International One Health Program

The WHA International One Health program is dedicated to building biodiversity resilience for improved biosecurity in the Asia-Pacific region.  Our focus is on addressing emerging health risks and pandemic threats through a multidisciplinary approach that connects human, animal, and environmental health. Through collaboration and sustainable strategies, the team aims to integrate wildlife health into global One Health decision-making.

 

Meet the team

Program Manager: Steve Unwin

Senior Project Officer: Erin Davis

Project Officer: Joe Cashmore

 

In 2023, WHA was established as a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Collaborating Centre for Wildlife Health Risk Management. The International One Health team is responsible for the management of the Collaborating Centre. Please follow the link for more information. 

Menu

WOAH Collaborating Centre for Wildlife Health Risk Management

WOAH Wildlife Health Networks

More WHA International Roles & Activities

  • Why One Health?

    • Why One Health?

    The health of humans, animals, and the environment is deeply interconnected. A One Health approach, which recognises these links, is essential for preventing, detecting, and responding to emerging diseases, including those with pandemic potential. The health of Australians is deeply and directly linked to the wellbeing of native wildlife - healthy wildlife and thriving ecosystems not only safeguard against zoonotic diseases but also play a vital role in promoting mental and physical health in ourselves, fostering a sense of connection to nature, and strengthening the resilience of the environment that sustains us all.

    WHA advances this approach nationally and internationally through its International One Health Program. The Program aims to strengthen understanding of the links between global biodiversity, biosecurity and the health of all, and build capacity to address wildlife health challenges that transcend borders, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Program Mission

    • Program Mission

    Our Program's mission is to successfully incorporate wildlife health into the One Health framework by assisting in establishing and connecting a resilient network of professionals working together to identify and mitigate emerging wildlife health risks. By enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to improve prevention, preparedness and response strategies for current and future wildlife health threats, including those with pandemic potential.

  • Program Objectives

    • Program Objectives

    Resilient Trusting Partnerships

    • Building trusted partnerships across global organisations, governments, industries, NGOs, communities, and academia.
    • Developing capability in wildlife health skillsets and promoting practitioner mental resilience through collaboration.

     

    Sustainable Networking

    • Establishing an integrated online Knowledge Hub for ongoing wildlife health and One Health-focused education and collaboration.
    • Facilitating multidisciplinary workshops, webinars, and field-based skill sharing, both in-person and online.

     

    Innovative Solutions

    • With our partners at IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group, WHA assist in providing training in Wildlife Health Risk Analysis and empower collaborators to conduct their own analyses to inform better decision-making and response strategies.
    • Promoting systems thinking through interdisciplinary, transboundary relationships that foster comprehensive solutions for wildlife health.
WOAH Wildlife Health Networks
WOAH Regional Wildlife Health Network for Asia and the Pacific

In February 2023, WOAH Focal Points for Wildlife formally established the WOAH Regional Wildlife Health Network for Asia and the Pacific . Currently chaired by Timor-Leste, Australia acts as the secretariat for the Network, through Wildlife Health Australia's International One Health Program Manager, Steve Unwin, and Senior Project Officer, Erin Davis.

The group was created to provide a platform to facilitate effective sharing of information, expertise and advocacy to promote the wildlife health agenda in the region and support the activities of the WOAH sub-regional Wildlife Health Networks in the Asia-Pacific region.

WOAH Pacific Wildlife Health Network

Established in 2021 as a Sub-regional network under the WOAH Wildlife Framework, the WOAH Pacific Wildlife Health Network (PWHN) connects regional experts to address wildlife health challenges. WHA’s COO and National Coordinator, Tiggy Grillo, has chaired the network since its inception alongside secretariat members from Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. Operational support is provided by WHA  International One Health Project Officer, Joe Cashmore.

Click here for more information on WOAH Wildlife Health Networks

More WHA International Roles & Activities
Australia's WOAH Focal Point for Wildlife 

Australia’s WOAH Focal Point for Wildlife is WHA COO and National Coordinator, Tiggy Grillo, who provides support for Australia’s WOAH Delegate and Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson. The Focal Point engages in regional and national wildlife health issues and provides advice on wildlife issues to state and Australian Government agricultural, human health and environmental agencies. Through the Focal Point, WHA also engages with members to ensure that Australia’s scientific view and position relating to wildlife is considered when developing international policies and guidelines.

WOAH Working Group on Wildlife

A scientific advisory group, WOAH’s Working Group on Wildlife provides advice to WOAH on health problems relating to wild animals, whether in the wild or in captivity. WHA’s CEO, Rupert Woods, is a member of this group and assists in bringing an Australasian perspective.

IUCN Species Survival Commission Wildlife Health Specialist Group

WHA COO and National Coordinator, Tiggy Grillo, is co-chair of the IUCN SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group, which serves to bring together a global network of professionals with deep expertise across disciplines such as surveillance, disease management, and policy, in response to global wildlife issues. The focus of the group is on health impacts that relate to the conservation of species.

Support WHA

Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) leads national action to respond to emerging health issues affecting Australia’s wildlife. Today, you can join us, donate to support our work, or follow us to protect our unique and precious wildlife.

SUPPORT WHA
koala snuggled with its baby in tree
Join the Community!

Wildlife Health Australia aims to link, inform and support people and organisations who work with or have an interest in wildlife health across Australia through technical advice, facilitation, communications and professional support. Subscribe to join our community and receive our monthly newsletter.