Asia Pacific One Health Initiative APOHI Launched to Strengthen Regional Preparedness

Singapore Launches Asia-Pacific Initiative to Spot Next Disease Threat Earlier

A new regional initiative launched in Singapore aims to give the Asia-Pacific a critical head start in detecting the next major infectious disease outbreak by integrating human, animal, and environmental health surveillance. The Asia Pacific One Health Initiative (APOHI), led and hosted by Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL), was established to strengthen regional preparedness against emerging threats, BioSpectrum Asia reported.

BioSpectrum Asia reported that diseases such as SARS and Nipah have demonstrated how infections can cross between species with devastating consequences, and COVID-19 showed the world the cost of being caught unprepared.

A “One Health” Approach to Bridge Gaps

While emerging infectious disease threats are increasingly shaped by interactions between humans, animals, and the environment, surveillance systems often operate in silos, with information fragmented across institutions and borders. This fragmentation makes it difficult to identify emerging risks and act early. APOHI seeks to bridge these gaps through a One Health approach, bringing together scientific expertise across human, animal, and environmental health.

Asia Pacific One Health Initiative APOHI Launched to Strengthen Regional Preparedness — Photo: straitstimes.com

Learning from Past Outbreaks

Professor Leo Yee Sin, an infectious diseases specialist and APOHI co-lead, emphasized the need for better regional connection.

Leo, who is senior adviser and senior consultant at TLL, had led teams through multiple outbreaks in Singapore, including SARS in 2003 and COVID-19 from 2020 to 2022. She pointed out the limitations in communication between countries and experts during the SARS outbreak.

The Asia Pacific One Health Initiative is led by (from left) Ian Cheong — Photo: globalnation.inquirer.net

The main challenge in the “one health” approach is coordination when it comes to using human, animal, and environmental data, according to Dr Ian Cheong, another APOHI co-lead. “So, that’s key in getting things to happen. It would take relationships, the willingness of parties across borders and disciplines to work together.”

First Program Focuses on Zoonotic Malaria in Borneo

APOHI will begin with a program on zoonotic malaria in Borneo, bringing together researchers and institutions across Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam. The initiative will demonstrate how integrated surveillance and predictive modeling can strengthen understanding of disease transmission risks.

As an island shared by three countries, it provides a unique setting for cross-border research and collaboration on shared disease risks.

A Decade-Long Vision for Regional Collaboration

Over the next decade, APOHI aims to develop into a trusted regional platform for One Health collaboration. Beyond its initial malaria program, it will build regional scientific capabilities, translate research into public health policies, and mobilize sustainable financing for pandemic prevention.

As Leo Yee Sin noted, the One Health concept is “easy to understand but not easy to act upon,” the Straits Times reported. APOHI aims to connect human, wildlife and environmental health surveillance across the Asia-Pacific to build a more integrated approach to detecting early signs of emerging infectious disease threats.

“APOHI shows what Asia Pacific can do when scientists, governments and funders choose to get ahead of a threat rather than wait for it to worsen and spread.”

— Mr Peter Chia, Chief Executive Officer, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory

Mr Peter Chia