Global One Health News

Mekuria co-authors article on whole genome sequencing

Zelalem Mekuria, Global One Health initiative (GOHi) director of Infectious Disease Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory (IDMEL) and assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, co-authored a publication in the journal “Animals” titled “Genome Sequence Comparisons between Small and Large Colony Phenotypes of Equine Clinical Isolates of Arcanobacterium hippocoleae” with collaborators from the Atlantic Veterinary College of the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). This work describes the first Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and characterization of a bacteria called Arcanobacterium hippocoleae isolated from the reproductive tract of symptomatic mares.

These results have significant clinical relevance due to a recent increase in the detection of bacteria from samples associated with mare reproductive failures in Atlantic Canada. This work also highlights the broad utility of nanopore technology, the method used for WGS, which can rapidly produce long sequence reads in real-time at low cost on a portable device. This study can serve as a reference for future studies to identify further the role of bacterial proteins in producing reproductive tract diseases in mares.

McCulla to lead Ohio State's Global Gateways

Amy McCulla, GOHi assistant director of strategic operations, has accepted a new role within the Office of International Affairs as the director of Global Gateways, effective July 1, 2024. We look forward to collaborating with Amy in her new role and hope to expand GOHi’s impact globally in partnership with the Gateways. Ohio State's Global Gateways are located in Brazil (São Paulo), China (Beijing) and India (Mumbai). In her new role, Amy will lead the Gateways team and work closely with the Office of International Affairs and academic leadership to develop and implement the mission, vision and priorities of the Gateways.

Eguale promoted to full professor

Tadesse Eguale, former NIH D43 fellow and current senior AMR expert at the GOHi Eastern Africa Office, recently achieved a full professorship at Addis Ababa University. For the past 15 years, Eguale has been an academic staff member at Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, where he advises graduate students and teaches courses.

External news

WOAH releases guidance for One Health field epidemiology competencies

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recently published new guidance to develop One Health field epidemiology competencies. Known as “The Competencies for One Health Field Epidemiology (COHFE)” Framework, it provides a standardized approach to training the One Health frontline workforce in detecting, investigating and responding to disease outbreaks at the source. The guidance includes steps for curriculum development, mentorship, evaluation and certification, as well as continuing education for training frontline, intermediate and advanced levels of One Health professionals with the skills required to investigate outbreaks across the human-animal-environment and plant interface.