Addressing Emerging Zoonoses and Strengthening Animal and Human Health Systems

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) intends to receive and consider a single source application for award of a cooperative agreement in fiscal year 2017 (FY17) to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to support global strategies that address health risks at the animal-human-ecosystem interface. The purpose of this agreement is to assist FAO in building capacities of national governments and regional authorities to address emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases at the animal-human-ecosystem interface, poverty associated endemic zoonotic diseases, transboundary animal diseases (TADs), and other public health threats such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Program high-impact animal diseases of concern may include but are not limited to H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and other zoonotic influenza viruses, MERS-CoV, rabies, Rift Valley fever, anthrax, brucellosis, zoonotic tuberculosis, and other emerging pathogens of zoonotic importance, as required. Activities include strengthening epidemiologic capacity through improvements in surveillance, monitoring and response; building animal health infrastructure related to veterinary public health and integration of animal and human health disease surveillance and control; enhancing laboratory practice; improving information systems and integration; and developing, implementing and evaluating evidence-based strategies. These capacities would help countries and regions to map, identify and predict disease risks; prevent and control disease emergence and re-emergence in animal populations before they cross into and spread in human populations; and support food safety and public health programs that align with CDC’s mission. This cooperation is highly relevant in the context of the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and the GHSA Action Packages and will allow FAO to further relevant global initiatives and programs under the FAO/OIE/WHO tripartite. The Cooperative Agreement will enhance and broaden CDC’s ability to address global health threats and foster a “One Health” approach to disease threats at the human-animal-ecosystem interface.