FOUR PAWS is a member of the delegation of the Austrian Ministry of Health at the World Health Assembly in Geneva
Animal welfare must become part of pandemic prevention in the sense of “One Health”.
Animal welfare has become a central question of human survival. We therefore need a paradigm shift in dealing with animals and nature. 75 percent of newly emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses, i.e. of animal origin. Ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, encroachment on wildlife habitats, commercial wildlife trade and intensive livestock farming all increase the risk of outbreaks of these infectious diseases
Denise Ocampo, Campaign Manager at FOUR PAWS
Vienna (OTS) – At this year’s World Health Assembly of the WHO in Geneva from 22.-28. Under the motto “Health for Peace, Peace for Health”, representatives from countries from all over the world come together to pave the way for better pandemic prevention, targeted preparation for health crises and more general resilience. FOUR PAWS is pleased that employee Denise Ocampo is part of the Austrian delegation of the Ministry of Health as a youth representative and thus emphasizes the great importance of animal welfare.
For FOUR PAWS, COVID-19 has made the connections between humans, animals and nature painfully clear. “Animal welfare has become a central question of human survival. We therefore need a paradigm shift in dealing with animals and nature. 75 percent of newly emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses, i.e. of animal origin. Ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, encroachment on wildlife habitats, commercial wildlife trade and intensive livestock farming all increase the risk of outbreaks of these infectious diseases
“, explains Denise Ocampo, who works for FOUR PAWS in the campaign team.
“The connection between animal welfare and human health is more than obvious. I am very pleased to be personally involved in these important debates in preparation for the coming pandemic and that the WHO is laying the foundation for a health system in the spirit of the “One Health” approach – this is a historic moment,” said Ocampo.
Questions & contact:
Mag. Elisabeth Penz
Press Office Austria
FOUR PAWS – Foundation for Animal Welfare
Linke Wienzeile 236, 1150 Vienna
Phone: + 43 (0)1 895 02 02 – 66
Fax: + 43 (0)1 895 02 02 – 99
Mobile: + 43 (0)664 3086303
elisabeth.penz@four-paws.org
www.vier-pfoten.at www.four-paws.org