Multisector collaboration needed to mitigate animal-to-human disease transmission, experts say

By Patricia B. Mirasol, Producer

Health experts convened in a September 9 event, co-organized by the French Embassy in the Philippines and CFI Media Development, to launch the Media for One Health project.��

One Health is an approach that recognizes the connection between the health of people and the health of animals and our shared environment.����

At least 61% of human pathogens are from zoonotic diseases (or diseases transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans), according to Dr. Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr., president of the Philippine Academic Consortium for Public Health.��

“Increasing international travel and trade, [as well as] the expansion of human populations into new geographic areas,” have contributed to the quicker and wider spread of diseases, he said.��

One health as an approach requires the mobilization of multiple sectors and disciplines, given that it also encompasses issues such as antibiotic resistance and food safety and security.��

One such city that already applies the concept is Parañaque, according to Dr. Amado A. Antonio III, veterinarian IV of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry’s Animal Health and Welfare Division.��

“In Parañaque, the city veterinarian’s office directly collaborates with the city health office, so when there’s a rabies case in the city, it’s immediately reported to the city vet, who reports it to the city health office,” he said.��

“We still need to strengthen this approach for national interests,” Mr. Antonio added, “especially for emerging and re-emerging diseases.”��

Former health secretary Dr. Manuel M. Dayrit remarked that describing the implementation of One Health as complex would be an understatement.��

“In a world where there’s a crisis in every silo, how do we focus people’s attention on one health?” he asked at the event.��

“Who among the line agencies is going to take the lead?” he added. “How will they unify their approach [and broadcast this] all the way to community channels?”��

Communication is key to its success, Mr. Belizario said.��

“In the public sector, we want disease control…When we protect one, we help protect all,” he said.��

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Schistosomiasis��

One such disease that has low awareness – leading to rampant misdiagnosis – is the parasitic disease schistosomiasis.

, schistosomiasis is especially prevalent in poor communities without access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.��

Transmission can occur when people bathe or swim in freshwater sources with feces or urine that contain parasite eggs.����

Chronic liver damage and seizures are among the complications one can get from the disease.��

Agriculture is not largely modernized in the Philippines, Mr. Belizario pointed out.����

“There’s still the use of the farmer’s best friend – the carabao [water buffalo],” he said.��

“Carabaos are a major supplier of schistosomiasis japonicum [an infectious agent of schistosomiasis],” he said. “For as long as the carabaos are being used…schistosomiasis is never ever going to be eliminated.”��