Journal article: Biological threats from a ‘One Health’ perspective
J. Zinsstag (1, 2)*, L. Crump (1, 2) & M.S. Winkler (1, 2)
Rev. Sci. Tech. Off. Int. Epiz., 2017, 36 (2), 671-680
A recent article by WG1 leader Jakob Zinsstag
Abstact
Biological threats are a prime example of an issue that needs the ‘One Health’
approach. Such an approach would facilitate the prevention and mitigation of these
threats. ‘One Health’ is defined as any added value in terms of the health of humans
and animals, financial savings or environmental services achievable through the
cooperation of human and veterinary medicines when compared to the two disciplines
working separately. This principle also applies to the involvement of other disciplines
from the natural sciences and humanities. This paper is not an exhaustive survey
of integrated approaches but discusses concepts and methods and provides key
examples of the benefits of a ‘One Health’ approach when applied to biological threats.
Zoonoses and vector-borne diseases (i.e. diseases transmitted between animals and
humans and by insect or acarian vectors) remain central biological threats in highly
dynamic social and environmental conditions. Such diseases are not always directly
transmitted. Contaminated food, water, air and soil represent important sources of
transmission for foodborne and environmentally related diseases. Therefore, this
paper treats environmental sanitation separately because of the importance of the
excreta management of humans and animals. Integrated syndromic surveillance
and antimicrobial resistance surveillance link the above aspects and are showcases
for a ‘One Health’ approach to biological threat reduction. Biological threats are not
only related to natural conditions but may also be exacerbated by large development
projects such as dams, mining and infrastructure. Consequently, it is recommended
that the health impact assessment (HIA) approach be implemented as early as the
planning stage of any large infrastructure project located in a complex socioecological
system. This paper extends the HIA approach to an integrated ‘One Health’ impact
assessment approach.