One Health
A 'One Health' approach recognises that the health and welfare of animals
and humans, and the environment, are closely aligned and indeed interdependent.
Vets have been at the forefront of global efforts to emphasize this interdependence,
and substantial progress is being made in creating interdisciplinary and
professional coalitions which can more effectively tackle the challenges posed
in both developed and developing nations around the world. Despite undoubted
progress, much remains to be done, particularly in recognising how the ecology
and epidemiology of disease across the species is so often influenced by the
environmental factors precipitating disease transmission. Outbreaks can occur
to the detriment of both animals and humans, and with significant economic impact.
Antimicrobial stewardship
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognised as one of the biggest challenges
facing global society and the medical and agricultural sectors globally have a
responsibility to respond proactively. A failure to produce novel antimicrobials,
and the use and misuse of existing antimicrobials with suboptimal stewardship,
is creating ongoing resistance problems in target populations, with dire warnings
globally of the potential impacts both now and in the future. The clinical
consequences of AMR are already commonly seen, and a One Health approach is
required to tackle the problem. Significant progress has been made in the veterinary
sector by reducing antimicrobial use by volume in more intensive livestock sectors,
protection of Critically Important Antimicrobials (CIAs) and more selectively
targeting medicine to target organism and species. More interdisciplinary research,
using both natural and social science approaches, is required in areas such as
mapping reservoirs of infectious resistant organisms, further elucidating transmission
pathways, and better understanding stakeholder attitudes and behaviours in relation
to antimicrobial use.
RUMA - www.ruma.org.uk/
Zoonoses
Zoonotic organisms, both those which have long been recognised together with those which are
newly emerging, pose challenges for human wellbeing across the world. Veterinary surveillance in
livestock plays a fundamental role in recording and evaluating changing patterns in endemic
disease whilst also remaining alert to newly emerging diseases. In addition to disease transmission
pathways involving direct contact between animals and humans, compromised food safety can result
in outbreaks of zoonotic disease in humans. More research is required to understand the epidemiology
of disease and the development of preventative programmes in primary production and in
food processing. Changing climactic conditions are likely to affect the range and reach of
zoonotic infections around the world and help illustrate the role that more holistic and
multifaceted One Health approaches to finding sustainable solutions can play.
WOAH - www.woah.org/en/home/