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Background A One Health approach has been increasingly mainstreamed by the international community, as it provides the holistic thinking in recognizing the close links and inter-dependence of the health of humans, animals and the environment. The dearth of real-world evidence has hampered application of a One Health approach in shaping policies and practice. A consolidated evaluation tool is urgently needed for valid assessment of One Health approaches. Methods We develop the Global One Health Index (GoHi) by five steps, including framework formulation, indicator selection, database building, weight determination and GoHi scores calculation. A Cell-like Framework for GoHi is proposed, which comprises an External Driver Index (EDI), an Intrinsic Driver Index (IDI) and a Core Driver Index (CDI). We construct the indicator scheme for GoHi based on this framework after multiple rounds of panel discussions with our Expert Advisory Committee. A Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) is adopted to determine the weights for indicators. Results The weighted indicator scheme of GoHi comprises 3 first-level indicators, 13 second-level indicators, and 57 third-level indicators. The results from a pilot analysis are consistent with the results from a literature review, which suggests the feasibility of GoHi as a tool for the assessment of global One Health performance. GoHi is the world’s first evaluation tool that constructs the conceptual framework from a holistic perspective of One Health, and captures the data from more than 200 countries/ territories for empirical analysis. The application of GoHi will promote a common understanding of a strong One Health approach and provide a means for identifying gaps and promoting effective measures to strengthen One Health capacity building. Conclusions We propose GoHi as a potential systematic evaluation tool for global One Health approaches. With further adaptations in various scenarios, GoHi along with its technical protocols and databases, will be updated regularly to address current technical limitations, and capture new knowledge. Meanwhile, stronger political endorsement and facilitation are essential for the development of One Health policies, practice and research.

Additional file 1. Sources of data for the indicator sets used for zoonoses OHi.

Additional file 2. The indicators and weights for establishment of global One Health index (GOHI).

Additional file 1. Weights calculation of global One Health index (GOHI).

Objective To assess the prevalence of Leptospira detected in wildlife and domesticated animals in Jiangxi Province, China, in. Methods Urine samples from 28 buffaloes and kidney samples from 50 pigs, 50 dogs and 38 rats were collected from Fuliang and Shangrao County, Jiangxi Province, China, in October 2009. Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and culture analyses were used to detect Leptospira . The cultured isolates were typed using the microscopic agglutination test(MAT). Results The results showed that rats potentially serve as the main reservoir of leptospiral infection, followed by dogs. Although 16% of rats (6/38) were positive using culture analysis, PCR analysis using the diagnostic primers G1/G2 and B64I/B64II or lipL32 showed identification as 50% and 24%, respectively, of the rat samples as positive for the presence of leptospiral DNA. Conclusions PCR-based detection of leptospiral DNA in infected kidney tissues of reservoirs is more efficient when using G1/G2 primers than lipL32 primers. However, the latter primers have a potential application for detection in urine samples. The alarmingly high prevalence of leptospiral DNA in the wild rat population near human habitation underscores the utility of routine Leptospira surveillance, preferably using PCR methods, which are more sensitive than traditional culture-based methods.