https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org RSS feeds for One World - One Health 60 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17471/Urgent-Actions-for-Human-and-Planetary-Health-World-Health-Day-2022.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=17471 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17471&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17471/Urgent-Actions-for-Human-and-Planetary-Health-World-Health-Day-2022.aspx April 7th is WHO’s World Health Day. The WHO estimates that more than 13 million deaths a year are due to avoidable environmental causes and, for the first time, is using World Health Day to focus global attention on urgent actions needed to support human and planetary health.    From Dr. Chris Walzer, Wildlife Conservation Society’s Executive Director of Health:  “It is increasingly clear that planetary mismanagement has led to an escalation of infectious and non-infectious health threats at an unprecedented scale, with impacts from individuals to communities, across landscapes, to the entire globe. Climate change is altering the distribution, life cycle, and physiology of hosts, pathogens, and vectors, shifting infectious diseases' distribution, emergence, and ecology. From the most remote terrestrial wilderness to the deepest ocean, to the most densely populated cities, we are inexorably changing our planet." “The drivers of the biodiversity loss and climate change crises also drive the increase in pathogen spillover: deforestation; unsustainable and illegal exploitation of wildlife, timber, and other resources; ecosystem degradation; land-use change for agricultural intensification and other industrial expansion; wildlife trade (legal and illegal), wildlife farms, and wildlife markets. Recent research provides strengthened evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from live wildlife in a market, and WCS research has highlighted high contact rates between wildlife and people in markets, potentially zoonotic pathogens circulating in traded wild animals in Viet Nam and Laos, and increasing prevalence along wildlife trade chains from the field to markets to restaurants."  His full statement can be read here Keatts, Lucy Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17471 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17378/SARS-CoV-2-Related-Coronaviruses-Found-in-Traded-Pangolins.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=17378 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17378&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17378/SARS-CoV-2-Related-Coronaviruses-Found-in-Traded-Pangolins.aspx A new study in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, led by scientists from WCS, confirms that pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Viet Nam host SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses. The findings are further evidence that the transnational nature of the wildlife trade can facilitate coronavirus and other viral transmission and amplification along the trade chain. "Eliminating the trade in pangolins and other wild mammals and birds will eliminate this high-risk pathway for viral spillover and pathogen emergence,” said lead author Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga of WCS’s Viet Nam Program. LEARN MORE Keatts, Lucy Mon, 14 Mar 2022 18:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17378 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17379/Theres-a-COVID-19-epidemic-in-deer-in-the-US.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=17379 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17379&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17379/Theres-a-COVID-19-epidemic-in-deer-in-the-US.aspx The virus doesn't appear to make them very sick. Spread in new hosts could lead to new variants that cause trouble for people and wildlife later on, though. "We need wildlife surveillance,” says WCS's Sarah Olson. Read VOX story: "There’s a Covid-19 epidemic in deer. It could come back to haunt us." Photo Tim Lewthwaite Keatts, Lucy Thu, 10 Feb 2022 18:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17379 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17013/An-International-Pandemic-Treaty-Must-Include-Prevention-at-Source.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=17013 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17013&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17013/An-International-Pandemic-Treaty-Must-Include-Prevention-at-Source.aspx In a consensus decision aimed at protecting the world from future infectious diseases crises, a special session of the World Health Assembly agreed to launch a global process to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument under the Constitution of the World Health Organization to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The following statement is from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Vice President for International Policy, Dr. Susan Lieberman: “WCS strongly supports the World Health Assembly’s announcement to launch a process to form an international pandemic treaty, and we welcome the inclusion of an equitable and strong science-based approach to pandemic prevention at the source including actions on commercial wildlife markets, forest degradation, and associated biodiversity loss. “Pandemic preparedness is critical; governments must also agree to significantly reduce the risk of pathogen spillover from animals to humans well before they become local outbreaks, epidemics, or global pandemics. “We need to change our relationship with nature and our uses of wildlife. We must protect ecosystems with high ecological integrity and function. And we must stop encroaching on nature and reduce points of contact with wildlife to limit consequential pathogen spillovers from wildlife to humans and their livestock. The commercial trade and sale of live wildlife for human consumption – both legal and illegal, particularly birds and mammals – constitute a significant, unacceptable risk. This trade and associated markets bring together domesticated and wild animals with their pathogens, facilitating cross-species transmission and the emergence of novel viruses. We urge the WHO/WHA to address these issues in the new treaty. “WCS looks forward to providing technical and scientific assistance to governments as they negotiate this new agreement. Treaties/agreements can be negotiated quickly if there is the political will—and the next virus-in-waiting makes it clear that the governments of the world must find a strong, equitable, nature-positive solution to preventing the next pandemic.” In this Medium piece, WCS's Susan Lieberman, Christian Walzer, and Arnaud Goessens write that pandemic preparedness is critical, but governments must ensure that this agreement addresses prevention at source to significantly reduce the risk of pathogen spillover from animals to humans well before they become local outbreaks, epidemics or global pandemics.  Keatts, Lucy Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:55:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17013 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17012/Scientists-Find-SARS-CoV-2-Related-Viruses-in-Cambodian-Bats.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=17012 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17012&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17012/Scientists-Find-SARS-CoV-2-Related-Viruses-in-Cambodian-Bats.aspx The discovery by a team of scientists, including from WCS, along with the recent detection of the closest ancestors of SARS-CoV-2 known to date in cave-dwelling bats in Laos, indicates that SARS-CoV-2-related viruses that cause COVID-19 have a much wider geographic distribution than previously reported. It also further supports the hypothesis that the pandemic originated via spillover of a bat-borne virus. Said Dr. Lucy Keatts of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Health Program and a co-author of the study: “These findings underscore the importance of increased region-wide investment in bridging capacity for sustainable surveillance of pathogens in wildlife, through initiatives such as WildHealthNet. Southeast Asia hosts a high diversity of wildlife and an extensive wildlife trade that puts humans in direct contact with wild hosts of SARS-like coronaviruses. The region is undergoing dramatic land-use changes such as infrastructure development, urban development, and agricultural expansion that can increase contacts between bats, other wildlife, domestic animals and humans. Continued and expanded surveillance of bats and other key wild animals in Southeast Asia is a crucial component of future pandemic preparedness and prevention.” The scientific paper detailing the discovery was published in Nature Communications and is available here Photo: Rhinolophus Shameli, copyright Ben Hayes Keatts, Lucy Tue, 23 Nov 2021 17:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17012 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17011/Our-Actions-Put-People-and-Wildlife-at-Risk-of-Disease.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=17011 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17011&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17011/Our-Actions-Put-People-and-Wildlife-at-Risk-of-Disease.aspx The greatest danger of new pandemics often lies in disturbed landscapes, says WCS's Chris Walzer. When humans, their livestock, and dogs take up residence in previously wild places, this unnatural interface allows people and animals to swap new infectious pathogens. Read more in this Mongabay article: In harm’s way: Our actions put people and wildlife at risk of disease  Keatts, Lucy Wed, 20 Oct 2021 17:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17011 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17010/Rethinking-Pandemic-Prevention-at-the-UNGA.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=17010 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17010&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/17010/Rethinking-Pandemic-Prevention-at-the-UNGA.aspx "The COVID-19 pandemic is a real wake-up call for the world," said WCS's Christian Sampler at this week's United Nations General Assembly side event. These types of spillovers have been happening and their frequency is increasing. Watch the special session on "Healthy Ecosystems for People and Planet" here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbWp9Hz7S4A Keatts, Lucy Thu, 30 Sep 2021 17:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17010 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16751/One-World-One-Health-Newsletter-Holistic-Benefits-of-Wildlife-Surveillance.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=16751 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16751&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16751/One-World-One-Health-Newsletter-Holistic-Benefits-of-Wildlife-Surveillance.aspx WCS's WildHealthNet project is supporting the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to build sustainable wildlife surveillance platforms with a One Health approach. The networks have already facilitated the rapid detection and response to avian influenza and African swine fever outbreaks. Greater investment in wildlife health should accompany vital efforts to combat deforestation, forest degradation, and wildlife trade, and reverse the devastating trajectory of human-driven biological degradation that is driving the increased emergence of wildlife and human diseases. Read more about this and other WCS Health Programs news from investigating iguana die-offs to recusing wild condors and developments in wildlife forensics in our summer 2021 newsletter here. Keatts, Lucy Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16751 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16322/One-Health-Prioritized-by-G7.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=16322 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16322&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16322/One-Health-Prioritized-by-G7.aspx  The G7 (Group of Seven) is an organisation of the world's seven largest so-called advanced economies. They are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the United States. Recently the leaders of these countries convened at the G-7 Summit in Cornwall, England where they made several important commitments addressing the interlinked existential crises facing our planet—climate change, biodiversity loss, and zoonotic pandemics. The renewed focus on nature by these nations is an essential step for the world to successfully tackle these crises.Whilst we applaud the G7 prioritization of a One Health approach to all aspects of future pandemic prevention, one key element is missing from the members' commitment. Although we appreciate the attention on preparedness and post-spillover responses, they missed the chance to make a commitment to take the critical actions needed to prevent the next spillover of zoonotic pathogens from wildlife and other animals to people.Read WCS' full statement on the G-7 summit announcement  Keatts, Lucy Tue, 22 Jun 2021 17:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16322 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16170/In-Mongolia-One-Health-for-Wildlife-Livestock-and-People.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=16170 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16170&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16170/In-Mongolia-One-Health-for-Wildlife-Livestock-and-People.aspx Veterinarian Dr Enkhtuvshin Shiilegdamba or "Enkee" is Director of WCS Mongolia's Country Program. For many years her work has recognized the interconnectedness between human, animal and environmental health and, as she tells PBS Nature in this blog, "We all understand now through COVID-19 that global pandemics can emerge at any time, and that the best prevention is based on a One Health approach that incorporates and protects health for the benefit of people, livestock, wildlife, and their ecosystems."  Learn more about Dr Enkee's work in Mongolia: In Mongolia, One Health for People, Livestock and Wildlife Keatts, Lucy Wed, 19 May 2021 13:34:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16170 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16171/Protecting-Biodiversity-to-Protect-Your-Health.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=16171 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16171&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16171/Protecting-Biodiversity-to-Protect-Your-Health.aspx Why is protecting biodiversity synonymous with protecting our own health? If spillover events themselves are inevitable, how can we limit the likelihood that they will become epidemics or pandemics? Where do commercial wildlife markets and subsistence hunting fit into the equation? Dr. Christian Walzer, Director of WCS' Health Program, spoke with "This PodCast will Kill You" to answer these and other questions on how biodiversity conservation reduces the risk of pandemics:COVID-19 Chapter 18: Conservation & Pandemics Keatts, Lucy Tue, 11 May 2021 13:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16171 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16172/Coronavirus-Do-Cry-Over-Spillovers.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=16172 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16172&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16172/Coronavirus-Do-Cry-Over-Spillovers.aspx "We have not co-evolved with these species," WCS's Dr. Christian Walzer tells podcast host Bill Nye regarding wildlife found in markets, "so we have not had thousands of years to acquire these diseases, build antibodies against them or make them uniquely our own." This gives such novel pathogens in humans greater pandemic potential. Combined with the co-mixing of multiple species and often stressful conditions along market trade chains, these unnatural interfaces between live wildlife, domestic animals and humans provide ideal conditions for spillover. Learn more on how spillover happens in Bill Nye's podcast with Dr Walzer:Coronavirus: Do Cry Over Spillovers Keatts, Lucy Tue, 13 Apr 2021 13:57:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16172 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16173/Spring-Newsletter-Animals-Endure-Pandemics-Too.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=16173 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16173&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/16173/Spring-Newsletter-Animals-Endure-Pandemics-Too.aspx In our Spring newsletter, the stories remind us that animal, human and environmental health are inextricably linked. Read more about animal pandemics impacting wildlife and livestock, protecting biodiversity for pandemic prevention, domestic dogs and conservation, molecular science discoveries and more:ONE WORLD - ONE HEALTH NEWS: Spring 2021Sign up for our quarterly newsletters here Keatts, Lucy Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:22:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16173 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15819/Climate-Change-Bats-and-COVID-19.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15819 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15819&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15819/Climate-Change-Bats-and-COVID-19.aspx "We’re altering environments in ways we don’t really understand or appreciate until we have an event like the COVID-19 pandemic that makes us reassess our relationship with nature." WCS Health Programs' Sarah Olson spoke with The Scientist: Are Climate-Driven Shifts in Bat Diversity to Blame for COVID-19?Image:  © ISTOCK, VONKARA1  Keatts, Lucy Wed, 17 Feb 2021 16:26:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15819 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15818/One-Health-for-School-Students.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15818 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15818&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15818/One-Health-for-School-Students.aspx The WCS Education team recently created a Field Sight story with the WCS Health Program exploring the One World-One Health initiative, engaging students in how diseases spread in wild populations and from wildlife to humans, thinking about how we are interconnected with nature even in urban environments, and considering actions we can take at home to make a difference in global health. The curriculum even includes a "Spillover" game for students to understand how healthy intact ecosystems can protect global health and how ecological destruction increases risks for spillover of pathogens.Check out the curriculum and videos:   WCS Field Sight: Global Health Keatts, Lucy Wed, 17 Feb 2021 16:04:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15818 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15680/One-World-One-Health-Winter-Newsletter-Protect-Wildlife-Protect-Us.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15680 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15680&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15680/One-World-One-Health-Winter-Newsletter-Protect-Wildlife-Protect-Us.aspx Zoonotic diseases occur when harmful germs, like viruses and bacteria, are spread from animals to people, causing illness that can range from mild to deadly. Commercial wildlife markets, at which wildlife are often sold freshly slaughtered, present a major risk for the development and spread of zoonotic diseases. Animal consumption-based food systems have been implicated in the emergence of zoonoses (including HIV, SARS, Ebola virus disease, avian influenza), and mounting evidence indicates substantial human health risks from the trade in live wildlife.WCS recently published research showing that prevalence of coronaviruses in wild rodents in Viet Nam increased along the food supply chain from field rats, to large markets, to restaurants, highlighting the risk of zoonotic spillover to people through the commercial wildlife trade. As the world contends with the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to shut down this trade has never been more urgent.In our Winter Newsletter you can read more on our efforts to bring to light the health risks of commercial wildlife trade; our scientists discoveries on a groundbreaking Mount Everest expedition; our work to protect wild tigers from the devastating canine distemper virus; our wild shark studies; and the fascinating history of vets at the Bronx Zoo since the turn of the 20th Century:WCS One World, One Health News: Protect Wildlife, Protect UsRead our other newsletters here Keatts, Lucy Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15680 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15678/Preventing-the-Next-Pandemic.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15678 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15678&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15678/Preventing-the-Next-Pandemic.aspx If we continue the unabated incursion of humans on natural ecosystems, emerging infectious disease experts agree that it is a matter of when, not if, the next pandemic arises. What they fear most is that the next pathogen that spills over from wildlife to humans will cause a disease even more fatal, but with the same ease of asymptomatic human-to-human transmission as SARS-CoV-2. To make the drastic changes needed to avert the next pandemic, a multi-disciplinary One Health approach is essential and the cost of potential pandemics must be considered in development planning:“A road will facilitate a transport of goods and people and create economic incentive,” Dr Christian Walzer, of WCS tells Kaiser Health News “But it will also provide an interface where people interact and there’s a higher chance of spillover. These kinds of costs have never been considered in the past. And that needs to change.”Read the full story: Heading Off the Next Pandemic Keatts, Lucy Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15678 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15684/To-Prevent-Pandemics-We-Must-Prioritize-Biodiversity.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15684 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15684&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15684/To-Prevent-Pandemics-We-Must-Prioritize-Biodiversity.aspx WCS' Sue Lieberman and Chris Walzer write for Undark: "Planetary neglect and mismanagement helped pave the way for the Covid-19 pandemic. Our disruption of natural ecosystems has led to escalating health crises, including an increase in zoonotic diseases that arise when pathogens pass between animals and humans. There is no excuse for humanity to have allowed this to happen, and even less excuse for us to allow it to happen again. To prevent the next pandemic, and to address today’s many other health challenges, we must ensure the biological integrity of our planet for current and future generations." Read the full opinion piece:  To Prevent the Next Covid-19, We Must Prioritize Biodiversity Keatts, Lucy Tue, 15 Dec 2020 16:22:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15684 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15518/New-WCS-Report-One-Health-in-Action.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15518 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15518&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15518/New-WCS-Report-One-Health-in-Action.aspx A One Health approach is a collaborative, dynamic, and transdisciplinary approach—working at the local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes for all. Today, broad consensus exists that health encompasses more than parasites and pathogens; it must incorporate socio-economic, political, evolutionary, and environmental factors while also considering individual attributes and behaviors. On November 17, WCS issued a report on One Health in Action. You can read more and download the report here.   Keatts, Lucy Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15518 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15482/One-Planet-One-Health-One-Future.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15482 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15482&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15482/One-Planet-One-Health-One-Future.aspx On November 17-18 WCS and the German Federal Foreign Office will jointly host a virtual meeting on how to operationalize One Health across the globe. COVID-19 has shown us the exorbitant cost of inaction.  Global leaders in wildlife and human health are taking further active steps to ensure that governments, academia, and civil society break down barriers and form a united effort to prevent the emergence or resurgence of diseases, like COVID-19, that threaten people, wildlife, and livestock.Register for the Event Keatts, Lucy Fri, 13 Nov 2020 15:55:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15482 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15481/A-Multi-stakeholder-High-Level-Approach-to-One-Health.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15481 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15481&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15481/A-Multi-stakeholder-High-Level-Approach-to-One-Health.aspx WCS' Dr Sarah Olson joined an impressive list of speakers for the Paris Peace Forum to speak on zoonotic diseases, pandemics and the Berlin Principles at the launch of the "One Health" High-Level Expert Council, reiterating the interconnectedness between human, wildlife and ecosystem health, and the importance of a One Health approach to build back better post COVID-19. Keatts, Lucy Fri, 13 Nov 2020 15:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15481 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15437/Its-One-Health-Day.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15437 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15437&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15437/Its-One-Health-Day.aspx On One Health Day this year, in the face of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot ignore the intricate connection between human, animal and environmental health. Increasingly destructive anthropogenic activities, such as extraction of wildlife, agricultural expansion and continued destruction of forests in biodiverse landscapes, have increased the rate of spillover of zoonotic diseases from wildlife to humans. On October 25, 2019, just a month before the emergence of COVID19, WCS, together with global health leaders, issued the recently published Berlin Principles on OneHealth.  We must build back better, and greener, in a post-COVID world to prevent future pandemics. Later this month, WCS and the German Federal Foreign Office will jointly host an urgent virtual meeting on how to operationalize One Health across the globe. Register to join here.A new, bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. has the potential to help reduce the risk of future zoonotic pandemics. You can join the coalition speaking out in support.  Keatts, Lucy Tue, 03 Nov 2020 15:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15437 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15106/Its-Bat-Week.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=15106 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15106&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/15106/Its-Bat-Week.aspx Bats are often maligned, despite the fact that they provide vital ecosystem services for our planet, and are truly remarkable animals!  Here are 10 Reasons to Appreciate Bats!And an important reminder from our epidemiologist Dr Sarah Olson: Bat Week and COVID-19: It’s Actually About UsPhoto: Nate Fuller Keatts, Lucy Wed, 28 Oct 2020 13:32:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15106 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14993/We-Need-Federal-Action-to-Prevent-the-Next-Pandemic.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14993 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14993&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14993/We-Need-Federal-Action-to-Prevent-the-Next-Pandemic.aspx If we are to reduce the likelihood of future pandemics like COVID19, the U.S. government has a critical role to play. WCS' Chris Walzer and John Cavelli write for Scientific American on the importance of coordinated federal action and a One Health approach to reduce the threat of future pathogen spillover, in particular from the high risk trade in live and fresh wildlife for human consumption:   We Need Federal Action to Prevent the Next PandemicWCS wholly supports the recently introduced Preventing Future Pandemics Act of 2020 which would take important steps to prevent future pandemics of zoonotic origin. This act prohibits the import into, export from, or sale within the United States of live wildlife for human consumption. It would call upon the State Department to work internationally to secure similar market closures by other countries, and encourage international agencies to close commercial wildlife markets. Exceptions would be made for Indigenous Peoples in remote communities who are dependent on wildlife consumption for food security or cultural identities. The Act would also call on the U.S. Agency for International Development to support communities that rely on wildlife as a food source to develop safer and sustainable alternative animal and plant sourced foods. You can add your support and tell your legislators here: Protect Wildlife, Protect Us“Ending the commercial international trade in live and fresh terrestrial wildlife and commercial wildlife markets for human consumption is not only good for conservation—it is critical for the health, safety, and economic future of our planet. If we protect wildlife, we protect ourselves.” Photo copyright: WCS  Keatts, Lucy Wed, 30 Sep 2020 16:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14993 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14980/Piecemeal-Perspectives-to-Prevent-Future-Zoonotic-Pandemics-Wont-Cut-It.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14980 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14980&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14980/Piecemeal-Perspectives-to-Prevent-Future-Zoonotic-Pandemics-Wont-Cut-It.aspx A new peer-reviewed article in Frontiers: "COVID-19 and the Curse of Piecemeal Perspectives” authored by Dr. Chris Walzer, Executive Director of Health at WCS, emphasizes: we know that SARS-CoV-2 originated in wild animals, and we know that human degradation of the environment and trade in wildlife is driving such emergence of novel zoonotic diseases as we increase contact rates between people and wildlife from biodiverse, formerly intact ecosystems.  We critically need  "bold, forward-reasoning organizations and leaders who acknowledge root causes, take responsibility and weather the inevitable pushback from narrowly focused interest groups while also overcoming traditional economic and disciplinary silos to design future health and well-being for all."Read more highlights from the paper, and more on why it is so important to stop commercial trade of wild birds and mammals in order to reduce zoonotic risk and to safeguard resources for Indigenous Peoples and local communities who rely on wild meat to meet their nutritional requirements, in our WCS news story herePhoto credit: Lucy Keatts   Keatts, Lucy Mon, 28 Sep 2020 14:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14980 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14940/Wildlife-Trade-Under-Scrutiny.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14940 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14940&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14940/Wildlife-Trade-Under-Scrutiny.aspx To reduce risk of future novel disease spillover with potential for devastating pandemics, we must address the commercial wildlife trade for human consumption. As WCS's Sarah Olson tells the Asia Society, our research has found an increased prevalence of coronaviruses in rodents along the wildlife trade in Vietnam, from trappers to markets to urban restaurants. Watch the video here: Keatts, Lucy Thu, 17 Sep 2020 19:07:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14940 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14847/How-to-Stop-the-Next-Pandemic.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14847 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14847&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14847/How-to-Stop-the-Next-Pandemic.aspx WCS Health Program's Dr Chris Walzer, spoke with the New York Times as part of this must watch short doc: How to Stop the Next Pandemic.   "The destruction happening at the edge of forests is one area we're concerned about," he tells the paper, "creating contact with wildlife that didn't exist before."  Keatts, Lucy Tue, 01 Sep 2020 16:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14847 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14836/Read-Our-Summer-Newsletter-Big-Cats-and-COVID.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14836 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14836&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14836/Read-Our-Summer-Newsletter-Big-Cats-and-COVID.aspx From the recovery of the Bronx Zoo's Big Cats from COVID-19, to the links between ecological degradation and emerging infectious diseases, to the creation of a wildlife mortality monitoring network with hunters in the Congo to help prevent Ebola outbreaks, to our work with Indigenous communities in the Andes to improve the health and management of wild camelids.  Read our Summer newsletter:  WCS One World - One Health: Big Cats and COVID (and More)You can view our previous newsletters and sign up to receive them here  Keatts, Lucy Fri, 28 Aug 2020 15:10:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14836 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14798/High-Transmission-Capacity-of-Pathogens-in-Wildlife-Trade.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14798 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14798&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14798/High-Transmission-Capacity-of-Pathogens-in-Wildlife-Trade.aspx An article in El Pais this week highlights the recently published important findings of WCS scientists that prevalence of coronaviruses in rodents traded for food increased along the wildlife trade chain in Vietnam, from trappers to markets, to restaurants. These findings demonstrate the risk for amplification of zoonotic pathogens along the commercial trade chain for wild animals traded for human consumption.  A study warns of the high transmission capacity of pathogens in live animal markets Keatts, Lucy Mon, 24 Aug 2020 13:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14798 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14749/The-Next-Virus-Pandemic-Is-Not-Far-Away.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14749 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14749&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14749/The-Next-Virus-Pandemic-Is-Not-Far-Away.aspx Joe Walston, senior vice-president at the WCS, spoke with the Financial Times, highlighting the risk that trade in wildlife for products such as exotic food, fur and alternative medicines poses for emerging diseases:“We have had zoonotic diseases in the past, but they’ve been rare with large periods of time between the outbreaks,” he said. “Now, the regularity . . . is increasing. And it will continue to increase until we decide to reassess our relationship with trading animals.”  Read the full and important article for free: The Next Virus Pandemic Is Not Far Away  Keatts, Lucy Tue, 11 Aug 2020 15:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14749 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14748/In-Africa-Wildlife-Raises-the-Risk-of-Deadly-Diseases.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14748 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14748&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14748/In-Africa-Wildlife-Raises-the-Risk-of-Deadly-Diseases.aspx The Wildlife Conservation Society's Central Africa Program has identified key, multi-sectoral steps needed to decrease the risk of future wildlife disease spillovers to humans and to prevent their spread through secondary transmission from person to person. Such actions include substantially expanding already successful wildlife disease surveillance and public health awareness efforts in rural areas, and ending urban bushmeat consumption which threatens the food security and food sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.Read more in this opinion piece from the WCS Central Africa Program write for CNN: In Africa, Wildlife Raises the Risk of Deadly Diseases. It Doesn't Have To. Image copyright: T. Trefon  Keatts, Lucy Sat, 08 Aug 2020 15:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14748 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14583/STATEMENT-On-the-UN-Environment-Programme-report-on-zoonotic-disease.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14583 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14583&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14583/STATEMENT-On-the-UN-Environment-Programme-report-on-zoonotic-disease.aspx WCS commends the recent UNEP report "Preventing the Next Pandemic: Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission," and welcomes its 10 recommendations to help prevent future outbreaks. However, they are not sufficient if we are truly to prevent another COVID-like pandemic. WCS believes bolder steps are required.  Keatts, Lucy Fri, 10 Jul 2020 19:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14583 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14584/Today-is-World-Zoonoses-Day.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14584 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14584&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14584/Today-is-World-Zoonoses-Day.aspx  Zoonotic diseases result from pathogens jumping or spilling over between animals and humans. Think rabies, lyme disease, West Nile virus, HIV and Ebola. Today, as COVID-19 ravages our communities, we all understand the impact they can have.  Between 1940 and 2004, more than 335 emerging infectious disease outbreaks, involving 183 distinct pathogens, were reported worldwide (more than 50 per decade) and the rate of disease emergence is increasing.  We must act to reduce the long-term risk of future spillover events, which could lead to another pandemic as or potentially more devastating than COVID-19.Ecological degradation increases the overall risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks originating from wildlife. Among other things, our changes to the environment increase contact between humans, livestock, and wildlife pathogens.   Degradation is also at the core of 2 other major problems facing Earth: Climate Change and the biodiversity crisis. As WCS scientists wrote for CNN, proactively conserving and restoring remaining intact ecosystems is a key strategy.  As managers of at least 35% of the world’s remaining intact forests, Indigenous Peoples are key partners in this effort. Supporting their ongoing stewardship will reduce the frequency of human exposure to wildlife and help minimize zoonotic spillover.To prevent future pandemics, we must also end commercial trade in wildlife (particularly mammals and birds) for human consumption and close all such markets, as such trade is a known spillover risk. Ending wildlife consumption does not apply to Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), for whom there is often little alternative protein available. For IPLCs, we must value their eyes-on-the-ground and assist capacity for early reporting of sick animals & avoiding contact, to help detect outbreaks faster & reduce risk of their spread.Follow WCSHealth on Twitter: World Zoonoses Day Keatts, Lucy Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:22:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14584 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14353/WATCH-How-Coronavirus-Has-Placed-More-Attention-on-Wildlife-Trade.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14353 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14353&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14353/WATCH-How-Coronavirus-Has-Placed-More-Attention-on-Wildlife-Trade.aspx The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 has heightened awareness of the potentially devastating impacts of spillover of zoonotic emerging diseases from wild animals to humans. WATCH Dr Amanda Fine discuss why this has placed more attention on high-risk activities such as trade in wildlife.ABC News: How Coronavirus Has Placed More Attention on Wildlife Trade  Keatts, Lucy Tue, 23 Jun 2020 17:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14353 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14327/From-Field-to-Fork-Wildlife-Supply-Chains-for-Human-Consumption-Increase-Coronavirus-Spillover-Risk.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14327 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14327&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14327/From-Field-to-Fork-Wildlife-Supply-Chains-for-Human-Consumption-Increase-Coronavirus-Spillover-Risk.aspx A recent study by the WCS Health Program team in Vietnam found high proportions of Coronavirus positive samples among rodents destined for human consumption. The proportion of positives significantly increased along the supply chain from trappers and traders (21 percent), to large markets (32 percent) to restaurants (56 percent). Viruses from Field to Fork: Study Finds That Wildlife Supply Chains for Human Consumption Increase Coronaviruses’ Spillover Risk to PeopleSaid Amanda Fine, WCS Health Program Associate Director, Asia, and a co-author of the study: “Wildlife supply chains, and the conditions the animals experience while in the supply chain, appear to greatly amplify the prevalence of coronaviruses. In addition, we documented exposure of rodents on wildlife farms to both bat and bird coronaviruses. These high prevalence rates and diversity of coronaviruses, added to the species mixing we see in the wildlife trade, creates more opportunities for coronavirus recombination events as well as spillover.” New York Times: Wildlife Trade Spreads Coronaviruses as Animals Get To Markets Keatts, Lucy Wed, 17 Jun 2020 14:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14327 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14300/Urban-Bushmeat-and-Zoonotic-Disease.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14300 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14300&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14300/Urban-Bushmeat-and-Zoonotic-Disease.aspx The hunting, trade and consumption of wild meat, or bushmeat, in Central Africa is a past, current and potential future zoonotic disease risk. Pathogens that have spread to humans from bushmeat include HIV, simian foamy virus, monkeypox virus, Ebola viruses, anthrax, herpesviruses, retroviruses and paramyxoviruses. Although zoonotic disease transmission can occur at any point along the bushmeat supply chain, from hunting in the forest to the point of consumption, markets in large urban areas are particularly dangerous.Read WCS Central Africa's important new report:  Reducing the risk of future emerging infectious disease outbreaks by changing social norms around urban bushmeat consumption and stopping its commercial tradeImage © T. Trefon Keatts, Lucy Mon, 08 Jun 2020 20:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14300 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14268/Preventing-Epidemics-in-Republic-of-Congo-by-Monitoring-Wildlife-Mortality.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14268 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14268&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14268/Preventing-Epidemics-in-Republic-of-Congo-by-Monitoring-Wildlife-Mortality.aspx Watch our Wildlife Health Programme at work in Republic of Congo communities to set up an early warning system and minimize the risk of transmission of diseases such as Ebola to local populations. Read more about the important work to help prevent zoonotic virus epidemics and pandemics being done by veterinarian Dr. Alain Ondzie and his team in this blog  Keatts, Lucy Wed, 27 May 2020 15:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14268 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14263/The-Links-Between-Ecological-integrity-and-Human-Health.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14263 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14263&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14263/The-Links-Between-Ecological-integrity-and-Human-Health.aspx Degradation of ecological systems has significantly increased the overall risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks in addition to having other complex effects on human health.WCS scientists have published a special new report:  "Links between ecological integrity, emerging infectious diseases originating from wildlife, and other aspects of human health - an overview of the literature"The report draws on detailed case studies, global analyses, modelling, and broad expert consensus, notes that the majority of emerging infectious disease threats are zoonotic, originate from wildlife, and often cause major social and economic impacts. Ecological degradation increases the overall risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks originating from wildlife. Key “ingredients” that accentuate the risk of emerging infectious disease spillovers include land conversion, creation of new habitat edges, wildlife trade and consumption, and agricultural intensification especially when they are in, or linked to, areas of high biodiversity that elevate contact rates between humans and certain wildlife species.New WCS Special Report Shows Links between Degradation of Ecological Integrity and Emerging Infectious Diseases Keatts, Lucy Tue, 26 May 2020 13:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14263 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14191/Calling-for-a-COVID-19-Coalition.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14191 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14191&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14191/Calling-for-a-COVID-19-Coalition.aspx This week in The Lancet, Christian Walzer of the WCS Health Program and others emphasized:  "The health of our planet hinges on the symbiotic relationship between humans, animals and the environment." Calling For a COVID-19 One Health Research Coalition. Keatts, Lucy Tue, 12 May 2020 00:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14191 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14190/End-the-Wildlife-Trade-in-Laos-and-Prevent-Future-Pandemics.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14190 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14190&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14190/End-the-Wildlife-Trade-in-Laos-and-Prevent-Future-Pandemics.aspx Wildlife is openly traded in markets across Lao PDR, posing a risk for the spillover and spread of emerging zoonotic pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2. In order to reduce the risks to public health, economies and biodiversity, we need to end trade in wild animals and support stronger enforcement and legislation, as is being proposed by neighboring Vietnam and China. Read More in this Op-Ed from the Laotian Times.  Keatts, Lucy Tue, 12 May 2020 00:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14190 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14166/Coronavirus-A-Warning-Shot-from-Nature.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14166 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14166&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14166/Coronavirus-A-Warning-Shot-from-Nature.aspx Humankind's encroachment on nature must change to avoid future zoonotic pandemics. The world has shifted and there's no going back, Christian Walzer of WCS' Health Program tells TRT World... Coronavirus: A Warning Shot From Nature Keatts, Lucy Thu, 30 Apr 2020 14:10:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14166 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14146/Exterminating-Bats-Would-Increase-Risk-of-Further-Disease.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14146 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14146&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14146/Exterminating-Bats-Would-Increase-Risk-of-Further-Disease.aspx Executive Director of WCS' Health Program, Dr Christian Walzer reminds us that persecuting wildlife further disturbs nature and can enhance the transfer of disease: Coronavirus: Exterminating bats blamed for spreading Covid-19 would increase risk of further diseases, warn experts  Keatts, Lucy Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14146 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14145/Environmental-Destruction-Brought-Us-COVID-19-What-it-Brings-Next-Could-Be-Far-Worse.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14145 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14145&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14145/Environmental-Destruction-Brought-Us-COVID-19-What-it-Brings-Next-Could-Be-Far-Worse.aspx “Emerging infectious diseases, the majority of which are zoonotic and have their origin in wildlife, have been increasing significantly — both numbers of outbreaks and diversity of diseases — over the past 50 years,” said Dr. Christian Walzer, veterinarian and Executive Director of Wildlife Conservation Society' Health Program in this Huffington Post article.  Keatts, Lucy Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14145 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14104/Preventing-Pandemics-Global-Warming-and-Environmental-Degradation-all-at-Once.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14104 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14104&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14104/Preventing-Pandemics-Global-Warming-and-Environmental-Degradation-all-at-Once.aspx One commonality lies at the core of the current massive global challenges: the destructive relationship between humanity and the natural world, write WCS's James Watson, Lauren Oakes and Sarah Olson for CNN. Keatts, Lucy Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:54:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14104 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14103/Seven-More-Big-Cats-Positive-for-Coronavirus.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14103 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14103&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14103/Seven-More-Big-Cats-Positive-for-Coronavirus.aspx Fecal samples from four more tigers and three lions at the Bronx Zoo in New York City have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19; all are expected to make a full recovery. This comes nearly three weeks after one tiger, Nadia, at the zoo was confirmed to have the virus and six other cats were said to be exhibiting symptoms. Read more here with National Geographic Keatts, Lucy Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14103 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14065/Deforestation-and-Species-Loss-Open-the-Door-for-New-Diseases.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14065 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14065&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14065/Deforestation-and-Species-Loss-Open-the-Door-for-New-Diseases.aspx In a recent Mongabay piece,  'Why do deforestation and species loss open the door to new diseases?' Dr Luz Dary, veterinarian and coordinator of Health and Wildlife Trafficking for WCS-Colombia, highlights scientific evidence that shows a link between deforestation and land-use change and an increase in diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis or Chagas disease . Keatts, Lucy Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:12:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14065 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14046/WCSs-Dr-Walzer-Testifies-to-Congress.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14046 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14046&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14046/WCSs-Dr-Walzer-Testifies-to-Congress.aspx Yesterday Dr Chris Walzer, the Executive Director of WCS' Health Program, testified at a virtual congressional hearing entitled "Wildlife Trade, Origins of COVID-19 and Preventing Future Pandemics"  Dr Walzer reiterated:  "If this trade, and large commercial markets for wildlife for human consumption, continue unabated, then the risk of another #COVID19 like pandemic will remain high." You can watch the recorded hearing  here and read Dr Walzer's full testimony here Keatts, Lucy Thu, 16 Apr 2020 15:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14046 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14015/We-Need-to-Rethink-Our-Relationship-with-Wildlife-and-Wild-Places.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14015 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14015&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14015/We-Need-to-Rethink-Our-Relationship-with-Wildlife-and-Wild-Places.aspx Just as we created the conditions that led to the current pandemic, we can create the conditions to minimize future risk. Says Dr Chris Walzer: "To Reduce The Likelihood Of Future Pandemics, We Need To Rethink Our Relationship With Wild Animals And Wild Places"   Keatts, Lucy Wed, 08 Apr 2020 23:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14015 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14014/A-Tiger-at-Bronx-Zoo-Tests-Positive-for-COVID-19.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14014 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14014&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14014/A-Tiger-at-Bronx-Zoo-Tests-Positive-for-COVID-19.aspx Nadia, a 4-year-old female Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo, has tested positive for COVID-19. She, her sister Azul, two Amur tigers, and three African lions had developed a dry cough and all are expected to recover. Keatts, Lucy Mon, 06 Apr 2020 20:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14014 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14007/How-Do-We-Prevent-the-Next-Outbreak.aspx#Comments 0 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=15868&ModuleID=39835&ArticleID=14007 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14007&PortalID=173&TabID=15868 https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/news/ID/14007/How-Do-We-Prevent-the-Next-Outbreak.aspx As WCS' Chris Walzer and Nicholas Robinson write in this blog for Scientific American, the COVID-19 outbreak reminds us of a fundamental fact that cannot be ignored: Human, animal, plant and environmental health and well-being are all intrinsically connected and profoundly influenced by human activities.  Keatts, Lucy Thu, 02 Apr 2020 18:34:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14007