By Catherine Murombedzi
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
A sneeze in the animal kingdom has the potential to make humans sneeze too. A healthy environment is a requirement to the health of humans and animals.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has launched ZOOSURSY. It is a groundbreaking disease surveillance project funded by the European Union. This initiative builds upon the success of WOAH’s EBO-SURSY Project, which improved surveillance capacities for zoonotic diseases in ten African countries over seven years.
ZOOSURSY aims to enhance early detection and surveillance systems for wildlife, preventing the outbreak of zoonotic diseases with epidemic potential. The project will expand its geographic reach to East and Austral Africa, incorporating legislative advocacy and new scientific partnerships.
The key objectives are to monitor wildlife health through multisectoral teams to understand zoonoses and study new wildlife diseases. Develop rapid disease testing and innovative diagnostic tools for emerging zoonotic diseases.
Engage communities through participatory surveillance systems and awareness campaigns.
Share evidence-based recommendations with public and animal health authorities.
Update communication tools for local communities to access the latest information and science.
ZOOSURSY addresses the critical need for animal health projects, as human, animal, and environmental health are interdependent. Human actions like habitat destruction and deforestation increase the risk of zoonotic disease emergence.
ZOOSURSY helps countries close coordination gaps in disease surveillance.
Safeguards human, animal, and environmental health. Supports sustainable health security in Africa through a One Health approach, thereby advancing global health security efforts.
The One Health approach recognizes the intricate connections between human, animal, and environmental health. By working together, we can:
● Prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks
● Promote sustainable livelihoods
● Protect biodiversity
● Enhance global health security
WOAH’s Wildlife Health Framework will guide ZOOSURSY’s implementation, ensuring a comprehensive and coordinated approach. The project’s success will depend on collaboration between national authorities, veterinary services, and wildlife authorities. Community engagement and participation. Scientific research and innovation. Policy support and advocacy.
As WOAH emphasizes, “Animal health is our health. It’s everyone’s health.” ZOOSURSY represents a crucial step towards a safer, healthier world.
Key Partners are the European Union, the African Union, Team Europe Initiative, National authorities, Veterinary services, Wildlife authorities, and Scientific partners.
The set time frames see 2024-2027: Implementation and expansion with 2027 being evaluation and scaling up.
ZOOSURSY embodies the One Health vision, fostering a collaborative and sustainable approach to disease surveillance and health security.
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