Animal Health in the Eyes of One Health:

One Health recognizes human health is closely related to the health of our animals and environment. One Health involves cooperation between experts in human, animal, and environmental health to combat health threats [2]. Pertaining to animal health, the One Health approach is essential to coordinate multi-sectoral prevention, preparedness, and response efforts of zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases include those that can transfer from animals to humans (called spillover) or humans to animals (called spillback). In addition to zoonotic diseases, a range of modern medical issues such as antimicrobial resistance, food and water safety, and climate change require a multidisciplinary perspective [1].

Animal health is a crucial component of One Health because:

• 60% of pathogens that cause human diseases originate from domestic or wild animals

• 75% of emerging infectious human diseases have an animal origin

• 20% of global animal production losses are linked to animal diseases

• As forest cover is lost, contact between humans and their livestock and wildlife increases, increasing the risk of disease transmission

• Diseases passed from humans can infect or be fatal to endangered animals, decreasing biodiversity [1]

One Health in Action:

Avian Influenza:

The H5N1 Avian Influenza strain, also known as bird flu, is currently spreading worldwide in wild birds and causing outbreaks in poultry and dairy cows. The CDC states there is currently little risk to humans from H5N1 due to the fact that there is currently no person to person spread. However, public health officials and epidemiologists are carefully monitoring Avian Influenza since it has the potential to become a pandemic if it gains the ability to spread between humans as people have little immunity to this type of virus [4]. Avian Influenza harms farmers who lose their flocks, healthy birds that are culled to contain outbreaks, and international trade is restricted which impacts economies. The impact of avian influenza on wild birds, and infected mammals, including endangered species can lead to a devastating loss of biodiversity and reshape ecosystems [3]. In order to control Avian Influenza early detection and reporting is essential. Veterinary authorities are required to report infections of domestic and wild birds. Biosecurity measures must be taken to prevent disease such as keeping poultry out of contact with wild birds, good hygiene in poultry housing and equipment, and culling infected or exposed birds [3]. Controlling Avian Influenza requires collaboration from human health professionals, animal health professionals, and environmental experts.

Chronic Wasting Disease:

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a deadly neurological disease that affects the Cervidae family which includes deer, elk, moose, and more. CWD is caused by prions which are misfolded proteins that kill brain cells. CWD has a silent incubation period lasting from months to years where animals show no signs of infection, but can still transmit the disease [5]. CWD has been reported in animals in at least 32 U.S. states. Once CWD is in an area the prions can stay in the soil and water for years [6]. Current steps being taken to mitigate CWD include the USDA regulating deer and elk populations raised on farms and offering a voluntary national CWD herd certification program that requires herd owners to take increased biosecurity steps [5]. There is currently not sufficient evidence that CWD can spread to people but the CDC recommends precautions are taken to avoid eating infected deer. To monitor the possibility of spread to humans, the CDC is surveying hunter’s health in states with long histories of CWD [6].

Careers in Animal Health:

There are many career options available in animal health. Below is a short list of potential careers to consider. If you are interested in getting into the field of animal health be sure to check out GDB’s list of Current Animal & Insect Opportunities at GDB Current Opportunities.

• Veterinarian- Health Professions Advising

• Animal Health Technician

• Veterinary Medical Officer

• Animal Control Officer

• Animal Nutritionist

• Veterinary Pharmaceutical Representative

• Zookeeper

• Wildlife Biologist

• Wildlife Conservationist

• Animal Health Quality Control Specialist

Sources:

1. World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)- One Health. Available at: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/global-initiatives/one-health/. (Accessed 29 April 2025)

2. CDC (2024)- About One Health. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/one-health/about/index.html. (Accessed 29 April 2025)

3. WOAH- Avian Influenza. Available at: https://www.woah.org/en/disease/avian-influenza/#ui-id-1. (Accessed 2 May 2025)

4. CDC- About Bird Flu. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/about/index.html

5. USDA- Chronic Wasting Disease. Available at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cervid/chronic-wasting. (Accessed 2 May 2025)

6. CDC- Chronic Wasting Disease. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-wasting/animals/index.html.  (Accessed 2 May 2025)