Human encroachments into natural landscapes increase pathogen transmission between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. This threatens critically endangered wildlife species, food security and the cultural fabric of Indigenous communities, and even upends global economies and ways of living.
Despite broad international regulations requiring wildlife health surveillance systems, few countries generate wildlife health intelligence through operational and sustainable systems. There are no international disease reporting requirements for the vast number of species and pathogens. However, wildlife health programs are essential for collaborative multi-sector or One Health surveillance for the benefit of wildlife, livestock and human health.
The One Health paradigm recognizes the interrelatedness and interdependencies of all living things and acknowledges health as a tightly intertwined global concern. One Health solutions rely upon immediate, accurate information that informs integrated, multisectoral global responses to emerging health issues. Paradoxically, intelligence on wildlife and ecosystem health has been particularly neglected in previous One Health efforts, greatly constraining its full potential.