World Zoonoses Day: Experts call for increased investment in One Health to reduce the burden of neglected zoonoses
On World Zoonoses Day (6 July), we call for increased investment in One Health to control the spread of disease from animals to people.
One Health is a concept that recognizes that the health of people is linked to the health of animals and their shared environment. A One Health approach in preventing and controlling diseases therefore involves the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines and sectors. This approach is especially useful for managing zoonoses, diseases that are transmitted between animals and people.
According to the World Health Organization, at least 61% of all human pathogens are zoonotic and have represented 75% of all emerging pathogens during the past decade. There are more than 200 known zoonotic diseases. The health and economic cost of these diseases falls largely on poorer countries which bear 98% of the global burden of zoonoses.
Additionally, in poorer countries, zoonoses comprise 25% of the human burden of infectious diseases. Just 13 of over 200 zoonotic diseases cause 2.4 billion cases of illness and 2.2 million deaths annually (not including COVID-19).
Follow ILRI on Twitter: @ILRI
Blog
Read the full article from our member International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).