Nature, agriculture and the human living environment are becoming increasingly intertwined. With the growing demand for food, the footprint of our production systems as well as the length of supply chains is growing too, putting pressure on the functioning of our natural systems. This pressure is further increased by other manmade changes such as climate change. It is widely acknowledged that this results in increased risks of emerging pathogens and zoonotic spillovers.    

 

 

Professor Andrew Cunningham has worked at the Zoological Society of London since 1988, initially as veterinary pathologist for London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo (1988-2001), as Head of Wildlife Epidemiology and latterly as Deputy Director of Science. Since 2001, Andrew has developed a vibrant wildlife disease research group investigating infectious and non-infectious disease threats to wildlife conservation, including the drivers of disease emergence and zoonotic spill-over.

His truly remarkable research and publication record underpins his roles as European specialist in zoological medicine and a diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine, specialising in Wildlife Population Health. His current projects include investigating the emergence, spread, impact and mitigation of disease threats to wildlife conservation, understanding the role of anthropogenic environmental change on wildlife disease emergence and identifying factors which lead to zoonotic spill-over. Since its inception in 2021, he has been a member of the WHO/WOAH/FAO/UNEP One Health High Level Expert Panel.
 

In this session we welcome presentations that provide pathways towards a balance in on the one hand maintaining and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems, and on the other hand productive, safe and healthy food systems. Special attention is to be given to the One Health approach to minimizing the pressure / risk of zoonotic infectious diseases.   

  

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