GALLERY

One One HEALTH WORLD

hazi Kayali, PhD, MPH, is one of the dedicated scientists around the world researching novel viruses transmitted between animals and humans. He earned his doctorate degree in epidemiology from the University of Iowa College of Public Health in 2008. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Human Link, a Lebanese-based non-governmental organization with the mission to design and conduct scientific research and projects in the fields of bio-medicine, public health, environment, economy, and human development aimed at improving global knowledge and enhancing local population livelihoods. He is also an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center.

Human Link is contracted by the U.S. National Institutes of Health to conduct influenza and coronavirus research in the Middle East. The NGO collaborates with the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on the Ecology of Animal Influenza Viruses based at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Human Link currently conducts influenza and coronavirus research in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Tunisia.

Kayali’s work was recently highlighted in the prophetic pre-COVID-19 Netflix docuseries “Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak,” and he was featured in a segment on the ABC news program 20/20 that profiled experts who identify the source of an outbreak, determine its transmission, and work to stop its spread.

His career exemplifies One Health, a framework recognizing that the health of people, animals, and the environment are closely intertwined.

“All my research is focused on the human-animal interfaces where virus transmission can occur,” Kayali says. “There have been several global efforts to enhance and adapt One Health on national levels. Almost everyone, whether

Researchers led by Ghazi Kayali (left) take samples from poultry in Egypt.

scientists or policymakers, believes in One Health and its importance in preparedness for pandemics.

“However, countries struggle in implementing One Health due to lack of resources, or resistance of some of the sectors involved,” he says. “The way forward is to stop discussing One Health as a philosophical or an academic notion and start institutionalizing it.”

The Netflix docuseries “Pandemic” focuses on numerous health experts and investigators who are dedicated to researching and preventing outbreaks. Now that the world is experiencing a global pandemic, Kayali hopes that viewers can take away several valuable lessons.

“One is that pandemic preparedness requires efforts from several disciplines,” he says. “The series shows the roles that researchers, clinicians, policymakers, first responders, and NGOs play in preparing the world for a pandemic. Also, we all have a role to play in preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases by at least following simple hygiene rules and getting vaccinated when a vaccine is available.”