[Health Bulletin] Epidemic Prevention Special – Why Should Epidemic Prevention Be Rethought and Addressed from a “One Health” Perspective?

Throughout human history, animals have played an essential role in our lives. Humans have continually interacted with animals and established a wide variety of relationships with them. With the ongoing growth of the global population, more and more people are coming into close contact with various types of animals—including wildlife, livestock, companion animals (pets), performance animals, and laboratory animals. This close interaction between humans, animals, and the natural environment creates more opportunities for viruses and pathogens to be transmitted between species and increases the chance of viral mutations. As a result, viruses that previously could not infect humans may gain the ability to do so in the future.

From the perspective of biodiversity loss, Edward O. Wilson in The Future of Life introduced the concept of the HIPPO dilemma—an acronym for the five major threats to biodiversity: Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Population growth, Pollution, and Over-exploitation. In recent years, climate change has also been identified by scientists as a key driver of biodiversity loss. Beyond the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), human activities such as deforestation, intensive agriculture, and slash-and-burn farming have further exacerbated the effects of climate change.

It becomes evident that harming biodiversity also harms plant and animal health, increasing the likelihood of emerging zoonotic diseases and threatening human health. Moreover, globalization—via international travel, business, and trade in animal products—has made it easier for diseases to cross borders and spread rapidly worldwide.

Therefore, protecting the stability and integrity of ecosystems and ensuring the health of animals (both wild and domesticated) are essential to safeguarding human health. This integrated approach is at the heart of the One Health concept, which is grounded in the Manhattan Principles. It calls for a holistic and collaborative approach to prevent neglected, endemic, emerging, or re-emerging zoonotic diseases—striving for the well-being of humans, domesticated animals, and biodiversity, while maintaining ecosystem integrity.

What Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Taught Us About Applying the One Health Approach?

The World Health Organization officially named the novel coronavirus disease as COVID-19, where "CO" stands for corona, "VI" for virus, and "D" for disease. The virus is different from previously known human coronaviruses. Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped RNA viruses that appear crown-like under electron microscopes, hence their name.

In pandemic prevention, the separation between human and animal diseases is no longer applicable. Instead, an integrated approach with public health (including environmental health) is crucial to mitigate future outbreak risks. This includes cross-ministerial cooperation among agencies such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare (CDC), Council of Agriculture (animal quarantine and biodiversity conservation), and the Environmental Protection Administration.

Resources must be coordinated at both central and local levels, enabling early detection and containment through diagnostic tools, followed by mass vaccination to achieve herd immunity, block transmission, and reduce the outbreak's impact.

(1) Pre-Outbreak Preparedness

Maintain a high level of vigilance, promote early detection and isolation, and strengthen hospital screening and case reporting. Establish a central epidemic command center early on, enabling swift cross-agency policy responses to prevent disease spread.

(2) Early Outbreak Response

Implement immediate border controls, restrict cruise ship docking, and enforce quarantine measures. Employ technology for case tracking—such as infrared thermometers at airports, digital health declaration systems via QR codes, and 14-day home quarantine or isolation for those returning from high-risk areas. Centralized management of epidemic prevention supplies ensured stable mask pricing and distribution, alongside public campaigns on hand hygiene and disinfection. Rapid development of test kits, antivirals, and vaccines became a race against time.

(3) Ongoing Outbreak Management

Use multi-channel media and mobile apps (e.g., CDC Line bot) to educate the public on virus transmission, proper handwashing, and appropriate mask usage. Ensuring public understanding reduces panic and stigma. National cooperation with epidemic prevention measures—such as temperature checks, entry control, and effective hand hygiene—helped limit the virus's spread.

(4) Post-Outbreak Recovery and Long-Term Awareness

Taiwan learned from its experience during the 2002–2003 SARS outbreak, leading to revisions of the Communicable Disease Control Act and related regulations. Universal healthcare coverage played a crucial role in epidemic containment. Heightened public awareness and health literacy enabled effective community-level interventions, reducing the virus's spread and minimizing loss of life and economic damage. These measures supported the gradual restoration of daily life and the recovery of various industries.