One Health Integration in Surveillance: Inspiration and ideas

The One Health Concept describes collaboration between different health sectors and often refers to the interaction between animals, people, food, feed and the environment. Today, most integrated One Health Initiatives encompasses only a few of the sectors. One Health is particularly valuable when combatting foodborne zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance, where cross-sector collaboration can lead to faster and more cost-effective control.

Traditionally in the EU, surveillance is carried out within sectors with defined areas of responsibilities, communication channels and risk management roles. However, the advantage of using One Health principles is becoming more apparent and Member States (MS) are beginning to define, structure and implement cross-sector collaborations. It is rare to find full cross-sectorial surveillance systems, but smaller One Health Surveillance Initiatives (OHSI) are integrated in many MS today.

OHSI are often implemented to address a specific problem or as a response to an adverse event. Once implemented, they remain operational in the context, become part of the surveillance routine and are often adjusted as new needs arise. They are implemented at different steps in the surveillance pathway and usually include multiple stakeholders from two or more sectors as illustrated in the figure below.

These OHSI add value for the country by improving the surveillance system, but they are rarely published or shared in detail with other countries. At the same time, many countries are considering more interaction and collaboration in their surveillance systems and are looking for inspiration among the published initiatives.

We have gathered examples of integrated OHSI in European MS and beyond via questionnaires and interviews. This catalogue describes some of OHSI and we hope they will inspire others to use the ideas and approaches to introduce more One Health into their own surveillance systems.