In collaboration with FAO, the state of Kerala in southern part of India through its Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) organised a 2 day meeting on One Health at Kochi. During early 2018, Kerala was hit for the first time by an outbreak of Nipah virus that claimed 17 lives. There has been a heightened awareness amongst the state on the importance of One Health in detection, identification and responding to zoonotic infections.

Globally it has been accepted that One Health approach is the key to combat all zoonotic diseases including antimicrobial resistance (AMR). UNGA, WHO, FAO and OIE have endorsed this approach. India’s National Action Plan to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (2017) calls upon all stakeholders to follow concept and practices of One Health.

The meeting was organised at Kochi, India on 26-27 September 2018. It was attended by more than 55 officials and scientists from health, animal health and environment sectors. These included administrators, researchers, implementers as well as young scientists.  The meeting was opened by Registrar, KVASU and additional director of animal husbandry department of state of Kerala. Technical presentations were made on One Health approach for combating AMR, and zoonotic diseases. The group discussions culminated in a framework for State of Kerala comprising of governance mechanism, capacity building, emergency response, communication, collaboration and coordination and community education and participation

FAO is committed to support One Health approach and will continue to advocate with decision makers to implement it at national and state levels.