Abstract

Rapid human population growth and environmental changes have altered the ecological balance between pathogens and their hosts. In order to predict, respond to, and prevent the emergence of novel infectious diseases, we must identify them at their source. In response to this challenge, One Health approaches are now being implemented to improve the pre-emptive identification of pandemic threats to animals and people, as well as to respond more effectively and efficiently to outbreaks. Our approach, field-tested in more than 20 countries, employs integrated risk modeling, molecular diagnostics, intensive population studies, and capacity building to detect novel viruses with pandemic potential early, giving health professionals and resource managers the best opportunity to prevent emergence or control epidemics at their source. It also targets important sentinel species at active transmission interfaces in hotspot regions to improve surveillance efficiencies and sampling strategies. Our targeted and adaptive wildlife disease surveillance program includes the introduction of new technologies at the local level, as well as the use of cutting-edge information management and communication tools with the potential to bring the world closer to realizing an integrated, global approach to emerging diseases. To date, we have sampled over 35,000 wild animals in remote locations and discovered 200 novel viruses in families known to cause epidemics and pandemics with the potential to threaten human and animal health.

* Presenting author