The Big Picture and the Big Concept, “One Health”
Having gone through the COVID pandemic, there is a tendency to see it as “mission accomplished” and turn to other priorities. A mistake because unless we buy into the “One Health umbrella approach,” the interface of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem vulnerabilities will catch up with us.
Dr. Bruce Kaplan, a co-founder of the One Health Initiative (OHI) who was meticulously involved in the creation of the One Health Umbrella graphic, views the potential for another pandemic much more manageable utilizing the One Health approach, as does the World Health Organization (WHO) and many others in the scientific global public health community.
Kaplan notes that climate change is among the “greatest threats to human health.” He makes the point that deforestation, illegal wildlife species trade and urbanization are anthropogenic activities enabling the emergence of zoonoses and vector-borne diseases globally. Emissions accompanying industrialization and urbanization contribute significantly to climatic change, accentuating the negative effects of global warming on planetary health, including biodiversity loss, global expansion of infectious diseases resulting from natural disasters like flooding, and the emergence of novel zoonoses.
Current major international efforts on climate change, pandemics, and plastic proliferation, each of which bears significantly on what is needed to cope with known and unknown diseases, are at an impasse. Time is of the essence for the international community, regions, and/or individual countries, along with the relevant scientific disciplines, to join in common cause, through a One Health prism to prevent, prepare and contain the next known or unknown infectious disease outbreak.
The Avian Flu Threat in the U.S.
This is now a zoonotic disease spreading in the United States that is worth examining, considering what has not and has been done, and what should be done in future.
Avian Flu is not new to North America. The U.S. has faced several outbreaks of avian flu over the years, with the most substantial impact seen in 2014-2015 and again in 2022. The High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus is adaptable and can mutate. If it changes its form into human-to-human transmission it could become exponentially more dangerous, similar to developing into another “COVID” crisis.
Notably, only a few days ago, a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (“H5N1 bird flu”) was identified in Louisiana and confirmed on December 13, 2024. This is the first instance of severe illness linked to the virus in the United States. However, since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States. This H5N1 bird flu genotype is different than the genotype detected in dairy cows, sporadic human cases in multiple states, and some poultry outbreaks in the United States.
What Was Not Done
Insufficient Preparedness
While some measures were in place to handle outbreaks, preparedness plans often lack the necessary detail and resources required. Failure to simulate potential outbreak scenarios has left gaps in response strategies. Kaplan says, “the CDC, despite some shortcomings of the past, has been and continues to be the world’s premier public health agency. Its One Health leadership and utilization should be encouraged and strongly supported by the incoming political leadership of the U.S. Congress and the White House. Other major transdisciplinary players in the U.S. would and should include empowering unimpeded collaboration with all critically relevant health-oriented players like the NIH, USDA’s APHIS, FDA, etc.”
He also suggests looking to the leadership of the American Veterinary One Health Society (AVOHS) for valuable expertise.
Limited Surveillance and Monitoring
There has been sporadic monitoring of domestic and wild bird populations for avian flu. Absent have been surveillance systems that cover both large and small poultry operations, as well as wild bird habitats, needed to detect the virus early.
Inconsistent Biosecurity Practices
There are significant variations in biosecurity practices across different states and farms. And size matters in that small operations may not have the resources or knowledge to implement effective biosecurity measures, risking broader contagions.
Public Awareness and Public Affairs Communication
The general public has been largely unconcerned with the impact of the avian flu and the necessary measures to prevent its spread. Public health messaging regarding avian flu’s transmission, particularly about potential zoonotic risks, has been minimal and of dubious effect. Health illiteracy remains a huge detrimental influence in public health endeavors viz. vaccination hesitancy, drinking of raw unpasteurized milk, and growing water fluoridation opposition.
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Responses between federal, state, agricultural sectors, wildlife agencies, and the private sector, reflect insufficient coordination, leading to overlapping duties or missed opportunities for learning from each other’s experiences.
What Needs to Be Done
Enhanced Surveillance Systems
Comprehensive surveillance systems that integrate data from wild bird populations, commercial farms, and backyard flocks.
Strengthen Biosecurity Measures
Implement standardized biosecurity protocols across all poultry operations, regardless of size. Training programs for farmers and workers should be established to ensure understanding and compliance with these practices.
Invest in Research and Development
Fortunately, H5N1 vaccines have been and are being developed but are not currently in large supply. As during the Covid crisis, successful prophylactic “Operation Warp Speed Vaccine”, advancement and building upon a similar program relying upon qualified top level recognized virology-vaccinology experts would be essential. Funding research into avian flu genetics and transmission patterns will also aid in understanding and prevention.
Related Articles: Could Bird Flu Lead to the Next Pandemic? | On the Verge of a Possible Avian Flu Pandemic | How Prepared Are We for the Next Pandemic? | Why One Health is Key To Address Future Pandemics
Public Education Campaigns
Launch educational campaigns to inform the public about avian flu, its potential threats, the safe handling of poultry products, and the importance of reporting sick birds. Information should be clear and accessible. Political powers-that-be should utilizing and rely upon exceptional professional public affairs programs offered by the CDC and the U.S. military.
Collaboration and Coordination
Foster better collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies, as well as public health organizations, to manage avian flu outbreaks.
Emergency Response Plan
Have a revised emergency response plan that include not just culling measures but also financial support for affected farmers, public health interventions, and clear communication strategies.
Monitor Migratory Bird Patterns
Work with ecologists and ornithologists to monitor migratory bird routes more closely. as these can be key infectious disease vectors.
International Cooperation
Engage in international partnerships to monitor global avian flu outbreaks and share best practices for prevention and response. Zoonotic diseases do not recognize borders, and a united front is essential to manage them.
A Do List for the New Year
In 2025 the new Administration will take office. President-elect Trump and his new health team can do the right things, make America safer and healthier, by embracing a One Health Strategy and the measures described. If they do so, it will be both life- and cost-saving.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of Impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Daisy.
