One health East and Central Africa: current status

Abstract

Faced with complex patterns of global change, the inextricable interconnection of humans, pet animals, livestock and wildlife and their social and ecological environment is evident and requires integrated approaches to human and animal health and their respective social and environmental context. One Health represents an interdisciplinary strategy to address health from a holistic integrated perspective rather than a discipline-based fragmented. In East and central Africa, one health is being spearheaded by 14 universities in seven countries which form One Health Central and East Africa. This is part of the emerging pandemic threats program sponsored by USAID-RESPOND. This paper highlights the progress so far achieved in the integration of One Health in the Kenyan and East and Central African context.