United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) jointly held a workshop on Zoonotic diseases, which are the animal diseases that can spread to humans, such as Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic fever, rabies, brucellosis and avian influenza. The workshop brought decision makers and scientists together to agree on a list of priority zoonotic diseases.  In addition to strengthening the federal/provincial and animal/human health cross-sectoral collaboration, the workshop resulted into a plan for future disease control efforts. 

Dr. Stephanie Salyer, a Veterinary Epidemiologist with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Center for Global Health, Dr. Kate Varela, a Veterinary Medical Officer-ORISE Research Participant within the One Health Office at CDC and Grace Goryoka, a Health Scientist-ORISE Research Participant within the One Health Office at CDC conducted the workshop.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony in Islamabad, experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said the Zoonotic diseases are important health concerns, and control requires collaboration between Pakistan’s veterinary and human health sectors. He said that the participants of the workshop were trained in-country facilitators in the One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization process and One Health Systems Mapping and Analysis Resource Toolkit.  He said the final report, approved by all ministries representing core voting members, will be published around 2 months after this workshop.