‘One Health, One Future’: Prof Elelu calls for joint human-animal strategy to tackle Diseases

In a clarion call to policymakers and health professionals, Professor Nusirat Elelu of the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ilorin, has urged Nigeria and other resource-limited countries to embrace a “One Health” strategy as a cornerstone of disease prevention and control.

Speaking at the 283rd Inaugural Lecture of the University titled “One Health, One World: Zoonoses and the Unending War”, Prof. Elelu highlighted the need for a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to health—one that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health systems.

Multi-Disciplinary Approach Key to Health Equity

Prof. Elelu cited the coordinated efforts during Nigeria’s 2006–2010 avian influenza crisis as a textbook example of One Health in action. “The success in containing the avian flu outbreak was due to synergy between human and veterinary health professionals,” she said. “Similarly, zoonotic diseases like tuberculosis cannot be addressed by the human health sector alone.”

She recommended joint nomadic vaccination campaigns targeting both livestock and children as a practical, culturally relevant method to reduce disease transmission in remote areas.

Surveillance: Humans and Animals on One Radar

Emphasizing the urgent need for integrated disease tracking systems, the veterinary public health expert called for sustainable surveillance programs involving both human and animal health sectors.

“Some zoonotic diseases still have no effective vaccine or cure. Yet, they are silently transmitted through meat, animals, and environmental contact,” she warned. Prof. Elelu urged that hospitals and abattoirs must become active players in national and international surveillance frameworks to detect emerging threats early.

Good Farming Practices Can Prevent Outbreaks

She advocated for training livestock handlers and farmers in modern farm management techniques such as biosecurity, waste management, vaccination, and vector control.

“Preventing disease in animals is the most cost-effective way to protect humans. It costs far more to treat infected people than to vaccinate animal reservoirs,” she explained, adding that improper disposal of animal birth products and bodily fluids contributes significantly to environmental contamination and disease spread.

Better Health Communication Between Sectors

A seamless flow of information between human and animal health professionals is another crucial component of the One Health strategy, according to Elelu.

“Timely sharing of health data allows for early identification of high-risk areas and population groups. With this, we can deploy faster, more targeted responses to emerging zoonotic threats,” she noted.

Awareness is Prevention: Tailored Campaigns Urged

Prof. Elelu also stressed the importance of targeted public awareness campaigns, especially in rural and semi-urban communities where zoonotic risks are highest.

“We must go beyond generic messages. Whether it’s discouraging the consumption of unpasteurized dairy or encouraging vaccination, our communication must be audience-specific and continuous,” she said.

She proposed the use of local languages, community influencers, and culturally sensitive messaging to improve health literacy and change behaviors.

Combating Infodemics Through Regulation

Highlighting the chaos caused by misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof. Elelu called for a stronger regulatory framework on health information, especially on social media.

“Everyone became an expert in 2020, leading to confusion, delayed uptake of critical interventions, and ultimately, preventable deaths,” she said. “Only qualified professionals should be allowed to disseminate medical information online.

Otherwise, we risk another round of dangerous infodemics.”

The Bottom Line: One Health for a Resilient Future

In conclusion, Prof. Elelu urged the government, development partners, and academic institutions to institutionalize the One Health approach through policy, education, and cross-sector funding.

“Zoonotic diseases do not respect boundaries—neither should our health responses. It’s time for a unified strategy that integrates animals, humans, and the environment as one ecosystem,” she said.

As emerging global health threats continue to blur traditional lines between medical fields, Prof. Elelu’s message is a timely reminder that only collective action can safeguard public health in an increasingly interconnected world.

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