scholarly journals A One Health Perspective on the Human–Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 3789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A.M. Overgaauw ◽  
Claudia M. Vinke ◽  
Marjan A.E. van Hagen ◽  
Len J.A. Lipman
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
One Health ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The One

Over time the human–animal bond has been changed. For instance, the role of pets has changed from work animals (protecting houses, catching mice) to animals with a social function, giving companionship. Pets can be important for the physical and mental health of their owners but may also transmit zoonotic infections. The One Health initiative is a worldwide strategy for expanding collaborations in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment. However, in One Health communications the role of particularly dogs and cats is often underestimated. Objective: Evaluation of positive and negative One Health issues of the human–companion animal relationship with a focus on zoonotic aspects of cats and dogs in industrialized countries. Method: Literature review. Results: Pets undoubtedly have a positive effect on human health, while owners are increasing aware of pet’s health and welfare. The changing attitude of humans with regard to pets and their environment can also lead to negative effects such as changes in feeding practices, extreme breeding, and behavioral problems, and anthropozoonoses. For the human, there may be a higher risk of the transmission of zoonotic infections due to trends such as sleeping with pets, allowing pets to lick the face or wounds, bite accidents, keeping exotic animals, the importation of rescue dogs, and soil contact. Conclusions: One Health issues need frequently re-evaluated as the close human–animal relationship with pet animals can totally differ compared to decennia ago. Because of the changed human–companion animal bond, recommendations regarding responsible pet-ownership, including normal hygienic practices, responsible breeding, feeding, housing, and mental and physical challenges conforming the biology of the animal are required. Education can be performed by vets and physicians as part of the One Health concept.

scholarly journals COVID-19 through the One Health lens: adding a missing perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Selbach ◽  
Maarten P. M. Vanhove ◽  
Kim Nørgaard Mouritsen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
One Health ◽  
Evolutionary Ecology ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Health Awareness ◽  
Human Parasite ◽  
Health Concept ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The One

The One Health concept offers an integrative approach to disease and health at the human-animal-environment interface. It has often been suggested to view the COVID-19 outbreak within this framework to better understand and mitigate this global crisis. Here, we discuss how the evolutionary ecology of host-pathogen systems can add a valuable additional perspective to the debate around SARS-CoV-2 and its implications for public health awareness and policy-making. In this context, it is especially important to highlight that changes in nature, such as zoonotic spillover events, are often irreversible, and that humans, while deeply embedded in ecosystems, are intricate ecosystems themselves. A better recognition of the complex biology and evolution of human-parasite interactions will assist our understanding of such zoonoses.

scholarly journals Strengthening the One Health Agenda: The Role of Molecular Epidemiology in Aspergillus Threat Management

Genes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eta Ashu ◽  
Jianping Xu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
One Health ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Aspergillus Species ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Health Initiative ◽  
Threat Management ◽  
The One

The United Nations’ One Health initiative advocates the collaboration of multiple sectors within the global and local health authorities toward the goal of better public health management outcomes. The emerging global health threat posed by Aspergillus species is an example of a management challenge that would benefit from the One Health approach. In this paper, we explore the potential role of molecular epidemiology in Aspergillus threat management and strengthening of the One Health initiative. Effective management of Aspergillus at a public health level requires the development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools to not only identify the infecting pathogen to species level, but also to the level of individual genotype, including drug susceptibility patterns. While a variety of molecular methods have been developed for Aspergillus diagnosis, their use at below-species level in clinical settings has been very limited, especially in resource-poor countries and regions. Here we provide a framework for Aspergillus threat management and describe how molecular epidemiology and experimental evolution methods could be used for predicting resistance through drug exposure. Our analyses highlight the need for standardization of loci and methods used for molecular diagnostics, and surveillance across Aspergillus species and geographic regions. Such standardization will enable comparisons at national and global levels and through the One Health approach, strengthen Aspergillus threat management efforts.

scholarly journals Human-animal relationships and interactions during the Covid-19 lockdown phase in the UK: investigating links with mental health and loneliness

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ratschen ◽  
Emily Shoesmith ◽  
Lion Shahab ◽  
Karine Silva ◽  
Dimitra Kale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Human Animal Bond ◽  
Buffering Hypothesis ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The Uk

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic raises questions about the role that relationships and interactions between humans and animals play in the context of widespread social distancing and isolation measures. We aimed to investigate links between mental health and loneliness, companion animal ownership, the human-animal bond, and human-animal interactions; and to explore animal owners’ perceptions related to the role of their animals during lockdown. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of UK residents over 18 years of age was conducted between April and June 2020. The questionnaire included validated and bespoke items measuring demographics; exposures and outcomes related to mental health, wellbeing and loneliness; the human-animal bond and human-animal interactions. Results: Of 5,926 participants, 5,323 (89.8%) had at least one companion animal. Most perceived their animals to be a source of considerable support, but concerns were reported related to various practical aspects of providing care during lockdown. Strength of the human-animal bond did not differ significantly between species. Poorer mental health pre-lockdown was associated with a stronger reported human-animal bond (b = -.014, 95% CI [-.023 - -.005], p = .002). Animal ownership compared with non-ownership was associated with smaller decreases in mental health (b = .267, 95% CI [.079 - .455], p = .005) and smaller increases in loneliness (b = -.302, 95% CI [-.461 - -.144], p = .001) since lockdown. Conclusion: The human-animal bond is a construct of potential clinical importance to identify mental health vulnerability in animal owners. Animal ownership appeared to mitigate some of the detrimental psychological effects of lockdown. Further targeted investigation of the role of human-animal relationships and interactions for human health, including testing of the social buffering hypothesis and the development of instruments suited for use across animal species, is required.

scholarly journals Human–dog relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic: booming dog adoption during social isolation

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liat Morgan ◽  
Alexandra Protopopova ◽  
Rune Isak Dupont Birkler ◽  
Beata Itin-Shwartz ◽  
Gila Abells Sutton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Mental Health ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Dog Owners ◽  
The One

AbstractThe recent COVID-19 pandemic led to uncertainty and severe health and economic concerns. Previous studies indicated that owning a companion animal, such as a dog or a cat, has benefits for good mental health. Interactions with animals may help with depression and anxiety, particularly under stress-prone conditions. Human–animal interactions may even improve peer-to-peer social relationships, as well as enhance feelings of respect, trust, and empathy between people. Interestingly, it has also been shown that stress and poor well-being of dog owners negatively affect the well-being of their companion animals. However, a dramatic increase in dog abandonment could potentially occur due to COVID-19 related health, economic and social stresses, as well as due to the inconclusive reports of companion animals being potential COVID-19 carriers. Such a scenario may lead to high costs and considerable public health risks. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic, and the related social isolation, might lead to dramatic changes in human–dog bidirectional relationships. Using unique prospective and retrospective datasets, our objectives were to investigate how people perceived and acted during the COVID-19 pandemic social isolation, in regards to dog adoption and abandonment; and to examine the bidirectional relationship between the well-being of dog owners and that of their dogs. Overall, according to our analysis, as the social isolation became more stringent during the pandemic, the interest in dog adoption and the adoption rate increased significantly, while abandonment did not change. Moreover, there was a clear association between an individual’s impaired quality of life and their perceptions of a parallel deterioration in the quality of life of their dogs and reports of new behavioral problems. As humans and dogs are both social animals, these findings suggest potential benefits of the human–dog relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with the One Welfare approach that implies that there is a bidirectional connection between the welfare and health of humans and non-human animals. As our climate continues to change, more disasters including pandemics will likely occur, highlighting the importance of research into crisis-driven changes in human–animal relationships.

scholarly journals Applying a One Health approach to inter- and trans-disciplinary research on antimicrobial resistance

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Falkenberg
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Graduate School ◽  
One Health ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Urban Transformation ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Close Collaboration ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The One

Abstract This presentation will focus on the value and process as well as the opportunities and challenges of applying a One Health approach to conduct inter- and trans-disciplinary research on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) based on experiences in the Forschungskolleg (graduate school) “One Health and urban transformation” (https://www.zef.de/onehealth.html), hosted at the Center for Development Research in Bonn. The One Health approach acknowledges that human health is inextricably intertwined with animal health and the environment and that solutions to health issues can only be achieved by close collaboration and integrated approaches of those three domains. In the complex context of AMR, One Health is often mentioned as one promising way forward for managing and mitigating the approaching health crisis due to its inherent holistic and interdisciplinary nature. The presentation will provide an overview of inter- and trans-disciplinary research around One Health and AMR from the Forschungskolleg thereby exploring enabling factors and obstacles encountered.

scholarly journals A University Driven Approach to Engaging Communities in Solving Complex Health Problems at the Human-Animal-Environmental Interface: A One Health Demonstration Site Survey in Kilosa District, Tanzania

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Hellen Amuguni ◽  
Robinson Mdegela ◽  
Christine Rioux ◽  
Japheth Killewo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
National Park ◽  
One Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Demonstration Site ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The One ◽  
Complex Health Problems

In light of the increasing global demographics, disease emergence and intensified encroachment on natural habitats, meeting the needs of the community and safeguarding their health is becoming a significant challenge. Engaging communities in one health activities is one way to ensure that they are involved in the planning, implementation and management of activities and interventions right from the beginning. The One Health Central and Eastern Africa (OHCEA) network of veterinary, environmental and public health institutions have been developing regional collaboration sites (One Health Demonstration Sites) for capacity building, outreach, and applied research in One Health where students, faculty, communities and government representatives work together to address joint complex health problems in long-term research, training and outreach at the human-animal -environment interface.In Tanzania, Kilosa district located close to Mikumi national park was identified as a perfect site. Villages surround the national park and are in close interaction with wild animals. Environmental issues such as flooding have happened in this area, there are internally displaced communities, and farmers live in conflict with pastoralists, wildlife authorities and the government.Faculty and students from Sokoine University and Tufts University performed a baseline survey of this area with key stakeholders in mind, and a focus on the different one health activities and interventions possible and the roles and responsibilities of the community in the demo site. Existing field based programs and attachments were reviewed, a situational analysis was conducted to allow for the engagement of local and national stakeholders in order to assure that activities are aligned with priorities and existing activities. Specific human health, animal health, and ecosystem challenges and impacts were identified, e.g. local human, livestock and wildlife diseases, habitat fragmentation, edge effect, biodiversity loss, around which training modules and/or curriculum could be developed for prospective trainees in public health, veterinary medicine, nursing and environmental health consistent with One Health themes and competencies.  Focus group discussions were held with the community. Various community leaders as well as district level government and civil society officials exchanged ideas on how to implement the one health demonstration site.The Kilosa region was found to be strategically positioned in terms of cultural resources and vulnerable populations as well as endemic or threatened wildlife species. Rabies, Rift Valley Fever and milk borne (Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis) as well as water borne zoonoses were identified by community members as priority diseases that would be intervened effectively using one health approach.  There was ongoing conflict among pastoralists, farmers, the national parks administration that presented opportunities for research and novel intervention systems.  Community support and existing infrastructure for ongoing activities including influx of trainees and research staff was considered adequate. Potential opportunities for the demonstration site to contribute to the local economy by virtue of employment, improved subsistence resources, conservation and sustainability, biodiversity protection, improved recreation or appreciation by tourists were present as well as future opportunities for community-based participatory research and training. The presence of ongoing stakeholder conflict presents opportunities for investigation and intervention by community members, the government and the universities working together using a one health approach. The survey provided prospects for engaging the community from the initial planning and execution stages of the demonstration site.

scholarly journals Optimization of human, animal, and environmental health by using the One Health approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. 263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Sleeman ◽  
Thomas DeLiberto ◽  
Natalie Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
One Health ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The One

scholarly journals Antibiotic Resistance: One Health One World Outlook

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilal Aslam ◽  
Mohsin Khurshid ◽  
Muhammad Imran Arshad ◽  
Saima Muzammil ◽  
Maria Rasool ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Global Health ◽  
One Health ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The One

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a growing public health concern worldwide, and it is now regarded as a critical One Health issue. One Health’s interconnected domains contribute to the emergence, evolution, and spread of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms on a local and global scale, which is a significant risk factor for global health. The persistence and spread of resistant microbial species, and the association of determinants at the human-animal-environment interface can alter microbial genomes, resulting in resistant superbugs in various niches. ABR is motivated by a well-established link between three domains: human, animal, and environmental health. As a result, addressing ABR through the One Health approach makes sense. Several countries have implemented national action plans based on the One Health approach to combat antibiotic-resistant microbes, following the Tripartite’s Commitment Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)-World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The ABR has been identified as a global health concern, and efforts are being made to mitigate this global health threat. To summarize, global interdisciplinary and unified approaches based on One Health principles are required to limit the ABR dissemination cycle, raise awareness and education about antibiotic use, and promote policy, advocacy, and antimicrobial stewardship.

The Role of the Veterinary Pathologist in Voice Research

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 42-46
Author(s):  
Abigail Durkes
Keyword(s):  
Research Team ◽  
One Health ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
Voice Disorder ◽  
Veterinary Pathology ◽  
Veterinary Pathologist ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Basic Medical ◽  
Experimental Disease

Veterinary pathologists fill many vital roles in a multidisciplinary biomedical research team. They can serve as diagnosticians, basic medical scientists, or liaisons between investigative work and clinical medicine. Advanced education in veterinary pathology can provide expertise in the biology of the whole animal, spontaneous disease manifestations in both human and non-human animals, and experimental disease models. Veterinary pathologists have a unique standpoint in understanding the pathophysiology of disease from a One Health perspective in which human, animal, and environmental health are linked. By collaborating with a veterinary pathologist, voice and voice disorder research can reach new, innovative success and exploration.

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