Flu Pandemic Shows One Health Applied in the Trenches

Sometimes, the concept of One Health seems like a lofty, “pie in the sky” concept.  The convergence of human, animal and environmental health might seem a bit hard to visualize for some.  But sometimes it comes crashing down on us with harsh reality, reminding us this world isn’t as big as it seems.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock – and you probably still would have heard about this if you were – there’s a public health emergency going on right now.  Public health officials with the state and federal governments are investigating a new virus causing illness and, in some instances, deaths in people.  Although it’s been labeled “swine flu,” it’s really a mixture of human, pig and bird flu viruses from various areas of the globe that came together to create a new virus.  They come together under just the right conditions, swap some DNA, and make a new viral strain.  See, even viruses practice One Health in a way…but it’s obviously not to our benefit. 
 

Fighting a flu virus, and this one in particular, is a perfect example of how One Health can be applied in the trenches.  This gives an all-new meaning to “germ warfare,” and we refuse to surrender.  Although the virus has not been reported in pigs and the people who became ill did not have contact with pigs, veterinarians and the swine industry have increased surveillance for illness in swine imported to or already in the US.  Physicians are investigating and treating ill people.  Veterinarians, physicians and laboratory technicians are working side-by-side in laboratories, testing the virus to figure out how we can fight it and maybe even eliminate it.  They’re also working as a team to trace the origins of the virus so we can piece together the puzzle and solve the mystery.  Lessons learned from all of this will not only save lives, but help prevent future outbreaks. 
 

This isn’t the time to panic.  Whether it’s swine flu or good ol’ seasonal flu, it’s the time to be alert, use common sense and good hygiene, and reduce the risk that you’ll either catch or spread a disease.