Pandemic Preparedness and One Health at the Wildlife-Livestock Interface Dr. Ekta Patel Scientist & One Health Communications Coordinator International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) African Youth Dialogue on One Health and Sustainable Livelihoods 8th November 2024 1981 Spanish Flu HIV/AIDS COVID-19 Black Death – Bubonic Plague Black Death- an estimated 75-200 million deaths What pandemic is estimated to have caused the highest number of deaths? ‹#› 10% 30% 60% 75% 75%! And the need for a One Health approach What % of all emerging infectious disease are zoonotic (orginating from animals?) ‹#› $500 billion $2 trillion $5 trillion $10 trillion $5 trillion How much did COVID-19 cost the global economy in 2020 alone? ‹#› Presentation Overview Pandemic Preparedness – One Health Wildlife-livestock Interface: and why it matters Key threats at the interface Preparedness Strategies Youth Leadership in One Health ‹#› 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic with animal reservoirs Rapid habitat loss, deforestation, and expansion of agricultural lands bring humans, and animals closer contact creating more opportunities for zoonotic spillover Wildlife-livestock-human interface is a key ecosystem -rich biodiversity, especially in Africa – challenges in managing disease risks effectively across this interface Limited surveillance and early detection in LMICs to monitor the health of wildlife, livestock, and the environment Limited investment and incentives in LMICs The Challenge ‹#› ANIMALS PEOPLE ENVIRONMENT Need for a One Health approach Infographic credit: ILRI/Georges Shouha and Ekta Patel It’s a complex ecosystem and there is a need for everyone to be involved aware 7 ILRI One Health strategy A holistic 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. Key thematic areas Epidemics and pandemics Endemic zoonoses Food-borne diseases Antimicrobial Resistance wildlife ‹#› One Health: key elements: Prepare, Detect, Respond 8 What is the Wildlife-Livestock Ecosystem Wildlife has historically coexisted with livestock in dynamic agroecosystems Livestock grazing – expansion - widespread land use Changes in livestock farming practices, land use, human demography along wildlife management have led to frequent interactions A dynamic network of epidemiological and ecological connections between species, and the space in which they overlap and interact It has both positive and negative impacts – competition of resources, disease transmission/changes in pathogen distribution, predation, conflicts ‹#› ILRI’s role in the Wildlife-Livestock Interface ILRI is strategically positioned across LMICs where livestock and wildlife co-exist Operating in these critical zones, we leverage ILRI’s One Health strategy and facilities to drive sustainable change to address global health challenges A complex ecosystem needs a multifaceted approach AIM to integrate sustainable livestock management practices with wildlife conservation practices, we aim to enhance biodiversity, improve environmental resilience, and build resilient food production systems for communities that depend on it. Infographic credit: ILRI/Georges Shouha and Ekta Patel ‹#› Key Drivers of Emerging Health Threats 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, highlighting the impact of these drivers ‹#› Habitat Destruction - Clearing natural habitats pushes wildlife closer to human and livestock populations, increasing contact and potential for disease transmission Wildlife Trade - Global wildlife trafficking creates new pathways for zoonotic pathogens to jump between species and continents Human Encroachments - Expanding human settlements and activities in natural areas lead to closer interactions with wildlife and potential disease exposure Climate Change - Rising temperatures and environmental changes alter animal migration patterns and habitats, creating new hotspots for pathogen spillover Intesive Livestock Production - High-density animal farming increases disease spread within livestock populations and raises the risk of cross-species transmission Increased Human Mobility - Global travel accelerates the spread of pathogens, quickly transforming local outbreaks into global threats Drivers contribute to the increased risk of zoonotic spillovers creating a scenario where humans, animals and pathogens are more likely to interact making our work in pandemic preparedness essential 11 Spillovers taking place ‹#› This timeline shows an increased frequency of zoonotic spillover events in the recent decades, starting from HIV in 1920 with a rise from 1980 onwards Each of the disease listed are linked to specific animal hosts, bats, birds,cattle, primates – demonstrating the wide range of animal species involved in spillover and the need for surveilklance across diverse animal populations Spill overs are not limited to a specific region but rather span globally with hotspots in Africa and Asia. Each of these events have provided lessons from pathogen detection, response and prevention stategies which are essential for reducing future pandemics 12 Monitoring both wildlife and livestock populations for emerging pathogens can detect potential spillover events early Genomic tools in identifying, tracking, and understanding the evolution of pathogens show how the pathogen is adapting – In turn can provide information on mitigation measures Risk Mapping can identify areas where spillover takes place – targeted interventions Partnerships with FAO and WOAH with local governments can create integrated actionable policies Preparedness Strategies at the wildlife-livestock interface ‹#› Case Study: Rift Valley Fever Rift Valley fever – mosquito-borne viral disease of livestock and humans Outbreaks -- associated with above-normal, persistent rainfall and flooding Severe socio-economic losses ‹#› 14 Community-based RVF surveillance Materials for training community health promoters, community disease reporters, and pastoralists Case definitions for Rift Valley fever in animals and humans WhatsApp groups for reporting Technical staff being trained on RVF virus diagnostics Building capacity on Rift Valley Fever ‹#› Decision support tools for prevention and control of RVF ‹#› Bottom up approach, more meteorlogical data is available, looking at climate change 16 Spot Light on Surveillance and Early Warning Systems WOAH Wildlife Health Framework A critical initiative that strengthens surveillance and early detection of health threats Standardized surveillance systems and training of local authorities, building the infrastructure needed to monitor disease effectively Enhances pandemic preparedness and contributes to biodiversity conservation Address the role of individuals and community surveillance and reporting systems ‹#› The WOAH Wildlife Health Framework is a critical initiative that strengthens surveillance and early detection of health threats at the wildlife-livestock-human interface. By promoting standardized surveillance systems and training local authorities, WOAH is helping build the infrastructure needed to monitor zoonotic diseases effectively. This framework supports resource-limited regions—often high-risk areas for spillover events—by providing technical guidance and encouraging data sharing across sectors and borders. Not only does this approach enhance pandemic preparedness, but it also contributes to biodiversity conservation, as maintaining wildlife health is essential for resilient ecosystems 18 FAO: Strategic Framework for Early Warning of Animal Health Threats Inspired by Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction Framework guides 4 main components of EWS Support countries in reviewing current surveillance systems to progressively strengthen the capacity for early warning of animal health threats.  Published in the first quarters of 2025 ‹#› FAO has developed a strategic framework for Early Warning of Animal Health threats, which will be published in the first quarter of 2025.  This framework was developed through a collaborative process with the help of an Expert Advisory Group (EAG).  Inspired on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the framework provides guidance on four main components of Early Warning Systems: risk monitoring, surveillance for early detection, communication and information deliverable, and decision support during interventions.  The goal is to support countries in reviewing current surveillance systems to progressively strengthen the capacity for early warning of animal health threats.  More operational guidelines and resources will follow to support adoption of the framework. 19 One Health High-Level Expert Panel on preventing spillover Prevention of pathogen spillover from animals to humans means shifting the infectious disease control paradigm from reactive to proactive (primary prevention). Prevention includes addressing the drivers of disease emergence, namely ecological, meteorological and anthropogenic factors and activities that increase spillover risk, to reduce the risk of human infection. It is informed by, amongst other actions, biosurveillance in natural hosts, people and the environment, understanding pathogen infection dynamics and implementing intervention activities ‹#› Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference is a youth initiative held annually. 2022- Youth engagement for advancing sustainable health security in Africa 2023 – Youth leadership for a safer and healthier Africa 2024 – November 23-24: Amplifying youth voices and shaping health policies, practice and research in Africa Youth Initiatives ‹#› One Health Investments ‹#› One Health shifts the focus from disease treatment and control to disease prevention, surveillance, and preparedness. Understanding the complex linkages among the wider environment, biodiversity and emerging infectious diseases is essential, though often overlooked preventing future pandemics will require sustainable investment in spillover prevention” and actions to prevent disease spillover are more cost effective than response activities. Prevention costs range from an estimated US$ 10 billion to US$ 31 billion per year globally1, while the response to recent infectious disease crises such as Ebola and Mpox epidemics cost more time and money than what would be required to initiate prevention approaches. For example, the expected economic losses from the COVID-19 pandemic are estimated at nearly US$14 trillion through 20242. 22 Wildlife-livestock is a key ecosystem with implications for animal production systems, biosecurity, and health implications Surveillance tools are integral to prevent spillover and the use of tools such as genomics/AI/risk maps continues to provide up-to-date information Invest in prevention! Invest in One Health! Get the youth involved in the conversations! Key take away ‹#› image1.png image2.png image3.png image6.png image7.jpeg image8.png image9.jpeg image10.jpg image11.jpeg image12.png image13.jpeg image14.jpg image15.jpeg image20.png image21.jpeg image16.jpg image17.jpeg image18.jpeg image19.jpeg image22.png image23.jpeg image24.png image25.png image26.png image27.png image28.png image29.png image30.png image31.png image32.png image33.png image34.png image35.emf image4.png image36.jpeg