Insights from the fifth International One Health Congress, 2018, Saskatoon, Canada

Abstract

The recent outbreaks of diseases including Ebola reemergence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nipah virus outbreak in India, Lassa virus in Nigeria and the continued Influenza pandemic shows that we cannot predict outbreaks, however, developing response plans could help alleviate the burden of diseases. Developing response plans involves strategies such as creating a repository of microbial agents as well as the implementation of the plans. In addition, zoonotic experts and policy makers should work together in order to succeed in fighting against any disease outbreaks. We should also not forget about the importance of vaccination because of the benefits it has brought to humankind preventing disease occurrence. Furthermore, the challenges that come with vaccination including vaccine delivery and vaccine uptake needs to be overcome to make sure that this public health tool continues to be effective. Overcoming these vaccination challenges would play a significant role in decreasing the overuse of antimicrobials, hence avoiding resistance. The One Health Community (OHC) therefore has the responsibility to advocate for the use of vaccines and show that it has costs benefits; this strategy has the potential to fight against antimicrobial resistance.