Abstract:
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An analysis of the underlying drivers of infectious disease threat events (IDTEs) detected in Europe by epidemic intelligence at the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control revealed that global environmental change is the most noteworthy driver category. It contributed to 61% of individual IDTEs, of which travel and tourism, food and water quality, natural environment, global trade, and climate were the top 5 drivers of all IDTEs. By monitoring these drivers directly it might be possible to build early warning systems for IDTE in order to intervene early and contain the impact on public health. Through a continuum of surveillance using the One Health approach (connecting human, animal and environmental health) climatic and environmental precursors of disease can be monitored to provide a reliable and valid health alert to relevant authorities in public health and veterinary services. The aim is to anticipate, or even forecast an upsurge of disease. Monitoring risk factors across the spectrum of environment, animal, and human health through a continuum of surveillance can help tackle the cascading risks from global environmental change, including climate change.
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