Importance of Global Health during Budget Crisis

03/19/2013

Despite challenges exacerbated by a federal economic crisis, maintaining U.S. participation in global health initiatives is critical says Dr. Jonathan Woodson

FAO urges stronger measures on global health threats

02/11/2013

World risks new bird flu surge if countries drop their guard

 

Join the Free Conference Call with Dr. Barbara Natterson

01/01/2013

Enroll now for the call on January 10, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific TIme with the author of Zoobiquity: What Animals Can Teach Us About Health and the Science of Healing.

UC Davis PREDICT program a model for global pandemic prevention

12/03/2012

PREDICT is part of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Emerging Pandemic Threats Program, which builds on the understanding that humans, wildlife and the environment are inextricably linked.

Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness Group Engages Veterinary Community

11/30/2012

The program will focus on raising awareness about the often-missed symptoms of ovarian cancer.

One Health Initiative: WMA and WVA

11/22/2012

At the World Medical Association (WMA) General Assembly meeting in Bangkok last month the WMA and World Veterinary Association (WVA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to "...collaborate in the One-Health Initiative which is a unified approach to veterinary and human medicine (veterinarians and physicians) in order to improve Global Health". 

The One Health Initiative is a movement to forge co-equal, all-inclusive collaborations between physicians, osteopaths, veterinarians dentists, nurses and other scientific-health and environmentally related disciplines. 

WMA and WVMA Agree to Collaborate in the World One Health Concept

11/19/2012

World Medical Association and World Veterinary Medical Association sign Memorandum of Understanding

Controlling the Spread of Diseases Among Humans, Other Animals and the Environment

09/28/2012

New NSF-NIH-USDA-BBSRC grants fund research on how infectious diseases are transmitted

Vets and Physicians Find Research Parallels

09/11/2012

The growing realization that vets and medical doctors may have very good reasons to talk to one another has led to a host of collaborative research projects according to the New York TImes

Hantavirus, Plague & West Nile: Are Animal-Borne Diseases on the Rise?

09/10/2012

Global changes including movement of people, deforestation and climate change may all be contributing

Vets and Physicians Find Research Parallels

09/10/2012

"Three times in the last two months, researchers from St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in Manhattan headed across town to the Animal Medical Center to look at dogs.

Doctors at the hospital’s Vascular Birthmark Institute were enticed by the chance to study anomalies of the arteries and veins that are rare in humans but common in dogs. And the traffic between human and animal hospitals flows in the other direction, too: Late last month, veterinarians from the Animal Medical Center began meeting with their counterparts at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to set up trials of a noninvasive device for removing tumors of the urinary tract with electrical impulses.

Exchanges of this sort are becoming increasingly common. Once a narrow trail traveled by a few hardy pioneers, the road connecting veterinary colleges and human medical institutions has become a busy thoroughfare over the last five years or so, with a steady flow of researchers representing a wide variety of medical disciplines on both sides."

CDC Issues Update on West Nile Virus

09/07/2012

CDC telebriefing reports cases of virus and steps for protection

Point/ Counterpoint: Evolutionary Biology - The Scientific Basis for One Health & an Essential Part of Biomedical Education

09/01/2012

"The One Health Initiative, a concept spearheaded by the AVMA and the AMA, was designed to acknowledge the commonality of and foster cooperation between medical professions. Since its initiation in 2007, the One Health Initiative has been endorsed by numerous medical, veterinary, and public health associations and their prominent professionals.1 Its principles and objectives are sound, practical, and largely noncontroversial. 

Notably lacking, however, has been a discussion of evolution as its principle underlying scientific basis. Acknowledging and embracing that concept is essential if the philosophy and objectives of One Health are to be realized. Training in evolutionary biology must be part of the education of every veterinarian, physician, and biologist."

Can MDs and DVMs bridge the cultural divide?

07/25/2012

Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, M.D., in article on VIN News Service,  advocates that physicians cross the culture gap in medicine to collaborate with and learn from veterinarians

USAID and AusAID Join Forces Against Emerging Pandemic Disease Threats in Southeast Asia

07/16/2012

Support will help to boost the ability of people and organizations to reduce the risk of transmission of dangerous pathogens from animals to humans

The Ecology of Disease

07/15/2012

This New York Times article points out that many infectious diseases in humans result from things that people do to nature.

Diseases from animals hit over two billion people a year

07/06/2012

Targeting these diseases in the hardest hit countries is crucial to protecting global health, study reports

Economic benefits of One Health approach confirmed in World Bank report

07/03/2012

“People, Pathogens and Our Planet” study states that the case for control of Zoonotic diseases is compelling.

American Academy of Pediatrics' Official News Magazine Encourages One Health Support

07/03/2012

Pediatricians are asked to consider animal-related issues in daily practice by taking a history of animal contact and consulting and collaborating with local veterinarians.

Zoobiquity Book Raises Awareness that Humans and Animals Share Health Issues

06/20/2012

The new book "Zoobiquity: What Animals Can Teach Us About Health and the Science of Healing" creates stir in media

American Academy of Pediatrics Endorses One Health

05/11/2012

Statement issued  by Robert Block, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, to the One Health Initiative pro bono team and web platform.

One Health Global Network web portal is now open to all

04/25/2012

Not just another One Health website…

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service now defines One Health

04/12/2012

Veterinary Services: A New Perspective articulates a clear vision that includes One Health

Virus Hunter Receives Distinguished Explorer Award

02/21/2012

Dr. Nathan Wolfe has received the Roy Chapman Andrews Award for hunting potentially life-threatening viruses

Fun and Play Are Key to Survival for Bears, Dogs, Humans...

02/06/2012

A growing number of scientists and other professional researchers are amassing evidence that, in all kinds of creatures, an innate impulse and ability to play — has been favored by evolution down through the eons.

Malaria Kills Twice as Many People as Previously Thought: Study

02/06/2012

Malaria kills more than 1.2 million people worldwide a year, nearly twice as many as previously thought.

 

Diseases Can be Transmitted from Pets to People

02/06/2012

“We like it that people like their pets, but no kisses on the mouth,” vet says

Spreading the one-health concept

01/05/2012

Human, animal, and ecosystem health intertwine to make "one health." The One Health Commission aims to inform...

Survey: Americans unaware of animals' role in pandemic threats

12/15/2011

Research conducted by the New York-based EcoHealth Alliance reveals that 2 in 3 Americans worry about a new pandemic. The research also reveals that fewer than 1 in 5 people realize that the next pandemic will most likely come from animals. Increasing the public's understanding is vital to preventing a "Contagion"-like scenario, says One Health Initiative veterinarian Bruce Kaplan. The Huffington Post (12/14)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) releases Strategic Action Plan for One Health

11/29/2011

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) put forth in 2011 a strategic action plan for One Health, which had the objective to strengthen food security by improving animal production systems and veterinary services and called for action in improving collaborations between animal, human, and environmental health sectors
 

National League of Cities (USA) Adopts One Health Resolution

11/18/2011

The National League of Cities (NLC) http://nlc.org/ adopted an historic One Health Resolution at its annual business meeting in Phoenix, AZ (USA) on November 12, 2011,

 

Roger Mahr One Health lectureship series launched at ISU with World Food Prize Laureate saying that people and animals and nature depend on one another.

food, prize
10/12/2011

Reverend David Beckmann, who was awarded the 2010 World Food Prize, said that the One Health approach “just makes sense” in his speech entitled “One Health: World Health through Collaboration”, delivered. October 12, 2011, in conjunction with the 25th anniversary World Food Prize events in Des Moines, Iowa. Reverend Beckmann's lecture is the first of the One Health Lectureship Series established in the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in honor of Dr. Roger Mahr, CEO of the One Health Commission. Rev. Beckmann is also an economist and a laureate of the World Food Prize.

'Contagion' Connections: How Links Among Humans, Animals And The Environment May Be Spawning A New Class Of Infectious Diseases

09/30/2011

Excerpt:

Animals carry a number of viruses, usually without consequence to themselves, but those same viruses can prove deadly to another species. Humans have simply yet to cross paths with most of these pathogens.

"In the future, we're going to come across viruses that have been around for millions of years in obscure animals," says Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a New York-based organization of scientists dedicated to conserving biodiversity.

Mind Over Miller: Are we too specialized? Part 1: Human medicine

07/01/2011

According to CNN News, only 2% of the students in U.S. medical schools intend to go into general practice or family practice. It is anticipated that we will soon be faced with a shortage of more than 40,000 general practitioners. 

I wish it were policy that no medical school graduate could take a residency in a specialty unless he or she had a minimum of two years of general practice beforehand. Why? For several reasons.

Research by Intracellular Pathogens Research Lab Advances Understanding of Bartonella–the ‘stealth pathogen’

infectious disease, bartonella, pathogens, bacteria
09/27/2010

The following article by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) News Service profiles the ongoing Bartonella research being conducted by the Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory (IPRL) within the CVM Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research. Directed by Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt, the work of the IRPL is an example of the “One Medicine” concept and the importance of the connections between animal and human health and veterinary and human medicine.

'Tripartite' Concept Note

History, One Health, Global Coordination, WHO, OIE, FAO
04/01/2010

The vision of this seminal publication in One Health history is to create "A world capable of preventing, detecting, containing, eliminating, and responding to animal and public health risks attributable to zoonoses and animal diseases with an impact on food security through multi-sectoral cooperation and strong partnerships."

This concept note focuses on  "Sharing responsibilities and coordinating global activities to address health risks at the animal-human-ecosystems interfaces" published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

‘One Health’ - the Rosetta stone for 21st century health and health providers

06/28/2009

“…no single person, no single health profession, no single organization, and no single nation or people invented or owns One Health.  It is an all-inclusive, co-equal endeavor that belongs to all of humanity.  A caveat: while honest debate over efficacious process should be welcome, factionalism should not.” Mary Echols

Where the Wild Things Are: The Link Between the Health of Humans, Animals, and the Environment

05/08/2009

Author:  William B Karesh   In:  Foreign Affairs

Report Released: Contributing to One World, One Health* A Strategic Framework for Reducing Risks of Infectious Diseases at the Animal–Human–Ecosystems Interface

10/14/2008

Participants in the December 2007 New Delhi International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza recommended that the international community draw on experiences with HPAI and develop a medium-term strategy to address EID. It was agreed that a better understanding of the drivers and causes around the emergence and spread of infectious diseases is needed, under the broad perspective of the ‘One World, One Health’ (OWOH) principles (see Annex 1). The following Strategic Framework has been developed jointly by four specialized agencies—Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)—and by the World Bank and the UN System Influenza Coordinator (UNSIC) in response the New Delhi recommendation.

One Health Tripartite presents consensus document on global measures to coordinate health

FAO, OIE, WHO, One Health Tripartite, zoonoses, health
10/01/2008

At a Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt the OIE, WHO and FAO, often referred to as the One Health Tripartite,  presented a consensus document on global measures needed to coordinate medical and veterinary health policies more effectively, taking into account new requirements to prevent and control zoonoses. (with the support of UNICEF, the UN System Influenza Coordinator [UNSIC] and the World Bank).

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) announces support of 5 projects for the One World-One Health (OWOH) program in Brazil

one health, one world, wildlife conservation society, brazil, one world one health
06/09/2008

São Paulo, June 9, 2008: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a non-governmental organization based in the United States with offices in Brazil, announced that five projects will receive financial support during the first year of the One World-One Health (OWOH) program in Brazil.

Special issue of Public Health Reports focuses on the important interface between public health and veterinary medicine for improving human health, animal health, and food safety.

05/30/2008

Public Health Reports  (PHR) copublished this special issue with the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (JVME), with 10 articles appearing in PHR on this topic and 20 different articles published simultaneously in JVME's June issue. In addition to these articles, both journals published summaries of three keynote addresses from the 2007 Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges/Association of Schools of Public Health Joint Symposium, which took place in April 2007. The commentaries are authored by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher, former Acting Surgeon General Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu, and Dr. Lonnie J. King of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

S African Center for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS) forms

01/20/2008

See also:

Rweyemamu MM, Mmbuji P, Karimuribo E, et al. The Southern African Centre for infectious disease surveillance: a one health consortium. Emerg Health Threats J. 2013;6:10.3402/ehtj.v6i0.19958. doi:10.3402/ehtj.v6i0.19958

Initiative Aims to Merge Animal and Human Health Science to Benefit Both

06/15/2007

Medical and veterinary science are like siblings who have grown apart. But now, there’s a flurry of efforts to reunite them. Proponents of this idea, called “one medicine” or “one health,” say that breaking down the walls between the two fields will help fight diseases that jump from animals to humans, such as SARS and avian influenza, and advance both human and animal health.

In April, the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) decided to establish a 12-member task force to recommend ways in which vets can collaborate with colleagues in human medicine. In late June, the house of delegates of the American Medical Association (AMA) will vote on a resolution in support of strengthened ties between schools of medicine and veterinary science, increased collaboration in surveillance and the development of diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines across species barriers, and a “dialogue” with AVMA. The theme is also on the program at infectious-disease meetings in Europe and the United States this year. 

Get Veterinarians Involved in Research

06/17/2006

Kahn, L.H. and Kaplan B. in St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times)

The Human-Animal Link : One World, One Health

07/15/2005

Authors: William B Karesh, Robert A Cook   In:  Foreign Affairs

 

UK Foresight Programme on the detection, identification and monitoring (DIM) of infectious disease of humans, animals and plants.

11/17/2004

This study, which was conducted between 2004 and 2006,  identified future (up to 2030) drivers of infectious disease risks (economic and climate change), future disease threats and future science technologies that will help to manage the risk of infectious diseases within the evolving societal context of culture, governance, economic trends and human practices.

The report of this study is entitled “Infectious Diseases: Preparing for the Future” (http://www.bis.gov.uk/foresight/our-work/projects/published-projects/infectious-diseases).

[U.S.] Nation's zoos and aquariums help track West Nile virus - Launch of the 'Zoological Surveillance for West Nile Virus' program

11/01/2001

The schism between the health professions [in the U.S.] was made evident during the summer of 1999 when West Nile virus appeared for the first time in the Western Hemisphere. In and around New York City, a rash of mysterious illness in people, with some deaths, coincided with massive bird die-off. Federal and state health officials initially ruled the cause as St. Louis encephalitis, caused by a rare flavivirus that affects humans but does not kill birds. Dr. McNamara, who was investigating the bird deaths, helped make the connection that West Nile virus was the cause of the human and bird outbreaks. ,,,,, "I hope that this project is the first step in working toward one health," Dr. McNamara said. "We're all part of an ecosystem. You can't just look at one species in isolation and expect to have all the answers."

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