PREZODE efforts focus on preventing Zoonotic disease risk emergence at the source by co-PREZODE’s efforts focus on preventing the emergence of zoonotic disease risks at the source by co-designing risk reduction and early detection solutions with and for local communities and frontline actors. Taking a One Health approach, PREZODE strengthens the dialogue between scientists, society, and policymakers, from local to global levels. The initiative was co-designed with all its members to foster commitment and relevance.
Experts estimate that reducing risks is 100 times less expensive than responding to pandemics similar to COVID-19. To prevent the recurrence of another devastating pandemic, it is crucial to embrace an effective and integrated prevention strategy. PREZODE focuses on primary prevention—before the disease occurs in animals or humans.
The PREZODE initiative promotes approaches based on systems thinking.
The PREZODE initiative promotes approaches based on systems thinking. Preventing zoonotic diseases requires an understanding of all factors that allow pathogens to emerge, be transmitted, and cross the species barrier.
Understanding risks linked to local and global changes.
Our research activities focus on understanding disease emergence risks linked to both local and global changes. We also are exploring the development of sustainable prevention strategies through livestock, agriculture, and/or ecosystem management practices, and early warning systems that operate at both local and global levels. Specifically, our research targets zoonotic pathogens that have the potential to emerge, as well as infectious diseases that have already appeared or re-emerged. All types of pathogens circulating on all continents are addressed, including those that affect wildlife, domestic animals, and both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Similarly, all types of transmission pathways, both within animal species and between animal species and human populations, are considered. Zoonotic pathogens may infect people through direct contact with infected animals, arthropod vectors (vector-borne diseases), indirect contact with the environment, objects (fomites), or surfaces that have been contaminated by zoonotic agents, or via foodborne or waterborne routes.
A paradigm shift
The innovation of PREZODE lies in a paradigm shift: promoting a co-design process, engaging all stakeholders, from local to international levels, in the prevention of emerging risks. This approach engages local communities, health professionals (from the animal, human, and environmental sectors), researchers, and field operators, along with decision makers from both the private and public sectors. Even though most emerging infectious diseases in humans are of zoonotic origin, current strategies focus on post-spillover preparedness to control the spread of these diseases within the human population, rather than on preventing spillover at the source. Infectious agents do not stop at borders, so preventing the emergence of zoonotic diseases must be inclusive and requires international collaboration. However, one size does not fit all: preventing zoonotic disease emergence must be based on local contexts, i.e., the constraints and needs of local communities and frontline actors implementing health strategies. Co-construction is based on fundamental principles for integrating local specificities into national and international health policies, raising awareness, and generating strong and sustained commitment.