CityU organises One Health International Workshop

Animal health and human health are closely linked. Eminent scholars and health experts, including Professor David Ho, world famous AIDS expert and Professor Alfonso Torres, Associate Dean of College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, participated in the “One Health International Workshop” organised by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) today (10 December). The Workshop, focusing on “the importance of Veterinary Public Health to human society”, attracted nearly 400 participants.

 In his opening remarks, Dr the Hon York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health, said, “With growing number of emerging diseases caused by pathogens originating from animals, the integration of veterinary expertise with public health is more important than ever before.” He added that due emphasis should be given in Hong Kong to the role of public veterinary services and veterinary public health.

 World Health Organisation (WHO) has pointed out that 75% of the new diseases affecting humans in the past ten years originated from animals. Professor Ho explained that the AIDS virus could be traced back to the early 19th century but the AIDS syndrome was recognised close to 100 years ago. Urbanisation, rapid increase of population, more extensive travel, and changes in our habits all contributed to dramatic increase of zoonotic diseases.

Dr William Karesh of Wildlife Conservation Society, USA, expressed his concern about our continuous encroachment on wildlife habitats resulting in damages to the natural environment, which created disastrous disruption to the ecosystem and led to epidemics.

Dr the Hon Leong Che-hung, Chairman of the Elderly Commission, expressed his view that we should not just blame animals for zoonoses. Instead, we should change our cultural habits related to animals, improve animal health and minimise upsetting the ecosystem.

Professor Torres said that to solve this global health problem, we must take the One Health approach and improve the interdisciplinary communication, integration and cooperation in human and animal health practices, agriculture and wildlife conservation. 

Professor Elaine Watson of University of Edinburgh, UK shared with the audience the experience of promoting the One Health initiative in University of Edinburgh. Dr Thomas Tsang, Controller of the Centre for Health Protection, introduced the work of preventing zoonotic diseases in Hong Kong from the human medicine point of view. Dr Howard Wong, Senior Veterinary Officer of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, explained the veterinary public health practices in the local context. A panel discussion was moderated by Mr Anthony Wu, Chairman of the Hospital Authority. Among the panelists was Dr Yap Teow Chong, WHO representative from its Western Pacific Regional Office, who emphasised the importance of strengthening veterinary training and encouraging collaboration among various sectors. 

In his closing remarks, Professor Way Kuo, University President, expressed his gratitude for the support of nearly 400 guests and speakers who attended the one-day workshop. He pointed out that Hong Kong, as a civilised world-class city, should take the lead in promoting the One Health concept and make a contribution to the advancement of public health in Hong Kong and Greater China by seizing the opportunity to promote research and education in veterinarian medicine.

Media enquiries: Ida Leung, Communications and Public Relations Office, CityU (Tel: 3442 6809 or 9161 3498)