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On 7 April 2026, global leaders, scientists and partners convened in Lyon, France for the One Health Summit, marking a decisive step in translating the One Health approach into practical action. Hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, the summit brought together heads of state, international organisations and technical experts, to underscore the urgency of tackling interconnected threats at the human-animal-environment interface.
A major outcome was a new rabies-focused commitment led by the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization and World Organisation for Animal Health, alongside partners including Institut Pasteur and International Alliance for Biological Standardization. Together, they announced the development of a governance model for community surveillance to prevent zoonotic diseases.
Initially applied to rabies, this model will include:
A growing coalition of countries, including Cambodia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the United Kingdom, has already declared its intention to participate.
A highlight of the Summit was the side event “From Rabies to Readiness: Community Surveillance for One Health”, which showcased how community-based surveillance – linking human and animal health systems – can detect outbreaks early, trigger rapid response, and guide targeted interventions, from post-exposure prophylaxis to dog vaccination. This same infrastructure can be adapted to address a wide range of zoonotic threats, strengthening preparedness for future pandemics.
Rabies remains one of the clearest and most solvable global health challenges: it is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, yet entirely preventable. Over 99% of human cases result from dog bites, and more than 40% of victims are children.
By placing rabies at the centre of the One Health agenda, the Lyon Summit sent a clear signal: building systems to eliminate rabies is not only achievable, it is a strategic investment in global readiness. Strengthened community surveillance, integrated data systems and cross-sector collaboration form the backbone of a more resilient approach to emerging health threats. As the Summit concluded, the message was clear, from rabies to readiness, One Health must now move from commitment to implementation.