One Health acknowledges the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health through a holistic approach to understanding and addressing health challenges.
In the past, environmental, animal, and human health have all been studied and managed separately. The rise of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19, which started in animals and then spread to humans, emphasised the need for a more comprehensive strategy. Given that diseases can easily cross species borders and have broad effects, One Health aims to dissolve the silos that have kept various fields apart.
Numerous interconnected health issues exist in the areas of human, animal, and environmental health. Instances of problems that necessitate a complete, cross-sectoral approach include environmental risks, antibiotic resistance, and zoonotic diseases. One Health acknowledges the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health through a holistic approach to understanding and addressing health challenges. It symbolises the notion that all life on Earth is interdependent and that overcoming health concerns necessitates cooperation across disciplines, industries, and countries.
One Health is crucial, and the COVID-19 epidemic serves as a sharp reminder of that. This global emergency highlights the necessity of interdisciplinary cooperation between epidemiologists, veterinarians, ecologists, and public health professionals to identify and reduce emerging hazards. As a result, experts from a number of fields, including virology, epidemiology, veterinary medicine, and environmental science, took part in the COVID-19 project, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration. One Health intends to forecast and stop such outbreaks by researching how people, animals, and the environment interact. One Health, however, goes beyond infectious diseases to address broader environmental issues like pollution, deforestation, and climate change that have a significant influence on health.
Antibiotic resistance, which is a growing danger to both human and animal health, is also addressed through the One Health approach
Controlling rabies is a prime example of how the One Health approach can be used to effectively prevent and manage zoonotic diseases, highlighting the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. Mass vaccination efforts for domestic dogs, carried out in the area of animal health, are a crucial component of rabies control. Dogs, a frequent reservoir of the virus, can be vaccinated to greatly lower the risk of transmission to people. For persons who have been bitten by possibly rabid animals, efficient post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is crucial. Early introduction to PEP can halt the progression of the disease. Here, the fight against rabies depends heavily on the human health sector. One Health emphasises the importance of surveillance in spotting and controlling illness outbreaks.
It is essential to keep track of such cases in both humans and animals in order to enable early diagnosis and intervention. Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate communities about rabies transmission, prevention, and the importance of vaccinating pets. In order for these efforts to be successful, veterinary services and health authorities must work together. New vaccines, diagnostic tools, and prevention strategies are always being researched and therefore collaboration is necessary between researchers from various fields. Rabies is a global issue and therefore organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) play a significant role in coordinating efforts and providing guidelines for rabies control.
Ecosystem health and the One Health philosophy are inextricably linked because healthy ecosystems are essential for supporting life and health. For instance, a number of recently emerging infectious diseases, including Ebola and SARS have been linked to bats. One health initiative aims to protect bat populations in addition to monitoring and researching the diseases that bats spread. By examining bat populations, their behaviours, and their interactions with their surroundings, One Health is trying to understand how viruses are transmitted from bats to other animals, including humans.
The protection of both human and environmental health can be achieved by using this knowledge to aid in the early detection and prevention of possible outbreaks. One Health is aware of this importance of maintaining ecological diversity and integrity and therefore it seeks to safeguard and improve the wellbeing of all earth’s inhabitants by addressing environmental issues and advocating for sustainable lifestyles.
We can address the underlying causes of many health concerns, from newly emerging infectious diseases to environmental degradation, by realising how closely intertwined the health of people, animals, and the environment is
Antibiotic resistance, which is a growing danger to both human and animal health, is also addressed through the One Health approach. To fight the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, One Health promotes the prudent use of antibiotics in both human and animal agriculture. Antibiotics are used to treat a variety of zoonotic infections, or ailments that are spread from animals to people. The rise of diseases that are resistant to antibiotics in animals has the potential to spread to people, complicating treatment. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can grow in the environment as a result of the release of antibiotics into the environment, which frequently occurs through agricultural runoff or the dumping of pharmaceutical waste.
When animals or people come into contact with contaminated water or soil, these resistant bacteria can harm both of them. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are carried by animals in the food production chain that have had antibiotic treatment could get into the food supply for humans and perhaps cause infections that are difficult to treat. One Health strategies entail teamwork to track, monitor, and conduct research on antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in both human and animal populations. This provides a deeper comprehension of the problem and the creation of plans to reduce antibiotic resistance.
To combat antibiotic resistance and maintain the effectiveness of antibiotics for both human and animal health, healthcare professionals, veterinarians, researchers, legislators, and the general public must collaborate. A better, more sustainable future for all earth’s inhabitants is what the One Health concept promises. We can address the underlying causes of many health concerns, from newly emerging infectious diseases to environmental degradation, by realising how closely intertwined the health of people, animals, and the environment. Therefore, reminding us that there are innumerable other species who also share this world and its resources, it inspires us to cooperate across boundaries, fields of study, and beliefs.
Adopting the One Health paradigm is not simply a choice; it is necessary as we continue to face challenges to global health, such as pandemics and climate change. It exhorts us to acknowledge how interconnected the web of life is and how our planet’s and all of its inhabitants’ wellbeing are crucial to our collective well-being. One Health is not merely a concept; it is a call to action for a healthier, more harmonious world.
This article discusses the One Health approach, which is a comprehensive strategy to address the health challenges of human, animal, and environmental health. It highlights the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and the need for a complete, cross-sectoral approach. It also discusses the importance of addressing broader environmental issues that are directly linked to health.
“Composed by: Dr. Riviarynthia Kharkongor is a One Health research fellow and PhD scholar working on zoonotic and vector borne diseases. Besides practicing dentistry, she has been closely working in the field of social medicine and community health.”
