One Health: Understanding and Addressing Emerging Infectious Diseases

Linda S. Lewis, DVM, MPVM 
Epidemiologist, Butte County Public Health Department 

Ms. Lewis begins by explaining the “One Health” concept. This approach to public health recognizes that human health, animal health, and ecosystem health are all linked. The goal is to improve the health and well-being of all species by collaboration among physicians, veterinarians, and other scientific health and environmental professionals. In this context, Ms. Lewis presents some of the origins of emerging infectious diseases, including species jumping, genetic shifting, infections related to mass food production, environmental changes, and technology. She then points out that at least 61%t of all human pathogens are zoonotic – that is, they are naturally transmissible between vertebrate animals and humans. Further, 75% of all emerging pathogens in the past decade are zoonotic. This includes the Ebola virus. 

Recorded: September 26, 2014