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Emerging infectious diseases do not respect the boundaries between people, animals and the environment. To mark International One Health Day, Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) and the University of Pretoria host a free online webinar on Tuesday 3 November 2026, from 08:50 to 13:00 SAST. Ten speakers will examine how a One Health approach strengthens South Africa’s preparedness. Topics include tuberculosis at the human–wildlife interface, spillover prevention, arbovirus surveillance and Ebola preparedness.

Shared Spaces, Shared Health: South Africa Marks International One Health Day

Date: Tuesday 3 November 2026
Time: 08:50–13:00 SAST (UTC+2)
Venue: Online, Microsoft Teams
Cost: Free and open to all
Register: t.ly/oPB5p

Emerging infectious diseases do not respect the boundaries between people, animals and the environment. To mark International One Health Day, Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) and the University of Pretoria bring together leading voices from government, research and veterinary science to examine how a One Health approach strengthens South Africa’s preparedness.

Topics

• One Health implementation and the role of animal health
• Tuberculosis at the human–wildlife interface
• Spillover prevention
• Arbovirus surveillance
• The origins of novel pathogens
• Ebola preparedness

Programme

First session | Chair: Dr Carla Mavian

• 08:50–09:00 · Welcome and opening remarks · Dr Carla Mavian and Prof Wanda Markotter
• 09:00–09:10 · One Health Implementation Framework for South Africa: the role of human health · Mr Wayne Ramkrishna
• 09:10–09:20 · The role of environment in One Health · Mr Abednego Baker
• 09:20–09:30 · One Health Implementation Framework for South Africa: the role of animal health · Dr Alicia Cloete
• 09:30–09:40 · Questions
• 09:40–10:00 · Understanding tuberculosis through a One Health lens: insights from Kruger National Park · Prof Michele Miller
• 10:00–10:10 · Questions
• 10:10–10:30 · Preventing spillover risk through a One Health framework · Prof Wanda Markotter
• 10:30–10:40 · Questions
• 10:40–11:00 · Break

Second session | Chair: Prof Wanda Markotter

• 11:00–11:20 · Arbovirus discovery and surveillance in South Africa · Prof Felicity Burt
• 11:20–11:30 · Questions
• 11:30–11:50 · One Health investigations into the origins of novel pathogens and variants of concern · Prof Marietjie Venter
• 11:50–12:00 · Questions
• 12:00–12:20 · Identification and molecular characterisation of M. bovis DNA in GeneXpert® MTB/RIF Ultra-positive, culture-negative sputum samples from a rural community in South Africa · Prof Wynand Goosen
• 12:20–12:30 · Questions
• 12:30–12:50 · Reframing Ebola: from spillover to One Health preparedness · Prof Jean B. Nachega
• 12:50–13:00 · Questions and closing remarks · Prof Wanda Markotter

Speakers

• Dr Carla Mavian (host and chair), Programme Director: One Health Research, CERI, Stellenbosch University
• Prof Wanda Markotter (host, chair and speaker), Interim Director: Future Africa, University of Pretoria
• Mr Wayne Ramkrishna, Acting Director: Communicable Diseases Control, National Department of Health
• Mr Abednego Baker, Senior Technical Specialist, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
• Dr Alicia Cloete, State Veterinarian, National Department of Agriculture
• Prof Michele Miller, SARChI Chair in Animal TB, Stellenbosch University
• Prof Felicity Burt, SARChI Chair in Vector-borne and Zoonotic Pathogens, University of the Free State and NHLS
• Prof Marietjie Venter, SARChI Chair: EViTOH, University of the Witwatersrand
• Prof Wynand Goosen, Extraordinary Professor in Molecular Biology, Stellenbosch University
• Prof Jean B. Nachega, Director: Biomedical Research Institute, Stellenbosch University

Register free: t.ly/oPB5p. Joining details will be sent by email.

News date: 2026-10-14

Links:

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/87338fc5-2ffd-4708-a312-67299109380b@a6fa3b03-0a3c-4258-8433-a120dffcd348