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Zoonotic Diseases and One Health
New zoonotic diseases are emerging at an alarming rate. And while these diseases harmlessly circulate within wildlife populations in their natural habitat, illegal wildlife trade is increasing the risk of these pathogens spreading to us.

Recognising that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment, the One Health approach addresses the threat of emerging zoonotic diseases related to wildlife trade through multisectoral, transdisciplinary collaboration both locally, regionally and globally. Most countries lack formal mechanisms for coordination and integration of activities across health, agricultural and environmental sectors (which are traditionally based in separate ministries or government agencies with different mandates on activities and spending) – which makes putting One Health policies into practice challenging, despite broad support.

What WWF is doing

To support the development and application of One Health initiatives, WWF works to:

Future actions:

  • Organise a counter-wildlife trafficking partnership forum in Thailand to bring together ASEAN government and donors to discuss how to integrate One Health principles into their policy frameworks