Reflecting on One Health in Action During the COVID-19 Response

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, a singular disruptive event in recent human history, has required rapid, innovative, coordinated and collaborative approaches to manage and ameliorate its worst impacts. However, the threat remains, and learning from initial efforts may benefit the response management in the future. One Health approaches to managing health challenges through multi-stakeholder engagement are underscored by an enabling environment. Here we describe three case studies from state (New South Wales, Australia), national (Ireland), and international (sub-Saharan Africa) scales which illustrate different aspects of One Health in action in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Ireland, a One Health team was assembled to help parameterise complex mathematical and resource models. In New South Wales, state authorities engaged collaboratively with animal health veterinarians and epidemiologists to leverage disease outbreak knowledge, expertise and technical and support structures for application to the COVID-19 emergency. The African One Health University Network linked members from health institutions and universities from eight countries to provide a virtual platform knowledge exchange on COVID-19 to support the response. Themes common to successful experiences included a shared resource base, interdisciplinary engagement, communication network strategies, and looking global to address local need. The One Health approaches used, particularly shared responsibility and knowledge integration, are benefiting the management of this pandemic and future One Health global challenges.

Participation in One Health Networks and Involvement in the COVID-19 Pandemic Response: A Global Study

“…The proof of concept for the utility of One Health has been demonstrated repeatedly during previous outbreaks of zoonotic diseases (13,(15)(16)(17). The key messages from One Health actions reported during COVID-19 include the importance of a supportive environment with shared resources, interdisciplinary engagement, and strategies for communication networks (18,19). To perform effectively, professionals need to be armed with the knowledge and skills from their own discipline, and also to be motivated and able to bridge with others (20).…”

Global health security must embrace a One Health approach: Contributions and experiences of veterinarians during the COVID-19 response in Australia

“…Given the clear links to animal health, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted early actions and reactions by the veterinary profession in many countries. Actions by veterinarians included those taken in response to animal health and welfare concerns [ 18 ] as well as public health impacts [ 19 ]; leveraging veterinary laboratories to provide extra diagnostic capacity; and redirecting veterinary medical equipment to hospitals [ 20 ]. Professional associations and researchers investigated the effects of COVID-19 on veterinary practices [ 21 ] and veterinary-related concerns of dog owners [ 22 ].…”

“…While some narrative descriptions of veterinary responses to COVID-19 have been published [ [18] , [19] , [20] ], as yet no studies have systematically collected data on the contributions and experiences of individual veterinarians, as well as the range of issues faced by the veterinary profession during the pandemic. We conducted key informant interviews of Australian veterinary professionals from both clinical and non-clinical roles in order to: 1) identify the range of contributions, relevant skills and motivations for engaging in the response; 2) characterise the extent of One Health collaboration and cooperation; and 3) discover existing and developed insights into preparedness and response to COVID-19 and future pandemics.…”

Rabies and the pandemic: lessons for One Health

“…Lessons from tackling rabies during COVID-19 extend beyond this crisis to broader One Health challenges. 4 Respondents acknowledged the potential for positive outcomes in the longer term, such as improved cold and supply chains, strengthened diagnostic capacity, investment in e-learning and regional coordination. Indeed, recognition of COVID-19 as a zoonosis may increase awareness about the importance of safeguarding animal health as well as the potential for cross-cutting contributions of the veterinary sector, often deployed to COVID-19 contact tracing, laboratory work and vaccination.…”