University of Pretoria (UP) virus and bat researcher Professor Wanda Markotter has been appointed to a global high-level panel of international experts, which aims to curb animal-to-human disease transmission, that could trigger future pandemics similar to Covid-19.

Markotter is one of 26 experts selected from more than 700 global applicants who will provide science-based advice to the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP).

This is a joint initiative by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to assess evidence and risk of the emergence of zoonoses, which are diseases that can spread between animals and humans, such as influenza, Ebola and Covid-19.

Markotter is the UP Centre for Zoonoses director, the Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation South African research chair, and was recently appointed as Future Africa research chair.

She has been involved in transdisciplinary research on disease ecology in bat species in South Africa and other African countries since 2005. Her research includes extensive fieldwork that focuses on bats and potential spillover hosts, virological testing, bat biology, ecological investigations and human behaviour studies.

“This panel concerns the potential spillover of all animal-borne diseases to humans, but, more importantly, strongly focused on potential factors leading to spillover,” she says.

The expert panel had already identified specific aims at the first meeting this month and would start with systematic analyses of scientific knowledge about disease transmission, risk assessment and surveillance approaches. A key output was identifying gaps and good practices to prevent and prepare for future zoonotic outbreaks, Markotter says.

Markotter, who will also co-chair the expert panel with German Federal Institute for Animal Health Professor Thomas Mettenleiter, says the global One Health approach recognises the complex and multidisciplinary issues raised by the interface of human, animal and ecosystem health.

“Environmental health has not always been properly represented in the global One Health initiative, so the inclusion of the UNEP in this new panel is extremely important. The environment, or ecosystem health, is a key consideration, as are food production and land-use changes,” she notes.

“A panel advising all four agencies simultaneously is a huge step forward, especially to identify overlaps and gaps, as well as optimising resources. I believe the evidence-based advice will result in practical solutions and implementation in the future.”

The panel will also develop a new research agenda and draw up evidence-based recommendations for global, regional, national and local action.

UP Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Professor Tiaan de Jager says Markotter has played a key role in conducting impactful research in the world of zoonoses and in educating the community at large. She was involved in the establishment of UP's One Health for Change, initiated in 2020 to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UP faculty's focus is to conduct transdisciplinary research aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by leveraging the central, urban and rural research platforms, and advancing capacity-building, he adds.

“Markotter’s appointment to the newly established OHHLEP will encourage engagement within UP, between institutions and across geographical borders, advancing a transdisciplinary approach toward common challenges,” says De Jager.