One Health
What is One Health?
One health is the concept that the health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment are all inextricably linked, and that a change in one domain will affect the others. One Health looks to balance these efforts to optimize the health and viability of all three.
The One Health approach is unique in bringing together human, veterinary, and environmental health professionals to address shared health concerns. These concerns include harmful algal blooms, antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, rabies and other infectious diseases, and food safety and security. By approaching these topics from a One Health lens, we are better able to leverage resources and create lasting, impactful, and sustainable solutions for mutual health concerns.
What is a Zoonotic Disease?
A zoonotic disease is an infectious disease that can be spread between animals and humans in a number of different ways. This includes direct contact with sick or infectious animals, by contact with contaminated objects, through food or water, and vectors such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. Many of these diseases, when diagnosed in humans, are reportable to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response team.
If you have a question about a zoonotic disease call the Epidemiology Hotline at
877-427-7317 for immediate assistance.
Vector Borne Diseases
Foodborne Illnesses
Reporting illnesses to the state health department helps them identify outbreaks or potential outbreaks, prevents more people from getting sick during the outbreak, and helps to prevent similar events from happening in the future.
Learn more about foodborne illness and KDHE's role in preventing foodborne illnesses.
Harmful Algal Blooms
Kansas water bodies are known to have algal blooms. Blue-green algae are a common type of bacteria that grow in water. When certain conditions are present, such as high nutrient and light levels, these organisms can reproduce rapidly creating an algal bloom. Some of these blooms are harmless, but when the blooming organisms contain toxins, other noxious chemicals, pathogens, or impact recreation and economic activities, it is known as a harmful algal bloom. The Kansas Public Health Tracking (Tracking) program investigates voluntary reports of persons or animals who have fallen ill shortly after visiting a lake where a harmful algal bloom may have occurred.
Guidance Documents
- Kansas Department of Agriculture: Reportable diseases in animals
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Reportable diseases in humans