Let’s Celebrate One Health Day

How animals, humans, and environments are all connected and why it matters.

Nov. 3 is One Health Day — a time to celebrate that people, animals, and the earth are all connected. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize that the health of all things is linked and depends on each other.

From coastal towns like Ocean Shores to the rolling hills found in Colfax, the people of Washington face a range of One Health challenges.

• Infectious diseases, such as rabies and West Nile virus, have rapidly crossed our borders, impacting species and harming communities. These zoonotic diseases pose a threat to both animals and humans.
• Our communities struggle with the health impacts of a warming planet, like extreme heat in summer, wildfires and their smoke, and changes in mosquito activity.
• Contaminants such as PFAS, sometimes called “forever chemicals,” have increasingly impacted humans, animals, and ecosystems.
• Infections in people and animals are increasingly harder to treat due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria spreading among animals and people.

Working as a team is critical to tackling these threats. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) launched the Office of Global and One Health to strengthen public health collaboration throughout the state. This office works with partners to tackle pressing One Health challenges.

Let’s explore specific examples of One Health approaches here in our state that protect the health of us all…

Rabies response in Island County

Responding to a potential case of rabies is a coordinated effort among state and local public health departments, animal control agencies, health providers, and even the community at large.

In August 2024, a family in Island County noticed a big brown bat resting on their patio and acting strangely, and they called in a wildlife specialist. While working to relocate the bat, the specialist was bitten. Because of the concern about rabies in wild animals, the specialist needed to get immediate care. Rabies is a serious disease caused by a virus that infects the brain and spinal cord and almost always leads to death if left untreated.

The specialist contacted Island County Public Health staff, who sent the bat to the Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline where it tested positive for rabies. County staff quickly ensured that the wildlife specialist received lifesaving treatment at the local hospital to stop a potentially deadly infection with the virus. DOH’s Zoonotic and Vector-borne Disease Program worked with Island County to further investigate the case. Together they created informative, locally relevant rabies guidance, shared through community newspapers, social media, and health care providers and veterinarians. By immediately informing Island County residents about the rabid bat and what to watch out for when seeing a bat, another local rabies exposure was identified and taken care of the following week.

Wildfire and smoke response

Every beautiful Washington summer also brings the serious threat of wildfires. Wildland firefighters work hard to keep wildfires from spreading in natural spaces and into towns, but smoke travels far through the air, carrying microscopic particles that can enter deep into the lungs of both humans and animals. Breathing wildfire smoke is not healthy for anyone, but it poses a serious health risk to people over 65, children, pregnant people, and those with chronic breathing problems such as asthma or COPD. Historically underserved communities are also less likely to have air conditioning or air filtration systems that keep indoor air safe to breathe.

So what does a One Health approach to wildfire season look like?

Wildfire season requires partnership across state and local health departments, Tribal health jurisdictions, local Emergency Management, Department of Ecology, Department of Natural Resources, the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, community-based organizations, regional clean air agencies, and more. Together, state and local agencies leverage their unique expertise and resources to help Washingtonians lessen the health risks of extreme heat and smoke events. Together, we send out timely messages to remind people to stay indoors, seek cooling centers in their communities, use air filters and air cleaners if able, and keep windows closed so smoke stays outside.

DOH works alongside Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to share messages to pet owners, farmers, and ranchers to keep their animals safe and healthy during wildfire season. Messaging includes tips on human and animal health, preparedness steps to take before an event, and how to plan for when you have to leave for safety. DOH, WSDA, and the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife work together to learn more about the impacts of climate change on human health and domestic animal and wildlife health with more frequent and intense wildfire events.

DOH began distributing HEPA portable air cleaners to help communities during 2023 wildfire smoke events. DOH distributes these air cleaners to local jurisdictions, which place them in facilities such as clinics, senior centers, and childcare facilities, and where vulnerable populations live and work. DOH offers air cleaners to residents directly affected by smoke from active wildfires. Altogether, the DOH Medical Logistics Center distributed 2,648 air cleaners to 18 local and regional health jurisdictions in 23 counties, and to five Tribal nations in 2023-24.

How can Washingtonians use One Health principles in their daily life?

The One Health approach challenges public health agencies to collaborate across sectors for the health of everyone and everything. But it’s not just health care workers, veterinarians, scientists, and policy makers who can make a difference. There are several ways the people of Washington can protect the connected health of our neighbors, pets, wild animals, and natural spaces where we live:

1. Keep your pets healthy with proper care and hygiene as well as keeping their vaccines up to date. In return, the bond between you and your pet will do wonders for your health.
2. Keep wildlife wild . Stay a safe distance from wild animals and never feed them. If you see sick or injured wildlife, report it .
3. Follow antibiotic treatment as prescribed to you by health professionals and properly dispose of any unused medications .
4. Consider walking or biking for short trips to the store, the library, or work. You can reduce emissions while getting some exercise.
5. Learn about toxic chemicals you might encounter. Did you know that using the right water filter can protect again forever chemicals or PFAS? It’s important to prevent exposure to toxic chemicals like asbestos, lead, and even contaminants in fish .
6. Limit your use of single-use plastics. Swap from plastic bags to glass jars. When you’re out and about remember to bring your water bottle, reusable coffee mugs, and/or grocery bags.

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