International Organizations Launch One Health High-Level Expert Panel to Combat Emerging Infectious Diseases

Strategic Insights -

The World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have collectively launched a new One Health High-Level Expert Panel to address the global threat of emerging infectious diseases. The panel will advise the four international organizations on developing a long-term global plan to prevent and prepare for outbreaks of diseases such as H5N1 avian influenza, MERS, Ebola, Zika, and potentially COVID-19. By adopting the One Health Approach, the panel will recognize the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health and foster collaboration among specialists from various sectors to address health threats and prevent disruption to agri-food systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The One Health High-Level Expert Panel will focus on understanding the factors that lead to the transmission of diseases from animals to humans and vice versa, and will identify capacity gaps and agree on good practices to prevent and prepare for zoonotic outbreaks.
  • The panel will consider the impact of human activity on the environment and wildlife habitats, including food production and distribution, urbanization and infrastructure development, international travel and trade, and activities causing biodiversity loss and climate change.
  • The panel will guide the development of a dynamic new research agenda and draw up evidence-based recommendations for global, regional, national, and local action.
  • The High-Level Expert Panel will be composed of specialists from various sectors, including human health, animal health, and environmental science.
  • The panel will provide recommendations for closing capacity gaps and promoting effective collaboration among sectors to address health threats and prevent disruption to agri-food systems.
  • Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated that human health is linked to animal and environmental health, requiring close collaboration and communication between relevant sectors.
  • United Nations organizations, including FAO, OIE, and UNEP, will contribute to the development of science-based One Health strategies and programs through the panel.
  • The One Health High-Level Expert Panel will serve as a model for silo-breaking, systems thinking, and open dialogue among sectors.

Statistics:

  • Three quarters of all emerging infectious diseases originate in animals (WHO).
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the One Health approach in recognizing the links between human, animal, and environmental health.
  • The panel will consider 32 key areas, including food production and distribution, urbanization and infrastructure development, international travel and trade, and activities causing biodiversity loss and climate change.

Sources:

  • "New high-level panel to fight pandemics" by the World Health Organization.
  • "One Health High-Level Expert Panel" by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
  • "One Health High-Level Expert Panel: first meeting" by the World Organisation for Animal Health.
  • "United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)" by the United Nations Environment Programme.