(C) World Health Organization This story was originally published by World Health Organization and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Human-Animal Interface Newsletter: Jan-Mar 2024 [1] [] Date: 2024-04 The WHO Human-Animal Interface team and colleagues in Regional Offices are proud to present the Human-Animal Interface Newsletter. This newsletter features stories and activities to share the progress of HAI initiatives with colleagues and peers. Past and current issues are available on the News section of the HAI website, where you can also find more information on our joint activities and initiatives. Colleagues are encouraged to circulate the newsletter among their networks. A PDF version is available here: Jan-Mar 2024 HAI Newsletter. If you never want to miss an issue, you can subscribe to the e-mail newsletter here. ONE HEALTH PERSPECTIVES IN THE NEW NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR HEALTH SECURITY OF SRI LANKA Between 26-29 February 2024, Sri Lanka launched the development process for its National Action Plan for Health Security 2024-2028 (NAPHS) with a multi-stakeholder consultative meeting in Colombo. Over 80 national subject-matter specialists and technical representatives from the 19 NAPHS technical areas took part in the event alongside technical representatives from World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, and WHO Sri Lanka. During the meeting, working group sessions identified and prioritized activities to be included in both the new strategic (5 years) and the operational (12-24 months) NAPHS. Building on the results of the Joint External Evaluation conducted in February 2023, the exercise was further informed by the outcomes of the National Bridging Workshop (NBW) in February 2023 Performance of Veterinary Services in July 2023, and the Strategic Tool for Assessing Risks in May 2023). In Sri Lanka, results from these assessments were compiled prior to the meeting, but in future NAPHS, NBW activities will be automatically downloadable through the new e-NAPHS online tool. Stéphane de la Rocque, Sri Lanka, 2024 GUIDANCE ON THE SELETION AND USE OF ONE HEALTH OPERATIONAL TOOLS The Guidance on Selection and Use of One Health Operational Tools [manuscript in preparation] was developed by the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, in collaboration with the Human-Animal Interface Unit from WHO Headquarters. While mainly directed towards Agency and Ministry officials responsible for One Health, WHO regional and country offices, other Quadripartite organizations and partner agencies, this document can also be used by anyone interested in One Health initiatives. The document offers an overview of each tool, including their standard procedure, use, and key outputs, to optimize the implementation of these tools at the country level. For this purpose, the guidance provides an algorithm for a recommended sequence in which to use each tool, which can be applied to each country’s individual context. WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia, Guidance on the Selection and Use of One Health Operational Tools, [Manuscript in preparation] JOINT RISK ASSESSMENT OPERATIONAL TOOL FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RISK ASSESSMENT IN CANADA The Public Health Agency of Canada's new Centre for Surveillance, Integrated Insights, and Risk Assessment (SIIRA) has adapted the Tripartite Zoonosis Guide’s Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) Operational Tool as a cornerstone for its infectious disease risk assessments, owing to its adaptability, comprehensive guidance, and scientific integrity. In Canada, the collaborative JRA methodology underpins SIIRA's rapid risk assessment strategy for infectious diseases and aligns with the One Health Approach to Risk Assessment framework, a collaborative effort between SIIRA and partners across One Health sectors. Although not used in workshop format, key components have become the basis for SIIRA’s ongoing risk assessment processes across diverse risk questions. Integral to Canada's utilization of the JRA are its: 1) systematic procedures for risk framing, steered by a committee, 2) structuring of the assessment around a risk pathway model, 3) precise formulation of risk questions, and 4) integration of risk assessment with risk management and risk communication strategies. These components enhance not only internal collaborative processes, but also support cooperative engagement and effort across sectors. Additionally, SIIRA has further adapted the JRA methodology within its rapid risk assessment approach by refining the assessment of likelihood, and is pioneering the development of qualitative impact scales, employing a STEEPP (social, technological, economic, environmental, population health & health system, political & regulatory) framework. For further details on risk assessments in Canada, please contact risk.assessment-evaluation.du.risque@phac-aspc.gc.ca SIIRA, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada, 2024 OPERATIONALIZING THE ONE HEALTH APPROACH IN KOSOVO* From 7-8 February 2024, a workshop to operationalize the multisectoral, One Health approach to address health issues originating in the human-animal-environment interface was organized in Pristina, Kosovo*. The workshop aimed to identify options for embedding the One Health approach into the strategic planning for addressing health threats originating at the human-animal-environment interface and strengthening health security in Kosovo*. The workshop used the results of a recent assessment of the International Health Regulations (2005) core capacities and made references to the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA) and its implementation guide. The recommendations included the establishment of a high-level One Health coordination mechanism under the Prime Minister’s office, amendments to the current legal framework, frequent meetings among stakeholders from different sectors, organization of training and capacity building activities, development of SOPs for multisectoral coordination, and allocation of sustainable financing for One Health-related activities. The workshop provided the opportunity to explore how the Tripartite Zoonosis Guide Operational Tools and the NBW can be used to operationalize these recommendations. It also clarified their contribution to the various Action Tracks of the OH JPA and to the three Pathways of its implementation guide. These last points were shared during the Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting, Nairobi, in early March. Peter Sousa Hoejskov, Kosovo*, 2024 *All references to Kosovo should be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) MULTISECTORAL EFFORTS FOR NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR HEALTH SECURITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION The WHO in the Western Pacific Region organized a training session spanning from March 12 to 14, 2024, aimed at enhancing health security capabilities of countries and territories within the region. Over the course of the workshop, delegates from 12 Member States (Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Palau, the Philippines, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam) engaged in practical exercises utilizing the NAPHS method. Through this process, they pinpointed the most urgent health security priorities and integrated them into a comprehensive plan for capacity development, complete with cost estimates for execution. The training took into consideration how countries incorporate recommendations from International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) tools, including: IHR States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Reporting, Joint External Evaluations, IHR-PVS NBW, Strategic Tool for Assessing Risks, simulation exercises and after-action reviews. A dedicated session was held on multisectoral collaboration at the huma-animal-environment interface and how the One Health approach contributes to strengthening Health Security. NBW roadmaps were used as case studies for the group work sessions to support the exercise on the integration of priority actions and recommendations on the various areas addressed under NAPHS. DSE/WHE WPRO, Philippines, 2024 QUADRIPARTITE COORDINATION AT GLOBAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS On 2-6 March 2024, the Collaborative Session of the global Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting took place in Kenya. The session was attended by One Health focal points from Headquarters and Regional Offices from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and WHO. WHO Kenya/Geena Pint, Kenya, 2024 The first two days of the session consisted of a field trip to Amboseli National Park, to explore the topic of One Health in a practical setting. During the trip, participants met with a local Maasai Community and the Kenya Wildlife Service to discuss interactions between people, wildlife, domestic animals, and their shared environment. The last two days of the session took place at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi and focused on discussing arrangements and priorities for implementation of the OH JPA and its implementation Guide at country level. The Collaborative Session provided an excellent opportunity to experience One Health related challenges at community level, and created space for reflection on the progress, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen coordination between the Quadripartite organizations at global and regional level. The four key areas of opportunity were: 1) implementing the OH JPA in countries using the implementation guide to translate theories into practice and to demonstrate success stories; 2) mobilizing resources through collective efforts; 3) ensuring that science and evidence guide all One Health interventions; and 4) maintaining political will and engagement to incorporate One Health principles into national strategies and policies. The NBW Program, Tripartite Zoonosis Guide, and other existing One Health Operation Tools were discussed in detail during the meeting, highlighting their value added towards operationalizing One Health at national and subnational levels. Also discussed and emphasized during the meeting was the need for guidance on selection and use of One Health operational tools. EXPERIENCES FROM MULTISECTORAL IHR-PVS NATIONAL BRIDGING WORKSHOP IN NEPAL The IHR-PVS NBW (global One Health flagship program), jointly organized by the One Health Secretariat of Nepal, FAO, WHO, and WOAH was held from 19-21 March 2024 at the Gokarna Forest Resort of Kathmandu. The workshop was graced by Mr Upendra Yadav, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population (MoHP). Also in attendance were the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MOALD), Secretaries and Director Generals, Representatives of FAO, WHO and WOAH. The event marked the Federal One Health Steering Committee and the Technical Coordination Committee chairpersonship transition from the MOHP to the MOALD, demonstrating the high-level political commitment to One Health in Nepal. WHO Nepal, Nepal, 2024 During the workshop, the interactive NBW methodology engaged 134 participants from key One Health national institutions of all three administrative levels, as well as participants from FAO, WHO, WOAH, United Nations Children’s Fund, and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The workshop enhanced the importance of the One Health approach to address emerging infectious diseases, zoonoses, AMR, food safety, and environmental health. The critical gaps identified during the workshop form the basis for institutionalizing and strengthening the implementation of the One Health approach at national level. Sithar Dorjee, Nepal, 2024 ONE HEALTH JOINT PLAN OF ACTION WORKSHOP IN BANGLADESH A national One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA) workshop was organized and facilitated by the Asia Pacific Quadripartite One Health team from 27-29 February 2024 in Dhaka. The objective of the workshop was to support the ongoing One Health initiatives of Bangladesh, led by the One Health Secretariat, and update the current One Health Strategy Framework 2017-2021 for 2024-2030, aligning and harmonizing it with the global OH JPA and incorporating lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. While Bangladesh has strong institutionalized One Health governance structures and has implemented two series of OH strategic plans. Nonetheless, officials appreciated the value of expanding OH scope beyond zoonoses. Since it was also the first country to be piloted in the region, the lessons learned from this workshop will be used to refine the agenda and methodology for other countries in the pipeline. WHO Bangladesh, Bangladesh, 2024 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONAL TOOL PILOT IN KAZAKHSTAN From 23-25 January 2024, a workshop to pilot the Workforce Development Operational Tool was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan with the technical support of WHO and in collaboration with FAO, UNEP, and WOAH. During the workshop, participants from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources worked on analyzing and developing an action plan to strengthen the workforce across sectors for effective management of zoonotic disease events in the Republic of Kazakhstan. As a result of the workshop, an interagency working group was established and efforts to enhance competencies of professional occupations and curriculum have been initiated, providing an evidence-based strategy for organizing and mobilizing a multisectoral workforce. WHO Kazakhstan, Republic of Kazakhstan, 2024 National Bridging Workshop in Romania Romania conducted their NBW in Sibiu, between 20-22 March 2024. The workshop was attended by 35 participants from the human health, animal health, food safety, defense, and environment sectors. This diversity fostered active and constructive discussions, as participants identified activities primarily aimed at reinforcing the institutionalization of One Health coordination, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and facilitating intersectoral mechanisms and processes. The NBW in Romania was also the opportunity for several observers and potential facilitators from WHO, FAO and WOAH Regional Offices to become more familiar with the workshop methodology. Frozenmedia Production, for the WHO CO, Romania, 2024 SURVEILLANCE AND INFORMATION SHARING OPERATIONAL TOOL IN SENEGAL AND GUINEA From 4-7 March 2024, 54 participants from various government institutions attended the Surveillance and Information Sharing Operational Tool (SIS OT) workshop in Senegal, funded by USAID. Technical and financial partners were also present, including FAO, Family Health International 360, World African Health Organization (WAHO), World Bank/Covid-19 Project, and WHO. Participants learned to use the SIS OT to jointly assess the existing capacity in the country for coordinated surveillance of zoonotic diseases and information sharing. The main output of the workshop was a 5-year (2024 - 2028) roadmap for improving national coordinated zoonotic disease surveillance capacity. Lionel S. Sogbossi, Senegal, 2024 Another SIS OT workshop was held from 26-29 March 2024, in Forécariah, Guinea, and attended by 25 national representatives from the human, animal, environmental and plant health sectors. The workshop was facilitated by Dr Guy Gérard Kouamé, international consultant recruited by WAHO, and financed by FAO under the FAO-ARPA project. Also in attendance were participants from the African Field Epidemiology Network and WHO. @Telydiallo, Guinea, 2024 [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.who.int/news/item/18-04-2024-human-animal-interface-newsletter--jan-mar-2024 Published and (C) by World Health Organization Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/who/