One Health in the context of coronavirus outbreaks: A systematic literature review

Abstract

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic threatens global health thereby causing unprecedented social, economic, and political disruptions. One way to prevent such a pandemic is through interventions at the human-animal-environment interface by using an integrated One Health (OH) approach. This systematic literature review documented the three coronavirus outbreaks, i.e. SARS, MERS, COVID-19, to evaluate the evolution of the OH approach, including the identification of key OH actions taken for prevention, response, and control. The OH understandings identified were categorized into three distinct patterns: institutional coordination and collaboration, OH in action/implementation, and extended OH (i.e. a clear involvement of the environmental domain). Across all studies, OH was most often framed as OH in action/implementation and least often in its extended meaning. Utilizing OH as institutional coordination and collaboration and the extended OH both increased over time. OH actions were classified into twelve sub-groups and further categorized as classical OH actions (i.e. at the human-animal interface), classical OH actions with outcomes to the environment, and extended OH actions. The majority of studies focused on human-animal interaction, giving less attention to the natural and built environment. Different understandings of the OH approach in practice and several practical limitations might hinder current efforts to achieve the operationalization of OH by combining institutional coordination and collaboration with specific OH actions. The actions identified here are a valuable starting point for evaluating the stage of OH development in different settings. This study showed that by moving beyond the classical OH approach and its actions towards a more extended understanding, OH can unfold its entire capacity thereby improving preparedness and mitigating the impacts of the next outbreak.

European Green Deal as social vaccine to overcome COVID-19 health & economic crisis

“… 2 Moreover, COVID-19 is probably originating from endemic zoonosis and might be regarded in the light of ecosystems’ disequilibrium according to a comprehensive “One Health Approach”. 3 Environmental pollution has been questioned to worsen COVID-19 epidemic outbreaks, as those areas experiencing the highest levels of air pollution seem to have suffered from the worst consequences of the pandemic. 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 …”

Do Animals Play a Role in the Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)? A Commentary

“…CoVs are a severe global health threat. Animals, humans, and plants are part of a unique ecosystem and should be treated as a One Health integrated organization [ 70 ]. New outbreaks may continue to be frequent in the future due to increased interactions between humans and animals, and changes in climate and ecology that could modify pathogen characteristics and cause molecular evolutions in different host species, as well as host responses to infections and interactions between wild animals, domestic animals, and humans, making prevention activities difficult.…”

Prioritizing zoonotic diseases utilizing the One Health approach: Jordan's experience

“…This is especially true considering the stark global public health challenges associated with the SARS and MERS outbreaks [ 16 , 17 ]. These outbreaks, along with COVID-19, remind us to be “vigilant” and “prepared for the following outbreaks of zoonotic origin” by understanding the human-animal-environment interface's trajectories mitigating similar outbreaks utilizing an integrated approach [ 18 , 19 ]. Thus, to best address zoonotic disease threats, a multi-sectoral One Health (OH) approach is needed.…”