14 Feb World experts to tackle infectious disease threats
Enhancing the world’s ability to respond to the increasing threat of emerging infectious diseases will be the focus of more than 600 international experts in human, animal and environmental health at the 1st International One Health Congress, beginning today in Melbourne.
The concept of ‘One Health’ is a global strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for animals, humans and the environment.
The Chair of the Congress’ organising committee, Director of CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory Dr Martyn Jeggo, said the three-day conference provides a forum where the world’s best can debate issues critical to the fight against the threat of new diseases.
“Scientists have identified 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic – meaning they can spread from animals to people,” Dr Jeggo said.