Important One Health in ACTION program...

University of California Global Health Institute (USA)

One Health: Water, Animals, Food and Society

Please see: http://ucghi.universityofcalifornia.edu/coes/one-health/index.aspx

Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Research and One Health Initiative Team Establish Website Links

Professor Dr. Rishendra Verma
ARS

JOINT DIRECTOR
Centre for Animal Disease Research and Diagnosis(CADRAD)
Head & Govt. Of India Analyst (Division Of Standardisation)
Project Coordinator: All India Network Programme On HS and BT
ICAR, D.A.R.E, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. Of India
Indian Veterinary Research Institute
Izatnagar-243 122(U.P.)
INDIA
Contact#: +91-9359117376(M),+91-581-2301757(O)
Fax#: +91-581-2301757, +91-581-2303284
E.mail: rishendra_verma@yahoo.com

Prominent One Health Advocate-Speaker-Author & Public Health Expert Joins One Health Initiative Team

January 26, 2012—The One Health Initiative team of Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP, Bruce Kaplan, DVM, Thomas P. Monath, MD and Jack Woodall, PhD proudly announces that Lisa A. Conti, DVM, MPH has officially joined with our autonomous pro bono team / website www.onehealthinitiative.com as an active participant.  We greatly appreciate and welcome her addition to our One Health efforts.

Among many other previous career accomplishments, Dr. Lisa A. Conti, a veterinarian, is the former Director of the Florida Department of Health’s Environmental Health Division (USA) where she supervised over 200 employees.  She is an associate professor of Pathobiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (USA).  In addition to numerous public speaking engagements and professional journal publications, Dr. Conti was co-author/writer with the prominent American public health physician at Yale Medical School, Dr. Peter M. Rabinowitz, of the groundbreaking ‘first of its kind’ One Health book entitled Human-Animal Medicine – Clinical Approaches to Zoonoses, Toxicants and other Shared Health Risks http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/product.jsp?isbn=9781416068372.  

Please see Dr. Conti’s current curriculum vitae http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/conti%20cv%2011_11.OHI%20CV%20doc.pdf. 

Posted by—

One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team:

Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP ▪ Bruce Kaplan, DVM ▪

Thomas P. Monath, MD ▪ Jack Woodall, PhD ▪

Lisa A. Conti, DVM, MPH

Unique North Carolina (USA) Collaborative Group Sponsors “One Health” Discussion Series

“The North Carolina (USA) One Health Collaborative sponsors the "One Health Intellectual Exchange Group" discussion series. These interdisciplinary sessions are designed to provide a forum for direct communications / collaborations between physicians, veterinarians, environmental, plant and wildlife researchers, public health and other local/global health professionals.  Held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 – 7:30pm at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, these sessions are held weekly January – April and monthly the rest of the year. All local professionals and interested students are encouraged to participate. A parallel course, ‘One Health: Philosophy to Practical Integration of Human, Animal and Environmental Health’, cross listed at Duke University, University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State University is available to professional and graduate students (undergraduates by permission) who wish to participate for credit. Registration is not required for attendance.” 

January 25, 2012—According to Cheryl Stroud, DVM, PhD, Chair, North Carolina One Health Collaborative Steering Committee & One Health Intellectual Exchange Group, “outstanding One Health speakers have been engaged to share comments with attendees”.  Indeed, examination of the 2012 schedule of presentations http://nconehealthcollaborative.weebly.com/jan---april-2012.html confirms Dr. Stroud’s assessment.  Notably, Dr. Stroud also represents the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) on the USA’s One Health Commission www.onehealthcommission.org.

For more information about this important, enlightened North Carolina One Health group and their activities, please see http://nconehealthcollaborative.weebly.com/index.html.

“One Health: Information in an Interdependent World”

Plan now to attend the Medical Library Association 2013 Conference in Boston & meet your International Colleagues

The Medical Library Association annual meeting for 2013 (MLA ’13), will take place on May 3–8, 2013, in Boston, and will incorporate the 11th International Congress on Medical Librarianship (ICML), the 7th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (ICAHIS), and the 6th International Clinical Librarians Conference.

The 2013 meeting theme is “One Health: Information in an Interdependent World,” which emphasizes global interdependencies in all health-related areas. “One Health” is meant to encompass not only human and animal health, but also public health, environmental health, climate change, food safety and production, and international health policy.

Paper and Poster Submission for MLA ’13 in Boston

Submission of papers and posters (using the MLA submission system) will begin earlier than usual because of the lead times needed for international participants. The 2013 contributed papers and posters submission deadline is May 1, 2012.  Final findings and results may be added to the accepted papers and posters up to 1^st February 2013, so you don’t have to have completed research to submit a paper or abstract. The same system will be used for submissions to all four parts of the incorporated meeting – MLA, ICML, ICAHIS and ICLC.

ICAHIS & VMLS (Veterinary Medical Libraries Section/Medical Library Association) are sponsoring or co-sponsoring 11 sessions during the conference of which almost all will be open to contributed papers.  HELP FILL UP THESE SLOTS WITH GREAT PAPERS. Here are a few session themes:

People, Animals, and the Environment:  One Health Interactions and Perspectives that Enrich Our Lives and Our Work,

Librarians at Work: Building a One Health Perspective;

Animal Health Librarians Collaborating Globally,

Using Modern Technologies to Share Animal Health Information Globally.

The submission system is open now. For access to the online submission process, instructions, and a list of section program themes, please see www.mlanet.org/am/am2013/.

Do you have questions?

Vicki Croft and Trenton Boyd are on the National Program Committee.  They are representing the 7th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (ICAHIS).   The members of the planning committee for ICAHIS are Ann Cathrine Munthe (Norway), Michael Eklund (Sweden), Fiona Brown (U.K.), Robert Taylor (U.K.), Esther Carrigan (program chair for VMLS’13), Vicki Croft and Trenton Boyd.   If you have questions feel free to contact Vicki (croft@wsu.edu) or Trenton (boydt@missouri.edu).

Graciously provided by:

Diane A. Fagen, Librarian

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

1931 N Meacham Rd

Schaumburg IL 60173-4360

p: 800-248-2862 ext 6770

f: 847-925-9329

e-mail: dfagen@avma.org

Visionary One Health Training Programs Planned for University of Florida (USA)

Please see video at http://youtu.be/InYc6qB-pKk

“While many organizations call for a cross-disciplinary One Health approach, there are no US degree programs that teach students to lead these complex collaborations.  Comprised of sixteen different health science, engineering, and agriculture colleges, the University of Florida is uniquely positioned with experts in a variety of fields. To address this need and utilize our distinctive capabilities, the Department of Environmental and Global Health is developing several new training programs.  We are seeking approval to establish three new training programs for Fall 2012:

·                                 Master’s of Health Sciences, Environmental Health emphasis (40 credit hours, approval pending)

·                                 PhD in Public Health, One Health emphasis (90 credit hours, approval pending)”

http://egh.phhp.ufl.edu/academic-programs/

A relevant One Health Issue...

The National Link Coalition:

Multi-disciplinary Human-Animal Partnerships to Prevent Family and Community Violence

Provided to One Health Initiative website/team January 12, 2012:

By PHIL ARKOW

Coordinator, National Link Coalition

37 Hillside Road, Stratford, NJ 08084

856-627-5118

arkowpets@snip.net   -   www.nationallinkcoalition.org

Please view original submission at http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/One%20Health%20-%20description%20of%20NLC2.pdf

Much as the One Health movement emerged from veterinary medicine and envisioned partnerships with human healthcare to effect more comprehensive solutions to health issues affecting humans and other species, the National Link Coalition was born in 2008 as a way to improve well-being through unique human-animal collaborations. The Coalition came about through impetus from the animal welfare community, in response to growing scientific evidence from the social sciences, criminology and behavioral health fields, about the impact of animal cruelty on interpersonal aggression and other criminal behaviors. Like One Health proponents, we believe that human and animal interests are inextricably intertwined, and that animal welfare is also a human well-being issue. We promote a collaborative approach between humane and human services that transcends institutional and disciplinary boundaries to ensure a more effective approach to breaking the cycles of violence and protecting all vulnerable members of society.

The National Link Coalition is an informal, multidisciplinary, collaborative network of individuals and organizations in human services and animal welfare who address what we call “The Link”: the intersections between animal abuse, domestic violence, child maltreatment and elder abuse (see diagram below). We explore these linkages through research, public policy, programming, and community awareness. We believe that human and animal well-being are inextricably intertwined and that the prevention of family and community violence can best be achieved through partnerships representing multi-species perspectives. The National Link Coalition’s vision is:

The Link between violence against humans and violence against animals is widely known and understood. We believe that through the recognition and integration of this understanding

into policies and practices nationwide, humans and animals will be measurably safer.

With 98% of Americans considering pets to be significant companions and members of the family, it is apparent that a “siloed” approach in which veterinary medicine, animal welfare, animal control, and animal cruelty prevention are segregated from their human health, social services and law enforcement counterparts is no longer appropriate.

Research continually demonstrates that acts of animal abuse serve as indicators, and frequently as predictors, of family dysfunction, behavioral health problems, and interpersonal violence. We believe that a synergistic approach, on the local, national and global levels, can be more effective in bridging gaps and treating violence prevention holistically. Our trainings to veterinarians cite the One Health concept as a rationale for practitioners to recognize not only animal cruelty but child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse as well.  Our trainings to physicians and human healthcare personnel encourage them to be sensitive to the emotional attachments their patients may have towards pets, and to see animal abuse and neglect as sentinel problems indicating potential human wellness issues.

We believe that the prevention of family and community violence is amenable to public health solutions and therapeutic interventions. We focus on what we call “the dark side” of the human-animal bond: the broken bonds that emerge from negative interactions between the species and how these events frequently manifest in interpersonal violence. We also work with the good side of the human-animal bond, using animal-assisted therapy and unique behavioral health approaches to treat the perpetrators and victims of animal abuse.

Our programs include an extensive speakers’ bureau with trainings targeted to human and veterinary medicine, law enforcement, social work, the criminal justice system, child welfare, domestic violence, adult protective services, and many other disciplines; a monthly electronic bulletin, The LINK-Letter, now being distributed to 970 readers in 25 countries; partnerships with sister organizations in the U.K., the Netherlands, and Spain; monthly webinars for prosecutors handling animal cruelty cases in collaboration with the National District Attorneys Association, the ASPCA and the Animal Legal Defense Fund; practice management guidelines to help veterinarians recognize and respond to family violence; and campaigns to establish community coalitions against violence, cross-reporting and cross-training programs that integrate humane and human services agencies.

For additional information please visit www.nationallinkcoalition.org or contact coordinator Phil Arkow at arkowpets@snip.net.

Important One Health Endorsement ...

SOCIETY OF JUNIOR DOCTORS

SITE: MENALOU 5, MAROUSSI, ATHENS, GREECE ESTABLISHED: 2009, EMAIL: info@sni.gr

One World, One Medicine: SJD is on board!

In a rapidly changing world, the only initiatives which make sense and could actually make a difference are the ones promoting a multidisciplinary approach. The Society of Junior Doctors is a scientific association based in Greece aiming to promote research, education and disseminate knowledge. One of its constitutional goals is the promotion of communication and solidarity with other societies with related goals.

We only recently discovered the One Health Initiative. But it was… respect at first sight! Driven not only by our fundamental beliefs, but also by our recent research on the ancient zoonotic epidemic of the Plague of Thebes, we can appreciate the mission and the vision of One Health.

Our planet faces significant challenges and it takes visionary scientists to embrace the defending of health and well-being of all species. The, once perhaps sophisticated, concept of the integration of human medicine, veterinary medicine and environmental science, nowadays seems strikingly meaningful.

Under our medical perspective, emerging and reemerging zoonotic diseases are one of the biggest threats of contemporary public health. Especially as many, mostly rural, areas seem unprotected. The lessons of the past show that zoonotic outbreaks have caused a considerable burden on mortality and society, and our modern understanding can help preventing history from repeating.

We here at the Society of Junior Doctors are embracing the mission of the One Health Initiative, finding among our members, including doctors of both human and veterinary medicine, the necessary step to promote One Health’s vision. Contemporary world calls for efficient social networking within the context of globalization; Think globally, act locally!

On behalf of the Society of Junior Doctors,

Konstantinos P. Economopoulos, MD

Antonis A. Kousoulis, MD

Aspasia Oikonomopoulou, DVM, MRCVS

http://www.sni.gr/en/

info@sni.gr

[Please see original document provided to One Health Initiative website/team January 12, 2012 at http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/OneHealth-SJD_2_.pdf]

One Health Summit Feb 19-22, 2012 – Davos, Switzerland Programme Released!

The international One Health Summit 2012, organized by the Global Risk Forum GRF Davos, features an integrative health risk management approach acknowledging the systemic interconnections between human-, animal-, and environmental health in close relation with food safety and security.

The conference will contribute to further advance and promote the concept of “One Health” and strengthen collaboration across disciplines, sectors and communities of practice. A holistic and integrative perspective will be key to the successful management of global health risks in an era of climate change, resource depletion, land degradation, hunger and development challenges.

Please find the link to the newly released summit programme with updated information on speakers, conference sessions – 8 plenaries and over 200 oral and poster presentations – and networking activities on the GRF Davos website.

Join top experts, leaders and pioneers from international organizations, public authorities, insurance and health services, the pharmaceutical and the food industry, academia and civil society. Only few early bird tickets are left. Register now in order to profit from a reduced conference registration fee.

Important One Health issues...

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases – 15^th Annual Conference for Vaccine Research

 Monday, May 7, 2012 - Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor Hotel
300 Light Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
410-528-1234

The Annual Conference on Vaccine Research http://www.cvent.com/d/scqjyd?refid=ohi provides high-quality, current reports of scientific progress featured in both invited presentations and submitted oral abstracts and posters.   As the premier venue for cutting edge learning, effective data sharing, and scientific collaboration on issues related to vaccines and immunization, the conference features international experts leading symposia and panel discussions.

The conference is designed specifically for epidemiologists; immunologists; microbiologists; molecular biologists; nurses; nurse practitioners; pharmacologists; pharmacists; physicians; post-graduate fellows; public health officials; researchers and scientists; vaccine, diagnostic, and device manufacturers; and veterinarians.

Submit an Abstract
Download the Call for Abstracts

View Detailed Agenda

Sponsored by: National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
Collaborating Organizations: American Veterinary Medical Association; Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Edward Jenner Society; Emory Vaccine Center; Fondation Merieux; International Association for Biological Standardization; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH; One Health Initiative; Sabin Vaccine Institute; Sealy Center for Vaccine Development; Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists; US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

Pig flu in humans more common than we think?

 Prepared for publication on the One Health Initiative website and submitted January 3, 2011 by:

John Friary, MPH, MS

Global Pathogens Laboratory http://gpl.phhp.ufl.edu

Emerging Pathogens Institute

Department of Environmental and Global Health

College of Public Health and Health Profession

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (USA)

Three months ago this website, (http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/news.php), reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had confirmed that four children had been recently infected by a new pig-origin influenza virus that is a hybrid of the 2009 pandemic human virus and a North American pig virus. As of January 3, 2012, the count had risen to 11 children and 1 adult in five states. This virus has been found in US pigs, but not enough testing of pigs has been done to estimate how widespread it is. In addition, only six of these people had any contact with pigs, which means that this virus may be spreading from person to person.

No link has been found between the infected people from different states, and the CDC is concerned that there may be many more infections with these viruses, but they are simply not being identified.

Determining how prevalent these viruses really are in pigs may permit a better understanding of how these viruses spread to people.

References: 

     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Update: Influenza Activity – United States, October 2, 2011-Novermber 26, 2011. Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2011;60(48);1646-1649. Available at:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22157883.

     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Have You Heard?”: CDC confirms two human infections with novel influenza viruses. Available at:  http://www.cdc.gov/media/haveyouheard/stories/novel_influenza.html  (Accessed Dec 22, 2011).

World Veterinary Association (WVA) One Health Section Now Available on Home Page Tab

January 3, 2012---The One Health Initiative team is proud to announce that through our longstanding liaison with the World Veterinary Association’s Contents Manager Jim Edwards, ONZM, BVSc, MRCVS, Dip.Bus.Studs http://www.worldveterinaryconsultants.com/?Directors:Jim_Edwards and a past President of WVA, we have added a Tab to this One Health Initiative website’s Home Page.  This allows our readers immediate contact with the WVA’s One Health section:

http://www.worldvet.org/taxonomy/term/19

We consider this site one of the finest comprehensive accumulations of important, up-to-date One Health News items worldwide.  In addition, Dr. Edwards is a highly valued One Health collaborator, supporter and advocate.

Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP – Bruce Kaplan, DVM – Thomas P. Monath, MD – Jack Woodall, PhD  

An important unique example of One Health in ACTION...

International Laboratory on Vector Borne Diseases Established in West Africa

“The LAMIVECT (Laboratoire mixte international sur les maladies à vecteurs”, or international laboratory on vector-borne diseases) Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) was born in May 2011. It gathers the main actors on research, training and control of vector borne diseases which are: CIRDES (“Centre International de Recherche Développement sur l’Elevage en zone Subhumide”), IRSS-Muraz (“Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé”), and the University of Bobo-Dioulasso (UPB). Two research units from the health department of IRD (Institute of Research for Development, a public French Institute) have researchers based for long duration stays (2 to 4 years) in Bobo-Dioulasso: INTERTRYP unit, which works on Trypanosomes and has researchers and collaborative programs based in CIRDES. MIVEGEC unit works on malaria and other vector borne diseases and has researchers and collaborative programs based at IRSS. This represents collaborative work between veterinarians, physicians, molecular biologists, entomologists, parasitologists, geographs, totalising 50 people (25 PhD researchers, 15 students, 10 technicians).

The main research questions and objectives are similar for malaria and trypanosomiases, as well as for other vector borne diseases such as dengue, leishmaniasis, tick borne diseases etc. Moreover, in many instances the methods and tools used by these research teams to address these questions are similar or complementary. Master and PhD students from the UPB are trained by these teams, and co-supervision is common.

The creation of this international laboratory is a first, timely step in the structuring of research, training, and control on infectious diseases and their vectors on the site of Bobo-Dioulasso, historically known for its involvement in the control of the “grandes endémies”. LAMIVECT will foster collaborative interactions between UPB, the two research centers, and the scientists from IRD towards the development of a unique and renowned center for research and training on vector borne diseases of medical and veterinary importance in West Africa.”

Provided to One Health Initiative website by Dr. Philippe Solano:

Philippe Solano, PhD

Director of Research

IRD, UMR IRD-CIRAD INTERTRYP

CIRDES, 01 BP 454, Bobo-Dioulasso

Burkina Faso, Africa

philippe.solano@ird.fr

tel: +226 20 98 51 94

Book Review Requested by One Health Initiative Website Team:

Animals, Diseases, and Human Health: Shaping Our Lives Now and in the Future

Reviewed by Lisa Ann Conti, DVM, MPH, Diplomate ACVPM, CEHP, CPM, AVES (Hon)

Animals, Diseases, and Human Health: Shaping Our Lives Now and in the Future presents some of the more common dilemmas at the intersection of human and animal health.  Written for a general readership at the college freshman level, the editor has assembled a number of mainly veterinary public health experts who walk readers through 13 chapters from pet allergies to modern animal biotechnology.  In addition to infectious diseases common to animals and humans, the book covers issues such as animal abuse and cruelty and the attendant connection to human violence as well as animal hoarding. 

The penultimate chapter on One Health calls for enhanced infectious disease surveillance and multidisciplinary collaborations to address issues such as panflu prevention and control.  After reading this book, students will have a general understanding of the complexities involved at the intersection of human, animal and environmental health and be better equipped to engage in One Health actions— Radford G. Davis, DVM, MPH, Editor. 2011. 286p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780313385292.

Note: This book is available for purchase at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Animals-Diseases-Human-Health-Shaping/dp/0313385297.

One Health “AHEAD” – Wildlife Conservation Society & Partners

What is AHEAD? -  www.wcs-ahead.org

“Animal & Human Health for the Environment And Development (AHEAD) was launched at the 2003 IUCN World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa.  By assembling a 'dream team' of veterinarians, ecologists, biologists, social and economic scientists, agriculturists, wildlife managers, public health specialists and others from across East and southern Africa, the Wildlife Conservation Society, IUCN, and a range of partners tapped into some of the most innovative conservation and development thinking on the African continent - and AHEAD was born. Since then, a range of programs addressing conservation, health, and concomitant development challenges have been launched with the support of a growing list of implementing partners and donors who see the intrinsic value of what WCS has called the One World, One Health™ approach.

AHEAD is a convening, facilitative mechanism, working to create enabling environments that allow different and often competing sectors to literally come to the same table and find collaborative ways forward to address challenges at the interface of wildlife health, livestock health, and human health and livelihoods. We convene stakeholders, help delineate conceptual frameworks to underpin planning, management and research, and provide technical support and resources for projects stakeholders identify as priorities. AHEAD recognizes the need to look at health and disease not in isolation but within a given region's environmental and socioeconomic context.”

For more information please contact:

Steve Osofsky, DVM                     Mark Atkinson, BVSc MRCVS
Wildlife Conservation Society        Wildlife Conservation Society
Director, Wildlife Health Policy       AHEAD Senior Policy Advisor
WCS AHEAD Coordinator              matkinson@wcs.org
sosofsky@wcs.org                        ph: 1-775-843-0158
ph/fax: 1-703-716-1029

Shirley Atkinson, MSc
Wildlife Conservation Society
AHEAD Senior Program Manager

satkinson@wcs.org - ph: 1-775-843-8498

              
NOTE: The One Health Initiative team supports the important One Health efforts of AHEAD and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

“One Health” Air Force Veterinarian Receives U.S. Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Fellowship

Major Thomas Doker (DVM, DACVPM, MPH, CPH), the public health flight chief for the 82nd Aerospace Medical Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base in Frederick, Oklahoma, was recently chosen for a fellowship with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) that will begin in July 2012. The fellowship is for field epidemiology and will include surveillance for emerging diseases, their origin and investigation.  Dr. Doker is a strong One Health supporter and advocate. He characterized this announcement to the One Health Initiative website team by saying:

  “I am looking forward to a rewarding “one-health” experience with the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  U.S. Air Force Public Health Officers already practice one-health preventive medicine by working directly with physicians, veterinarians, dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other public health professionals for disease surveillance, investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of communicable, occupational, and chronic diseases.  We also are in charge of environmental health surveillance and control for foodborne, vectorborne, and waterborne pathogens.

 Per the CDC Web site, “The EIS is a unique 2-year post-graduate training program of service and on-the-job learning for health professionals interested in the practice of applied epidemiology.”  These health professionals are accepted from across the one-health spectrum:  Physicians, Doctoral-level Scientists (Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Biological, Environmental, Social, Behavioral, or Nutritional Science), Medical Professionals (Dentists, Nurses, Physician Assistants, or Doctors of Pharmacy), and Veterinary Medical Professionals, i.e. Veterinarians.

EIS officers work as a one-health team within state or local health departments as well as at the CDC to conduct both routine research and research associated with urgent or emergent public health problems.  Investigation of public health diseases requires “focusing on the complex interplay between human health, the health of animals, and the environment”.  I look forward to the chance for furthering my one-health knowledge by building on my past experiences as a field veterinarian and an Air Force Public Health Officer.  The chance to work with other health professionals within the EIS construct is an exciting opportunity!”

Kentucky (USA) Veterinary Medical Association History Book contains One Health Feature

Please see PDF link http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/One_Health_from100_Year_book.pdf to read complete One Health chapter...

“Celebrating 100 Years of Compassionate Care, 1911 – 2011, a new book released by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA), is now available for online purchase www.kvma.org.  Its 120 pages are filled with facts, figures and photos that will hold your interest from beginning to end. Covering topics from the origins of the association to the future of veterinary medicine and the one-health movement, the book is both a chronicle of yesteryear and a prompt for discussions of tomorrow. 

This entertaining volume captures the practice and the spirit of veterinary medicine in Kentucky from its earliest beginnings to 2011 and beyond. And snippets of veterinary

“advice” from the early 20th century sprinkled liberally throughout the book provide a delightful peek into the past.

You’ll find the stories behind these and hundreds of other Kentucky (USA) “fascinating facts.” And in the section called Tales From How It Used To Be, you can read firsthand accounts—some hilarious, some touching, all entertaining—from the lives of some of the KVMA’s most seasoned practitioners.

We’ve also produced a commemorative CD entitled Voices of Kentucky Veterinarians. In this compilation of oral histories, Kentucky veterinarians young and old recount why they

wanted to become veterinarians, what it was like to go to veterinary medical school, their memories of practice, and what has changed in the profession over the years. This 55-minute-long, professionally produced narrative is a priceless testimony to the greatest profession in the world practiced in the most beautiful state in the union. The veterinarians who tell their stories in the book are not the same folks who tell their stories on the CD, so you’ll want to own both to enjoy the full flavor of the Kentucky veterinary medical experience.”

Above statement and permission for One Health Initiative website to post One Health book chapter #17 provided by:

Pat Kennedy Arrington, DVM, CVFP

Certified Veterinary Family Practice

Hospital Director,Jefferson Animal Hospital Regional Emergency Center
4504 Outer Loop, Louisville, Ky 40219 (USA)
(502) 966-4104 (fax) 966-3904
Open 24 hours and AAHA Certified since 1980

www.jeffersonanimalhospital.com

One Health Program Progress Report from the Netherlands

Reported by:

Arno Vermeulen PhD, Managing Director, Immuno Valley ALTANT programme, Yalelaan 42, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands

P: +31 30 253 1142 -  M: +31 6 46311342

Please see December 7, 2011 PRESS RELEASE - PDF link http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/Press%20Release%20Immuno%20Valley%20ALTANT%2020111207%20(2).pdf

... ‘One Health’: animals and humans bound inseparably together

Immuno Valley brings together research, scientists and the business community based on the ‘One Health’-concept. ‘One Health’ means that human medicine and veterinary medicine are inseparably bound together, and that therefore far-reaching integration of knowledge and expertise is vital to ensure that healthy people can live in harmony with healthy animals in a healthy environment. Bundling the knowledge of both disciplines can prevent and combat epidemics, zoonoses and new infectious diseases; one of the important goals of the Life Sciences & Health Top Sector Plan.*…

Historic One Health Resolution (USA)...

National League of Cities · Adopted at the 2011 Congress of Cities · November 12, 2011 (USA)

 2012 Energy, Environment and Natural Resources  Pg.68 & 69

NLC RESOLUTION #2012-17 - ONE HEALTH INITIATIVE [Please see http://alturl.com/tz5gx and http://alturl.com/zh45j]

WHEREAS, cities depend on the health and vitality of their inhabitants, reliable access to sufficient quantities of wholesome food and clean water, clean air, and the ecosystem services that support them; and

WHEREAS, government plays an important role in coordinating efforts to preserve and maintain those resources; and

WHEREAS, policymakers are challenged to make sense of complex inter-relationships among human health, animal health, and ecological health, and pressed to conform with decision-making models that often isolate those critical connections and shorten planning horizons; and

WHEREAS, cities‘ economic, social, and environmental well-being—the ¨Dtriple bottom line¡¬ whereon environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and social responsibility intersect—depends on our ability to integrate diverse interests through unified long-range planning, and to engage and inform policymakers and practitioners about critical interdependent needs; and

WHEREAS, the One Health Initiative4 is the collaborative objective of multiple disciplines, including the American Medical Association (AMA), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), their international counterparts, and environmental organizations, working locally, nationally, and globally to disseminate information about human health, animal health, and environmental health; and

4 www.onehealthinitiative.com    

WHEREAS, leaders in local government are ideally suited as partners in that responsibility; and

WHEREAS, successful adoption and implementation of the One Health Initiative will be predicated on the leadership, communication skills, and cooperation of its advocates; and

WHEREAS, One Health topics that pertain to local government include the costs and organizational structure of public health services; pandemic preparedness; health education; adaptation to climate change; animal control and vaccination requirements; transportation and land use planning affecting public wellness; water quality protection; waste management; energy choices; food safety and regional food systems; ecological protection, restoration, and monitoring; homeland security and bioterrorism; measures of economic trends and workforce preparedness relative to sustainable practices; health, healthcare costs, and absenteeism of personnel; and

WHEREAS, facilitating communication among increasingly specialized experts will improve health outcomes for communities through increased awareness of connections between climate variability, food production, and infectious diseases; cross-species contagion (zoonoses), and human and animal health conditions; and demands on municipal infrastructure and services; and

WHEREAS, climate change will affect energy costs, the frequency and severity of floods, fires, wind events, heat waves, and other extreme weather conditions; coastal development and building standards; incidence vector-borne illnesses; crop production; habitat loss; endangerment and extinction of species; and human illness; and

WHEREAS, cities can only thrive if they remain attractive and livable, with sufficient quantities of clean water, clean air, efficient, affordable buildings, healthful food choices, healthy food animals, and leaders who are committed to cooperative long-range planning for a sustainable future.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National League of Cities supports integrated decision-making in the context of the One Health Initiative, and calls on the federal government to adopt legislation and practices that address human health, animal health, and ecological health in an integrated fashion and support local efforts to advance sustainability goals.

Infection Ecology and Epidemiology Journal - Citation: Infection Ecology and Epidemiology 2011, 1: 8293 - DOI: 10.3402/iee.v1i0.8293

CASE STUDY

One health national programme across species on zoonoses: a call to the developing world

Asokan G. V., Dr¹*, Vanitha Asokan, Dr² and Prathap Tharyan, Dr³

¹College of Health Sciences, Kingdom of Bahrain; ²American Mission Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain; ³South Asian Cochrane Network & Centre, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

Abstract

Zoonoses constitute 868 (61%) of all known infectious diseases, 75% of the infections considered ‘emerging’ are zoonoses. Developed nations have national programmes, adjoining “One Health” concept to combat zoonoses, whereas inadequacies exist in developing nations. As a case study, role of national programmes in India, a developing nation with a large human and animal population, was explored, as we did have acquaintance of it. Data from PubMed was extracted using keywords “Zoonoses AND Prevalence/Incidence AND India AND Human OR Animal” till 2009. Additionally, some individual disease keywords were used for extraction, which were missed by the above comprehensive search terms. On appraisal, the health sector in India has only a few national programme on zoonoses where as none exists in animal husbandry sector. In the struggle against zoonoses -a major constituent of emerging infections, a system approach based, one national programme is urgently required for the developing world.

See Discussion:

“To accomplish the above desired needs, a strong public health infrastructure with a ‘One Health’-based national programme on zoonoses across species is required with greater community participation. Adjoining this, there could be several units on individual diseases graded for prevention, control, elimination or eradication depending on the prevalence estimates as well as priorities. This would be facilitated by a OneHealth approach, with enhanced communications across disciplinary and agency boundaries that involve complex human/animal/environmental systems in the struggle against zoonoses.

Ideally, an integrated ‘One Health national programme’ on zoonoses should encompass zoonoses causing most human and animal suffering and huge financial losses.To start of with at least notifiable zoonoses to control and prevent the major serious infectious diseases in India that is culturally and geographically diverse.”

Please read entire Article: http://www.infectionecologyandepidemiology.net/index.php/iee/article/view/8293/html

Major One Health News...

National League of Cities (USA) Adopts One Health Resolution

November 18, 2011 (USA)—The National League of Cities (NLC) http://nlc.org/ adopted an historic One Health Resolution at its annual business meeting in Phoenix, AZ (USA) on November 12, 2011, with approximately 700 voting members in attendance. 

The resolution states that “the National League of Cities supports integrated decision-making in the context of the One Health Initiative, and calls on the federal government to adopt legislation and practices that address human health, animal health, and ecological health in an integrated fashion and support local efforts to advance sustainability goals.”

One Health was also integrated into another comprehensive resolution, amended and approved for renewal, “Calling on the federal government to address issues of sustainability and support local ‘green’ efforts.” That resolution states, in part, “that for the betterment of the current generation, and to ensure that we meet our responsibility to future generations, NLC recommends that the federal government take the following actions…In the area of public health: Recognize relationships among the environment, food systems, animal health and human health, and support the One Health Initiative to promote integration of those disciplines, policies, and practices.”

The NLC represents more than 19,000 cities, towns and villages across the nation, with voting representation by more than 1,600 dues-paying member cities of all sizes. 

***************

News item provided by One Health advocate, Mayor Nancy Chaney of Moscow, Idaho (USA) and member of the Board of Directors for the National League of Cities.

One Health Publications

Courtesy of:  *Clinician's Brief Journal – November 2011 Issue:

·         “Public Health Significance of Toxoplasma” - See http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/Capsules%20Nov%202011.pdf.

·          Ask the expert...“Checklists: An Answer to Avoiding Mistakes” – See http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/Ask%20the%20Expert_Checklists.pdf

See full November issue: http://www.cliniciansbrief.com/journal

*Clinician’s Brief, the official Journal of the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC), adopted support and advocacy of the One Health concept in its October 2011 issue.  The NAVC http://www.navc.com/ conducts a prominent and outstanding yearly meeting in Orlando, Florida (USA).  It is one of the largest veterinary medical continuing education events in the world.  A focus is maintained “on a single goal—providing high quality, practical information to every member of the veterinary [medical] professional team.”  The 2012 Conference is scheduled for January 14-18, 2012.

One Health Approaches Serve to Mind the Gaps

Olga Jonas, Economic Adviser, World Bank, Washington, DC 20433 (USA) www.worldbank.org/flu    

Provided to One Health Initiative Website – November 9, 2011

The breaking of the levees in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the single most catastrophic failure of an engineered system in history.  Faulty design of some structures, poor construction in others, poor maintenance, and underfunding of safety were all to blame.  Expert investigations highlighted numerous failures at the joints, for instance between two levee sections built at different times, or where a levee met another structure, such as a pumping station.  Different segments often fell under the authority of different parishes or agencies.  Critically, often no agency was actually responsible for the joints, so many joints were not engineered, constructed, and maintained as part of the system – instead, they were improvised.  Policy makers failed in minding the gaps, with disastrous consequences.  According to the expert investigation reports, the hurricane protection system was not a system, but a “disjointed agglomeration” whose parts were joined together in make-do arrangements.

There are alarming parallels with local, country, and global defenses against contagious diseases arising at the animal-human-ecosystem interfaces.  One Health approaches can help manage the gaps between systems, institutions, and professions.  More attention to the gaps is necessary to keep the rising tide of dangerous pathogens at bay. 

****************************************************

References: 

A video presentation by UC Berkeley engineering professor Raymond Seed, one of the co-leaders of the Katrina investigation team, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1fMhW2bflU (see especially slides at 31:35 and 38:20)

Expert reports, including:

A Failure of Initiative, Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee U.S. House of Representatives, 109th Congress (2006)

Preliminary Report on the Performance of the New Orleans Levee Systems in Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005 by R.B. Seed, P.G. Nicholson, R.A. Dalrymple, J. Battjes, R.G. Bea, G. Boutwell, J.D. Bray, B. D. Collins, L.F. Harder, J.R. Headland, M. Inamine, R.E. Kayen, R. Kuhr, J. M. Pestana, R. Sanders, F. Silva-Tulla, R. Storesund, S. Tanaka, J. Wartman, T. F. Wolff, L. Wooten and T. Zimmie, Preliminary findings from field investigations and associated studies performed by teams from the University of California at Berkeley and the American Society of Civil Engineers, as well as a number of cooperating engineers and scientists, shortly after the hurricane. Report No. UCB/CITRIS – 05/01 November 2, 2005

Independent Levee Investigation Team Final Report, Investigation of the Performance of the New Orleans Flood Protection Systems in Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005,  July 31, 2006;

The New Orleans Hurricane Protection System:  What Went Wrong and Why, A Report by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Hurricane Katrina External Review Panel, 2007.

A neglected zoonosis...

Notes from the Field: Q Fever Outbreak Associated with Goat Farms --- Washington and Montana, 2011

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA) – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: October 14, 2011 / 60(40);1393: See PDF http://alturl.com/dvt7z

On April 22, 2011, the Q fever bacterium Coxiella burnetii was detected in a goat placenta collected from a farm in Washington, where 14 of 50 (28%) pregnant does had aborted since January. A county health alert advised health-care providers to ask patients with symptoms compatible with Q fever (e.g., fever, headache, chills, and myalgia) about exposure to goats, and the owners of the farm informed purchasers of their goats that C. burnetii had been detected in their herd. On May 25, the county health department reported a symptomatic patient with antibodies to C. burnetii who had purchased goats from the farm in February. On May 27, a report from Montana identified a child seropositive for C. burnetii whose family had purchased goats from the Washington farm in October 2010; one of the goats aborted triplets 2 weeks before the child's May 12, 2011, illness onset. On May 31, five more persons reported onset of symptoms compatible with Q fever from late March to mid-May, following exposure at a Montana farm to goats purchased from the Washington farm at various times during October 2010--January 2011. On June 10, the Washington State Department of Health and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services requested CDC assistance to characterize the extent of the outbreak, distribute Q fever information, and identify others at risk for infection.

Goats sold after June 2010 by the Washington farm where C. burnettii initially was detected were traced to 21 farms in Washington (10 counties), Montana (three counties), and Oregon (one county). Seventeen farms participated in the outbreak investigation. C. burnetii infection was detected in 16 of 17 goat herds, including polymerase chain reaction confirmation of bacterial shedding in feces, vaginal mucous, or milk in 161 of 667 (24%) goats tested and an overall seroprevalence of 21% (131 of 615) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To date, 19% (20 of 108; 11 in Washington and nine in Montana) of serologically tested persons met the outbreak case definition of a person epidemiologically linked to at least one farm of interest (i.e., as a goat owner, farm visitor, or neighbor) since January 2011 with a C. burnetii phase II immunoglobulin G titer ≥1:128 by immunofluorescence assay (1). No deaths were reported; four of the 20 persons were hospitalized, and five were asymptomatic.

Both states implemented a herd management plan to promote continued communication between public health and agricultural authorities and to advise goat owners to disinfect birthing areas, avoid contact with birth products, limit visitor access to animal holding areas, maintain an animal registry, and report animal abortions and positive Q fever test results to state authorities. All homes within a 1-mile radius of the Washington farm where C. burnetii was initially detected and a Montana farm that also had high goat seroprevalence linked to human illness were visited once by CDC or by county public health officials and CDC in July or August 2011 to provide Q fever health education and offer human serologic testing. The states have received no additional reports of Q fever since July.

Q fever (a category B bioterrorism agent) is a nationally notifiable disease in humans and is endemic throughout the United States with a national seroprevalence of 3% (2). Washington and Montana typically report ≤3 cases of Q fever annually. Acute Q fever is characterized by a self-limited febrile illness or, less often, by pneumonia or hepatitis. Less common still is chronic Q fever, which affects <5% of infected persons and presents as endocarditis in patients with preexisting valvular disease. Pregnant women, immunosuppressed persons, and patients with a preexisting heart-valve defect are at greatest risk for chronic Q fever. Doxycycline is recommended for treatment of acute Q fever. C. burnetii is highly infectious, persists in the environment, and can travel for miles once windborne (3). Transmission can occur via inhalation of contaminated aerosols or dust; human-to-human transmission is rare. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the primary Q fever reservoirs. Continued community awareness is essential for disease prevention and control. Additional information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/qfever.

Reported by:

Washington State Dept of Agriculture; Washington State Dept of Health. Montana Dept of Livestock; Montana Dept of Public Health and Human Svcs. Oregon Dept of Human Svc. Veterinary Svcs, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Svc, US Dept of Agriculture. Rickettsial Zoonoses Br, Div of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; EIS officers, CDC. Corresponding contributors: Adam Bjork, PhD, abjork@cdc.gov, 404-639-2603; Alicia Anderson, DVM, aha5@cdc.gov, 404-639-4499.

References

1.       Bamberg WM, Pape WJ, Beebe JL, et al. Outbreak of Q fever associated with a horse-boarding ranch, Colorado, 2005. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2007;7:394--402.

2.       Anderson AD, Kruszon-Moran D, Loftis AD, et al. Seroprevalence of Q fever in the United States, 2003--2004. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2009;81:691--4.

3.       Hawker JI, Ayres JG, Blair I, et al. A large outbreak of Q fever in the West Midlands: windborne spread into a metropolitan area? Commun Dis Public Health 1998;1:180--7.

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services – Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

One Health Initiative: Fat Cat?

By Ashley Steel, Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA - November 2, 2011

“We drive through 7 am gridlock to survive the monotony of our 9-to-5 jobs all to find a way to pay for life’s expenses. Sitting through crowded rush hours to meet the bottom line of modern life has become the dominant activity for some people’s bottoms, and they aren’t getting any smaller from all the use. Many of us, victims of hurry up and wait, just sit in our office cubicles day after very long day. And through it all, our furry little friends sit at home waiting lethargically for our return.

Today’s fast-paced, sedentary lifestyle makes it harder for people and their pets to lead healthy lives. So, with healthful living for all in mind, a group of physicians, veterinarians, and other health professionals are working to “…promote, improve and defend the health and well-being of all species….” This effort, known as the One Health Initiative¹, ² is endorsed by major medical associations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is leading the way toward a healthier world.

People and animals are vulnerable to many diseases, some related to genetics and some to their own behavior. Certain diseases even impact multiple species. Obesity is a prime example of a medical condition that affects a variety of species, especially when the species share similar habits and environments. ...”

Please read complete article: http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm278139.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – A serious One Health Issue!

National Institute of Animal Agriculture (NIAA)                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Contact: Teres Lambert

847-838-2966

tlambert@animalagriculture.org

Antibiotic Use in Food Animals Symposium Establishes New Benchmark for Information, Science

See: 2011 NIAA Symposium Proceedings: Antibiotic Use in Food Animals:  A Dialogue for a Common Purpose

 http://www.animalagriculture.org/Solutions/Proceedings/Symposia/2011%20Antibiotics.html#HumanHealth

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO— Researchers and experts in animal health and human health shared scientific and thought-provoking information that elicited numerous “a-hah’s” from participants of the “Antibiotic Use in Food Animals: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose” symposium, Oct. 26-27, in Chicago. Sponsored by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, the symposium proved to be a two-way dialogue, with attendees asking pointed questions and adding to the discussions.

“The symposium established a new benchmark of valuable information and science that can be used to further communicate valid and essential facts to animal agriculture producers as well as consumers regarding the use of antibiotics in food animal production,” states Dr. Leonard Bull who served an Planning Committee Chair for the symposium. “Divergent opinions were openly expressed, and areas of consensus were developed.

“If the symposium was summarized in just two words, those words would probably be ‘dynamic’ and ‘eye-opening.’ I can’t remember when I obtained so much good information in a 24-hour period.”

Human health and animal health experts agreed that the judicious use of antibiotics in food animals is sometimes required to provide safe, nutritious food at a reasonable price, and that the prevention of infectious disease improves animal health and human health.

“Antibiotics is one of the technological tools that can be used to ensure affordable food,” stated Dr. Tom Shryock, Senior Research Advisor of Microbiology, Elanco Animal Health. In his “Initiaitives to Ensure Public Health, Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare of Antibiotic Use in Food Animals” presentation, Shryock pointed out that the public’s concern regarding antibiotic use in food animals has presented a conundrum to veterinarians. After all every graduate entering the veterinary profession swears an oath not only to protect animal health but also welfare and to not only relieve animal suffering but to prevent it. And that today can require the use of antibiotics in food animals.

Speaker after speaker made it clear that the use of antibiotics in food animal production is a complex issue that is often over simplified by consumer media trying to make the topic understandable to readers and listeners. Unfortunately, this simplified presentation of a complex issue often results in the public being misled and misperceptions take root.

Numerous messages delivered by the 13 animal health and human health experts centered on the hot topic of antibiotic resistance. Information shared included:

·          Using an antibiotic—or using more of it—will not necessarily cause resistance that antibiotic to appear or to increase from current levels. Likewise, ceasing to use an antibiotic—or using less of it—will not necessarily cause resistance to that antibiotic to disappear or decrease from current levels.

·          Concern about resistance is used as ammunition for other agendas, and their arguments assume a vacuum in which no new drugs are developed.

·          There’s much the human health community doesn’t know about why antibiotic resistance occurs. As such, antibiotics should be used appropriately—and as little as possible—not only in animal agriculture but also in the human population.

“Antibiotic use in animal agriculture is not a black-and-white issue. If it was an easy issue to understand and explain, we would have the issue solve a long time ago. That said, we in animal agriculture need to get in the same boat and row together—across species,” stated Scott Lormore, Director of Dairy Veterinary Operations for Pfizer Animal Health, in the symposium’s final presentation “Reaching Out to Consumers.”

Lormore underscored the importance of the animal agriculture industry building trust with consumers by consistently and effectively communicating and demonstrating its food safety commitment to the food chain. He stressed that consumers want and deserve information regarding on-farm production practices.

Emphasizing that “no one know what you know until they know you care,” he advised individuals to provide friends, family and other consumers with information that pairs science with true compassion.

Lormore said messages to consumers should center on four key facts:

·          Farm animals are under the care of licensed veterinarians.

·          Vaccines are used to protect animals from various illnesses.

·          Sick animals are treated with medicines, such as antibiotics, to restore their health, and protections are in place to ensure that their meat and milk is safe for people.

·          If medicine such as an antibiotic is administered to help sick animals, then their meat or dairy products are not allowed to enter the food supply until the medicine has sufficiently cleared the animal’s system.

Presentations by the speakers are available online at www.animalagriculture.org. Topics covered include the changing landscape of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and antibiotic product development; human health implications relative to antibiotic use; government regulatory oversight and risk mitigation; livestock MRSA; and connecting with consumers. A white paper is being developed and will be available online at NIAA’s website as well.

Click here to listen to an audio clip from Mike Bumgarner, Vice President, Center for Food and Animal Issues, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, as well as NIAA Executive Committee member as he summarizes the symposium in 60 seconds. (mp3)

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture provides a forum for building consensus and advancing proactive solutions for animal agriculture—the beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, equine and poultry industries—and provides continuing education and communication linkages for animal agriculture professionals. NIAA is dedicated to programs that work toward  the eradication of disease that pose risk to the health of animals, wildlife and humans; promote a safe and wholesome food supply for our nation and abroad; and promote best practices in environmental stewardship, animal health and well-being. NIAA members represent all facets of animal agriculture.

#   #   #

MIT News (USA):

Analysis of 29 mammals reveals genomic ‘dark matter’

Genomic comparison offers a new map for charting human disease and biology.

Haley Bridger, Broad Institute

October 13, 2011

“An international team of researchers has discovered the vast majority of the so-called “dark matter” in the human genome, by means of a sweeping comparison of 29 mammalian genomes. The team, led by scientists from the Broad Institute and MIT, has pinpointed the parts of the human genome that control when and where genes are turned on. This map is a critical step in interpreting the thousands of genetic changes that have been linked to human disease. The findings appeared online Oct. 12 in the journal Nature. ...”

Please read more: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/genomic-dark-matter-1013.html

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Food Safety and One Health Issues Discussed:

Produce Problems: How Pigs, Pollution And Other People Taint Our Fruits And Veggies

By Reporter Lynne Peeples – The Huffington Post lynne.peeples@huffingtonpost.com

The second in a series investigating the complex linkages between human, animal and environmental health: The Infection Loop.

Please see: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/produce-contamination-illness-listeria-infection-loop_n_1033152.html

2^nd Report of the National Biosurveillance Advisory Subcommittee – April 2011 (USA)

Includes references to building One Health infrastructure:

“Challenges

       -  One Health: Domestic animal, wildlife and plant disease surveillance systems and food and vector disease monitoring systems should be integrated into the national biosurveillance strategy for human health.”

http://www.cdc.gov/about/advisory/pdf/NBASFinalReport_April2011.pdf

Please see Important publication with free access...of significant One Health [interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary] interest:

The Infectious Disease Committee of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) Publishes Infectious Diseases of Concern to Captive and Free-ranging Wildlife in North America

Napier JE, Gamble KC (editors):  Infectious diseases of concern to captive and free-ranging animals in North America

1st edition. Yulee, Florida: Infectious Disease Committee, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 2011. 374 pp.

The publication is available online (at: http://www.aazv.org/ via http://www.aazv.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=754).

Table of Contents (contributors and reviewers)

http://www.aazv.org/associations/6442/files/idm_us_table_of_contents.pdf

Reportable diseases and regulations for the 50 United States, Canada and Mexico

http://www.aazv.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=755

Transmissible Disease Fact Sheets (alphabetical):

http://www.aazv.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=756

Transmissible Disease Fact Sheets (by classification):

http://www.aazv.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=757

Information provided October 23, 2011 by co-editor, Dr. Gamble:

Kathryn C. Gamble DVM, MS, Dipl ACZM

Dr. Lester E. Fisher Director of Veterinary Medicine

Chair, Infectious Disease Committee, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians

Lincoln Park Zoo

2001 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614

Global Handwashing Day was October 15, 2011

But it is never too late to wash your hands!!

Please see: http://www.globalhandwashingday.org/

One Health interest...

Comments on Abstract “ Professional exposure to goats increases the risk of pneumonic-type lung adenocarcinoma: Results of the IFCT-0504-Epidemio study “ by Magnin-Lutringer et al, presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress meeting in the Netherlands, September 25, 2011 https://www.ersnetsecure.org/public/prg_congres.abstract?ww_i_presentation=53083: 

 Brian Henderson MD¹

This is an interesting clinical series of lung cancers collected at multiple hospitals over a period of several years. Reportedly the same structured 356-item questionnaire was used at each regional university hospital.  The series of lung cancer cases was divided in to two major groups, a “ case” group defined by histological or cytologically-proven lung adenocarcinoma with predominant lepidic growth( P-ADC ) as well as some apparently related clinical lung cancer cases, and a “control” group of lung cancer cases without the adenocarcinomas as defined in the case group and without cases of non-bronchioalveolar non-small cell lung cancer.  The two clinical groups of lung cancer were not matched by age, gender or smoking status.  A total of 42 patients were included in the “case” group and 126 in the “control” group. In a multivariate analysis the “case” group was reported to be significantly( p = <0.05 ) more likely to be female, non-smoking, have a personal history of cancer, and a professional exposure to goats. The odds ratios for these variables ranged from 3.23 – 5.09 with wide confidence intervals given the relatively small sample sizes involved.  The odds ratio associated with a profession exposure to goats was the highest at 5.09 ( C.I. 95%  1.05 – 24.69 ). The authors emphasize the increase risk associated with professional exposure to goats among those lung cancers identified as P-ADC.

 Given the small sample size of the cases of P-ADC, the multiple clinical centers and physician or other health care interviewers involved, and the lack of clarity of the definition of professional exposure to goats, any conclusions drawn from this study must be considered very preliminary and hypothesis generating only.  As the authors state in their conclusion further epidemiological studies are needed to further explore these observations.  Such studies should be rigorously designed with careful attention to definition of exposure variables and to efforts to minimize the difficult problems of recall bias and variation in interviewer technique and interpretation in a multi-center clinical study.  While other types of lung cancer might be convenient controls in such a hypothesis generating clinical study, greater consideration to the most suitable design of future epidemiological studies of this nature would require more appropriate controls with suitable attention to matching by variables such as age, gender and, in the case of lung cancer, smoking history.

¹Brian Henderson, MD is Dean of the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California and the Kenneth T. Norris Jr Chair in Cancer Prevention, Los Angeles CA. Dr. Henderson is an internationally known and pre-eminent authority on the epidemiology of cancer, particularly the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of cancer, and has been recognized by many awards for his work in this field. He also a medical virologist, and has worked on the epidemiology of arthropod-borne viruses and Epstein-Barr virus related cancers in Africa.

One Health Initiative team member Thomas P. Monath, MD requested this commentary from Dr. Henderson.

A One Health Milestone...

U. S. Veterinary Journal Establishes Visionary One Health Policy and One Health Section

The official journal of the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC), Clinician’s Brief http://www.cliniciansbrief.com/journal/october-2011: see View this Issue, a peer reviewed journal, has established a unique, visionary and seminal One Health policy...the journal is primarily designed to provide pertinent veterinary medical scientific articles for busy small animal medicine/surgery practitioners. 

Clinician’s Brief has officially adopted support and advocacy of the One Health concept in its October 2011 issue.  In addition, a special One Health section will be published in each subsequent issue and posted on the One Health Initiative website.  The One Health section is entitled CAPSULES—Current literature in brief, featuring One Health Initiative Veterinary, Medical, Scientific [Highlights] —see page 39 in the current issue http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/54b87b67#/54b87b67/41.

The One Health Initiative team is delighted to have formed a collaborative liaison with NAVC’s Clinician’s Brief via its editor Indu Mani, DVM, DSc.  Please see attachments showing the  Front cover of the October 2011 Volume 9 Number 10 inaugural One Health issue: click on http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/cover%202.pdf; the Contents Section: click on http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/contents%204.pdf; and Dr. Mani’s initial One Health Initiative Editorial commentary: click on http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/indu%204.pdf. 

It should be noted that Dr. Mani, a veterinarian and avid One Health advocate, practices small animal veterinary medicine as well as being the editor of Clinician’s Brief.  She is also well versed in public health issues having received her Doctor of Science degree from Harvard University’s School of Public Health in Boston, MA (USA).

The NAVC http://www.navc.com/ conducts a prominent and outstanding yearly meeting in Orlando, Florida (USA).  It is one of the largest veterinary medical continuing education events in the world.  A focus is maintained “on a single goal—providing high quality, practical information to every member of the veterinary [medical] professional team.”  The 2012 Conference is scheduled for January 14-18, 2012.

Please see text of Editor, Dr. Mani’s NAVC Clinician’s Brief One Health Initiative Editorial commentary (read below or click on full magazine view http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/indu%204.pdf):

From Clinician’s Brief Editor

“One Health Initiative—Looking Ahead

Here’s how I found out about the importance of One Health:

I met Alison when she brought her newly “adopted” young cat in for an initial examination several years ago. Ezra, a feral street rescue that Alison was keeping as an outdoor cat, was thin, almost emaciated, with a scruffy longhaired coat saturated with copious quantities of flea dirt. We opened a can of cat food for him, and he ate hungrily. Satiated, he started to purr and groom simultaneously. I felt satisfied, thinking that he would be an amazing little pet with routine deworming, flea and tick prevention, and TLC.

But then my technician brought me some test results—Ezra was FIV positive and loaded with roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. Clearly, this would be a bit more complicated but he was clinically healthy, so I was hopeful.

I made eye contact with Alison

For the first time during the appointment I truly looked at Alison. She was thin and wan, with sallow skin and dry, cracked lips. She wore a warm sweater and wool hat despite the mild September weather. Her eyes, though, were sparkling and engaged. I explained Ezra’s challenges and watched Alison’s face progressively fall throughout the conversation. In tears, she explained that she’d recently been diagnosed with a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer. The prognosis was good pending multimodal therapy. But Ezra had been a real solace through the diagnosis.

I had some strong concerns about Alison’s ability to keep an outdoor cat, given her pending therapy, and mentioned them to her. She was devastated, and I didn’t quite know what to do. I asked for the names of her physician, oncologist, and therapist and obtained permission from her to discuss her case with these professionals. I had never done this before and wasn’t sure how to start, so I simply picked up the phone.

Together, we devised a plan

What happened next was amazing. I spoke with Alison’s therapist, who completely understood and endorsed the emotional importance of Ezra in Alison’s life. I next spoke with her oncologist and was thrilled to hear that she likewise endorsed the bond between Alison and Ezra. She also advised me about Alison’s immunologic deficits while undergoing chemotherapy.

But when I contacted Alison’s primary care physician, he expressed deep concern about the health risks of having an outdoor cat. Alison’s oncologist, primary care physician, and I had a phone meeting to discuss the potential pathogens encountered with an outdoor cat and devise a behavior modification plan that would transition Ezra to life as an indoor cat. We also discussed lifestyle precautions Alison would have to take both during and after chemotherapy.

Ezra was tested for a panel of zoonotic and other pathogens, neutered, dewormed with a broad-spectrum product, and received a topical flea and tick preventative, with monthly parasite treatment.

His nails were clipped short during routine DVM visits. He received all vaccinations and was transitioned to an indoor-only existence with lots of environmental enrichment. Today, Ezra and Alison are thriving—together.

One Health at its best

To me, this is One Health at its absolute best—health care professionals working together to advance the health of the family unit, both human and pet. This month, we proudly debut editorial copy that fosters collaborative work on key issues of importance to both physicians and veterinarians—interdisciplinary research, animal models for human disease, the human–animal bond, zoonotic disease, and more.

Look for the One Health Initiative logo highlighting capsules and articles chosen each month by our Editorial Team. We hope this coverage will embolden all our readers to take the rewarding path toward collaborative medicine.

Happy reading!

Indu Mani, DVM, DSc

P.S. See page 6 for more about the One Health Initiative http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/54b87b67#/54b87b67/9.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           

October 10, 2011

Contact: Katie Ambrose   719-538-8843                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     katie.ambrose@animalagriculture.org

National Symposium Focus: 360-Degree View of Antibiotic Use in Food Animals - The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA)

Colorado Springs, Colo. (Oct. 3)—Antibiotic use in food animals has been dissected in the media, online and among consumers for the past several years and is a hot topic among those involved in food animal production. Most people have a definite point of view regarding this polarized topic and express that point of view in discussions with professional colleagues, friends and family. But is the information delivered or received fact based, simply emotion based or rhetoric?

An upcoming “Antibiotic Use in Food Animals: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose” symposium Oct. 26-27 in Chicago, Ill., will provide a 360-degree view regarding antibiotic use in food animals and is open to anyone interested in the topic of antibiotic use in food animal production. Hosted by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, the symposium will provide a platform where those in animal agriculture, human health and the media can interact, dialogue and learn from each other.

Dr. Leonard Bull, chairman of the symposium planning committee, says the symposium will focus on four key areas:

·         The use of antibiotics in food animal production

·         Human health implications relative to antibiotic use

·         Understanding and communicating the risks associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in livestock

·         Identifying additional research needs regarding how and to what extent antimicrobial resistance develops in humans and animals

“Symposium presenters are going to take an in-depth, science-based look at the benefits of antibiotics to animals and to humans and zero in specifically on when antibiotics need to be used, what we all currently know and don’t know and what each of us needs to know,” Bull states. “I want to stress that the symposium will be a dialogue, not a debate.

“Learning will go beyond the information from the presenters as attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions and seek additional information after each presentation or panel.”

Moderating the symposium will be Dr. Scott Hurd, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine and former Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety, USDA/Food Safety Inspection Service.

Symposium presenters and topics include:

·         “A Clinical Pharmacologist's View of the Interaction of Antimicrobials and Bacteria in Food Animals”—Dr. Mike Apley, Professor, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Medicine/Clinical Pharmacology

·         “The Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance in Human Health”—Dr. Robert Flamm, Director of Antimicrobial Development, JMI Laboratories

·         “Antibiotics in Food Production”—Mr. Ron Phillips, Vice President of Legislative and Public Affairs, Animal Health Institute, moderator. Panelists will address: 1) Does volume of antibiotics used in animal agriculture matter, and is it an indication of the public health threat? How accurate are the numbers typically reported? 2) How and why are antibiotics used in animal agriculture? What role is played by FDA? 3) Weighing the risks and benefits, what are the public health implications of not using antibiotics in animal agriculture?

·         Panelists:  Dr. Mike Apley, Professor, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Medicine/Clinical Pharmacology, beef cattle panelist; Dr. Mike Lormore, Director of Dairy Veterinary Operations, Pfizer Animal Health, dairy cattle panelist; Dr. Hector Cervantes, Senior Manager of Poultry Technical Services - North American Region, Phibro Animal Health, poultry panelist; and Dr. Paul Ruen, Fairmont Veterinary Clinic, swine panelist.

·         “Initiatives to Ensure Public Health, Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare of Antibiotic Use in Food Animals”—Dr. Tom Shryock, Senior Research Advisor of Microbiology, Elanco Animal Health

·         “Challenges in Antibiotic Product Development in a Rapidly Changing Global Landscape” —Dr. Scott Brown, Senior Director of Metabolism and Safety, Pfizer Animal Health

·         “Risk Management Approaches to Antimicrobial Resistance in the U.S. and Abroad: Expectations, Results and Conundrums”—Dr. H. Morgan Scott, Professor, Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Epidemiology

·         “U.S. FDA Initiatives Regarding the Judicious Use of Antibiotics in Food-Producing Animals”—Dr. William T. Flynn, Deputy Director for Science Policy, Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine

·         “Understanding and Communicating the Risks of Livestock MRSA” —Dr. Tara Smith, Assistant Professor, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology

·         “Livestock Associated MRSA: What is the Appropriate Level of Concern?”—Dr. Peter Davies, Professor, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine

·         “Reaching Out to Consumers”— Dr. Mike Lormore, Director of Dairy Veterinary Operations, Pfizer Animal Health

“As you can see, we’re bringing in the big guns—the experts—who will help each of us see the big picture, identify consensus points, pinpoint potential gaps and discuss next steps,” Bull underscores. “The goal is to understand concerns, learn from each other and develop strategies that will work for all.”

The symposium, which will take place at the Intercontinental Hotel, O’Hare, Chicago, Ill., will kick off at 3:00 p.m. Oct. 26, and wrap up at 3:00 p.m. Oct. 27. The symposium immediately follows the 2011 Food System Summit, Oct. 25-26, hosted by the Center for Food Integrity at the same venue.

Details of presentations and the time schedule for the symposium are available online at www.animalagriculture.org.

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) is a non-profit, membership-driven organization that unites and advances animal agriculture—the beef, dairy, equine, goat, poultry, sheep and swine industries. NIAA is dedicated to programs that work toward the eradication of diseases that pose risk to the health of animals, wildlife and humans; promote a safe and wholesome food supply for our nation and abroad; and promote best practices in environmental stewardship, animal health and animal well-being. Members of NIAA include livestock producers, producer organizations, veterinarians, scientists, state and federal officials, and agribusiness executives.

# # #

U.S. American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Endorses One Health

     Provided to One Health Initiative team October 5, 2011

“The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) strongly believes that pet ownership provides many emotional and physical health benefits to humans. Studies show that people are more likely to exercise with their pets than by themselves or with others. Additionally, pets have been known to lower their owner’s blood pressure, provide companionship for the elderly, and serve as a therapeutic outlet for those suffering from post-traumatic stress. 

AAHA supports the One Health Initiative as we believe the benefits of having a pet in one’s life far outweighs any potential risks such as the uncommon incidence of zoonotic diseases.  This is especially true when the pet receives proper wellness care from their veterinarian which also helps curtail the presence of communicable diseases to humans by reducing their presence in companion animals, e.g. internal parasite therapy and rabies vaccinations.  In addition, practicing veterinarians routinely provide educational advice that helps prevent pet owners from having unnecessary exposures to various unlikely but potential risks.

By working together to educate people about proper pet wellness care, veterinarians and physicians can focus on the many positive and life-enriching benefits gained through the companionship of a pet.  Broad understanding and acceptance of best practices for pet healthcare will allow the human-animal bond to flourish, thereby improving the quality of life for people and their pets.”

Michael T. Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP
Executive Director
American Animal Hospital Association 
12575 W. Bayaud Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80228 (USA)

Note: Today AAHA serves approximately 5,500 practice teams in the U.S. and Canada, over half of which are accredited, comprised of more than 50,000 veterinary care providers. AAHA has established a reputation for its dedication to professional development, hospital accreditation standards, and excellent education programs. https://www.aahanet.org/

University of California, Davis, CA (USA) – School of Veterinary Medicine

Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) News Release

 Annual number of deaths from rabies hits 70,000 worldwide

Economic burden of disease hits US$4 billion

“Geneva, Glasgow 28 September 2011: The Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) today announces that preliminary data released this month at the OIE Global Conference on Eliminating Rabies has estimated 70,000 people worldwide die each year from rabies at a cost of US$4 billion. ...”

Please read more in PDF: http://www.worldrabiesday.org/assets/files/Global%20Burden%20Release_28%20Sept%202011.pdf

See important September 30, 2011 Huffington Post (USA) column that includes One Health implications: 

‘Contagion’ Connections: How Links Among Humans, Animals And The Environment May Be Spawning A New Class Of Infectious Diseases

By Lynne Peeples lynne.peeples@huffingtonpost.com

PLEASE SEE:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/30/contagion-infectious-disease-animals-environment-health_n_987455.html?1317396819

Animal Clinic (USA) Promotes One Health on Website

Bennett Porter III, DVM, owner of the Westgate Pet Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA), posted a One Health promotional website News item on September 7, 2011.  Dr. Porter is one of the early visionary private practice veterinarians to recognize the importance of appreciating and engaging the One Health concept.

Please see: http://www.wagsandwhiskers.com/aboutus/News.asp?keyID=68

Contagion Movie was One Health Deficient...making it Unrealistic!

What Contagion missed

By Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP | 29 September 2011

“It's not often that Hollywood ventures into the realm of epidemics and public health, and when it does, the outcome is usually laughably out of touch with reality -- like Outbreak, the 1995 movie about a deadly Ebola-like virus that infected a city. ...”

Please read the entire review in Dr. Kahn’s Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists column:

http://thebulletin.org/web-edition/columnists/laura-h-kahn/what-contagion-missed

A provocative example of One Health Principles: Emergence of Antiviral Resistance Due to Unintended Exposure of an Animal Reservoir of Influenza to a Human Drug

By Thomas P. Monath, MD - Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and One Health Initiative team member

A recent study provides a provocative confluence of One Health issues.  In an issue of  PLoS One (2011;6(9): e24742) Järhult et al. report the induction of a mutation (H274Y) http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/Oseltamivir%20resitance%20H1N1%20mallards%20PLoS%20ONE%2012Sep2011.pdf in the influenza A neuraminidase gene by infecting mallard ducks with influenza A/H1N1 virus and then exposing them  to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in a pool of water, the only source of water available to the animals. The H274Y mutation is responsible for resistance to oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A, and a mainstay antiviral drug stockpiled for emergency use in the event of an influenza pandemic. During the 2008-2009 flu season the H274Y mutation and resistance to the antiviral drug spread rapidly worldwide.  As pointed out by the authors, the spread of H274Y resistant strains did not correlate with usage of oseltamivir in the human population, suggesting that other factors may have put selective pressure on the virus.

The concentration of oseltamivir in water fed to the mallards in the experiment that induced the resistance mutation was as low as 1ƒÝg/mL, but not at 80 ng/mL.  Ducks were infected and exposed to drug in 10 generations of 5 days each, with new ducks being introduced every third day allowing transfer of virus to the new ducks for 2 days before the preceding generation was removed.  Mutated virus was detected as early as 8 days (second generation).

What lessons derive from this experiment? It is clear that resistance to oseltamivir can be induced rapidly in ducks after experimental exposure to water containing low concentrations of drug.  Ducks are a primary reservoir of influenza A viruses, and a source of introduction of virus to the human population. They also move long distances, both by local and long-distance migrations, and by being moved in human conveyances to market.  The central questions, not answered by this study, are whether natural exposure of wild and domesticated ducks (and other aquatic birds) occurs to oseltamivir in the environment, how widespread such environmental contamination is, and what concentrations are present.

Oseltamivir is actually a prodrug since the active form is not readily bioavailable from the gastrointestinal tract. The prodrug (osltamivir phosphate) is metabolized to the active form (oseltamivir carboxylate). The latter is excreted in the urine unchanged, and thus could find its way from human patients to sewage plants and the environment.  Multiple studies cited in the paper have demonstrated that oseltamivir carboxylate is stable in sewage and it has been detected in waste water, rivers, and sewage effluent.  However, levels reported from samples taken in nature ranged from 58-293 ng/mL, below the 1 ƒÝg/mL that induced resistance experimentally.  However, the high end of this range was not tested in the experiments performed, and environmental levels could reach higher concentrations in focal areas or with high usage of drug in the human population during a pandemic.

If oseltamivir contamination of aquatic environments—an unintended treatment of the zoonotic reservoir host of influenza A viruses—are factors in the emergence and spread of antiviral resistance, this would appear to be a difficult problem to control.  It would also be an unprecedented and unique mechanism in disease emergence. The closest analogy is the use of antibiotics in animal feed in the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria, but for oseltamivir the exposure is unintended. The implications for One Health are clear and impressive, involving a human drug, environmental contamination, and  the emergence of a zoonotic infection with a new virulence factor.

Note: Dr. Monath, an eminent medical virologist and physician, is a partner in the Pandemic and Biodefense Fund, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and also Adjunct Professor, Harvard School of Public Health.  Between 1992 and 2006, he was Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Director of Acambis (a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company) where he directed R & D on vaccines against dengue, Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, yellow fever, Clostridium difficile, as well as smallpox vaccines for defense against bioterrorism.

The Flu Contagion

Prepared and submitted to the One Health Initiative website September 19, 2011 by:

Clint McDaniel MPH, CPH

Virology Laboratory Technician

Global Pathogens Laboratory http://gpl.phhp.ufl.edu

Emerging Pathogens Institute

Department of Environmental and Global Health

College of Public Health and Health Profession

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (USA)

While the current Hollywood thriller Contagion is fictional, the idea of a novel outbreak of life and death proportion is very real.  They have happened before.  One of the most famous pandemics was the “Spanish flu” of 1918 that spread across the globe killing 50-100 million people – or 3% to 6% of the entire global population.  With the emergence of the 2009 pandemic influenza virus, we are once again reminded of the potential of the influenza virus spreading across the Earth with surprising ease.

Warning signs continue to emerge with three notable events in the past month alone.   A recent death in an otherwise healthy 80-year-old female has “surprised” health officials, serving as a reminder that the 2009 pandemic virus is still circulating and able to cause a significant morbidity. In a similar warning, the United Nations’s (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) encouraged increased influenza surveillance due to “a possible major resurgence of bird flu” from a mutant strain of the H5N1 virus emerging throughout Asia.  These warnings are further compounded by the recent off season detection of novel influenza viruses among sick U.S. children.  At last count four children have been infected with hybrid or reassortant virus that are a combination of the 2009 pandemic human virus and North American pig viruses.  One of the four children had no contact with pigs suggesting that such novel viruses are circulating in people.  These modifications to the 2009 pandemic virus have public health officials concerned.

Influenza surveillance in U.S. pigs is very limited and like in the film Contagion, such a novel virus could emerge from pig populations and find us totally unprepared.

Reference:

     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Swine-Origin Influenza A (H3N2) Virus Infection in Two Children --- Indiana and Pennsylvania, July--August 2011. Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2011;60 (September 9):1213-5. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21900876.

One Health potential: Promising Animal model for Human Hepatitis C virus

Canine [dog] Hepacivirus

A report by Kapoor et al. (2011) recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal describes a canine homolog of hepatitis C virus (HCV), dubbed canine hepacivirus (CHV), which is closely related to HCV.[1]  CHV is a respiratory illness in dogs, with low virus titers found in the liver.  The authors were unsure whether CHV is hepatotropic (ability of the virus to replicate in the liver).  They estimate the 2 viruses diverged in the past 500-1000 years, after canine domestication.  The authors suggest HCV emerged from human infections with CHV.   This discovery provides a promising animal model in which to study the pathogenesis and treatment of HCV. 

1. Kapoor, A., et al., Characterization of a canine homolog of hepatitis C virus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2011. 108(28): p. 11608-13.

Note: PNAS is the official journal of the United States National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

Provided by:

Whitney Baker Krueger, PhDc, MPH

Global Pathogens Laboratory http://gpl.phhp.ufl.edu, Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Profession, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (USA). 

National study on the prioritization of zoonotic diseases in the United States

September 19, 2011—The following message is being circulated on behalf of the Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses (CPHAZ) Research Team at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, ON, Canada by the One Health Initiative Team. We encourage you to consider participation and strongly support the efforts of CPHAZ:

“You are cordially invited to participate in a national web-survey on the prioritization of zoonotic diseases in the United States.

This survey has been developed by researchers at the Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses and will identify the relative importance of key characteristics of zoonoses that can be used to prioritize disease for their control and prevention in the United States like we did in Canada. The survey responses will be used to develop a point-scoring system to derive a recommended list of zoonoses for prioritization in the United States. You will be presented with 16 scenarios consisting of five disease profiles each. For each scenario, you will be asked to choose one for prioritization.

You do not need to have any prior knowledge of zoonoses or experience in disease prioritization to participate in this study. All, who reside in the United States are encouraged to participate.

No identifiable information will be collected during the survey and your response will remain anonymous.

The survey will take approximately 20 to 25 minutes to complete and can be accessed through the following link:

http://www2.ovc.uoguelph.ca/survey/us/en/US_profenglishlogin.html

The survey is also available in Spanish through this link:

http://www2.ovc.uoguelph.ca/survey/us/es/US_profspanishlogin.html

We would like to thank the One Health Initiative for their help in distributing this survey.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Victoria Ng at vng03@uoguelph.ca.

Thank you,

Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses (CPHAZ) Research Team.”

Important New - September 2011

Catalog of One Health Activities and Programs (USA)

Please see http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/One%20Health%20Catalog.pdf

Provided by:

Will Hueston, DVM, PhD

Executive Director, Global Initiative for Food Systems Leadership

Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine and

     Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health

University of Minnesota

St. Paul, MN (USA)

 Tel:  612-625-5900

Fax: 612-624-4906

 Email:  huest001@umn.edu

Website:  www.foodsystemsleadership.org

Reminder...Symposium: One World, One Health, One Medicine – IDSA Annual Meeting Boston, MA (USA)

Friday, October 21, 2011: 2:15 PM-4:15 PM, Room 153 ABC

 http://idsa.confex.com/idsa/2011/webprogram/Session2361.html

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

·                  describe the mission of the One Health initiative to unite physicians, veterinarians, and other health care professionals to improve human health

·                  recognize the importance of the interface of humans, animals, and the environment in development of infectious diseases

·                  summarize how global hotspots for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases are identified and monitored

·                  review how the interactions of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife contribute to emerging infectious diseases

·                  propose how emergent zoonoses can be identified and prevented 

Target Audience: Vaccinologists, Scientists, Researchers, Public Health Practitioners, Pharmacists, Nurses, Microbiologists, Lab Personnel, Investigators, Infectious Diseases Physicians, Infectious Diseases Pediatricians, Infection Preventionists, Hospital Epidemiologists, Hospital Administrators, HIV Clinicians, Health Care Workers, Fellows-in-Training, Epidemiologists, Clinicians, Academicians

Tracks: Global ID, Investigative ID, Pediatric ID, Adult ID

Moderators:  James Hughes, MD, FIDSA, Emory University and Lonnie King, DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University

Presentations:

Important One Health Announcement

 “One Health” Theme for General Medical Library Association Meeting 2013 in Boston, MA (USA)

“The 2013 Medical Library Association Boston, MA (USA) http://mlanet.org/ May 3-8 meeting will incorporate the Medical Library Association, the 11th International Congress on Medical Librarianship (ICML), the 7th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (ICAHIS), and the 6th International Clinical Librarian Conference (ICLC).

The general meeting theme for 2013 is “One Health: Information in an Interdependent World” and is meant to encompass human and animal health, public health, environmental health, climate change, food safety/production, and international health policy. The NPC is also working with 4 general meeting topics around which we are considering plenary speakers in the overall context of “One Health”: Trustworthy and Authoritative Publicly Available Information; New Methods of Publishing; Global Data Sharing to Advance Science; Environmental Aspects of Global Health.”

Note: The Medical Library Association (MLA) is a nonprofit, educational organization with more than 4,000 health sciences information professional members and partners worldwide. MLA provides lifelong educational opportunities, supports a knowledgebase of health information research, and works with a global network of partners to promote the importance of quality information for improved health to the health care community and the public.

Information graciously provided by longstanding and highly valued One Health supporter:

Diane A. Fagen, Librarian / Copyright & Permissions / Electronic Access / Archives

American Veterinary Medical Association

1931 N Meacham Rd

Schaumburg IL 60173-4360

p:  800-248-2862 ext 6770

f:   847-925-9329

e:  dfagen@avma.org

September 15, 2011, 9:00 a.m.  -  Location: MassDiGI at Becker College, 80 William Street, Worcester, MA (USA)

The One Health Commission is a call to action for collaboration and cooperation among health science professions, academic institutions, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industries towards improved assessment, treatment, and prevention of cross-species disease transmission and mutually prevalent, but non-transmitted, human and animal diseases and medical conditions.

Becker College President Robert Johnson chose to include this panel, to raise awareness of this pressing topic, as part of Inauguration Week events.

Honorary Chair and Moderator John Sullivan, M.D., vice provost of research, professor of Molecular Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Margaret Delano, DVM, Professor of Veterinary Science, Becker College

James Fox, DVM, Professor and Director, Division of Comparative Medicine at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Deborah Kochevar, DVM, Dean and Henry and Lois Foster Professor, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Roger Mahr, DVM, CEO, One Health Commission

Leonard Marcus, VMD, MD

Jerald Silverman, DVM, Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Information provided September 13, 2011 by:

Contact: Sandy Lashin-Curewitz - Email: Sandy.Curewitz@Becker.edu 

European Union (EU) One Health Seminar for Veterinary Medical Students

As part of the European Union’s (EU) ongoing campaign to promote the importance of One Health, the Directorate General for Health & Consumers of the European Commission invited veterinary medical faculties from across Europe to nominate student ambassadors who would help spread the important messages about the diverse, often unseen, work of the veterinary medical profession at a local level.  52 veterinary medical students from across Europe discussed the EU's "One Health" initiative and the role of "veterinarians in your daily life", a key topic for the upcoming 2011 World Veterinary Year. One of the major topics was the profession's new perception and the need to share a common vision.

 These two videos were produced during this 2-day seminar held in Brussels, Belgium, November 15^th and 16^th, 2010.

Please see: European Union “One Health” Seminar discussion for Veterinary Medical Students http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIbRxbGx-64 and European Union Veterinary Medical Students on Future Challenges http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXWMkx9GSKQ&feature=related

Videos with permission to post on the One Health Initiative website graciously provided on September 6, 2011 by:

Graeme Taylor
DG Health & Consumers - Unit G2
European Commission
- Rue Froissart 101 (Office 3/90)
      B-1040 Brussels
@   graeme.taylor@ec.europa.eu  
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/index_en.htm
http://www.vetsinyourdailylife.org
http://www.one-health.eu

Important Essay on the History of One Medicine published in the United Kingdom (soon to be published in the USA): Contained within "The Oxford Handbook of the History of Medicine"

Medicine and Species: One Medicine, One History?

            “University librarians may well be interested in The Oxford Handbook of the History of Medicine, already available in the United Kingdom and to be published in the United States on November 1st, 2011. Although expensive at $150, this innovative 672 page survey edited by Mark Jackson, contains an important essay by Robert G. W. Kirk and Michael Worboys, “Medicine and Species: One Medicine, One History?” which proposes “re-conceiving medicine as a set of knowledge-practices grounded in interspecies interactions.” In brief, the authors (a Wellcome Research Fellow and the Director of the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine at the University of Manchester) contend that the history of medicine “should become the history of one medicine” because of “the complex interactions between species that have been present throughout history”. ...”

Please read complete review by clicking on http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications/The%20History%20of%20One%20Medicine2.pdf

Book Review provided to One Health Initiative Website September 6, 2011 by:

Robert E. Kahn, PhD

Educational Consultant

Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases (CEEZAD)

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas   

ProMED-mail Staff to Assist One Health Initiative Website with One Health ProMED Postings

September 6, 2011 – Due to the current illness of prominent One Health Initiative website team member *Jack Woodall, PhD, the One Health Initiative website team requested assistance posting One Health related ProMED items on the website’s popular “ProMED Outbreaks Report” http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/promed.php from Lawrence C. Madoff, MD, Editor, ProMED-mail www.promedmail.org.  Dr. Madoff expeditiously polled the ProMED staff and identified gracious volunteers among the outstanding ProMED staff participants willing to “pinch hit” for Dr. Woodall during his absence from serving as the featured OHI website ProMED page’s Contents Manager/editor.  

We are happy to announce that Thomas M. Yuill, PhD, has agreed to serve as lead Contents Manager/editor with assistance from Drs. Susan Baekeland, Peter Cowen, Larry Lutwick and Tam Garland.  Updated items by Dr. Yuill have already been posted as of September 5.

Dr. Yuill is an eminent and noted scientist.  He received his BS degree from Utah State University in Wildlife Management, and his MS and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Veterinary Science and Wildlife Ecology, with emphasis in the epizootiology of infectious diseases of domestic and wild animals.  Following completion of his PhD degree, he held research positions in the Department of Virus Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, and in the Virology Department of the SEATO Medical Research Laboratory, Bangkok, Thailand.  He joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an assistant professor in 1968, with joint appointments in the Departments of Veterinary Science and of Wildlife Ecology, developing research and graduate training programs in epizootiology of infectious diseases of wildlife and domestic animals in Wisconsin and Latin America.  He became professor and chairman of the Department of Veterinary Science in 1979.  He was appointed Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Training in the UW School of Veterinary Medicine and an assistant director in the Agricultural Experiment Station in 1982.  In 1992-93, he served for one year as the Chief of Party for a University of Wisconsin-led team advising the Bolivian Government on restructuring their national agricultural research and extension agency.  Upon his return from Bolivia in 1993, Dr. Yuill became director of the Institute for Environmental Studies and primarily involved in academic administration.  In 2003 Dr. Yuill became Emeritus Director and Professor of the Institute, and Emeritus Professor of Pathobiological Sciences in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Ecology.

Dr. Yuill has been active in a variety of scientific organizations.  He chaired the Viral Diseases Panel of the US-Japan Biomedical Sciences Program.  He was active in the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) from 1971 to 1999.  Dr. Yuill served on the OTS Executive Committee and was its president for five years.  He has served as treasurer and president of the Wildlife Disease Association, which awarded him its Distinguished Service Award in 1989 and its emeritus Award in 2003.  Dr. Yuill has served as a consultant on wildlife diseases to the states of Wisconsin and North Dakota, and to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, on arthropod-borne diseases to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and on higher education in the agricultural sciences to the U.S. Agency for International Development, mainly in India.  Dr. Yuill has authored more than 125 scientific papers and book chapters.

*Note:  Dr. Woodall, a highly valued and internationally recognized One Health leader and member of the One Health Initiative team, is a ProMED associate editor and co-founder.  All wish him a speedy recovery!

One Health Initiative website team Honorary Advisory Board Joined by New Member

September 1, 2011—The One Health Initiative honorary Advisory Board was established on December 1, 2010.  Today, we are pleased to announce that among the current outstanding One Health supporters/advocates and recognized leaders, Greg Gray, MD, MPH, FIDSA has graciously agreed to serve as a participant member.    Dr. Gray, a physician, is Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions; Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine; and Director, Global Pathogens Laboratory at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida (USA).

The updated list of 23 distinguished members posted now are (http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/advBoard.php):

Larry R. Anderson, DVM, MD - Sumner County Family Care Center, PA, Wellington, Kansas (USA)

Steven W. Atwood, VMD, MRCVS, MD, MPH – Animal Health Care Associates, West Tisbury, MA (USA)

B. Sonny Bal, MD, JD, MBA - Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine (USA)

Donald S. Burke, MD - Dean, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh (USA)

Carina Blackmore, DVM, PhD – State Public Health Veterinarian, Florida Department of Health (USA)

Craig N. Carter, DVM, PhD – Director, University of Kentucky, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (USA)

Lisa A. Conti, DVM, MPH – Director, Florida Department of Health, Environmental Health Division (USA)

James L. Cook, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS - William & Kathryn Allen Distinguished Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery, Director, Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Missouri (USA)

Mary Echols, DVM, MPH – Editor, One Health Newsletter and Public Health Veterinarian, Palm Beach County (FL) Health Department (USA)

David N. Fisman, MD, MPH – Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto and Department of Medicine, North York General Hospital (Canada).

James G. Fox, DVM, MS, DACLAM, FIDSA - Professor and Director of the Division of Comparative Medicine and Professor in the Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)

Greg Gray, MD, MPH, FIDSA - Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions; Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine; and Director, Global Pathogens Laboratory, University of Florida (USA)

David L. Heymann, MD – Editor, Control of Communicable Diseases Manual and Director, U.K. Health Protection Agency (United Kingdom)

James M. Hughes, MD - Professor of Medicine and Public Health, Emory University (USA)

Martyn H. Jeggo, BVetMed, PhD – Director, CSIRO Livestock Industries Australian Animal Health Laboratory (Australia)

Lawrence C. Madoff, MD - Editor, ProMED-mail, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Associate Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (USA)

Björn Olsen, MD - Professor, Senior Physician Infectious Diseases Uppsala University and University Hospital (Sweden)

Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH – Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) Academic Health Center—University of Minnesota (USA)

Peter M. Rabinowitz, MD, MPH – Associate Professor of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Director of Yale Human Animal Medicine Project, Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program (USA)

Ralph C. Richardson, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology, Internal Med) – Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University (USA)

Kevin M. Sherin, MD, MPH - Director, Orange County (Florida) Health Department (USA)

Gary Simpson, PhD, MD, MSc, MPH – College Master-Paul L. Foster School of Medicine - Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Professor of Infectious Diseases in Medical Education (USA)

James H. Steele, DVM, MPH – Professor Emeritus, University of Texas School of Public Health (USA)

American Veterinary Medical Association President Expresses Strong Support for the One Health Initiative

Dr. René A. Carlson, President of thé American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) sent a One Health testimonial message on August 23, 2011 stating thé AVMA’s strong support for the One Health Initiative’s activities promoting “One Health” nationally and globally.

“The American Veterinary Medical Association wholeheartedly supports the work of the One Health Initiative.  Given the varied and indistinct interactions between humans and diverse animal populations throughout the world, it is imperative that medical, veterinary medical, and public health professionals work together to ensure safer and healthier lives for people and animals while protecting their environments.”

René A. Carlson, DVM

AVMA President

Chetek, WI   54728

www.avma.org

"Our future is what we plan for, and that future begins today!"

The “One Health 55-word story”

The One Health Initiative Team invites and encourages “55-word story” One Health submissions for publication on the One Health Initiative website’s News page, the most widely read page.  They must be exactly 55 words, excluding the title.  Appropriate 55-word examples of “One Health” in the experience of all health care provider clinicians, biomedical researchers, public health practitioners and health scientists of all One Health disciplines from all nations will be welcomed and considered.

No references needed but we will accept up to five if preferred by the author(s).  Such a periodic feature provides a venue for many who may not feel they have the data base, expertise, or time to submit a more-traditional manuscript.  The One Health grass roots and all others now have an opportunity to express their thoughts. 

If you are interested in participating, please send your 55-word One Health item to the One Health Initiative website team c/o kkm@onehealthinitiative.com.

Following the first one posted on August 14, 2011 by veterinarian, Ronald D. Warner, DVM, MPVM, PhD (and originator of this idea)—we had two more One Health “55-word story[s]” submitted August 24, 2011 by Jennifer Thornton, CVT:

 1.    RABIES STRIKES WOMAN AND DOG

  A woman who had been bitten by a rabid dog in Haiti died in a New Jersey hospital in July of 2011. CDC officials are investigating the case. Two

  close family members were advised to seek medical attention for post-exposure prophylaxis. Although person-to-person transmission of rabies

  has not ever been documented it is theoretically possible.

  2.    PROTECTING MY KIDS BY PROTECTING MY PETS

  I am a veterinary technician; wife and a mother of 5. We live in rural New Jersey where ectoparasites and potential zoonoses lurk on and in

  wildlife.  I protect my kids from most harmful parasites like ticks, tapeworm, roundworm, hookworm, by keeping up to date with our pet’s

  parasite preventive – killing the bugs with one stone.

______________________________________________________________

  “I have always believed that the correlation between human and animal health was interdependent.  I am glad to discover that there are many others that feel the same.

  Thanks for the opportunity to share.”

  Jennifer Thornton, CVT, Marketing Manager  

  Regional Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center

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