One Health platform
The ground-breaking One Health High-Level Expert Panel’s 2021 (OHHLEP) annual report has just gone live. What makes this noteworthy is that Professor Wanda Markotter is one of two global experts on the OHHLEP. Prof Markotter is also the Research Chair at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Future Africa Institute: People, Health and Place as well as the Director, Centre for Viral Zoonoses at the Faculty of Health Sciences at UP. Her expertise assists with the generation of a global Joint Plan of Action (JPA) to address the human-animal-ecosystem interface. Alongside Prof Thomas Mettenleiter, she also co-chairs the combined groups of OHHLEP.
Prof Markotter is Director: Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Research Chair of the NRF–DSI in Infectious Diseases of Animals (Zoonoses) and also Research Chair at Future Africa Institute: People, Health and Place and Professor in the Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Read more here:
https://www.futureafrica.science/index.php/profile/wanda-markotter-960
From 700 global applications, only 26 experts from 24 countries were selected for OHHLEP at the outset of the programme in 2021 with Prof Markotter selected as one of two global high-level experts.
Role of Zoonoses
What is Zoonoses? In short Zoonoses is the transfer harmful germs animals can sometimes carry that can spread to people and cause illness – these are known as zoonotic diseases or zoonoses.
OHHLEP virtually convened for the first time in May 2021 to drive research and various initiatives toward the implementation of a One Health global system. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have realised the devastating impacts of Zoonoses and its role in future pandemics. After only 10 months, the four working groups compiled a draft document aligned with key needs towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and to guide policy makers.
Supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the UN Environment Programme and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the governments of France and Germany, the OHHLEP report summarises activities and results achieved by the 26 experts and outlines the priorities for 2022.
Alex Rose-Innes of Women in Science interviewed Dr Markotter about OHHLEP and its future benefits.
Access the One Health High-Level Expert Panel’s 2021 (OHHLEP) annual report here: Click Here
Sincere gratitude to Farieda Miller, communications and marketing expert at the Future Africa Institute at UP for her valuable assistance and input.
