Applying the One Health approach to mitigate zoonotic disease risk in forced migration

Abstract

This policy paper presents an overview of the currently available evidence on the connection between forced migration and zoonotic disease risks and vulnerabilities, based on primary and secondary research into zoonoses in displacement. These interconnected areas will become increasingly urgent in the face of accelerating climate change, conflict, and increased interaction between wildlife, domestic animals and humans during forced migration. The paper highlights how global health security requires an interdisciplinary and multilevel One Health approach to address human, animal and environmental health simultaneously. The approach allows for addressing policy and programming gaps in the human mobility and global health security nexus, especially relevant in the context of increasing conflict, disasters and climate change emergencies. This policy brief provides key recommendations to policy makers and practitioners in the area of global health security, migration and wider humanitarian policy and responses.