One Health

The health of humans, animals, plants and the environment is closely interlinked. The One Health approach brings together human and veterinary medicine, environmental sciences and other disciplines to achieve better health outcomes.

Because humans are taking up more and more space on the planet, the living environments of humans and animals are coming ever closer together. This makes it easier for communicable diseases to spread. In addition, infectious diseases that are transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes are advancing further north due to climate change.

These and other challenges are being tackled with the One Health approach. Authorities and scientists are working closely together to prevent, minimise and control health risks. Challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic or increasing antibiotic resistance can only be overcome together.

In Switzerland, the Subsidiary body «One Health» under the leadership of the FSVO coordinates and manages this interdisciplinary and multisectoral cooperation.

Definition One Health

Switzerland adopts the definition of One Health as defined by the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP):

«One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems.
It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent.
The approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, taking action on climate change, and contributing to sustainable development.»

One Health Working Groups

Various interdisciplinary working groups deal with topics relating to the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment.

Working group on «vectors»

The working group on ‘vectors’ aims to detect, survey, prevent and control vectors and vector-borne diseases and to develop measures and coordinate the activities required in Switzerland.

This goal is achieved in various subgroups with the following tasks:

tick-borne diseases are monitored and epidemics are slowed down.
Measures are formulated to reduce the risk of local transmission of dengue fever, chikungunya fever, Zika fever and West Nile fever.
The spread of tiger mosquito populations is monitored and these populations are controlled.
Other vector-borne diseases and vectors are prioritised.
Targeted and coordinated communication on preparation and control measures is established

Working group «Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) / Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)»

Transmission routes, outbreaks, correlations and sources of selected food-borne diseases such as listeriosis become visible through the use of genome sequencing (WGS/NGS). Targeted measures can be taken and healthcare costs saved.
In a first phase, a concept for listeria will be formulated. Subsequently, it will be examined whether this concept can be transferred to other pathogens.

Working group on «Campylobacter»

The aim is to achieve a significant reduction in the most frequently reported zoonoses (human campylobacteriosis cases), thereby also reducing the health costs caused by campylobacteriosis.

Selected topics with a One Health approach

Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance (StAR)

The aim is to ensure that antibiotics remain effective in the long term and to curb the development of resistance. With this aim in mind, the Federal Council has adopted a broad-based national Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG), the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the FSVO are implementing the measures of the Swiss Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance (StAR).

Further information on the Swiss Strategy on Antobiotic Resistance (StAR)

Foodborne outbreaks

The FSVO provides documentation and tools to control mass outbreaks of food-borne diseases. This information is intended for the cantonal and federal authorities responsible for investigating the increasing number of cases of disease.

Further information on the investigation manuals for foodborne outbreaks

National Centre for Climate Services (NCCS)

Climate change has an impact on human and animal health as well as on food safety. The FSVO actively contributes with its knowledge and experience to the network.

Further information on the national center for climate services (NCCS)

Zoonosis monitoring

Zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted from humans to animals or vice versa. Animals often do not fall ill visibly and humans can become infected through food, for example. It is therefore crucial to monitor zoonoses in animals, humans and food.

Überwachung von Zoonosen (admin.ch) (only in German, French or Italian)