One Health Day is observed on 3 November every year. For 2024 the theme is "Connecting human, animal, and environmental health". The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office would like to emphasize the critical importance of the One Health approach in addressing the complex public health challenges we face today such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, vector-borne diseases, food safety and security, noncommunicable diseases, mental health, and many more.
The world is witnessing an alarming increase in the incidence of emerging infectious diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential. Seventy-five per cent of these are of animal origin, threatening global health security. The outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) since 2003 has demonstrated that no one discipline, or sector of society has enough knowledge and resources to prevent and respond to the emergence or resurgence of diseases in today's globalized world. The avian influenza (H5N1) virus has expanded its host range to dairy cattle and sporadic human cases are reported, indicating it continues to gain efficiency in terms of pandemic potential.
Concurrently, we are grappling with the "silent pandemic" of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Globally, approximately 1.27 million deaths were attributed to AMR in 2019, and it is estimated that AMR will result in 10 million deaths per year by 2050. The use of antibiotics in animals (and plants) intended for food can result in resistant bacteria being transmitted to humans through the food chain. Multisectoral collaboration is vital to address the drivers of AMR through the responsible use of antibiotics in both humans and animals and enhancing the stewardship of these critical resources. Furthermore, the effects of the triple planetary crisis - climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity - are exacerbating these global health risks. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are increasing resulting in unusual flash floods, and an exponential increase in the incidence of vector-borne diseases like dengue fever in the region. Climate shifts are altering ecosystems, expanding the range of zoonotic pathogens, and creating new vulnerabilities to both known, unknown and emerging infectious diseases. The health of humans, animals, and ecosystems is now more interdependent than ever before, underscoring the urgency of a holistic multidisciplinary approach, i.e. One Health.
Recognizing that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and the environment, the One Health approach has become indispensable. It is not just a strategy but a necessity in our interconnected world. By breaking down the silos between sectors and strengthening the linkages between human, animal, and environmental health, we can better safeguard public health and enhance our resilience against future epidemics and pandemics. The integrated One Health approach offers a path forward in our pursuit of global health security.
It is only through coordinated, multisectoral action that we can confront these multifaceted challenges. The Quadripartite One Health Alliance, which brings together the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), plays a pivotal role in advancing One Health initiatives globally. The alliance promotes collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors, strengthening our collective capacity and coordinated action to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats.
The WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia is currently hosting the Asia-Pacific Quadripartite One Health Secretariat, which plays a vital role in advancing One Health initiatives across the region. The Quadripartite organizations have made significant progress in strengthening coordination mechanisms amongst themselves, with Member States, and other partners in the region, ensuring stronger coordination and collaboration across sectors. We are actively engaged in the rollout of the global flagship program on One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA) at both the regional and country levels, aiming to foster harmonized efforts that address the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health challenges.
To ensure the success of the One Health approach, we must bolster our collective efforts. Governments, international organizations, civil society, academic institutions, and private sector partners must work cohesively to build robust systems for prevention, early detection, and response. This includes investing in integrated surveillance systems that monitor diseases across species, improving laboratory capacities for detecting emerging zoonotic pathogens, and fostering collaboration between human, animal and environmental sectors.
The WHO SEARO calls upon all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to this vital approach to ensure the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. Member states are encouraged to institutionalize or strengthen a functional One Health coordination mechanism using One Health operational tools. Quadripartite One Health partners are readily available to support the development and implementation of the national OH JPA through national and international partnerships. Working together in a coordinated and multisectoral manner, allows us to have the biggest impact on improving health for people, animals, plants, and our shared environment.