Zoonotic threats: uniting one health for a safer tomorrow

Zoonoses are the “diseases and infections that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man,” Zoonoses are important to Public Health because of their number, their frequency, and their severity in relation to human health. There are more than 250 zoonoses according to the WHO Zoonoses Expert Committee. The One Health concept aims to bring together communities, disciplines, and sectors at different societal levels to work together to address risks to human health and ecosystems and to promote well-being. The prevention and control of zoonotic diseases has a three-tier action – the direct protection of humans, reduction or elimination of the infection in the animal reservoir, and anti-vector measures. Feed hygiene and the elimination of pests and vermin must be performed continuously to control all types of zoonoses, especially pherozoonoses and saprozoonoses.