Au fil des années, nos vies et nos sociétés ont été touchées par plusieurs maladies, par exemple Ebola, la grippe ou le COVID-19, susceptibles de se propager entre les animaux et les humains. Ces maladies, également appelées zoonoses, mettent à rude épreuve nos systèmes de santé mondiaux, nos chaînes d’approvisionnement alimentaire et nos économies.

Tandis que la portée des conséquences des zoonoses varie à des degrés divers, de nombreux pays ont montré qu’ils ne disposaient pas de mécanismes adéquats pour garantir une collaboration « Une seule santé » pérenne et durable. Afin d’aider les pays à combler leurs lacunes, l’Organisation des Nations unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO), l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) et l’Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OMSA) ont élaboré de nouveaux outils opérationnels visant à faciliter la mise en place de mécanismes de coordination multisectorielle ainsi que de systèmes de surveillance et de partage d’informations.

Le leadership et les composantes techniques pour lutter contre les zoonoses doivent être coordonnés dans tous les secteurs concernés. Au Qatar, par exemple, le foyer épidémique de MERS-CoV a été l’occasion de renforcer la coordination multisectorielle au niveau national avant d’étendre les thèmes de travail à la gestion d’autres maladies zoonotiques. L’Outil opérationnel sur les mécanismes de coordination multisectorielle (MCM) fournit aux pays une approche standard par étapes pour établir ou renforcer un mécanisme de coordination « Une seule santé » afin de gérer les maladies zoonotiques, à l’aune des principes et des pratiques optimales décrits dans le Guide tripartite sur les zoonoses.

Les maladies zoonotiques étant transmissibles entre les personnes et les animaux, y compris les vecteurs, ou via l’environnement, une surveillance coordonnée doit tenir compte de toutes les voies de propagation. L’Outil opérationnel sur la surveillance et le partage d’information (SIS OT) aide les autorités nationales dans leurs efforts visant à mettre en place ou à renforcer un système SIS multisectoriel « Une seule santé » pour les zoonoses. Un tel système est essentiel pour la détection précoce des événements sanitaires. Grâce au partage rapide des informations, il est possible de réduire le risque de transmission de l’animal à l’humain.

Ces outils opérationnels complètent l’Outil opérationnel pour l’évaluation conjointe des risques déjà existant.

Les conséquences des maladies émergentes vont bien au-delà des secteurs de la santé publique et animale : elles ont des effets néfastes sur presque tous les secteurs. De multiples secteurs et disciplines doivent donc coopérer pour faire face à ces défis sanitaires. Cela vaut à la fois pour les mécanismes de coordination, la surveillance et d’autres aspects des systèmes de santé nationaux.

Alors que le monde commence à se remettre des effets de la pandémie de COVID-19, les outils opérationnels contribueront à améliorer la réponse collaborative aux zoonoses ainsi qu’à d’autres risques pour la santé à l’interface humain-animal-environnement dans les pays.

Communiqué de presse conjoint de la FAO/OIE/OMS/PNUE

Un partenariat renforcé vise à accélérer la stratégie coordonnée relative à la santé des êtres humains, des animaux et des écosystèmes

Des progrès importants ont été accomplis l’année dernière dans les travaux visant à répondre aux difficultés liées à la santé des êtres humains, des animaux et des écosystèmes à l’aide d’une approche plus intégrée, comme l’ont souligné les dirigeants des trois organisations internationales qui coopèrent dans ces domaines, alors que le groupe s’étend avec l’inclusion d’une quatrième entité, le Programme des Nations Unies pour l’environnement (PNUE).

À sa réunion exécutive annuelle, tenue cette semaine, l’alliance tripartite en faveur d’«Une seule santé», composée de l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO), de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) et de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé animale (OIE), est officiellement devenue une alliance quadripartite, avec la signature d’un protocole d’accord avec le PNUE.

L’approche «Une seule santé» vise à équilibrer et à optimiser durablement la santé des personnes, des animaux, des écosystèmes et de l’environnement en général. Elle fait appel à divers secteurs, disciplines et communautés qui œuvrent de concert à l’amélioration du bien-être et à la lutte contre les menaces pour la santé et les écosystèmes. Parallèlement, elle consiste à combler les besoins collectifs en matière d’eau, d’énergie et d’air propres et d’alimentation sûre et nutritive, à prendre des mesures contre le changement climatique et à contribuer aux objectifs de développement durable.

«Nous sommes plus forts depuis que le PNUE a rejoint l’alliance tripartite, a déclaré M. Qu Dongyu, Directeur général de la FAO, ajoutant: «Le PNUE joue déjà un rôle actif dans des domaines de travail de l’alliance tripartite.» Le protocole d’accord indique que le PNUE «définit le programme en matière d’environnement, favorise la mise en œuvre cohérente de la dimension environnementale du développement durable au sein du système des Nations Unies, et fait autorité en tant que défenseur de l’environnement mondial».

Les travaux de l’alliance nouvellement étendue seront axés sur un plan d’action conjoint en faveur de l’approche «Une seule santé» comprenant six pistes d’action principales: le renforcement des capacités des pays à améliorer les systèmes de santé dans le cadre d’une approche «Une seule santé»; la réduction des risques résultant d’épidémies et de pandémies zoonotiques nouvelles ou résurgentes; la maîtrise et l’éradication des maladies à transmission vectorielle, des maladies tropicales négligées et des maladies zoonotiques endémiques; le renforcement de l’évaluation, de la gestion et de la communication des risques pour la sécurité sanitaire des aliments; la lutte contre la pandémie silencieuse que représente la résistance aux antimicrobiens; et une meilleure intégration de l’environnement dans l’approche «Une seule santé».

Prévoir la mise en œuvre, principale difficulté

Lorsque la FAO a cédé la présidence tournante du secrétariat à l’OMS, son Directeur général, M. Qu Dongyu, a souligné les progrès importants accomplis au cours de l’année écoulée dans les activités visant à développer collectivement le plan d’action et a ajouté: «Le défi est maintenant la mise en œuvre: comment transposer nos travaux sur le terrain pour aider nos Membres? Et comment mobiliser des fonds et des mécanismes de financement pour appuyer le plan d’action conjoint?»

Dans son allocution liminaire, M. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Directeur général de l’OMS, a déclaré: «Nous devons mettre en place au niveau mondial une structure de gouvernance plus complète et mieux coordonnée de l’approche “Une seule santé”. Nous avons besoin d’un personnel solide, d’une volonté politique forte et d’investissements financiers soutenus. Nous devons établir un moyen de communiquer et de collaborer de manière plus proactive entre les secteurs, les disciplines et les communautés pour parvenir au changement nécessaire.»

Mme Monique Eloit, Directrice générale de l’OIE, reconnaissant l’étape importante que constitue la signature du protocole d’accord avec le PNUE, a affirmé: «Aujourd’hui, je suis très heureuse que notre collaboration tripartite soit étendue pour inclure le PNUE en tant que partenaire à part entière. Compte tenu de son mandat, de son expertise et de ses réseaux, sa contribution sera précieuse pour faire progresser l’approche «Une seule santé». Cette nouvelle étape de notre partenariat nous rendra plus forts et mieux préparés à servir nos membres et à répondre aux défis mondiaux en matière de santé.»

Mme Inger Andersen, Directrice exécutive du PNUE, a déclaré: «Il apparaît comme une évidence à tous ceux qui participent à «Une seule santé» qu’aucun secteur ne peut résoudre à lui seul les nombreux problèmes auxquels nous sommes confrontés. Pour assurer la santé des êtres humains, des animaux et de l’environnement et, ce faisant, l’avenir de notre planète, nous devons renforcer la collaboration et établir davantage de partenariats. Nous devons être solidaires et travailler de concert si nous voulons progresser ensemble. Le PNUE, dernier membre de l’alliance en date, est prêt à remplir sa mission en tant que partenaire à part entière.»

Sensibilisation accrue à l’approche «Une seule santé»

Alors que le monde entame la troisième année de lutte contre la pandémie de covid-19, dont le coût estimé est de 8 à 16 milliards d’USD, on constate une prise de conscience et une reconnaissance accrues de l’importance d’assurer la viabilité et la durabilité à long terme de l’approche «Une seule santé», qui occupe maintenant une place importante dans les ordres du jour à l’échelle mondiale, celui du G7 comme du G20, ou encore du Sommet des Nations Unies sur les systèmes alimentaires. Pour appuyer une coalition mondiale consacrée à «Une seule santé», un engagement en faveur de cette approche a été inscrit au Sommet des Nations Unies sur les systèmes alimentaires, en vue de l’établissement d’une collaboration entre différents secteurs et disciplines et à tous les niveaux de la société. Il aidera à ouvrir des voies de transformation des systèmes agroalimentaires nationaux dans le prolongement du Sommet.

L’an dernier, l’alliance tripartite a mis en œuvre plusieurs autres initiatives relatives à l’approche «Une seule santé» et à la résistance aux antimicrobiens. Le Groupe d’experts de haut niveau sur l’approche «Une seule santé» a joué un rôle de conseil scientifique important. Les plateformes régionales «Une seule santé» ont été renforcées et de nouvelles ont été créées aux fins du partage d’informations et de pratiques optimales. Des progrès importants ont été accomplis dans la mise en place d’un cadre conjoint, d’un groupe de direction mondial et d’une plateforme de partenariat multipartite sur la résistance aux antimicrobiens, grâce à la mobilisation de ressources et la prise de mesures visant à lutter contre cette résistance, qui menace la vie de millions de personnes. Ces réalisations témoignent de la coopération fructueuse entre l’alliance tripartite et le PNUE, qui entre dans une nouvelle étape importante avec la signature d’un accord de collaboration officiel.

Photo : (c) FAO

Specialists:  

  • Sean Shadomy, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, Veterinary Epidemiologist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • Tianna Brand, Foresight Advisor, International Standards and Science Directorate, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
  • Dr Mariana Marrana, DVM, Programme Manager, Preparedness and Resilience Department, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
  • Dr Stephane de La Rocque, DMV, MSc PhS, Team lead for the Animal-Human Interface Health Security Preparedness Department, World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Program
1. What factors can increase the emergence and spread of zoonoses?

Tianna Brand, OIE: The literature and scientific studies reveal numerous factors – environmental, pathogen, host or vector adaptation, to name a few. The central and recurring theme in emergence and spread are the interactions between humans and animals.

The opportunities for zoonotic pathogens to emerge are increasing. The growth of the human population and its consumption habits are the underlying factors – or root causes – for the emergence and spread of diseases. Ultimately a larger human population drives higher levels of intensive animal production, and furthermore drives the expansion of crop lands, human settlements and cities. All these factors contribute to the disruption of natural ecosystems and increased encroachment of humans into previously wild areas. Historically, the emergence of new human diseases from animal sources, such as the plague or Ebola, has been associated with major societal change.

Mariana Marrana, OIE: New pathogenic agents appear all the time at the human-animal-environment interface. While, most often, the newly emerged diseases often only result in local transmission before fading away, human activities provide the pathway for local disease events to become regional or global. Therefore, a disease outbreak that could be inconsequential from a global perspective can take pandemic proportions in a matter of weeks, as we saw at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Why is preventing zoonotic diseases important for food security?

Sean Shadomy, FAO: It is critical to control and prevent zoonotic diseases, and to protect livestock in order to ensure food security and safeguard the livelihoods of families and communities. Food production and distribution systems are highly complex and multisectoral, and the full impact of zoonotic diseases on food production and food security, as well as the human health and societal costs and economic impact on producers, is difficult to determine.

The direct impact of some zoonotic diseases can include high rates of illness and death among food-producing animals, causing mass die-offs among livestock and poultry herds and flocks. They can also cause decreased production, such as by causing poultry to lay fewer eggs, or by causing stillbirths and abortions in meat producing or dairy animals, which mean both less meat and less milk production. In those countries where livestock are used as draught animals, the illness or death in these animals from zoonotic diseases can mean a loss of power and transport for agricultural production.

Some zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis can be spread in abattoirs and meat-packing facilities, causing debilitating illness and preventing their work, thereby impacting production. However, as witnessed with the COVID-19 pandemic, some zoonotic diseases are even more highly transmissible in these settings. The introduction of zoonotic pathogens into the food production and transport system, either through infected workers or on contaminated products, has led to widespread production and processing facility shutdowns, severely impacting market chains and distribution networks, leading to food shortages. The disruptive effects can be seen up and down the production chain, even causing some livestock producers to cull their animals as they cannot go to market. In addition, the economic impact and complete cessation of use of certain food commodities due to pandemic control measures has negatively affected or even forced closure of producers and processors throughout the production and distribution pathways.
The responses required to control certain zoonotic diseases can exacerbate the direct losses in animal production. Control measures including culling affected flocks and herds can cause the elimination of whole farms. In addition, national campaigns can cull hundreds of thousands of animals or more. When countries restrict or ban exports from other countries affected by zoonotic diseases of concern for animal trade, this can have tremendous negative economic impact on the producers in the affected countries, potentially driving them out of business. In turn, other exporting countries may move to fill the export trade gap, and this disruption in food trade to countries importing meat (often higher income countries) means that prices for meat will go up in the exporting countries; this in turn can put meat protein out of the reach of less affluent consumers, and impact the food security in those exporting countries.

3. What lessons have we learned from the COVID-19 outbreak and how will that change the approach to zoonotic disease preparedness?

Stephane de La Rocque, WHO: COVID-19 demonstrated the impacts that zoonotic diseases can have on all aspects of society. We all know that pathogens are shared between animals and humans, but this is often a neglected aspect of public health, especially in advanced countries where biosecurity, prevention and curative options keep us safe from many of these diseases. It appeared that some of the capacities we thought were robust in fact still needed to be further consolidated. This includes capacities for coordination between sectors, through a One Health approach.

The Tripartite has worked through expert consultations to develop tools and guidance for countries. But with COVID-19, we realized now more than ever, that countries needed to be able to access and implement key principles and best practices for the management of zoonotic diseases in the midst of active outbreak response. The Tripartite accelerated the deployment of its tools, and developed online trainings and methods for virtual facilitation to adapt and iteratively improve existing tools and approaches for diseases arising at the human-animal-interface.

4. How can capacity building needs be identified at the human-animal interface?

Stephane de La Rocque, WHO: The IHR-PVS National Bridging workshops (NBWs) create an opportunity for the human health and veterinary sectors to jointly discuss their respective capacities for health security and to agree on concrete activities to improve their multi-sectoral coordination, through a One Health approach.
The jointly developed operational roadmaps resulting from this exercise helps countries to prioritize their investments in building capacities, whether technical, institutional or workforce related. The NBWs provide a first step in One Health operational planning in countries and the implementation of these roadmaps is ensured through operational tools developed by WHO and its partners.

5. Why did FAO, OIE and WHO come together to write the Tripartite Zoonoses Guide (TZG)?

Mariana Marrana, OIE: For many decades the Tripartite Organisations have been collaborating on programmes to support their respective memberships in addressing zoonotic diseases, such as rabies or zoonotic influenzas, and health risks such as antimicrobial resistance. As part of this collaboration, the organizations advocate for an approach which is inclusive of a variety of disciplines in an effort to bridge knowledge and practices to respond or address zoonotic diseases and other health risks at the human-animal-environment interface. In the simplest of terms, we refer to this as the One Health approach.
The Tripartite Zoonoses Guide is a reflection of this approach and ways to make it operational at national level. It brings together principles for One Health, along with best practices in play in countries and information on how to set up efficient coordination mechanisms across sectors to address health threats, notably in regard to strategic planning and emergency preparedness or surveillance and information sharing to name a few.

6. What makes the Tripartite Zoonoses Guide unique?

Sean Shadomy, FAO: The TZG was developed under the leadership of FAO, OIE and WHO with the technical contributions of hundreds of experts representing UN and other international organizations, national ministries and agencies, and organizations representing civil society. This global team of experts developed detailed guidance to support countries in taking a multisectoral, One Health approach to address zoonotic diseases, and included recommendations for best practices for implementation as well as country examples.

The TZG was developed to be applicable to all countries and regions, and to address zoonotic disease threats, be they endemic or newly identified in a country or region. To go further, operational tools are now being developed and pilot tested to provide step-by-step guidance on implementing specific technical sections of the TZG – this detailed advice has been requested by countries. The Tripartite Zoonoses Guide and the operational tools are broadly applicable and not disease-specific. The entire toolkit is also flexible enough to support multisectoral collaborations to address other health threats at the human-animal-environment interface, such as food safety and antimicrobial resistance.

7. How can the Tripartite Zoonoses Guide and operational tools support country preparedness for their national context?

Stephane de La Rocque, WHO: The Tripartite Zoonoses Guide highlights over 80 country examples, ranging from the development of effective government One Health mechanisms or platforms, to zoonotic disease prioritization, joint risk assessment, planning and preparedness, investigation and response, coordinated surveillance and workforce development. Designed for decision makers and technical staff in countries, we recognized the need to create operational tools to support implementation of key principles. Three operational tools have been developed so far to support a step-by-step One Health approach in countries for joint risk assessment, multisectoral government mechanisms, and coordinated surveillance and information sharing. These tools are facilitative and adaptive to country context and allow for sustainable and iterative use as needed.

8. What will the Tripartite do to further promote the use of the Tripartite Zoonoses Guide?

Sean Shadomy, FAO: As part of a coordinated communication and dissemination strategy for the TZG, the Tripartite organizations have promoted its use through their respective communication channels, including websites, publications, social media, and throughout their respective networks. In addition, they have introduced the TZG and the operational tools through international conferences and virtual events such as the 2021 World One Health Congress.

The Tripartite provide training on the use of the TZG and the operational tools to the Tripartite regional and subregional offices as part of the pilot process for the operational tools. The goal is to increase the use of the TZG and to arrive at the point where countries and regions can use the TZG and the operational tools without Tripartite facilitation. Training on the TZG in six languages is freely available online.

9. How can we further improve our response to zoonotic diseases?

Tianna Brand, OIE: Pragmatically, working in isolation to address complex and constantly evolving parameters, really only provides one or a limited view of a much larger, dynamic and interconnected problem(s) – potentially worsening the issue.

Improving the operationalization of the One Health approach requires identifying the linkages between disciplines, organizations, data, resources and stakeholders, to bridge knowledge and actions and thereby prevent, mitigate or adapt to health risks.

Geneva/Paris/Rome, 20 May 2021 – International organisations have come together to launch a new One Health High-Level Expert Panel to improve understanding of how diseases with the potential to trigger pandemics, emerge and spread.

The panel will advise four international organisations – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE); the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and the World Health Organization (WHO) – on the development of a long-term global plan of action to avert outbreaks of diseases like H5N1 avian influenza; MERS; Ebola; Zika, and, possibly, COVID-19. Three quarters of all emerging infectious diseases originate in animals.

It will operate under the One Health Approach, which recognizes the links between the health of people, animals, and the environment and highlights the need for specialists in multiple sectors to address any health threats and prevent disruption to agri-food systems.

Key first steps will include systematic analyses of scientific knowledge about the factors that lead to transmission of a disease from animal to human and vice versa; development of risk assessment and surveillance frameworks; identification of capacity gaps as well as agreement on good practices to prevent and prepare for zoonotic outbreaks.

The panel will consider the impact of human activity on the environment and wildlife habitats. Critical areas will include food production and distribution; urbanization and infrastructure development; international travel and trade; activities that lead to biodiversity loss and climate change; and those that put increased pressure on the natural resource base – all of which can lead to the emergence of zoonotic diseases.

The panel will guide development of a dynamic new research agenda and draw up evidence-based recommendations for global, regional, national and local action.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said: “Human health does not exist in a vacuum, and nor can our efforts to protect and promote it. The close links between human, animal and environmental health demand close collaboration, communication and coordination between the relevant sectors. The High-Level Expert Panel is a much-needed initiative to transform One Health from a concept to concrete policies that safeguard the health of the world’s people.”

Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director General, told the panel: “This panel will contribute to advancing the One Health agenda, by helping to better understand the root causes of disease emergence and spread, and informing decision-makers to prevent long-term public health risks. I encourage it to be a shining example of silo-breaking, systems thinking and open dialogue. Expectations for collective action and the need for effective collaboration have never been higher.”

Dr Monique Éloit, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health noted: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that collaboration across sectors is absolutely critical for global health. The newly established One Health High-Level Expert Panel will contribute to bringing together diverse scientific expertise. United, we will better anticipate global health threats and work to control risks at the animal source. Our Organisation is proud to provide high-level expertise, along with our partners, to develop science-based ‘One Health’ strategies and programmes.“

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP observed: “To end the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our peace and prosperity, we have to understand that human, animal and planetary health go hand in hand. We must do more to promote transformative actions that target the root causes of nature’s destruction. The One Health High-Level Expert Panel is an important step in recognizing the complex, multidisciplinary issues at the interface of human, animal, and environmental health.“

The Ministers for Foreign Affairs of France and Germany also joined the public launch of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel:

Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France commented: “The COVID-19 pandemic, whose zoonotic origin is strongly suspected, underlines how closely human, animal and environmental health are linked. It demonstrates the importance of the ‘One Health’ approach. It is in this context that France, together with Germany, proposed the creation of such a Panel at the meeting of the Alliance for Multilateralism organized on the occasion of the Paris Peace Forum on 12 November 2020.”

Mr Heiko Maas, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Germany, said: “COVID-19 has painfully reminded us that the health of humans, animals and the environment around the world is closely connected: Nobody is safe until everybody is safe. This is what we have to bear in mind to prevent future pandemics. The establishment of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel thus marks an important step in the right direction. Germany and France will continue to support the panel’s work.”

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