One Health News

Pertinent One Health Approach suggested by Canadian veterinarian

This blastomycosis case in Ontario provides a first hand example for me (an early career veterinarian) of a need for integrated surveillance between animal and human health sectors. I am an associate veterinarian on Manitoulin Island, the same district as the recently posted case (ProMED-mail post Blastomycosis - Canada: (ON) fatal 20150123.3112589). We (myself and clinic colleagues) noticed an increase in dogs diagnosed with Blastomycosis in 2014, and in at least two cases family members were also diagnosed. Blastomycosis is an excellent example where our pets might act as sentinels, given that dogs are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. The amount of blastomycosis we’ve seen this year has left me wondering how front line veterinarians and physicians might communicate better to help reduce the disease burden of all our patients. There are numerous diseases that, while not zoonotic, have an environmental component shared by humans and animals alike. How can the two sectors collaborate to improve surveillance and control of these shared diseases? This case provides an opportunity to pose that question to the One Health Initiative community.

Provided to the One Health Initiative website January 26, 2015:

Emma Gardner, DVM, MS
PhD Candidate, Population Medicine
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph

Canada

One Health approach identified as key strategy…

The White House - Office of the Press Secretary (USA)

For Immediate Release

January 27, 2015

FACT SHEET: President’s 2016 Budget Proposes Historic Investment to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria to Protect Public Health

“Resistance can arise in bacterial pathogens affecting humans, animals, and the environment.  The adoption of a “One-Health” approach that integrates human health, veterinary, and ecosystem surveillance will help strengthen detection and control of antibiotic resistance.  Improved surveillance will be achieved through enhancement, expansion, and linkage of existing systems that monitor human and animal pathogens, including the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), the Emerging Infections Program (EIP), the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS), the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), and animal health laboratories.”

To read in full, see: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/27/fact-sheet-president-s-2016-budget-proposes-historic-investment-combat-a

One Health Academy in Washington, D.C. offers Outstanding One Health Presentations since 2006 (USA)

http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/One%20Health%20Initiative%20article%20bk%20edits.pdf

Since its founding in 2006 by Tom McGinn, DVM https://avma.eventkaddy.net/sessions/16371, the One Health Academy http://www.onehealthacademy.org/ in Washington D.C. has enjoyed success in its mission to bring together those interested in One Health every month.  At its inception, the group was meant to be an informal gathering among peers to discuss the challenges felt across health disciplines. Over time, the group expanded from single to double digit participation still maintaining its informal atmosphere, collegiality and mentoring. Part of the success of the One Health Academy has been the atmosphere of the Capital Yacht Club where its founder is a member. Located on the water front with an intimate clubhouse, the venue has been ideal as a routine meeting spot away from the hustle and bustle of DC life.

Early on, the group incorporated an invited speaker as part of the monthly routine to share their story about their experiences in One Health. The speaker became a keystone for the group providing a brief exposé on their work sparking discussion and discourse allowing genuine interactions to occur. Over the following 7 years, there have been numerous important speakers passing through the Capital Yacht Club. The first gathering had the late One Health leader, James H. Steele, DVM, MPH http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/news.php?query=james+h.+steele%2C+dvm%2C+mph fresh off of receiving his Surgeon General’s Medallion. Many other speakers have passed through as the meetings happen September through June. Through this gathering, multiple relationships and partnerships have formed shaping the direction of many career trajectories. Collaborations have formed leading to interdisciplinary projects and allowing discussion to happen across agencies, non-profits and private entities.

Speakers and collegiality around the topic of One Health only get you so far. Mabel Sawhill, the caterer at the Capital Yacht Club http://www.gazette.net/article/20131030/NEWS/131039731/1261/still-cooking-mabel-sawhill-stays-in-the-kitchen-remains-trendy-at&template=gazette, provided the sustenance to keep attendees returning. Mabel has been the caterer for the One Health Academy since its inception and is one of the bedrock reasons the group keeps meeting. At 100 years of age, Mabel still caters every meal for the group and has become an icon to the Academy. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm is infectious and her food provides just another reason to come every month.

With an average attendance of 30-40 people every month, One Health Academy spans generations with undergraduate students through retired leaders in the field. One Health Academy is advancing One Health through motivating, mentoring and networking. Time is built in before and after the speaker to let everyone interact and mingle. Everyone is there for one purpose to come together around One Health. The honest interactions are all meant to help one another moving forward. The success of the group stems from the passion of those who come and their passion about the work they do. The inherent nature of One Health is benevolent sparking kindred spirits to come together every month at One Health Academy to renew their passion, mentor those needing guidance, and form collaborations to advance the betterment of our world.

Provided to the One Health Initiative website January 22, 2015 by:

Will Sander, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, One Health Academy Secretary, AAAS S&T Policy Fellow hosted by US EPA

Dr. Sander is a One Health Supporter/Advocate http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/supporters.php

NOTE:  The One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team: Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP ▪ Bruce Kaplan, DVM ▪ Thomas P. Monath, MD ▪ Jack Woodall, PhD ▪ Lisa A. Conti, DVM, MPH strongly supports and recognizes the outstanding One Health contributions of the One Health Academy.  The speakers represent a wide spectrum multidisciplinary distribution of health professionals including prominent physicians, veterinarians, governmental leaders and other health scientists—in the true interdisciplinary, collaborative spirit of the One Health concept.

Notice: Historic milestone physician/veterinarian global One Health conference…

World Veterinary Association/World Medical Association GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON ONE HEALTH

Thursday, 21^st May – Friday, 22^nd May 2015

Madrid, Spain.

Drivers towards One Health

“Strengthening collaboration between medical and animal doctors”

To register click here

__________________________________________________________

The World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the World Medical Association (WMA) in collaboration with the Spanish Medical and Veterinary associations are inviting you to participate at the Global Conference on 'One Health' Concept to be held on 21^st and 22^nd of May in Madrid, Spain (Vía de los Poblados, 3, A.M.A Parque Empresarial Cristalia - Edificio 4).   

The Global Conference aims to bring together Veterinarians, Physicians, Students, Public Health Officials, NGOs and others from the different world regions to learn, discuss and to address critical aspects of the 'One Health' Concept.

The main objectives of the conference are to strengthen the links and communications and to achieve closer collaboration between Physicians, Veterinarians and all appropriate stakeholders to improve the different aspects of health and welfare of humans, animals and the environment.

The conference sessions will focus on the issues of (see draft program http://www.worldvet.org/uploads/docs/one_health_2015_-_draft_agenda_16_feb_2015.pdf): 

• Zoonotic diseases 
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Natural disaster management – Preparedness and vet-med collaboration

• Environmental hazards exposure to humans and animals

During the conference breaks, poster sessions will take place. Please send your poster abstract to secretariat@worldvet.org by 1^th April 2015.

Notice

·         Students, young and retired Physicians and Veterinarians will benefit from reduced registration fees.

·         Please note that the number of seats is limited

           FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.WORLDVET.ORG

Important reminder:

American Association of Public Health Physicians (AAPHP) strongly endorses One Health Concept

Please see: http://www.aaphp.org/onehealth

Note:  Immediate Past President of AAPHP, physician Virginia M. Dato, MD, MPH is a member of the One Health Initiative Honorary Advisory Board http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/advBoard.php.  Dr. Dato recently received an Honorary Diploma from the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society (AVES) in 2014.  Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP, a founding member of the One Health Initiative team, serves as its representative to the AAPHP.  Dr. Kahn also holds an Honorary Diploma from AVES as do all other members of the One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team: Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP ▪ Bruce Kaplan, DVM ▪ Thomas P. Monath, MD ▪ Jack Woodall, PhD ▪ Lisa A. Conti, DVM, MPH.

A One Health approach…

Major research into animal-to-human diseases launched in Tanzania

A major, international One Health research programme exploring the factors that drive animal-to-human (zoonotic) disease transmission in Tanzania [a country in East Africa] has been launched. Social, Economic and Environmental Drivers of Zoonoses in Tanzania (SEEDZ) is a four-year project that will see an interdisciplinary team of researchers, led by the University of Glasgow, UK, considering the drivers, risks and impacts of brucellosis, Q fever and Rift Valley fever in the context of major transformations currently being experienced in Tanzania, in particular rapid urbanisation. The three diseases cause livestock production losses, impacting upon people’s livelihoods. They can also cause severe illness in people – and sometimes chronic disability and death.

In addition to the University of Glasgow, the SEEDZ partners are: Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, ESRC STEPS Centre, at the Institute of Development Studies, UK; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre-Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Tanzania; Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania; Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute; National Institute for Medical Research, Tanzania; Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Tanzania; Food and Agriculture Organization; University of Otago, New Zealand; and Washington State University.

SEEDZ is funded under  the Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems (ZELS) programme, a £20.5m ($30.25m) research and training initiative supported by the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Department for International Development, Economic and Social Sciences Research Council, Medical Research Council and Natural Environment Research Council.

Please see original Media Release December 11, 2014 http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/SEEDZ%20launch%20media%20release%20FINAL.pdf

·         For further information and to sign up to research updates visit www.seedztanzania.org or email n.marks@ids.ac.uk

Provided to One Health Initiative website January 8, 2015 by:

Naomi Marks

Communications

Dynamic Drivers of Disease in Africa Consortium

Social, Economic and Environmental Drivers of Zoonoses in Tanzania (SEEDZ)

STEPS Centre

Tel: +44 (0) 1273 915606

See:  http://media.news.health.ufl.edu/misc/egh/One%20Health%20Newsletter/OHNL_Vol7_Issue4.pdf,

http://epi.ufl.edu/onehealth/news/one-health-newsletter/ or http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/newsletter.php:  

"The One Health concept arose from the realization that human health and animal health are inextricably linked and that a holistic approach is needed to understand, to protect, and to promote the health of all species. Whether it is emerging infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, globalization, natural disasters, or climate change, human and veterinary medical communities must work together to successfully combat the serious health threats of the 21st century. One Health seeks to improve communication and encourage collaboration between veterinarians, physicians, environmental scientists and public health professionals to find multidisciplinary solutions to these shared challenges. This newsletter was created to lend support to the One Health Initiative and is dedicated to enhancing the integration of animal, human, and environmental health for the benefit of all."

Announcement:

Veterinary Sciences Journal—A Forum for One Medicine, One Health

 http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vetsci

New Publications in the One Health Journal Veterinary Sciences — Basel, Switzerland

The new online Open Access journal Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381, http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vetsci) published two new issues in 2014:

Vet. Sci., Volume 1, Issue 2 (September 2014), Pages 77-135

Vet. Sci., Volume 1, Issue 3 (December 2014), Pages 136-212

Full texts are available free of charge.

Table of Contents:

Article: Long-Term Changes in Pain Sensitivity in an Animal Model of Social Anxietyby Alessandra Berry, Veronica Bellisario, Sara Capoccia, Nadia Francia, Enrico Alleva and Francesca Cirulli

Vet. Sci. 2014, 1(2), 77-95; doi:10.3390/vetsci1020077

http://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/1/2/77

Article: Feasibility Study of a Standardized Novel Animal Model for Cervical Vertebral Augmentation in Sheep Using a PTH Derivate Bioactive Material by Karina Klein, Jason Schense, Peter W. Kronen, Nathalie Fouche, Mariano Makara, Katharina Kämpf, Thomas Steffen and Brigitte von Rechenberg

Vet. Sci. 2014, 1(2), 96-120; doi:10.3390/vetsci1020096

http://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/1/2/96

Review: Comparative Aspects of Human, Canine, and Feline Obesity and Factors Predicting Progression to Diabetes by Margarethe Hoenig

Vet. Sci. 2014, 1(2), 121-135; doi:10.3390/vetsci1020121

http://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/1/2/121

Review: Sublingual Immunotherapy in Human and Canine Atopic Dermatitis: A Mini Review by Ibrahim Ozmen and Rosanna Marsella

Vet. Sci. 2014, 1(3), 136-149; doi:10.3390/vetsci1030136

http://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/1/3/136

Case Report: Fatal Canine Leptospirosis on St. Kitts by Amanda Loftis, Fernanda Castillo-Alcala, Lewis Bogdanovic and Ashutosh Verma

Vet. Sci. 2014, 1(3), 150-158; doi:10.3390/vetsci1030150

http://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/1/3/150

Article: Preliminary Metabolism of Lomustine in Dogs and Comparative Cytotoxicity of Lomustine and Its Major Metabolites in Canine Cells by Thushara Chakkath, Sidonie N. Lavergne, Timothy M. Fan, David Bunick and Levent Dirikolu

Vet. Sci. 2014, 1(3), 159-173; doi:10.3390/vetsci1030159

http://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/1/3/159

Article: Effect of Transportation and Pre-Slaughter Handling on Welfare and Meat Quality of Cattle: Case Study of Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana by Samuel Frimpong, Girma Gebresenbet, Emmanuel Bobobee, Elias D. Aklaku and Ibrahim Hamdu

Vet. Sci. 2014, 1(3), 174-191; doi:10.3390/vetsci1030174

http://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/1/3/174

Review: Animal Models of Allergic Diseasesby Domenico Santoro and Rosanna Marsella

Vet. Sci. 2014, 1(3), 192-212; doi:10.3390/vetsci1030192

http://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/1/3/192

Provided to the One Health Initiative website January 1, 2015 by:

Ellen Lu

Managing Editor

Veterinary Sciences

Note: The announcement for this NEW One Health Journal – Basel, Switzerland – was originally posted on the One Health Initiative website Sunday, December 15, 2013 http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/news.php?query=NEW+One+Health+Journal+Announcement+%96+Basel%2C+Switzerland

Texas A & M University (TAMU) Physician and Infectious Disease Specialist Endorses One Health – (USA)

 Provided to One Health Initiative website December 26, 2014:

“We are committed to the One Health view at Texas A&M University where I, along with another physician, work in collaboration with a veterinarian to promote One Health solutions from problems ranging from Staphylococcal aureus infections in humans and companion animals to developing solutions for the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.  Please see my recent interview [entitled 'Collaboration: A One Health Approach to Ebola'] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSAJJcg1a1c.”

Seth J. Sullivan, MD, MPH

http://www.sw.org/Dr-Seth-J-Sullivan

Clinical Assistant Professor College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center
Division of Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine
Baylor Scott and White Healthcare

College Station, Texas (USA)

(979)207-4490 office

(979)207-4582 fax

sjsullivan@sw.org

Dr. Sullivan is a listed One Health Initiative Supporter/advocate http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/supporters.php (scroll down).

Note:  Please read more about the outstanding broad spectrum One Health program at TAMU at http://onehealth.tamu.edu/challenge and http://onehealth.tamu.edu/about/partners.  One Health has been significantly advanced at TAMU by their college of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences http://vetmed.tamu.edu/ under the visonary, collaborative leadership of Dean Eleanor M. Green [DVM, DACVIM, DABVP] http://vetmed.tamu.edu/dean.  Dr. Green is also a longstanding One Health Supporter/advocate http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/supporters.php and was featured on the One Health Initiative website’s NEWS page on October 17 and November 11, 2014 http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/news.php?query=Texas+A+%26+M.

New 2014 One Health Book …

“Confronting Emerging Zoonoses - The One Health Paradigm”

•  

  Furnishes a unique resource for everyone interested in the interface of human and veterinary medicine and public health from internationally acknowledged One Health authors and co-authors.

   

  Presents the latest understanding of the origin of human pathogens and disease emergence

   

  Includes compelling One Health successes and challenges in areas such as comparative medicine, field epidemiology training and food safety

•  

  This book provides readers with information on the factors underlying the emergence of infectious diseases originating in animals and spreading to people. The One Health concept recognizes the important links between human, animal, and environmental health and provides an important strategy in epidemic mitigation and prevention. The essential premise of the One Health concept is to break down the silos among the different health professions and promote transdisciplinary collaborations. These concepts are illustrated with in-depth analyses of specific zoonotic agents and with examples of the successes and challenges associated with implementing One Health.

  The book also highlights some of the challenges societies face in confronting several specific zoonotic diseases. A chapter is included on comparative medicine to demonstrate the broad scope of the One Health concept.

  Edited by Senior Editor Akio Yamada, DVM, PhD http://www.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/english/index.html and http://www.pubfacts.com/author/Akio+Yamada in collaboration with the One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono team members (two physicians, two veterinarians and a health research scientist).

  The book is dedicated to those studying zoonotic diseases and comparative medicine in both human and veterinary medicine, to those involved in the prevention and control of zoonotic infections, and to those in the general public interested in the visionary field of One Health.

  For more details see: http://www.springer.com/978-4-431-55119-5