Most of the epidemics and pandemics that have (and continue to) threatened the world are of animal origin. Recent examples range from SARS in 2003, the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, Zika in 2016, COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, and Monkeypox. "75% of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic," said Dr Andre Furco, Technical expert - One Health, World Organization for Animal Health.
These experts were speaking at a special session hosted jointly by Indonesia's Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, ADINKES, The Union, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT).
Local leaders hold the power to translate global promises into transformative changes
"We cannot protect human health without considering the impact of human activities that disrupt ecosystems, encroach on habitats, and further drive climate change," had said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this year. He had added that, "... to keep people safe, One Health must be translated into local-level systems."
That is why local leaders from around 80 cities of over a dozen countries in Asia and the Pacific had endorsed a Declaration rooted in One Health approach, at the 6th Asia Pacific Summit of Mayors (6th APCAT Summit) in December 2021, said Professor Tjandra Yoga Aditama, former Director General (Disease Control), Ministry of Health, Indonesia, and former Director (communicable disease control), of the WHO for South-East Asia region.
Dr Andre Furco added: "We cannot anymore work in silos, as these diseases are at the interface of human health, animal health and environment. So we need to work together to be able to better respond to them. One Health approach must be applied at the local level with a whole-of-society approach."
"Successful implementation can only happen if those who are in the driving seat lead on One Health. That is why the role of Mayors and other leaders is so key," said Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health, Indonesia. "I believe that by strengthening the communication, collaboration, and coordination between the sectors of human health, animal health and environment, we will be able to make an impact."
Dr Paula Fujiwara, who has devotedly worked on lung health since decades, and is currently the Chair, Global Plan to end TB Task Force, and Scientific Advisor, APCAT agreed: "Spread of SARS, TB and other microbes are some examples and the result of increased interaction of animals with human spaces. APCAT has shown its success in tobacco control by providing mayors with a shared platform to collaborate, share experiences and best practices, and improve communication among local governmental and non-government stakeholders. APCAT could leverage this experience to accelerate uptake of a One Health approach that would be novel and impactful in addressing health threats."
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