One Health Approaches to Camel Health, Milk Safety, and Food Security in Pastoral Systems: Opportunities and Challenges in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

Abstract

Camels are vital to the livelihoods of pastoral communities across arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in East Africa, where they serve as reliable sources of milk, meat, and income. Camel milk, which provides up to half of household nutrient intake in some areas, is nutritionally superior to bovine milk and contributes significantly to food and livelihood security. Despite their resilience, camels remain susceptible to a wide range of infectious and parasitic diseases, while challenges such as inadequate veterinary services, poor husbandry practices, and climate change further threaten their productivity. These issues also heighten the risk of zoonotic transmission, as close human animal interactions in pastoral systems facilitate the spread of pathogens. The One Health framework offers an integrative approach to address these challenges by linking animal, human, and environmental health through collaborative surveillance, biosecurity, vaccination, and community engagement. Applying One Health in camel health management not only improves milk productivity and quality but also enhances food safety, supports pastoral resilience, and contributes to broader food security goals. This review highlights the opportunities and barriers to implementing One Health strategies in pastoral contexts and underscores the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration for sustainable camel health management.