Examining the Socioecology of Zoonotic Diseases:
EcoHealth Experiences in Southeast Asia
Rainer Assé, Korapin Tohtubtiang, Jeffrey Gilbert, Delia Grace
Ecosystem Approaches to the Better Management of
Zoonotic Emerging Infectious Diseases in Southeast Asia - EcoZD
Background Project Goals
EcoZD project works with government, NGO, Shape regional ZEID research priority-setting
and university agents in 6 countries & 8 multi- Conduct integrative research
disciplinary teams to increase knowledge, skills & Construct tools & methods for integrative
capacity of Southeast Asia research, prevention research
& control personnel in understanding risks and Contribute to evolution of EcoHealth &
impacts of zoonotic emerging infectious diseases integrative approaches
(ZEIDs) & best practice options for better Lead stakeholders to envision alternative
management of ZEIDs. practices for ZEID management
Build capacity of local ZEID prevention &
EcoZD teams use EcoHealth, an integrative control actors
approach which stresses: participatory methods; Empower visionary ZEID prevention & control
transdisciplinarity; systems thinking; leaders
consideration of equity/social justice; Establish strong regional EcoHealth ZEID
sustainability; & knowledge to action. networks & communities of practice
Research Team Topic Critical Socio-Eco Factor Targeted Stakeholder
China Brucellosis: control & prevention Land use-zoning for sanitation Health paraprofessionals, leaders
Cambodia ZEIDs & acute bloody diarrhoea Water, seasonality & hygiene awareness Paraprofessionals commune leaders
Indonesia - Bali Rabies: control & prevention Integrated institutional planning/response Community leaders/paraprofessionals
Lao PDR ZEIDs: smallholder pig systems Land use Community development agents
Thailand & Vietnam – Joint Hygiene: poultry slaughterhouses Aligning risks, regulations, production Community development agents
Vietnam Priority ZEIDs survey Land use-zoning/hygiene awareness Paraprofessionals, Gov & NGO agents
EcoHealth Resource Centers Research + outreach + curriculum
at: development
Chiang Mai University Foodborne diseases/Hill Tribes Integrated institutional planning/response University practitioners
University of Gadjah Mada Leptospirosis Water, seasonality, hygiene awareness University practitioners
Lessons Learned: Managing Teams for Successful EcoHealth Action Research
Manage knowledge exchange & decision making:
for open information flow & non-hierarchical decision-making to foster
transdisciplinary collaboration & team-science
Manage integration of social science methods:
for systems thinking & to construct
models, case studies, & best bet practice/policy recommendations
Manage research:
for mitigating costs & enhancing benefits of using EcoHealth approach
to create added value through innovation & experimentation
Manage team & host institution organizational culture:
for negotiating redefinition of protocols & chains of command
to engender EcoHealth principles
Manage expectations:
for alignment with EcoHealth goals
to capitalize on value-added components & strategic institution building
EcoZD
Ecosystem Approaches to the Better Management of Zoonotic
Emerging Infectious Diseases in the
Southeast Asia Region
Cambodia  China  Indonesia  Lao PDR  Thailand  Vietnam
www. ilri.org/ecozd