Introduction

Zoonotic diseases are illnesses that can spread between animals and humans. Most known human infectious diseases and almost 75% of newly emerging infections originate from animals. These diseases not only threaten human health but also carry significant social and economic consequences. With roughly 45% of the population engaged in agriculture, Côte d’Ivoire is particularly vulnerable to zoonotic diseases due to frequent human-animal interaction. The progression of climate change has led to increased interactions of humans and domestic animals with wild animals, creating an environment that is more likely to trigger disease outbreaks. Despite Côte d’Ivoire’s strong commitment to wildlife conservation, ecological factors exacerbate the challenges posed by zoonotic diseases.

Economic Impacts of Zoonotic Diseases

Besides the clear impacts on human health posed by zoonotic diseases, the economic impacts are also wide-reaching. Livestock infections can result in large-scale animal mortality, destabilizing households dependent on this for income and food security. While wild animal meat is not a primary source of protein for most of the population of Côte d’Ivoire, it remains a major source of income for those involved in hunting, marketing, or restaurant activities. There is thus a clear interdependence of human and animal health and broader social and economic stability.  

The One Health Programme

Recognition of the link between human and animal health dates back to the 19th century; however, human and animal medicine continued to be practiced separately until the 20th century. To bridge this perceived divide, nations around the globe have begun to develop new collaborative initiatives. “One Health” is an integrative approach used to optimize human, animal, and environmental health through recognition of our interdependence. The government of Côte d’Ivoire is developing a National One Health Platform to prevent, detect, and respond to existing and emerging zoonotic diseases. This program incorporates government departments responsible for managing public health, animal health, and environmental health. At the continental level, Africa CDC launched the One Health Programme in 2018, incorporating technical experience from the divisions of Surveillance and Disease Intelligence, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Laboratory Systems, Public Health Institutes and Research, and Disease Control and Prevention. In a 2017 workshop, five zoonotic diseases were identified as prioritizes for Côte d’Ivoire using U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines: Mycobacterium species (which causes tuberculosis), Brucella species, rabies virus, viral hemorrhagic fevers and arboviruses (including Ebola virus), and respiratory viruses (including highly pathogenic avian influenza, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus). This list was determined based on the seriousness of the disease (fatality percentage), epidemic potential in humans and animals, potential of transmission between humans, animals, and the environment, the capacity for prevention and control, and the socio-economic and environmental impact. The One Health approach provides a framework for policymakers to establish priorities, allocate resources, and undertake interdisciplinary, multinational research to strengthen global health systems.

Research Gaps and Future Directions

While there has been a clear increase in Ivoirian wildlife research in the past 15 years, further study and a shift in focus is integral in improving the public health of the region. A significant portion of ongoing research focuses on primate conservation. While this is important work, it does not center on species that are core to the meat market, which is central to the economic and medical stability of the region. Researchers of diseases related to rodents, which are among the most consumed species in Côte d’Ivoire, have noted the need to further study the potential for disease transmission from these animals. Besides the unequal distribution of studies of species, there is also geographic asymmetry; the northern region is significantly less represented in the research, which requires particular attention due to seasonal pastoral practices and herd mobility in this area.  

Conclusion

Zoonotic diseases represent one of the greatest public health challenges the world faces today. It is only through the utilization of interdisciplinary collaboration that nations can promote medical, economic, and social stability, and not only react to epidemics but also prevent future outbreaks.