The Added Value of an EcoHealth Approach
for the Prevention and Control of
Emerging Zoonotic Diseases
Jeffrey Gilbert, International Livestock Research Institute, Lao PDR
Presented at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference on "A World United Against Infectious Diseases: Cross-Sectoral Solutions”
Bangkok, Thailand, 28 January–2 February 2013
A trans-disciplinary research approach has many advantages over a series of individual research projects according to discipline,
but there are significant hurdles to be overcome in order to affirm an 'added value’
EcoHeath manual First joint
Masters student –
development application of PRA
EcoHeath theseis
EcoHealth EcoHealth Resource Centre at Increased risk of brucellosis and tools First joint research
training courses Chiang Mai University toxoplasmosis field activities
Joint Multi-faculty between
research activities Prevalence of priority pig MoH/MAF
zoonoses Joint MoH/MAF
feedback to
communities
PhD student –
Hygiene in small-scale poultry
EcoHeath slaughterhouses (2 countries)
incorporated into
thesis
First joint research Determining priority zoonoses First joint
field activities application of PRA
between Zoonotic causes of acute
tools
MoH/MAF diarrhoea
Joint MoH/MAF
feedback to
communities
Ecology-focussed:
behaviour, demography,
EcoHealth manual Rabies control and prevention fecundity, socio-cultural
development
EcoHealth Resource Centre at
EcoHealth Gadjah Mada University
introduction into
undergraduate
commuity service
Overall success – added value: All eight teams were truly multi-disciplinary from planning through to dissemination,
often involving a novel collaboration between disciplines
Challenges Solutions
• Accepting novel ‘EcoHealth’ paradigm and fostering trans- • 5 year project cycle assisted, learning by doing
disciplinary collaboration (some countries rigid mechanism approach gives first-hand experience using country
including financial mechanisms) priorities not donor ones
• Plans for all countries to disseminate approach and
findings to research community, policy makers and
communities
• Limited capacity within disciplines eg proposal writing, • Mentoring by ILRI researchers & technical experts
epidemiology, dissemination (journal articles, policy, IEC) provided real-time suppport according to needs;
• EcoHealth(One Health) Resource Centres for regional
training and advocacy
• Competition with other projects/initiatives/’paradigm (One • Teams/members were encouraged to be part of other
Health) initiatives; some team members drafted & submitted
multi-country proposal to APEIR
• Sustainability of EcoHealth (One Health) approach • Ownership by teams: they chose the priority and
conducted the research
• Further funding cycle(s) essential: 10+ years to
institutionalise
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