The One Health Approach to Emerging Infectious Diseases: Ebola and the Animal Health Perspective

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  • January 25, 2020
Creator
  • Gordon, Rebecca
    • Affiliation: Gillings School of Global Public Health, Public Health Leadership Program
Abstract
  • The fundamental basis for the One Health concept is rooted in the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health. Because of these complex linkages, supporters of One Health advocate that effective solutions to public health challenges require multi-disciplinary communication, collaboration, and coordination. The One Health concept dates back to the mid-19th century to Rudolph Virchow who understood the value of incorporating medicine and veterinary medicine into public health. He and other prominent scientists of the 19th and early 20th century championed the One Health approach, leading to scientific and medical breakthroughs that still benefit us today. After a quiescent period, the One Health concept underwent a rebirth as increasingly more frequent infectious disease outbreak events [i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and West Nile virus] captured global attention and revealed vulnerabilities in preparedness and response methods to combat zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases. In the early 21st century, the One Health approach gained a foothold in the public health realm as a viable and feasible system to address challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. In 2014, when Ebola virus disease struck the United States (US), the public looked towards government agencies and health organizations to respond swiftly and appropriately. From the animal health perspective, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) responded by activating a departmental-level One Health task force to coordinate multi-agency response activities across various public health disciplines. The One Health approach is reviewed and evaluated for the feasibility of incorporating human, animal, and environmental health at the federal level; the degree of integration across multiple disciplines; and the ability of the response to improve and benefit overall health outcomes. The approach proved to be an effective mechanism for dealing with animal health-related components and provided valuable lessons learned for improving response mechanisms for future One Health events. With continued implementation and integration, the One Health approach is an attainable and beneficial method to combating zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases and other public health issues at the human-animal-environment interface.
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  • In Copyright
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  • Track: Leadership
  • Paper type: Other
Advisor
  • Randolph, Susan
Reviewer
  • Lynn, Tracey
Degree
  • Master of Public Health
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation year
  • 2015
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  • 982f158b-0de0-42ae-8769-ac05752e55f4

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