[One Health: a perspective of the informal ministerial network : "What if the One Health approach became the guiding theme of cooperation at the national, European and global level?"].

In the view of the German government, the One Health approach is a pioneering compass for inter- and transdisciplinary thinking, networking, and action. To protect the health of humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems, it should always receive attention at all its interfaces and activities. The One Health approach has gained political importance in recent years and is being taken into account in several strategies.

Continued vigilance - development of an online evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events.

Objective: Effective response to biological events necessitates ongoing evaluation of preparedness. This study was a bilateral German-Israeli collaboration aimed at developing an evaluation tool for assessing preparedness of medical facilities for biological events.

Methods: Measurable parameters were identified through a literature review for inclusion in the evaluation tool and disseminated to 228 content experts in two modified Delphi cycles.

Injection anthrax--a new outbreak in heroin users.

Background: Injection anthrax is a rare disease that affects heroin users and is caused by Bacillus anthracis. In 2012, there were four cases in Germany, one of which was fatal, as well as a small number of cases in other European countries, including Denmark, France, and the United Kingdom. Three cases among drug users occurred in Germany in 2009/2010, in the setting of a larger outbreak centered on Scotland, where there were 119 cases.