Increasing globalization, urban density, ease of travel, animal movement, environmental changes and habitat overlap between humans and animals, all provide opportunities for the emergence and spread of diseases that adversely impact both human and animal health, prosperity, and food security. COVID-19 and Ebola virus disease are two recent examples of how these various factors have directly impacted Africa. To combat these current outbreaks and get ahead of the next, a One Health approach must be taken.
One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral and transdisciplinary approach used to attain optimal health outcomes for people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Practically, One Health involves the collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health sectors as well as other relevant stakeholders, in the design and implementation of programmes, policies, legislation, and research intended to achieve better health outcomes for all.
To celebrate and share the various One Health work taking place on the continent, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is hosting a 3-day virtual One Health Conference from 1-3 November 2021. The conference aims to:
- Share best practices and experiences from Member States and partners.
- Showcase continental One Health research focusing on zoonotic disease surveillance and outbreak investigations, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, environmental health, and operational research through scientific presentations.
- Highlight operational tools and guidance documents developed by African Union organs and technical partners like WHO, OIE and FAO.
- Exhibit opportunities for collaboration or One Health implementation support.
- Strengthen One Health advocacy and capacity across the AU Member States and Regional networks.
Presenters will include representatives from Africa Union Member States, RECs, Africa Union technical agencies, Africa CDC RCCs, research institutions and technical partners.
ATTENDANCE IS OPEN TO ALL!
ABOUT AFRICA CDC: The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a specialised technical agency of the African Union (AU). Africa CDC’s mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health institutions’ capacities, capabilities and partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks based on science, policy, and data-driven interventions and programs. Africa CDC realises that a One Health approach is critical for the accelerated implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) to safeguard the socioeconomic and political integration of the continent and to achieve the AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
More information: https://sbs.co.za/africacdc2021/