The concept of “One health” refers to a transdisciplinary approach to optimize human, animal and environmental health at various interphases of convergence. None has it ever been more important to understand human-animal interactions than now during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has become the most devastating global pandemic in recent history. Bats, amongst other wildlife species, have been suggested as possible intermediary hosts that have played a role in the spillover from animals to humans. Global surveillance of bat populations have been conducted for more than a decade. The focal points of these efforts has been to assess and understand coronavirus diversity, prevent spillover opportunities and prepare for future emerging viruses. Despite these efforts, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. 

Prof. Wanda Markotter will shed more light on this topic at the 26th Expert Lecture on the 5th of November, 2020

For more information on this article  and the 26th Expert Lecture visit UP Research Matters.