Intersectoral collaboration in a One Health approach: Lessons learned from a country-level simulation exercise
Vera Manageiro,
Ana Caria,
Cristina Furtado,
Ana Botelho,
Mónica Oleastro,
Sandra Cavaco Gonçalves
Affiliations
Vera Manageiro
Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal; ECDC Fellowship Programme, Public Health Microbiology Path (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden; Corresponding author at: National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal.
Ana Caria
Animal Health and Epidemiology Division, Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV), Lisbon, Portugal
Cristina Furtado
Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
Ana Botelho
National Reference Laboratory for Animal Health, Laboratory of Bacteriology and Mycology, National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV, IP), Oeiras, Portugal
Mónica Oleastro
National Reference Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
Sandra Cavaco Gonçalves
National Reference Laboratory for Animal Health, Laboratory of Bacteriology and Mycology, National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV, IP), Oeiras, Portugal; Corresponding author at: National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research (INIAV,IP), Oeiras, Portugal
Intersectoral collaboration is an essential component of the One Health (OH) approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of the health of humans, animals, and the environment. The OH European Joint Programme (OHEJP) developed a national foodborne outbreak table-top simulation exercise (SimEx) to practice OH capacity and interoperability across the public health, animal health, and food safety sectors, improving OH preparedness for future disease outbreaks. The Portuguese OHEJP SimEx highlighted strengths and weaknesses regarding the roles and functions of available systems, the constraints of existing legislation, the importance of harmonisation and data sharing, and the creation of common main messages adapted to each target sector. However, there is still a long way to go to ensure cooperation among the Public Health, Animal Health, and Food Safety sectors, as a OH approach relies not only on the awareness of “field experts” but also on political and organisational willingness and commitment.
