Wild animal and zoonotic disease risk management and regulation in China: Examining gaps and One Health opportunities in scope, mandates, and monitoring systems

Abstract

Emerging diseases of zoonotic origin such as COVID-19 are a continuing public health threat in China that lead to a significant socioeconomic burden. This study reviewed the current laws and regulations, government reports and policy documents, and existing literature on zoonotic disease preparedness and prevention across the forestry, agriculture, and public health authorities in China, to articulate the current landscape of potential risks, existing mandates, and gaps. A total of 55 known zoonotic diseases (59 pathogens) are routinely monitored under a multi-sectoral system among humans and domestic and wild animals in China. These diseases have been detected in wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish or other aquatic animals, the majority of which are transmitted between humans and animals via direct or indirect contact and vectors. However, this current monitoring system covers a limited scope of disease threats and animal host species, warranting expanded review for sources of disease and pathogen with zoonotic potential. In addition, the governance of wild animal protection and utilization and limited knowledge about wild animal trade value chains present challenges for zoonotic disease risk assessment and monitoring, and affect the completeness of mandates and enforcement. A coordinated and collaborative mechanism among different departments is required for the effective monitoring and management of disease emergence and transmission risks in the animal value chains. Moreover, pathogen surveillance among wild animal hosts and human populations outside of the routine monitoring system will fill the data gaps and improve our understanding of future emerging zoonotic threats to achieve disease prevention. The findings and recommendations will advance One Health collaboration across government and non-government stakeholders to optimize monitoring and surveillance, risk management, and emergency responses to known and novel zoonotic threats, and support COVID-19 recovery efforts.

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Related Coronaviruses Circulating in Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) Confiscated From the Illegal Wildlife Trade in Viet Nam

“…In the interim, mitigation measures should consider that the wildlife trade spillover interface contains novel viruses, which may not be detectable with current diagnostic tests. Among nations, China has initiated a multi-sectoral and sustained crackdown on illegal wildlife trade and legislative reforms designed to completely phase out the farming/sourcing, trade, and consumption of terrestrial wildlife as food ( 58 ). It remains to be seen whether or not additional countries will follow this example.…”

One health strategy in prevention and control of parasitic zoonosis globally and Indonesia- from theory to practice: a mini-review

“…3 One Health collaboration across government and non-government stakeholders is needed to optimize monitoring and surveillance, risk management, and emergency response to known and new zoonotic threats. 28 The concept of One Health can find out the process of the emergence of the spread of zoonotic diseases so that the picture of the disease can be known more fully and treatment can be done more quickly. 29 This collaboration is one of the zoonotic prevention and control strategies that can reduce mortality and morbidity in humans and animals.…”

“…31 China regularly monitored under a multisectoral system between humans and domestic and wild animals of 55 known zoonotic diseases (59 pathogens) using One Health approach. 28 Indonesia has also implemented One Health, focusing on zoonotic diseases (including parasitic zoonosis) and other One Health problems, such as food borne diseases and antimicrobial resistance. The one health approach implementation in Indonesia involves coordination across public health sectors, animals, and the environment effectively in conducting surveillance and diagnosis of zoonotic diseases.…”

Rapid response screening for emerging zoonotic pathogens, barriers and opportunities: A study for enhanced preparedness of the Netherlands

“…To adequately inform risk-assessment and response measures, One Health outbreak investigations should be designed strategically, depending on the specifics of the outbreak, and be performed timely, risk targeted, with sufficient coverage, sample size and metadata, and appropriate sampling and storage methods [ 7 ]. Whilst this is widely recognized by the Quadripartite organizations (FAO, WHO, UNEP and WOAH), implementation is still hampered or slowed down [ [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] ]. Additionally, EID outbreak response most often is focussed on humans.…”