CAPACITY BUILDING AND INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
In response to global trends in disease emergence and biodiversity loss, WOAH has developed a Wildlife Health Framework in support of the urgent need to strengthen the wildlife component of One Health.
WOAH’s Framework and the recent addition of the UNEP, joining WOAH, WHO and FAO to form the Quadripartite, highlights the shift in global action that recognises that the health of humans, animals and the environment are fundamentally linked.WOAH is supported by a network of WOAH Collaborating Centres, with a sub-set specialising in wildlife and One Health issues. Wildlife Health Australia, with the support and in collaboration with the Australian Government, ACDP, IUCN SSC CPSG and other organisations, supports this network as a designated WOAH Collaborating Centre on Wildlife Health Risk Management.
Other initiatives include formation of the Human Animal Spillover and Emerging Disease Scanning Group, HASEDS, designed to provide horizon scanning for emerging disease issues of concern to Australia including where wildlife may be involved.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities play a significant role in Australia’s animal health biosecurity and surveillance arrangements. In focussing on Australia’s future, an important goal for Australia’s wildlife health system is to further create and sustain two-way trusted partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and peoples, gain their vital insights and advice, and explore if and how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices can be further embedded in all areas of wildlife work including wildlife health, surveillance, preparedness and management.
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