Texas professionals are employing a one health approach to protect the United States against biosecurity threats
Matthew M. Dacso,
Dennis A. Bente,
Scott C. Weaver,
Gary P. Kobinger,
Peter C. Melby,
Susan L.F. McLellan,
Philip H. Keiser,
Sarah A. Hamer,
Gabriel L. Hamer,
Gerald W. Parker, Jr,
David I. Douphrate,
Anabel Rodriguez,
Michael L. Goodman,
Ara, XIII,
Gregory C. Gray
Affiliations
Matthew M. Dacso
Department of Global Health and Emerging Diseases, School of Public and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Dennis A. Bente
Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Scott C. Weaver
Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Center for Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Gary P. Kobinger
Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Peter C. Melby
Center for Tropical Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Susan L.F. McLellan
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Philip H. Keiser
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of State Health Services, Galveston County Health District, Galveston, TX, USA
Sarah A. Hamer
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Gabriel L. Hamer
Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Gerald W. Parker, Jr
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
David I. Douphrate
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Anabel Rodriguez
Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, TX, USA
Michael L. Goodman
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Ara, XIII
Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
Gregory C. Gray
Department of Global Health and Emerging Diseases, School of Public and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA; Corresponding author at: University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Microbiology and Immunology, and Preventive Medicine & Population Health, 301 University Boulevard, Route 0435, Galveston, Texas 77555-0435, USA.
Texas is a geographically large state with large human and livestock populations, many farms, a long coastal region, and extreme fluctuations in weather. During the last 15 years, the state of Texas has frequently suffered disasters or catastrophes causing extensive morbidity and economic loss. These disasters often have complicated consequences requiring multi-faceted responses. Recently, an interdisciplinary network of professionals from multiple academic institutions has emerged to collaborate in protecting Texas and the USA using a One Health approach. These experts are training the next generation of scientists in biopreparedness; increasing understanding of pathogens that cause repetitive harm; developing new therapeutics and vaccines against them; and developing novel surveillance approaches so that emerging pathogens will be detected early and thwarted before they can cause disastrous human and economic losses. These academic One Health partnerships strengthen our ability to protect human and animal health against future catastrophes that may impact the diverse ecoregions of Texas and the world.
