Climate change has significantly increased zoonotic diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, poultry, and bats. Mosquitoes spread dengue fever, poultry carry avian flu, and bats are reservoirs for various viruses. Rising humidity and temperatures are altering migration patterns and animal behaviors. Human activities like deforestation and territorial expansion are erasing boundaries between animals and humans.
Dr. Deborah Nadal noted that climate change has recently affected wild animals’ behavior and infection spread. Infection transmission scenarios have expanded globally, including avian flu in seals and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing this issue from wildlife medicine, biodiversity conservation, and human health perspectives can help tackle the problem’s complexity. Intensive interdisciplinary discussions highlight various pros and cons. “Both short-term and long-term solutions are required to prevent and mitigate the impact of diseases transmitted by these three types of animals,” said Dr. Nadal from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy.
There is a need for increased awareness about preventing zoonotic diseases. Cross-sector collaboration, prioritizing the approach of “less me, more we,” is crucial for addressing zoonosis from prevention to treatment. Everyone must spread information to the broader community to prevent disease spread.
“The solutions implemented in the future should not harm any party, whether humans, animals, or nature. Essentially, all are interdependent for survival,” added Dr. Nadal.
The international workshop, titled “One Health Imaginative Workshop for The Identification of Functional Values to Face Climate Change-Driven Animal Migration,” was held at the Education Museum in Surabaya on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. It was attended by 25 participants from various organizations and universities in Indonesia and abroad.
The workshop focused on three scenarios of zoonotic disease transmission. The event was a collaboration between Dr. Deborah Nadal from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy, the International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS), and the Airlangga Disease Prevention and Research Center – One Health Collaborating Center (ADPRC-OHCC) at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR).
