Monday, September 27, 2021
World Rabies Day
Monday, May 11, 2020
One Health to address
future crises
The entire world is facing complex challenges linked to the
rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2),
which causes coronavirus disease COVID-19. Epidemiologists and virologists are
in the first line in understanding where the virus originated, how it adapted
to a new host (humans) and how it spreads. Even if to date there is still
uncertainty about the exact source, currently available evidence identifies
horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus affinis) and pangolins as intermediate host that
might have facilitated transfer to humans (1) in Wuhan region, followed by a
rapid spread across China, Europe and the rest of the world. The possibility that new viruses emerge from wild or
domestic animals, is well known (e.g. viruses of HIV, H5N1 highly pathogenic
avian influenza, H1N1 swine flu, Ebola, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, etc).
The first severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2002 showed us
the devastating impact coronaviruses can have in term of economic disruptions
to affected countries, mortality rate, and possibility of re-emergence (2).
Animal, human and environmental health: everything is
interconnected
Diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans,
called zoonotic diseases, are becoming more and more frequent as the distance
between people and wildlife is shrinking and contacts becoming more frequent,
as human populations encroach on natural areas. The increasing demand for raw
materials and resources such as wood, minerals, fuel and crop land mainly for
producing livestock feed, is leading to a widespread degradation of ecosystems
and causing ecological disruption. There are many challenges in relation to our
models of agricultural production, esp. in the Global North, in relation to
loss of biodiversity, soil and water contamination and emission of greenhouse
gasses. We need to look at these models and ask ourselves how they fit into a
changing world in light of climate change and global pandemics. We also need,
as a society, to ask ourselves what we are willing to pay for our food if we
change these models and if we are prepared to give farmers the economic incentives
to change their systems. Intensification is also increasing the risk of
transmission of diseases due to the proximity of large numbers of animals in
restricted spaces. Deforestation driven by logging, mining, road building, and
rapid urbanization leads to the disruption of habitat that pushes wildlife to
move and mix with other animal species and with humans, increasing the risk of
zoonotic pathogens’ spread (3). All these changes are happening at unnatural speed and
contribute to shorten the distances and increase contact between people,
wildlife and possible disease reservoirs.
One Health key to address complex health crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic emphasises once more that human health
and animal health are interdependent and bound to the health of the ecosystems
in which they exist. This interconnection between the health and well-being of
people, animals and the environment is known as One Health. One Health as a
concept was developed (4) to respond to the spread of serious infectious
diseases and zoonoses through an integrated approach to health. After many
failures in properly addressing complex health crises, it became clear that
collaboration between different sectors – involving researchers, laboratories,
public services and civil society – is fundamental to tackle disease spread
from all possible angles and create a solid basis for disease control.
Despite some efforts in making One Health operational,
disease surveillance and response systems often remain siloed between the
human, veterinary and environmental scientific communities. If collaborations
are effectively put in place, we would be better prepared in responding quickly
and effectively to new diseases. Veterinarians and ecologists, for instance,
have a central role in identifying disease reservoirs both in wild and domestic
animals.
In the global South, these collaborations are key to
optimise the few resources available and to strengthen public health. The fact
that in Africa and South East Asia more than 241 million people fall ill and
312,000 die each year for food-borne diseases (5) (many of them directly linked
to consumption of contaminated animal-sourced food or water) shows clearly that
there is no health and food security without food safety and hygiene. In
solving this simple equation, joint efforts from different sectors are
required: human medicine; veterinarians; microbiologists; experts in water,
sanitation and hygiene; sociologists; gender specialists, economists, etc.
In order to limit the spread of COVID-19, it is central to
understand that each local context is unique from a socio-cultural perspective
but also in terms of available infrastructures or housing conditions. Millions
of people lack access to running water (44% of African urban populations lack
access to piped water (6) and the percentage increases dramatically in rural
areas). People without access to water will struggle to enact the basic hygiene
recommendations – such as washing hands – that are repeated again and again by
medical authorities during this COVID-19 crisis. Social distancing is also
difficult to perform where entire communities base their livelihood on the
informal economy and live in confined spaces.
Adapted solutions and messages should be developed in order
to maximise populations’ capacity to adopt them and effectively limit the
propagation of the virus. The role of NGOs, local civil society and community
leaders that know local contexts well is fundamental to develop adapted
prevention strategies in areas that are poorly served by public services.
Again, all this should be done under a One Health collaborative approach.
A paradigm shift
In the current situation, One Health proves to be important
not only as a response to a specific health crisis, but as a way to rethink the
foundation of our societies and production systems. Examining how human, animal
and environmental health systems can work together is clearly an important part
of learning from the current crisis in order to build our resilience throughout
this pandemic and as we prepare for other threats such as future pandemics and
climate change related threats.
The global situation caused by COVID-19 is more than a
public health emergency. It is a political, economic and social crisis that
will have long-term impacts on the economic well-being of people, on their
habits and on the role of politicians in managing complex global emergencies.
In finding ways out of this crisis, we urge a deep questioning of our global
models of production, consumption and trade; of local and international
markets, of agriculture and livestock production.
Sustainable agricultural practices such as agro-ecology can
help to re-establish ecosystem balance by producing healthy food in an
environmentally sound way, protecting biodiversity, promoting fair and
sustainable marketing channels, supporting local food systems, and respecting
animal welfare, all contributing to the wellbeing of humans, other living
beings, and entire ecosystems.
In the midst of confinement measures, limitation of
movements and international transport, local food systems are proving to be
much more resilient than industrial agriculture, whose complex value chain is
fragmented and dependant on international trade (7). Local food systems,
small-scale farming and agro-ecological practices should be strongly supported
worldwide. Globally, small-scale farmers provide 70% of the food in the
markets, forming a pillar of food security, while preserving natural areas and
biodiversity through sustainable agricultural and livestock practices
integrated in natural processes.
If we want to be better prepared to face new diseases, we
need to embrace One Health in all its nuances: by putting in place
collaborations between the human, veterinary, and environmental communities, by
strengthening public health, but also by changing drastically the way our societies
and economies relate to nature, starting with supporting local food systems,
small-scale farmers and agro-ecological production methods.
(1) Lam, T.T., Shum, M.H., Zhu, H. et al. Identifying
SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses in Malayan pangolins. Nature (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2169-
(2) Vincent C. C. Cheng, Susanna K. P. Lau, Patrick C. Y.
Woo, Kwok Yung Yuen (2007) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus as an
Agent of Emerging and Re-emerging Infection. Clinical Microbiology Reviews Oct
2007, 20 (4) 660-694; DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00023-07
Monday, May 20, 2019
Vaccinate for Africa 2019
In April, World Animal
Vaccination Day marked the contribution vaccines make in the control of
disease in animals. Currently, vaccines exist
against more than 100 animal diseases and around 30 human diseases. They have
saved the lives of millions of people and animals and they contribute to the need
to use less antibiotics while reducing the exposure to zoonotic diseases.
Next week (May 27th - 31st), VIVA is launching a new campaign – “Vaccinate for
Africa” – in conjunction with our partner organisations in Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF) across Europe.
The concept is simple – for one week veterinary practices agree to donate a
percentage of their pet vaccination fees to VIVA to support our animal health
programmes. Clients may also contribute if they wish.
The funds raised support our animal health programmes in the
Developing World. For example, in Uganda we are training local farmers as
Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs or “Village Vets”). As well as providing
basic veterinary services to local farmers in their community they are also
participating in government-run vaccination campaigns. They carry out the
vaccinations of livestock against important local diseases such as Contagious
Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBP) and
Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCP) which cause large losses in local
cattle and goats.
For more information on the campaign or to register for participation contact Mike Burke on mike@viva.ie / 086 - 2568357 or Ciaran Gobl on 086 - 7015253
For more information on the campaign or to register for participation contact Mike Burke on mike@viva.ie / 086 - 2568357 or Ciaran Gobl on 086 - 7015253
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| Cattle being vaccinated by a CAHW |
Sunday, September 30, 2018
VIVA hosts visit by Egyptian vet
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| Dr. Hana Salama at the Donkey Sanctuary |
VIVA has been hosting in recent weeks a visit by Dr. Hana
Salama from Animal Care Egypt (ACE) in Luxor in Egypt. Animal Care in Egypt is
a charity dedicated to helping stop the suffering of thousands of working
equine animals in the poorest communities of Luxor by providing free veterinary
care and education.Founded almost 18 years ago, they also provide preventative
treatments and education, delivering a long term impact on the welfare of
working animals and the people that depend on them so greatly for their
livelihoods. These hard working animals often lack the most basic veterinary
care. Many are neglected or mistreated, not through malice, but due to a lack
of understanding or resources. Their 6 vets and support staff treat over 30,000
animals a year in their clinic which has a hospital to perform crucial
surgeries and 25 stables that allow the animals to rest from their working
lives where they can recover.
We were linked with ACE by Dr. Joe Collins of the Donkey Sanctuary
in Liscarroll in Co. Cork. With financial assistance from VIVA, Joe arranged for Hana to come to Ireland for
further training in diagnostic imaging techniques. She has spent a week in the
Veterinary Hospital in UCD followed by two weeks in the Donkey Sanctuary's
state-of-the-art veterinary hospital in Co. Cork. She also got to spend a few
days with James Dunne and his staff at the Blackwater Vet Clinic in Mallow to
experience the typical caseload of an Irish mixed practice.
For further information on ACE's work click here
Monday, July 2, 2018
VSF International Annual Report (2017) released
In 2017, the members of the VSF International network (which includes VIVA) implemented 209 projects in 36 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, improving the livelihoods of 6.16 million people, with an overall budget of €48.5 million
Over 25 million animals were treated, 5 500 Community-based animal health workers were trained and over 52 000 animals were distributed to poor households.
A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this work in some way.
Over 25 million animals were treated, 5 500 Community-based animal health workers were trained and over 52 000 animals were distributed to poor households.
A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this work in some way.
The report can be read here
Thursday, March 1, 2018
VSF Policy Paper on Livestock-based Interventions
The VSF International (Vétérinaires Sans Frontières International) network of which VIVA is a member has just published a new paper highlighting the importance of livestock-based interventions in emergency relief and development contexts. This policy paper describes how disasters affect livestock-based livelihoods, and summarises the types of interventions available for mitigating their impacts and building resilience. It also shows examples of how VSF is putting Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) into practice and how its principles can be adapted in emergency situations.
The document can be read here
.
The document can be read here
.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
"Heifer Draw" results announced
The results of the "Heifer Draw" are in!
The heifer goes to Jim McCartan, Navan, Co. Meath (Seller is Denis Carolan, Navan)
Second prize of a €500 holiday voucher goes to Anna O'Rourke, Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan (Seller - Rachel Burgess, Virginia, Co. Cavan)
Third prize of a €250 voucher goes to Edward Cassidy, Nobber, Co. Meath (Seller - John Taite, Mullagh, Co. Cavan)
Congrats to all involved and thanks to everyone for your support
The heifer goes to Jim McCartan, Navan, Co. Meath (Seller is Denis Carolan, Navan)
Second prize of a €500 holiday voucher goes to Anna O'Rourke, Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan (Seller - Rachel Burgess, Virginia, Co. Cavan)
Third prize of a €250 voucher goes to Edward Cassidy, Nobber, Co. Meath (Seller - John Taite, Mullagh, Co. Cavan)
Congrats to all involved and thanks to everyone for your support
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