This is a companion article to the feature, “Emerging Infectious Diseases.”
The One Health concept gives a name to the reality that the next public health crisis could be caused by an avian influenza that jumps to humans or by drinking water supplies contaminated by run-off from a nearby farm.
Pathogens of zoonotic origin are the root of approximately 70% to 75% of the emerging infectious diseases in humans. As we develop new land, humans make novel contact with displaced animals and organisms, increasing exposure to zoonotic disease.
With climate change, arboviruses will flourish, affecting greater numbers of people and animals, and extending into new territories. The changing climate also means that the world’s farmers are likely to use more pesticides on crops to combat increasing numbers of pests.1
Reference
1. One World, One Health [online]. Silver Spring, Md: Association of Public Health Laboratories, 2015. Available at: www.aphl.org/aphlprograms/pages/one-world-one-health.aspx#sthash.JYOsB7GO.dpuf. Accessed December 7, 2015.
