Findings from a disease prioritization and tabletop exercise to evaluate transboundary One Health capacities between...

The One Health Systems Transboundary Assessment for Priority Zoonoses (OHTAPZ) tool was developed to address the need for a multisectoral approach in assessing transboundary zoonotic disease threats within and across shared land borders. This study sought to implement recommendations from the tool's initial pilot and revise it for further application.

This revised methodology included an expanded stakeholder identification process in Phase 1, an interactive tabletop exercise for assessment in Phase 2, and a partner-led strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis in Phase 3. We implemented the revised tool in Jordan and Iraq, focusing our assessment and analysis at the Karameh-Turaibil formal land border crossing.

Implementation of the revised methodology resulted in expanded identification and engagement of nontraditional One Health partners and highlighted mechanisms by which partners communicate and coordinate across levels, sectors at the national level, within and between points of entry (POEs), and bilaterally when preventing, detecting, and responding to priority transboundary zoonotic diseases. Both countries have core One Health capacities available at Karameh and Turaibil POEs and can leverage existing, effective mechanisms for communication and coordination when facing transboundary threats. However, reporting systems, budget and workforce constraints, and geographical/ conflict-related limitations are challenges.

The OHTAPZ tool provides a methodology for countries to conduct national and bilateral assessments to understand, integrate, and improve One Health systems and to reassess and refine strategies for the prevention, detection, and response to emerging and evolving transboundary threats. These findings can help countries understand and improve their One Health capacities, especially at POEs.