Over the last few years, public health, animal health and environmental authori-ties have made considerable progress at the international level in identifying mechanisms for collaboration to minimize risks associated with the emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases emanating from animals. 

Recognizing the importance of reinforcing the collaboration between the different sectors responsible for environment, animal and public health, the World Health Organization in collaboration with USAID, FAO, OIE, AU-IBAR and OHCEA has organized the first African Regional « One Health » meeting in Li-breville from 12 to 14 November 2012. Participants are high level policy makers from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Livestock, Wildlife and Environment from ten countries namely Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. The meeting was officially opened by Professor Léon N’Zouba, the Minister of Health after remarks by Eric Benjaminson, the Ambassador of the United States and Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo, the Regional Director of WHO for the African Region.

In their respective opening remarks, the Minister of Health, the US Ambassador and the WHO Regional Director emphasized the necessity and the urgency of reinforcing collaboration and information sharing between the different sectors. The aim is to prevent and control zoonotic diseases that are naturally transmitted from animals to humans. Unchecked, zoonotic diseases can have significant impact on public health and severe consequences to the socio-economic development of the countries.

The general objective of the meeting is to contribute to the strengthening of the prevention and re-sponse to emerging zoonotic disease threats in the African Region. The main expected results from the meeting are the elaboration of a road map for the implementation of « One Health » in each of the participating countries as well as the validation of the principal elements to be included in the Regional Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases.

The first day of the meeting was very informative. Presentations and discussions were held on the scientific rationale for the “One Health” approach, principal drivers underlying the emergence of zoonotic diseases and innovative strategies for implementation of the “One Health”. Subsequently, Cameroon, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda shared their respective experiences in the implementation of the « One Health » approach.

They emphasized the importance of synergy between public health, animal health and the environmental sectors as well as the necessity of reinforcing laboratory capacities in the African Region. In addition, con-tinued capacity building for surveillance, preparation and response for outbreaks, and the active participa-tion of communities in support of preparedness and response to zoonotic disease outbreaks was empha-sized.

One Health Meeting in the African Region, Bulletin No. 1, 12 November 2012

Coordination: 

Dr. Jean Bosco Ndihokubwayo, WR Gabon 
Dr. Jean Baptiste Roungou, DPC AFRO 

Editorial team: 

Dr. Francis Kasolo 
Dr. Benido Impouma 
Dr. Mamadou Lamine Kone 
Dr. Peter Gaturuku 
Mr. Patrick Avognon 
Mr. Omer N’ganga 
Mrs. Gislene Moussouamy 
Mrs Senait Tekeste 
Mrs Jenny Tegelvik