January marks One Health Awareness Month – a global initiative that highlights the vital interconnection between human, animal and environmental health. The approach recognises that the wellbeing of people cannot be separated from the health of animals and the ecosystems we share.
An example of this interdependence is the current flood event in Queensland. Flooding places livestock at increased risk of wide range of disease conditions, including Yersiniosis (flood mud scours), Mastitis, Plant Toxicities, Vector Transmitted Diseases, Rain Scald, Pneumonia, Three-Day Sickness, Injuries/Soreness, Hoof Abscesses & Leptospirosis, Tetanus, Phycomycosis in horses, and many more.
At the same time, flooding can drive surges in mosquito populations and expose people to contaminated water and mud, increasing the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as Dengue, Barmah Forest virus, Japanese Encephalitis virus, Murray Valley Encephalitis or Ross River virus. Floodwater can be contaminated with sewage, animal waste and bacteria, posing risks of infections like skin infections, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, and more serious diseases such as melioidosis and leptospirosis.
Protecting animal health, reducing disease spread, and supporting informed biosecurity and personal safety measures are all vital components of a One Health approach.
Global One Health perspectives to feature at 2026 AVA Conference
One Health will be a major highlight of the 2026 AVA Conference, with 2 international keynote speakers sharing global perspectives. Professor Marion Desmarchelier from Canada and Professor David Hayman from New Zealand will take centre stage in Brisbane, sharing insights that highlight their contributions and knowledge in the One Health field.
Professor Desmarchelier brings a breadth of experience in zoological and behavioural medicine. A Diplomate of both the American College of Zoological Medicine and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, she has dedicated her career to improving the welfare of wild and domestic animals alike. Her current research explores how training methods influence the wellbeing of therapeutic horses and their interactions with children on the autism spectrum. At the conference, she will present “One Health, One Brain” on Wednesday 20 May, examining the neurobiological links that connect human and animal wellness.
Professor Hayman, Percival Carmine Chair in Epidemiology and Public Health at Massey University, studies the ecological and social forces that drive infectious disease spread. As a member of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) – a collaboration between WHO, FAO, WOAH, and UNEP – he contributes to global strategies on zoonotic disease prevention. He will deliver two sessions relating to One Health: “One Health in Practice” on Wednesday 20 May and the Ben Cunneen Memorial Plenary: Viral Spillover and the Ecology of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Thursday.
The 2026 AVA Conference in happening from 18-21 May 2026 in Brisbane. Early bird registrations open in early February.