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to water and soil pollution, which have animal and environment connections). A One Health approach is important because 60% of all infectious diseases in humans and 75% of emerging diseases are spread from animals. Moreover, 80% of bioterrorism agents are zoonotic. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2017b) operational continuity The ability of a system to continue working despite damages, losses or critical events. Arrangements for operational continuity are a key concern of pandemic preparedness. Business continuity is similar, but it may require stopping operations in order for the firm to survive. pandemic An epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2017a) The WHO uses the term ‘pandemic’ for infectious disease that affects many people in multiple countries and is spreading (epidemic) on at least two continents. Influenza and AMR are two known pandemic threats with potentially devastating impacts on economies, society, and public health. PVS Tool (Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services Tool) A tool of the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) to assist veterinary services to establish their current level of performance, to identify gaps and weaknesses in their ability to comply with OIE international standards, form a shared vision with stakeholders (including the private sector), establish priorities and carry out strategic initiatives. (World Organisation for Animal Health 2013) xi preparedness The knowledge and capacities developed by governments, public health agencies, response and recovery organizations, communities, businesses, and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to and recover from the impacts of likely, imminent or current disasters, including epidemics and pandemics. A preparedness plan establishes arrangements in advance to enable timely, effective and appropriate responses to events or emerging disaster situations that might threaten society or the environment. Preparedness for the first and immediate response is called emergency preparedness. (UNISDR 2017) public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) An extraordinary event which, as provided in the IHR 2005, (i) constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and (ii) potentially requires a coordinated international response public health risk. (World Health Organization 2007) PVS Tool (Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services Tool) A tool of the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE) to assist veterinary services to establish their current level of performance, to identify gaps and weaknesses in their ability to comply with OIE international standards, form a shared vision with stakeholders (including the private sector), establish priorities and carry out strategic initiatives. (World Organisation for Animal Health 2013) structural biology The study of the molecular structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules, particularly proteins and nucleic acids, and how alterations in their structures affect their function. Structural biology incorporates the principles of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics. (nature.com 2017) xii virtual biobank A virtual repository of data extracted from, and characterizing samples stored at, classical biobanks.Virtual biobanks are large databases and can provide high-resolution images of samples as well as other characteristic data. These virtual biobanks can be accessed via specialized software or web portals. Samples are stored in a decentralized manner. The use of virtual biobanks provides access, in the form of pre-collected data, without requiring access to the physical sample. This allows the sample's data to be more readily shared without fear of contaminating/destroying/transporting the sample. (Vaught, Kelly, and Hewitt 2009) zoonosis plural (zoonoses) A disease or infection, which is naturally transmissible between animals and humans. According to OIE, 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic (originate in animals). Some examples include: influenza (flu), MERS-CoV, SARS, Rift Valley fever, Ebola, rabies, tuberculosis,