Advancing waste surveillance through a One Health approach Ekta Patel and Hung Nguyen-Viet International Livestock Research Institute UNEP-led stakeholder engagement on capacity building on sustainable wastewater surveillance for ecosystems and human health in Kenya Nairobi, 26–27 February 2025 Better lives through livestock 1 Overview One Health approach and ILRI’s One Health strategy ILRI’s role in advancing waste surveillance as a pandemic preparedness response CGIAR One Health Initiative Case study: Animal waste surveillance ‹#› ANIMAL HEALTH HUMAN HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH A One Health approach Infographic credit: ILRI/Georges Shouha and Ekta Patel One Health is an approach that recognizes the health of humans, animals, and the environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent. The approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, taking action on climate changes and contributing to sustainable development. 3 Advancing waste surveillance through a One Health approach Over 60% of emerging infectious diseases originate from animals at the human-animal-environmental interface. Wastewater holds critical early warning signs for pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and environmental health threats. A One Health approach ensures integrated solutions, leveraging waste surveillance to protect human, animal and ecosystem health. Global estimates show that 80% of wastewater flows untreated back into ecosystems, increasing public health risks. With climate change, urbanization and intensified livestock systems, monitoring waste is essential to prevent the next pandemic and protect food security. ‹#› ILRI One Health strategy ILRI is strategically positioned across LMICs Operating in these critical zones, we leverage ILRI’s One Health strategy and facilities to drive sustainable change to address global health challenges like zoonoses, food safety and antimicrobial resistance. A complex ecosystem requires a multifaceted approach to preventing pandemics/epidemics and other microbial threats from animals/environment Vision To improve the lives, livelihoods and well-being of people in the global south by building healthy, sustainable, and resilient systems at the intersection of humans, animals and the environment. Three thematic areas Pandemics, epidemics and endemic zoonoses Food-borne diseases Antimicrobial resistance wildlife ‹#› One Health: key elements: Prepare, Detect, Respond 5 Major projects: One Health science, capacity building and operationalization More on One Health @ILRI: ilri.org/one-health ICT4Health Vietnam, Korea MAFRA Co-Infection, DTRA Covid-19 genomic surveillance, RF MoreMilk BMGF SafePORK, ACIAR, Vietnam APART, World Bank, India Fleming Fund, UKAID SEFASI, Mad-tech, JPIAMR  POLOH Poultry losses and One Health, LSIL And others… ‹#› 6 Highlights of One Health work at ILRI One Health research to strengthen capacities to control neglected and emerging zoonotic diseases, including COVID-19, in several low- and middle-income countries. Two decades of holistic One Health diagnosis and interventions in traditional markets and meat/fish processing sectors Innovative successful approaches based on improving policy, technology and training for market actors, and motivation and incentives for behaviour change. Cultivating an environment of improved food safety and reduced foodborne diseases benefiting million of consumers. Interventions to reduce antimicrobial use and resistance Behavioural nudges for semi-intensive poultry farmers and good animal husbandry practices and vaccination. ‹#› CGIAR Initiative on One Health: Protecting human health through a One Health approach This initiative aimed to demonstrate how One Health principles and tools integrated into food systems can help reduce and contain zoonotic disease outbreaks, improve food and water safety and reduce anti-microbial resistance, benefiting human, animal and environmental health. Activities implemented in Bangladesh, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Uganda and Vietnam ‹#› CGIAR One Health Initiative Preventing zoonoses at key interfaces Proactive surveillance at wildlife–livestock–human interfaces High-risk value chains such as bushmeat/farmed wildlife to pre-empt disease with epidemic/pandemic potential Addressing antimicrobial resistance risks Focus on livestock, aquaculture and crop systems by prompting antimicrobial use, surveillance and advanced research Reducing the burden of foodborne disease Focus on animal-source and other perishable foods, including in informal and traditional food systems. Improving waste and water management Mitigating risks from pollution caused by livestock and aquaculture Reducing threats from antimicrobial residues, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and resistant genes through improved management systems. ‹#› Key achievements from the Initiative In Ethiopia (Akaki) and India (Song River): Inform national One Health planning processes by providing evidence on the role of water in the transmission of pathogens. Scientists aim to seek national policy change toward improved waste and water management Recognition of water in the role of antimicrobial resistance transmission. Adoption of sustainable practices; encourage livestock farms and waste managers to adopt business models that reduce, reuse and recycle animal waste. ‹#› Highlight: animal waste surveillance in western Kenya The challenge A major challenge in pandemic preparedness is the early detection of emerging zoonotic threats, especially in environments where humans, animals and ecosystems interact. Animal waste serves as a reservoir for pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes, yet it remains an underutilized surveillance tool. Monitoring waste from livestock, wildlife, and food systems can provide critical early warning signs, helping to prevent spillover events and strengthen global health security. The solution Embedding animal waste-based pathogen surveillance into national and global health systems, we can detect risks earlier, prevent spillover, and enhance pandemic resilience Waste as data source allows us to identify interconnected risks and develop integrated responses The results/outcomes Use of rapid detection technologies that are cost-effective Timely information for interventions ‹#› Case study: Animal waste surveillance in Kenya 141 slaughterhouses (ruminant and porcine) selected from six counties: Siaya, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga and Kisumu Samples tested with enrichment sequencing technologies, specifically VirCapSeq (GAPP) and Illumina Viral Surveillance (pending) Results: Preliminary findings and ongoing activities; PhD work for Alice Kiarie ‹#› Preliminary findings – PhD thesis work ‹#› Colour Intensity represents the number of samples tested positive, - darker colours indicate higher number of detections. Top 2 Key Findings from the Heatmap: Busia has the highest viral detection levels overall: Busia shows the darkest color intensity across multiple viruses, suggesting it has the highest number of detections for Herpesvirus, Parapoxvirus, Suipoxvirus, and Papillomavirus compared to other counties. This suggests Busia's abattoir environment may have higher contamination levels or a greater viral burden in livestock. Herpesvirus and Parapoxvirus are the most widely detected viruses: Herpesvirus is found in all counties with consistently high detection counts. Parapoxvirus also shows a strong presence across all counties, particularly in Busia and Kisumu. These findings suggest potential occupational and public health risks Herpesvirus is Widespread Across All Counties: Detected in all six counties, suggesting high environmental circulation in abattoirs. Needs further study to determine if specific strains pose a zoonotic risk. Papillomavirus Detection Raises Occupational Exposure Concerns: The detection of human-like papillomavirus in multiple counties suggests possible occupational contamination. Additional sequencing is needed to determine if animal-associated papillomaviruses could impact human health. Need for Improved Sanitation and Biosecurity in Abattoirs: The high prevalence of viruses in multiple counties suggests potential biosecurity lapses. Stronger hygiene measures, proper carcass handling, and worker protective measures can help minimize transmission risks. 13 AI-generated risk matrix for interventions ‹#› This risk matrix visually represents the relationship between zoonotic risk (potential for animal-to-human transmission) and economic impact of viruses found in abattoir waste. This data helps guide targeted interventions by prioritizing viruses that pose both public health and economic threats, ensuring resources are directed effectively. For example, Swinepox and LSVD have the highest economic impact, making them priority concerns for intervention. Their presence in abattoir waste suggests wider disease circulation in livestock populations, emphasizing the need for waste surveillance as an early detection tool to prevent outbreaks and economic losses. 14 Key takeaways Waste (animal/human) is a key surveillance tool. It helps detect emerging zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance early. A One Health approach is essential. Linking human, animal and environment health improves disease prevention. Untreated waste increases public health risks. 80% of wastewater flows untreated, heightening spillover threats. Strengthen disease surveillance. Research in low- and middle-income countries informs policy and improves response strategies. ‹#› THANK YOU image2.wmf image4.wmf image17.png image10.wmf image18.jpeg image19.jpeg image20.jpeg image21.jpeg image3.png image22.png image23.jpeg image24.jpeg image25.png image26.jpeg image27.png image28.png image29.png image30.png image31.png image32.png image33.jpeg image34.png image35.png image36.png image37.png image38.jpeg image39.png image40.jpeg image41.png image42.png image43.png image44.svg image45.png image11.wmf image46.jpeg