https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth RSS feeds for One World - One Health 60 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18969/One-Health-Surveillance-in-Viet-Nam-Highlights-Hotspots-for-Viral-Disease-Emergence.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=18969 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18969&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18969/One-Health-Surveillance-in-Viet-Nam-Highlights-Hotspots-for-Viral-Disease-Emergence.aspx HA NOI, Viet Nam (April 26, 2023) – A new study led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) identified a viral hotspot in Viet Nam where bat roosting sites, bat guano harvesting, and pig farms are all in close proximity. The findings of this collaborative One Health study, described in the latest issue of the journal Viruses, have important implications for public health and wildlife conservation.  The authors say that the collection of guano – commonly used as a fertilizer – if not stopped entirely, should include the use of personal protective equipment for guano harvesters. The research team, which consisted of experts from animal health, public health, and the environment sector, collected over 1,600 animal and human samples from bat guano harvesting sites, natural bat roosts, and pig farming operations. They then tested for an array of viruses including coronaviruses, influenza viruses, filoviruses and others. They found significant viral diversity in bats, including CoVs closely related to ancestors of pig pathogens, at the human–animal interfaces targeted, as well as localized viral transmission among pig farms.  The zoonotic spillover potential of the bat viruses identified in this study remain mostly unknown, as these viruses have not been fully characterized and their ability to jump species barriers has not been assessed.  Human samples were also tested to detect antibodies against eight virus groups. Limited human sampling did not detect any known zoonotic bat viruses in human communities living close to a bat cave where bat guano is harvested, but our other tests showed possible previous exposure to Marburg virus, Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, and others. In addition, the authors say the impact of bat guano harvesting on the conservation of bats and potential disruption of their critical role in the broader ecosystem must be assessed. Bats act as pollinators and consume pathogen-carrying arthropods and agricultural pests and play a critical role in the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. Said co-author Hoang Bich Thuy, and WCS Viet Nam Country Program Director: “This study shows the risks of bat guano collection to the public health, and the risk of viral spillover from wildlife into livestock and ultimately humans. Surveillance and early detection of viral hotspots are keys to preventing the next pandemic.”    This study represents one of the first attempts to implement One Health surveillance in Viet Nam which is located within a region characterized as a global hotspot for emerging infectious diseases. One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. Key to the One Health approach is a recognition that the health of people, livestock, wildlife, and the broader environment are all interconnected. The authors point out the need to integrate wildlife expertise into future One Health surveillance planning and expand knowledge of wildlife systems (free range populations of wildlife, wildlife farming operations, and wildlife trade). Wildlife knowledge will be critical in the targeting of surveillance locations, interpretation of surveillance data, and development of interventions needed to prevent novel virus emergence as well as prepare for and respond effectively to the emergence of viruses with pandemic potential. Rosario, Joey Mon, 01 May 2023 14:10:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18969 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18715/Diverse-Peruvian-Wildlife-Affected-By-Bird-Flu.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=18715 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18715&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18715/Diverse-Peruvian-Wildlife-Affected-By-Bird-Flu.aspx “The characteristic of the influenza virus is that it has three ways of changing: it can mutate, adapt to the host or recombine with other viruses. It is already known that sea lions are affected by this virus and also dolphins. The risk lies in how much direct contact there is between these [different] species,” Paulo Colchao, a veterinarian specializing in wildlife health at WCS, explained to OJO Publico in: Peru Is The Country With The Most Animals Affected By Bird Flu Rosario, Joey Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18715 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18624/PANORAMA-Solutions-in-Focus-Wildlife-Health-and-Zoonotic-Disease-Risk-Reduction.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=18624 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18624&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18624/PANORAMA-Solutions-in-Focus-Wildlife-Health-and-Zoonotic-Disease-Risk-Reduction.aspx The IUCN Panorama Solutions in Focus publication on Wildlife Health and Zoonotic Disease Risk Reduction aims to enhance Green Recovery from the COVID-19 crisis by providing case studies and guidance on positive lessons and approaches to integrated wildlife and human health approaches. The solutions provide a platform for dialogue, capacity development, and exchange for practitioners, legislators, and decision-makers at local, national, and global levels.  WCS provided multiple One Health and conservation solutions spanning three continents: A One Health Approach to Wildlife Trade and Policy in Viet Nam   Republic of Congo Wildlife Mortality Monitoring Supports Human and Wildlife Health  Integrated Livestock and Wildlife Disease Surveillance to Support Mongolian Saiga Health and Conservation WildHealthNet SeAsia: Operationalizing Wildlife Health Surveillance for One Health Intelligence   Integrated management of vicuñas that promotes the health, well-being and livelihoods of communities in the protected area of ​​Apolobamba (Spanish and English versions available)   LEARN MORE     Rosario, Joey Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18624 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18609/Fruit-Bat-Gets-a-Check-up-in-the-Republic-of-Congo.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=18609 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18609&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18609/Fruit-Bat-Gets-a-Check-up-in-the-Republic-of-Congo.aspx WCS released an image of scientists taking a swab from a straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) to test it for zoonotic diseases such as the Ebola virus. Through a new partnership with the Congolese Foundation for Medical Research (FCRM), blood samples and naso-oropharyngeal swabs will be safely collected from some 100 adult individuals associated with the bat trade to assess their potential disease exposure. LEARN MORE Rosario, Joey Thu, 26 Jan 2023 19:32:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18609 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18617/World-Health-Summit.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=18617 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18617&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://programs.wcs.org/oneworldonehealth/news/ID/18617/World-Health-Summit.aspx WCS health and policy experts recently participated in the World Health Summit in Berlin, contributing to discussions on the importance of the One Health approach and the critical need to include ‘prevention at source’ in the new World Health Organization (WHO) instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Read more Rosario, Joey Sat, 05 Nov 2022 20:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18617