One Health Paradigm to Confront Zoonotic Health Threats: A Pakistan Prospective

The emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic diseases significantly impact human health, particularly those who live in impoverished areas and have close contact with domestic or wild animals. Nearly 75% of zoonotic diseases are transmitted directly from animals to humans or indirectly via vector/agent interactions between animals and humans. Growing populations, globalization, urbanization, and the interaction of the environment with humans and livestock all play roles in the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. One Health is a multidisciplinary concept aimed at improving human, animal, and environmental health, but this concept is not widely accepted in developing countries. In Pakistan, environmental, human, and animal health are severely affected due to a lack of sufficient resources. This review article provides an overview of the most common zoonotic diseases found in Pakistan and emphasizes the importance of the One Health concept in managing these diseases. Given the current situation, interdisciplinary research efforts are required to implement and sustain effective and long-term control measures in animal, human, and environmental health surveillance and accurate diagnostic methods.

Automated summary

The emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic diseases pose a significant impact on human health, especially for those in impoverished areas with close contact with animals. One Health, a multidisciplinary concept aimed at improving human, animal, and environmental health, has not been widely accepted in developing countries. This review focuses on the most common zoonotic diseases in Pakistan and highlights the importance of One Health in managing these diseases. Interdisciplinary research efforts are needed to implement and sustain effective control measures in animal, human, and environmental health.