Zoonotic diseases (transmitted between animals and humans) are increasing in importance as a threat to global health security. In recent decades, more than two thirds of emerging infectious diseases have been zoonoses, including Ebola, pandemic H1N1 influenza and highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Such outbreaks have caused thousands of deaths and economic losses in the billions. There is a critical and unprecedented need to more effectively anticipate, prevent and manage zoonotic disease threats.
The UW Center for One Health Research conducts cutting-edge zoonotic disease research and training using a “One Health” approach that considers human, animal, and environmental drivers of zoonotic disease.
Current projects include:
- Detection and prevention of zoonotic disease transmission risk to animal workers
- Microbiome and Microbial transmission between people living closely with livestock
- Mapping and predicting the spread of zoonotic influenza
- Human health impact of zoonotic diseases: innovative approaches for enhanced diagnosis and prevention in high risk groups
- Integrated surveillance for antibiotic resistance in humans, animals and the environment.