05 ZOONOTIC DISEASES

Functional multisectoral, multidisciplinary mechanisms, policies, systems and practices are in place to minimize the transmission and spread of zoonotic diseases between animals and humans.

IMPACT:

Functional animal, environment and public health systems work individually and collaboratively through documented mechanisms and operational frameworks using a multisectoral One Health approach, and based on international standards, guidance and best practices to limit the risk of spill over and minimize transmission of endemic, emerging or re-emerging zoonotic diseases to human populations.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION:

(1) Agreement between the animal and public health sectors on a prioritized list of zoonotic diseases and pathogens of greatest national public health concern. (2) Existence of functional capacities in animal health, public health and other relevant sectors with collaboration, coordination and communication between sectors for preparedness, detection, assessment, early warning and response to zoonotic diseases. (3) Improvement of sanitary animal production practices to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission to human populations.

Benchmark 5.1

A multisectoral surveillance system is in place for priority zoonotic diseases/pathogens

Objective To strengthen multisectoral surveillance systems for priority zoonotic diseases/pathogens

01 NO CAPACITY

  1. No jointly agreed upon list of priority diseases to conduct coordinated multisectoral surveillance efforts.
  2. No organized coordinated surveillance system in place to connect animal and public health systems.

02 LIMITED CAPACITY

  1. Identify key stakeholders and focal points from animal health (domestic animals and wildlife), human health, environmental health and other key sectors, and formalize a coordination mechanism (e.g. a multisectoral national surveillance team). *
  2. Review and assess surveillance capacities for zoonotic diseases, as well as existing coordination or data sharing mechanisms between relevant sectors. *
  3. Conduct an IHR-PVS national bridging workshop to improve collaboration between the human and animal health sectors for zoonotic disease surveillance. *
  4. Conduct a joint process to define and prioritize zoonotic diseases of greatest national public health concern with One Health approach involving all relevant stakeholders and develop operational plans and training packages for the management of priority diseases. *
  5. Involve zoonotic disease experts in the development of NHPSPs to define the country's vision, policy and strategies to strengthen zoonotic disease management before, during and after health emergencies. *
  6. Identify relevant medicines and medical products for preventing and treating priority zoonotic diseases that have a potential to cause an outbreak, and develop novel and innovative solutions. *
  7. Identify a zoonotic disease focal point at the health ministry and collaborate with animal health departments and veterinary services to conduct joint action. *
  8. Utilize the Tripartite Zoonosis Guide operational tools (OT), especially for joint risk assessment, assessment of surveillance capacity and coordination mechanisms. *
  9. Identify a focal point or unit in animal health, veterinary services, wildlife and environmental sectors to collaborate with health ministry for joint action.
  10. Perform a WOAH PVS evaluation (or other relevant tool of the PVS pathway), or review PVS evaluation findings and implementation status if one was conducted in the past two to three years.
  11. Develop a list of priority animal diseases (zoonotic and non-zoonotic animal diseases) in the animal health sector.
  12. Establish basic disease surveillance mechanisms for priority animal diseases and early warning mechanisms in the veterinary sector, and disseminate outputs to relevant health authorities.

03 DEVELOPED CAPACITY

  1. Develop and implement an operational plan to guide prevention and detection of priority zoonotic diseases of greatest national public health concern, and allocate associated resources at the national level. *
  2. Establish mechanisms and procedures to exchange surveillance information on zoonotic diseases among relevant sectors (and other decision-makers, as needed), ideally through interoperable electronic systems and/or platforms. *
  3. Train responsible staff at the national level on surveillance and management of priority zoonotic diseases. *
  4. Conduct a joint risk assessment to identify high risk areas to develop risk-based surveillance where/when appropriate, and to inform risk management and communication for an effective coordinated preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases. *
  5. Develop laboratory capacities within relevant sectors (human, animals incl. wildlife) to enable zoonotic disease detection and diagnosis. *
  6. Develop and include modules on zoonotic disease management using a One Health approach in midlevel training programmes and public health education. *
  7. Incorporate a module on zoonotic diseases and interactions at the human-animal-environment interface to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in relevant educational curricula, including for medical administrators. *
  8. Establish a mechanism for operational surveillance of priority animal diseases (including zoonotic diseases) across the country.
  9. Plan and prioritize capacity building activities on coordinated surveillance system for priority zoonotic diseases/pathogens, using results from the WOAH PVS evaluation (or relevant tool of the PVS pathway) and the IHR-PVS national bridging workshops.
  10. Identify and map high risk settings for zoonotic diseases with the potential to cause an epidemic.

04 DEMONSTRATED CAPACITY

  1. Implement operational plans for preventing and detecting priority zoonotic diseases of greatest national public health concern and allocate associated resources at the subnational level. *
  2. Establish a surveillance mechanism for zoonotic diseases which includes specific components focusing on high risk areas and/or populations, sentinel surveillance, hotspot mapping and monitoring of drivers or other relevant risk factors. *
  3. Establish continuing education and training programmes on zoonotic disease surveillance and management for staff across relevant sectors at subnational level. *
  4. Regularly test surveillance system capacities with all relevant sectors to detect zoonotic events and the immediate containment/control and management of zoonotic diseases either by SimEx/AAR/IAR (as relevant). *
  5. Collect and analyse relevant health data to manage zoonotic diseases across the country. *
  6. Share surveillance data on zoonotic diseases with the animal health sector on a routine basis. *
  7. Implement capacity-building activities for coordinated surveillance systems on priority zoonotic diseases/pathogens using the results of the WOAH PVS evaluation (or relevant tool of the PVS pathway) and of the IHR-PVS national bridging workshops.
  8. Share animal health surveillance data on zoonotic diseases with human health sector on a routine basis and that joint risk assessments are conducted during zoonotic events.

05 SUSTAINABLE CAPACITY

  1. Revise and update the strategies, guidelines, operational plan and SOPs for coordinated surveillance of zoonotic diseases/pathogens based on lessons learned from SimEx/AAR/IAR (as relevant). *
  2. Establish a follow up mechanism to implement recommendations from M&E activities. *
  3. Allocate sustainable resources for coordinated surveillance and management of all priority zoonotic diseases across relevant sectors. *
  4. Expand coordinated surveillance to all priority zoonotic diseases/pathogens, at all levels (national and subnational levels), including environmental media (i.e. water bodies, feeding sites) and establish system for reporting anomalous events such as unexpected mortality in key species of concern. *
  5. Share country experience in coordinated surveillance of priority zoonotic diseases and engage the country in peer-to-peer learning programmes at the subnational, national and international level. *
  6. Revise and update strategies, guidelines, operational plans and SOPs for coordinated surveillance of zoonotic diseases/pathogens based on lessons learned.

Benchmark 5.2

A functional mechanism to respond to priority zoonotic diseases is in place

Objective To strengthen mechanism for responding to priority zoonotic diseases

01 NO CAPACITY

  1. No coordination between the animal health, public health and environment sectors is organized for zoonotic diseases.

02 LIMITED CAPACITY

  1. Designate a focal point (with ToRs) from relevant sectors (animal (domestic animals and wildlife), human and environmental health, etc.) for coordinated response to priority zoonotic diseases. *
  2. Clarify, document and formalize (with MoUs and/or ToRs) the roles and responsibilities of each sector when responding to a zoonotic disease outbreak. *
  3. Review and assess existing policies, strategies, plans and/or mechanisms enabling multisectoral coordination for responding to priority zoonotic events, and ensure awareness of all relevant stakeholders. *
  4. Develop guidelines and/or SOPs for coordinated investigation and response during zoonotic disease events. *
  5. Map operational centres and experts available to respond to priority zoonotic disease events at the national and subnational levels. *
  6. Develop and disseminate training packages on zoonotic event guidelines and SOPs. *
  7. Develop a mechanism to rapidly alert relevant actors at the national and subnational levels, including communities during a priority zoonotic event. *
  8. Conduct a WOAH PVS evaluation (or other PVS pathway assessments) to identify gaps and capacity building activities in the veterinary service sector for responding to priority zoonotic events. If a WOAH PVS evaluation was conducted within the past two to three years, review the results and their implementation status.
  9. Conduct an IHR-PVS national bridging workshop to improve collaboration between animal and human health sectors during response to zoonotic disease outbreaks.
  10. Establish emergency response mechanisms for the management of priority animal disease outbreaks (zoonotic and animal diseases), as well as for animal culling, cleaning and disinfection, carcass disposal, etc

03 DEVELOPED CAPACITY

  1. Develop a multisectoral One Health operational plan with provision of resources in relevant sectors for coordinated responses to outbreak of the main priority zoonotic diseases. *
  2. Develop a training programme for staff from the human, animal (domestic animals and wildlife) and environmental health sectors, including training on guidelines, SOPs and operational plans, at the national and subnational levels. *
  3. Establish a mechanism for rapidly alerting relevant sectors in case of priority zoonotic outbreak events to reduce the time to initiate a coordinated outbreak response. *
  4. Include access to laboratory capacity to identify pathogens of any priority zoonoses within response plans. *
  5. Include modules on coordinated response to zoonotic diseases (including awareness on differences of perspectives and practices) in relevant medical curricula. *
  6. Promote graduated training of personnel in the field of epidemiology of zoonotic diseases, such as a field epidemiology training program. *
  7. Organize in-country discussions based on the results of the WOAH PVS evaluation (or other PVS pathway assessments) and the IHR-PVS national bridging workshops to plan and prioritize capacity building activities
  8. Support veterinary services’ investments and budget as indicated in WOAH PVS assessment reports.

04 DEMONSTRATED CAPACITY

  1. Disseminate and expand the One Health operational plan to relevant sectors to respond to all priority zoonotic diseases across subnational levels. *
  2. Regularly analyse and produce reports on the timeliness of information exchange and activation of response mechanisms between sectors. *
  3. Regularly monitor and evaluate the efficiency of the multisectoral coordination mechanism for response through SimEx/AAR/IAR (as relevant) conducted at national and subnational levels. *
  4. Graduate trained personnel from human and animal health in the field of epidemiology and demonstrate shared experience in responding to zoonotic disease epidemics.. *
  5. Use the results of the WOAH PVS evaluation (or other PVS pathway assessments) and the IHR-PVS national bridging workshops to implement capacity-building activities for functional mechanisms to respond to priority zoonotic diseases.

05 SUSTAINABLE CAPACITY

  1. Review and update the operational plan or mechanism based on the results of M&E and ensure follow up in implementation of recommendations. *
  2. Document and disseminate the results and lessons learned from efforts to minimize zoonotic disease transmission from animals to humans. *
  3. Share country experiences in zoonotic disease response and management and engage the country in peer-to-peer learning programmes at the subnational, national and international levels. *
  4. Review and update the operational plan or mechanism in the animal and environmental health sectors, based on the results of SimEx/AAR/IAR.

Benchmark 5.3

Safe practices in animal breeding and animal product systems limit the risk of zoonotic diseases

Objective To promote good sanitary practices in animal breeding and the production of animal products, to limit the risk of zoonotic disease transmission

01 NO CAPACITY

  1. No systematic efforts to improve good sanitary practices in the breeding of terrestrial and aquatic animals and in the production of animal products are actively promoted or are minimal.

02 LIMITED CAPACITY

  1. Identify key stakeholders involved in the various value chains associated with a potential risk of zoonotic disease transmission through animal breeding, trade and/or production of animal products in relevant sectors. *
  2. Establish a technical working group mandated to assess and map potential zoonotic disease transmission risks along various value chains, with representatives from relevant sectors, including animal health and production, wildlife, human health, agriculture, legislation, food and drug authority, police, animal welfare, etc. *
  3. Review, compile and publicize sanitary standards, country laws and regulations for animal production practices, including breeding, animal product processes and trade, and animal welfare in compliance with WOAH international standards. *
  4. Assess the level of awareness on sanitary practices among stakeholders and professionals involved in animal breeding and production of animal products for limiting risk of zoonotic diseases, including knowledge of laws and/or policies regulating activities (including those related to animal welfare). *
  5. Identify and document gaps/common issues in compliance and adherence to sanitary practices in animal breeding to reduce the risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens during selling, slaughtering, culling or other practices potentially at risk. *
  6. Explore if zoonotic disease risk assessments include the entire value chain from animal breeding practices to animal product, including export and import of livestock, animal feeders, animals, animal products, etc. *
  7. Prioritize actions to promote sanitary standards in animal breeding and production practices under the leadership of veterinary services and in collaboration with private sector stakeholders involved in the various value chains, as well as with human health services, environment authorities, food and drug authorities, legislature, police and relevant sectors.

03 DEVELOPED CAPACITY

  1. Develop and implement management plans to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases associated with animal breeding and production of animal products. *
  2. Develop a mechanism to promote sanitary practices along the various value chains (from animal breeding to the final animal product) that highlights potential sanitary risks and possible measures to reduce them. *
  3. Develop a database of trained professionals from relevant sectors (e.g. food and agriculture, animal health, environment, human health, etc.) capable to assess the risk of zoonotic diseases associated with animal breeding and the production of animal products. *
  4. Develop and update laws and regulations as needed, to ensure compliance with sanitary standards for animal production and importation and exportation of animals and animal products as recommended by WOAH. *
  5. Develop and disseminate a training package for professionals and the public on sanitary animal production practices, including reducing the risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens during selling, slaughtering, culling or other practices. *
  6. Regularly conduct national level training of trainers sessions for facilitated dissemination of good practices to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases associated with animal breeding and animal product processing practices. *
  7. Identify and assess the risks associated with animal production practices, and identify communities or professionals who are exposed to identified risks. *

04 DEMONSTRATED CAPACITY

  1. Establish continuous and functional processes to identify risks of zoonotic disease transmission associated with animal breeding and animal products processing, with multisectoral involvement. *
  2. Assess adherence to sanitary standards along value chains identified with possible risks of transmission of zoonotic diseases. *
  3. Regularly conduct initial or refresher training at national and subnational levels to increase potentially exposed workers’ awareness of zoonotic disease risks associated with animal breeding and animal product processing practices. *
  4. Improve awareness among the public on the importance of implementing sanitary standards along the various value chains, from animal breeding sites to animal product, in order to prevent zoonotic disease transmission from animals to humans. *

05 SUSTAINABLE CAPACITY

  1. Sustained collaboration and linkages across relevant sectors for promoting and implementing safe animal production practices in animal breeding and animal products value chains. *
  2. Conduct periodic inspection, assessment and monitoring of practices in animal breeding and the production of animal products in main animal production value chains, and routinely verify compliance with national guidance. *
  3. Conduct a joint review, regularly with relevant sectors, to assess the functionality of mechanisms for safe animal production practices and document best practices and lessons learned. *
  4. Update legislation, regulations and guidelines based on lessons learned from joint reviews of safe animal production practices and the risk of zoonotic disease transmission. *
  5. Share country experiences in promoting and implementing safe animal production practices to reduce zoonotic disease transmission and engage the country in peer-to-peer learning programmes at the subnational, national and international levels. *

* Participation and contribution of other sectors to action.

Tools