'One Health', from science to policy: examples from the Israeli experience

'The concept of 'One Health' aims to help bring about the integration of animal, human and environmental health for the mutual benefit of all. This multidisciplinary approach is of great importance in a variety of fields, from enhancement of breakthroughs in biomedical research, to epidemiological studies and public health policy decision-making. We demonstrate the strength embedded in this approach by using three case studies from Israel. We first describe successful scientific collaboration between physicians, veterinarians and microbiologists in two original research projects aimed at unravelling the link between Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis and Crohn's disease as well as understanding the virulence of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Next, fruitful collaboration between veterinarians and physicians led to the development of a post-exposure prophylaxis regime of tick-borne relapsing fever in humans, together with the detection of animal infection by Borrelia persica. We conclude with an example of a joint avian influenza outbreak investigation that demonstrates just how essential collaboration is between veterinarians and physicians from different organisations, not only across professions but also across state and political borders. The benefits gained by applying the 'One Health' concept in these three examples should encourage further collaboration between veterinarians and physicians.