In a step to enhance public health preparedness and protecting the population from emerging zoonotic diseases, Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), WHO and other partners held a three-day workshop for the One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization (OHZDP) – Zambia from 24 to 26 July, in Livingstone.

The focus of the meeting was for experts to use a multisectoral one health approach to prioritize zoonotic diseases of greatest concern for Zambia, develop next steps and coordinated actions to address the priority zoonotic diseases to mitigate their impact.

Speaking during the opening, Dr O-Tipo Shikanga, WHO Epidemiologist in the Emergency, Preparedness and Response Cluster called for the continued collaboration among partners to minimize the impact of zoonotic diseases and guarantee health security of the country.   

“The health of humans and animals is vitally interlinked. Just like humans can get diseases from animals - animals, likewise, can get diseases from humans, which can have even greater implications for human health through food security and food safety. Therefore, we have this shared responsibility to enhance our collaboration and coordination across sectors to guarantee health security for Zambia.” 

The workshop brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including public health experts, veterinarians, epidemiologists, environmentalists, and representatives from different government departments of line ministries.  

Africa CDC reaffirmed its commitment and continued support to African Ministries of Health as they put in place strategies and approaches that mitigate the effects of infectious diseases including zoonosis and AMR. 

And ZNPHI Director General, Professor Roma Chilengi expressed Government’s commitment to implementing strategies and plans put in place for the effective management of zoonotic diseases.

“This workshop and the expected outcomes – the prioritization of zoonotic diseases aligns with the country’s broader commitment to enhancing public health resilience and ensuring the well-being of our citizens.” 

Further, Dr Raymond Hamoonga, the National One Health Coordinator, emphasized the importance of having a priority list for zoonotic diseases and what it means for Zambia.

"The priority list of zoonotic diseases will serve as a basis for further operationalization of One Health multi-sectoral coordination in combating zoonotic disease incursions as outlined in the National One Health Strategic Plan 2022-2026."

The workshop concluded with a consensus of the following ten (10); African Trypanosomiasis, Anthrax, Enteric Diseases (Salmonellosis), Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Ebola), Rabies, Plague, Influenza like Illnesses (Zoonotic Avian Influenza), Zoonotic Tuberculosis (ZTB), Cysticercosis and Brucellosis zoonotic diseases of concern for Zambia making the priority list for surveillance. 

With the ever-present threat of infectious diseases, the national zoonotic disease prioritization marks a crucial step towards safeguarding public health and enhancing the country’s preparedness to tackle these diseases.