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Häsler B, Bazeyo W, Byrne AW, Hernandez-Jover M, More SJ, Rüegg SR, Schwarzmann O, Wilson J, Yawe A. Reflecting on One Health in Action During the COVID-19 Response. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:578649. [PMID: 33195585 PMCID: PMC7661772 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.578649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, a singular disruptive event in recent human history, has required rapid, innovative, coordinated and collaborative approaches to manage and ameliorate its worst impacts. However, the threat remains, and learning from initial efforts may benefit the response management in the future. One Health approaches to managing health challenges through multi-stakeholder engagement are underscored by an enabling environment. Here we describe three case studies from state (New South Wales, Australia), national (Ireland), and international (sub-Saharan Africa) scales which illustrate different aspects of One Health in action in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Ireland, a One Health team was assembled to help parameterise complex mathematical and resource models. In New South Wales, state authorities engaged collaboratively with animal health veterinarians and epidemiologists to leverage disease outbreak knowledge, expertise and technical and support structures for application to the COVID-19 emergency. The African One Health University Network linked members from health institutions and universities from eight countries to provide a virtual platform knowledge exchange on COVID-19 to support the response. Themes common to successful experiences included a shared resource base, interdisciplinary engagement, communication network strategies, and looking global to address local need. The One Health approaches used, particularly shared responsibility and knowledge integration, are benefiting the management of this pandemic and future One Health global challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Häsler
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Veterinary Epidemiology Economics and Public Health Group, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - William Bazeyo
- Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrew W. Byrne
- One-Health Scientific Support Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food, and The Marine, Government of Ireland, Celbridge, Ireland
| | - Marta Hernandez-Jover
- Faculty of Science, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
- Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon J. More
- Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon R. Rüegg
- Section of Epidemiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ofir Schwarzmann
- Biosecurity and Food Safety, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeff Wilson
- Novometrix Research Inc., Moffat, ON, Canada
| | - Agnes Yawe
- Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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