WS 14 - One Health

Zoonotic virus infections may lead to major economic losses and disease burden in animals and man. Herein, particularly emerging viruses, such as avian influenza, MERS-CoV and ZIKV challenge current surveillance and health care systems. Moreover, evolving avian influenza viruses pose a major pandemic threat. This highlights the urgent need for network collaborations involving scientists, clinicians and public health experts working at the animal-human interface. As a major global health challenge, pandemic preparedness plans need to consider the holistic One Health concept.

This session will focus on the current challenges posed by emerging viruses to animal and human health as well as discuss potential counterstrategies to reduce disease burden.