Author: Elisa Carloni
Zoonoses, diseases that are naturally transmissible from animals to humans, represent a significant global health threat. These diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi and can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected animals, consumption of contaminated food, or through vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks. In recent decades, more than two-thirds of emerging human infectious diseases have had a zoonotic origin. COVID-19 is the latest example of a major pandemic caused by a zoonotic pathogen. Other examples of zoonotic diseases include Ebola, Avian Flu, Salmonellosis, Brucellosis, Q Fever, and Chlamydiosis.
Impact of Zoonoses
Every year, zoonoses affect millions of people and animals worldwide, resulting in approximately 2.5 billion human infections and 2.7 million deaths globally. As the world becomes more interconnected, the spread of zoonoses has become an increasing concern for both human health and the global economy, negatively affecting the production and trade of animal products 1. Emerging zoonotic diseases are a direct consequence of the close relationship humans maintain with animals, whether as companions, in agriculture, or through interactions with wildlife.
One Health Approach
This interconnectedness necessitates a collaborative effort across sectors responsible for human health, animal health (including both domestic animals and wildlife), and environmental health. Global health experts agree that the One Health approach is essential for preventing and controlling the spread of zoonotic diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent2.
Control and Prevention Strategy
The One Health approach is critical in combating zoonoses. One of the pillars of the One Health approach is the need for effective control and prevention strategies, which involve early detection and monitoring at the human-animal-environment level. Surveillance systems must be in place to identify outbreaks before they spread to human populations. This requires significant collaboration across veterinary, medical, and environmental disciplines. Moreover, rapid diagnostic methods are critical in improving both the prevention and control of zoonoses. The development of more accurate and faster diagnostic kits has revolutionized the ability to detect diseases in both animals and humans, allowing for quicker intervention, containment and treatment. Advanced diagnostic technologies are essential. These tools improve the ability to identify zoonotic pathogens, increasing the speed and accuracy of diagnoses. By providing faster and more accurate diagnostic results, diagnostic laboratories can contribute significantly to controlling the spread of zoonotic diseases.
Treatment of Zoonoses
Treatment of zoonotic diseases requires an integrated approach that involves human and veterinary medicine. While some zoonotic infections can be treated with antibiotics or antivirals, others, such as parasitic diseases, require more specialized interventions. Advances in the understanding of parasite biology, along with the development of new drugs and treatment options, have improved the management of these infections. Treatment efforts must not only focus on infected humans but also on animal reservoirs that may contribute to the spread of zoonoses.
Global Response
The One Health approach also highlights the need for a global response to emerging zoonotic threats. While progress has been made in diagnostics and treatments, the emergence of new diseases highlights the importance of global collaboration, transparency, and information sharing. By improving communication between human health agencies, veterinary professionals, and environmental experts, the world can better anticipate and respond to future zoonotic threats. Furthermore, the success of this approach depends on well-coordinated efforts at the local, national, and international levels.
In conclusion, combating zoonoses requires a comprehensive One Health approach that integrates prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. The rapid development of diagnostic technologies and treatments, coupled with effective collaboration and strong surveillance systems, are key to preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.
Elisa Carloni, currently PhD Researcher in R&D department of Diatheva.
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