Zoonotic diseases pose a persistent threat to global health, impacting both human and animal populations worldwide. These diseases, which can spread between animals and humans, cause significant mortality and economic losses annually. Rabies, for example, claims nearly 60,000 lives each year. Other zoonotic diseases like avian influenza, Ebola, and Rift Valley fever create further global health concerns. The impact extends beyond human health, affecting animal health and welfare, reducing productivity, and threatening the livelihoods of farmers and national economies.
As global trade and travel increase, zoonotic diseases are becoming a greater concern worldwide. New health challenges constantly emerge at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. Addressing these threats requires collaboration, coordination, communication, and concerted action across multiple sectors, adopting a multisectoral, One Health approach. However, many countries lack the necessary framework to implement such collaborative strategies effectively.
To help bridge this gap, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a guide titled ‘Taking a Multisectoral, One Health Approach: A Tripartite Guide to Addressing Zoonotic Diseases in Countries’. This guide provides crucial support for countries in managing and controlling these diseases.
Strengthening National Capacities Through a One Health Approach
The Tripartite Zoonoses Guide (TZG) presents principles, best practices, and strategies designed to assist countries in establishing sustainable and functional collaboration at the human-animal-environment interface. Its adaptable framework can be applied to other health threats, including food safety and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). By utilizing the TZG and its associated operational tools (currently under development), countries can strengthen their national capacities in key areas, including:
- Establishing Multisectoral, One Health coordination mechanisms
- Strategic planning and emergency preparedness
- Surveillance and information sharing
- Coordinated investigation and response protocols
- Joint risk assessment for zoonotic disease threats
- Implementing risk reduction, risk communication, and community engagement strategies
- Workforce development programs
Furthermore, the guide provides options for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of these activities. This allows countries to make informed improvements to their zoonotic disease frameworks, strategies, and policies. Adopting the One Health approach outlined in the TZG enables countries to maximize the use of limited resources and mitigate indirect societal losses, such as the impact on small producers’ livelihoods, poor nutrition, and restrictions on trade and tourism.
The collaborative efforts across sectors and disciplines facilitated by the TZG are essential for saving human and animal lives, securing livelihoods, and sustainably improving global health systems. The Tripartite organizations strongly encourage countries worldwide to adopt the TZG and embrace the One Health approach to effectively address and manage zoonotic diseases. By working together, countries can build resilience and ensure a healthier future for all.
