One health
Convener: Cecilia Wolff, Centre for Global Animal Diseases at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, SLU
Contact: cecilia.wolff@slu.se
To make progresses in the development goals addressing health and wellbeing, no hunger, poverty, climate change, economic growth and inequalities, a holistic and interdisciplinary approach is needed. This is the essence of the One Health approach linking public health, animal health and environmental health.
One example is the issue of zoonotic diseases that are transmittable between humans and animals. Such diseases have severe negative effects on public health, but also on animal health, leading to food insecurity due to reduced production of high value food of animal origin. In addition to being devastating for the individual producer, these diseases have severe negative consequences for international trade.
FAO states that 75% of the world's poor and food insecure people rely on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods. More research and policy development in the One Health area would be of great benefit and result in improved health, improved food security and better economy.
Research projects within the One Health area often work with individual farmers or the local community. However, challenges are complex and call for solutions that must include many disciplines and also wider scales. This applies especially to research towards the sustainable development goals. For example, access to water and grazing land in rural areas, or prevention of disease spread between humans and animals in both rural and urban farming require a holistic approach involving competencies from several scientific fields.
On this panel researchers from the One Health area will present research and discuss policy issues that are also of high relevance for researchers from e.g. social, political and environmental sciences. Such an interdisciplinary approach is fundamental to address local challenges and bridge to global visions of health and food security.
23 Aug., 14:00–15:30, Seminar Room Y22
- Are aflatoxins a one health issue? Results and insights from studies onaflatoxins in the East African dairy value chains. Johanna Lindahl, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) / Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Daniel Mugangai, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) / University of Nairobi; Gideon Mwangi, Mount Kenya University; Anima Sirma, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); Christine Atherstone, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Delia Grace, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
- Emerging zoonoses situation in Bangladesh and one health approach. Mohammed Abul Kalam, Siam Health Care.
- Capacity building to combat zoonotic diseases in Bangladesh through integrated education and research training programme: A One Health Approach. Muhammad Asaduzzaman and Sultan Mahmood, Institute of Epidemiology / Massey University.
- A one health perspective on influenza A and campylobacter in rural Cambodia. Kristina Osbjer, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Sofia Boqvist, , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Kannarath Chheng, National Institute of Public Health, Cambodia; Sorn San, National Veterinary Research Institute, Cambodia; Holl Davun, National Veterinary Research Institute, Cambodia; Seng Sokerya, Centre for Livestock and Agriculture Development, Cambodia; Siamak Zohari National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Sweden; Eva Tano, Uppsala University; Patrik Ellström, Uppsala University, Hilpi Rautelin, Uppsala University; Mikael Berg, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Ulf Magnusson, , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
Abstracts
Are aflatoxins a one health issue? Results and insights from studies onaflatoxins in the East African dairy value chains. Johanna Lindahl, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) / Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Daniel Mugangai, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) / University of Nairobi; Gideon Mwangi, Mount Kenya University; Anima Sirma, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); Christine Atherstone, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Delia Grace, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
Aflatoxins are toxic byproducts from some Aspergillus fungi, mainly Aspergillus flavus, colonizing crops before and after harvest, with preference for maize and groundnuts. In large quantities the toxins are mainly hepatotoxic, and can cause death due to liver failure. Chronic low-dose exposure has been shown to cause immunosuppression and reduced growth in animals, and has been associated with stunting in children. Aflatoxin B1 is one of the most potent natural carcinogens known, causing hepatocellular carcinoma. When animals consume aflatoxins they may have clinical symptoms, reduced productivity and performance, but our literature review suggest that there is still knowledge gaps as to how much animals are affected. In addition, aflatoxins are metabolized by the animals, and residues may persist in low levels in meat and eggs, but around 7-10% of what a dairy cow consumed is excreted as the metabolite aflatoxin M1 into the milk. Our research from Kenya show that milk may contain 140 times WHO recommended levels, and feed samples may contain almost 2000 times the legal levels in Kenya. In some of the studied villages, 100% of samples exceeded legal limits. In addition, our study on urban children shows high rates of stunting in low-income areas, and an association with the consumption of aflatoxin M1. Thus, aflatoxins are a problem affecting both humans and animals, where animals do contribute to the risks for humans, but we also discuss around the potential of animals acting as a solution for the problem as well, discussing policies and mitigation methods.
Emerging zoonoses situation in Bangladesh and one health approach. Mohammed Abul Kalam, Siam Health Care.
Introduction: The majority of human emerging pathogens are zoonotic and many have their origins in wildlife. The cost of new infections to societies in terms of human mortality and morbidity can be enormous. Objectives: To explore the emerging zoonoses situation in Bangladesh, identify the country-specific responses in control and prevention, and determine the constraints and challenges to using One Health approach to curb emerging zoonoses in Bangladesh. Methods: Conducted a narrative review of published literature and reports archived of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of Bangladesh. Results: Major zoonoses outbreak occurring in Bangladesh during the last 5 years includes: HPAI A (H5N1), Anthrax, Nipah, Rabies, Japanese encephalitis. Progress has been made towards establishing inter-sectoral collaboration, validation and finalization of the Strategic framework for a One Health approach to infectious diseases in Bangladesh, establishment collaborative Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control & Research, Directorate of Livestocks and International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh outbreak investigations in One Health approach for HPAI A (H5N1), and One Health research. Despite the progress, implementation of One Health approach faces several constraints and challenges. Possible solutions may include adopting health strategic framework, ensuring institutional arrangements and policy frameworks, building capacity in relevant sectors. Conclusion: Establish institutional governance and policy frameworks for a One Health approach, advocating adoption of One Health approach to inform policy makers and relevant stakeholders, implementation of the One Health Strategic Framework for Emerging Infectious Diseases, enabling funds for One Health activities including research, surveillance, and capacity building.
Capacity building to combat zoonotic diseases in Bangladesh through integrated education and research training programme: A One Health Approach. Muhammad Asaduzzaman and Sultan Mahmood, Institute of Epidemiology / Massey University.
Rationale: A dedicated and well equipped group of professionals from diverse disciplines need to be in place for effective prevention and control of zoonotic diseases. As a major affected country, the healthcare system of Bangladesh should adopt innovative and integrated approach which will foster collaborative environment for implementing evidence-based public health policies. Objective: To describe the zoonotic research capacity building of the ‘Integrating Education and Action for One Health’ Programme in Bangladesh. Methods: This 2-year Masters in Biosecurity and One Health Epidemiology Fellowship is based in Bangladesh and is being implemented by Massey University,NewZealand. In this program launched in 2014, two fellows have been recruited from each of the human, animal and wildlife health sectors comprising a cohort of six. Fellows from different sectors form a group and work on country relevant zoonotic diseases to conduct their applied epidemiology research focused on evaluation of current control strategies with situation assessment and validation of new methodology and software tools. They are also engaged in curriculum development for future one health courses. Results: The Programme has generated data to support implementation of zoonotic diseases’ control strategies in Bangladesh. Fellows have gained a research and career understanding through mentoring from national and international experts of all relevant sectors both in country and abroad. Conclusion: An integrated approach with emphasis on multisectoral collaboration can improve research capacity in any country. It is also evident that distance mentoring with proper learning environment in the host organization can largely influence the outcomes of a programme.
A one health perspective on influenza A and campylobacter in rural Cambodia. Kristina Osbjer, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Sofia Boqvist, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Kannarath Chheng, National Institute of Public Health, Cambodia; Sorn San, National Veterinary Research Institute, Cambodia; Holl Davun, National Veterinary Research Institute, Cambodia; Seng Sokerya, Centre for Livestock and Agriculture Development, Cambodia; Siamak Zohari National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Sweden; Eva Tano, Uppsala University; Patrik Ellström, Uppsala University, Hilpi Rautelin, Uppsala University; Mikael Berg, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Ulf Magnusson, , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
Background: The aim was to study the interplay between livestock and humans in rural areas of Cambodia, focusing on zoonotic transmission of influenza A virus and campylobacter. Methods: Interviews were conducted in 300 rural households where faecal samples were collected from 681 humans and 853 livestock (including cattle, chickens, ducks and pigs) and analysed for Campylobacter by multiplex PCR and selective culturing. Swab samples from 553 birds and 198 pigs were in addition analysed for influenza A virus using a Matrix gene based qRT-PCR and full-length genome sequencing. Associations within households between the livestock management, awareness of zoonotic infection, practices related to zoonotic disease transmission and detection of campylobacter in human and livestock samples were analysed with logistic regression models. Results: Few households (6%) perceived a likelihood of disease transmission between humans and livestock in their village. Low pathogenic subtypes Influenza A virus (H3, H4 and H6) were detected in 1.3% of the bird samples and H3N2 comprising the triple reassortant internal gene cassette in 1.5 % of the pig samples. Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli were detected by PCR in 19% of the sampled children, 8% of adults, 72% of pigs, 56% of chickens, 24% of ducks and 5% of cattle. Human campylobacter positivity was associated with household practices throughout the meat chain including: allowing animals in sleeping and food preparation areas (OR 2.8, p=0.02), home-slaughtering (OR 2.4, p=0.01), eating undercooked meat (OR 6.6, p=0.05) and frequent consumption of poultry meat (OR 1.2, p=0.006).
