PREZODE efforts focus on preventing Zoonotic disease risk emergence at the source by co-designing risk reduction and early detection solutions with and for the local communities and actors on the frontline of the risks. Taking a One Health approach, PREZODE strengthens the dialogue between science society and policymakers, from local to global. 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 avoid the recurrence of a pandemic with devastating consequences, 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 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.
Research activities focus on the risks of emergence linked to local and global changes, the development of sustainable prevention strategies through livestock, agriculture and/or ecosystem management, and the development of early warning systems from local to global. More specifically, research will target zoonotic pathogens that could emerge and infectious diseases that have already appeared or re-emerged. All types of pathogens circulating on all continents are addressed, from wildlife to domestic animals and from terrestrial to aquatic environments. Similarly, all the different transmission pathways within animal species 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 consumption (foodborne) and waterborne diseases).
A paradigm shift
PREZODE innovation lies in a paradigm shift: promoting a co-design process, engaging all stakeholders, from local to international levels, in the prevention of emerging risks -local communities, health professionals (from the animal, human, and environmental sectors), researchers, 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, the current dogma focuses on post-spillover preparedness to control disease spread within the human population rather than preventing spillover at the source.
Co-construction lies on fundamental principles for integrating local specificities into national and international health policies, raising awareness and generating strong and sustained commitment.
Infectious agents do not stop at borders, so preventing the emergence of zoonotic diseases must be inclusive and require 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 lies on fundamental principles for integrating local specificities into national and international health policies, raising awareness and generating strong and sustained commitment.