Introduction

On June 5, 2026, residents near dam number 3 in the city of Ouagadougou woke up to the discovery of a large number of tilapia floating belly up on the water surface. While some saw it as a spiritual sign of bad omen, those familiar with the One Health approach understood it as a warning message sent by nature. 

The Cause of this Unusual Event

An investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Animal and Fisheries Resources attributed the fish deaths to asphyxiation. Water analysis revealed an imbalance in its physical and chemical characteristics: acidic water, high temperature, and low dissolved oxygen levels. One possible explanation can be the phenomenon of eutrophication resulting from an accumulation of organic matter in the water. When there is too much of it, it promotes the growth of plants and algae, which, as they decompose, consume large amounts of oxygen, leaving less of it in the water. It appears that heavy pollution was the main factor behind this event.

When the Culprit becomes a Collateral Victim

The sources of pollution identified during the investigation were multiple: channels draining wastewater, waste from nearby hotel establishments, and pesticide residues from surrounding market gardening activities carried by rainwater runoff. All these actions, resulting from unregulated human activities, contributed to water degradation, the death of the tilapia, and in turn a possible deterioration of the health of nearby populations. Indeed, the paradox of these actions lies in the fact that handling or consuming this water or these fish exposes people to risks ranging from mild digestive or skin disorders to severe damage to various organs, depending on the microbial or chemical agents present. This interconnected cycle clearly illustrates the One Health concept.

One Health, One Responsibility

Formulated in the early 2000s and jointly defined in 2023 by WHO, FAO, UNEP, and WOAH, One Health is based on a simple but powerful idea: human, animal, and environmental health are inseparable. Several interconnections have already been demonstrated. There are zoonoses, diseases transmitted from animals to humans, such as rabies from dog bites or Ebola through the handling and consumption of certain bushmeat. Another example is the misuse of antibiotics by livestock farmers to promote animal growth, thereby promoting the emergence of microbes resistant to standard treatments among consumers of these products. Human beings thus appear to be a vulnerable link in a chain that they can either preserve or degrade through their actions. Africa, particularly affected by zoonoses and other interconnected threats, is gradually integrating the One Health approach into its health policies, although implementation remains a challenge.

Conclusion

The distress signal sent on June 5, 2026 by a neglected natural environment highlights a matter of collective survival and demonstrates the urgent need for effective implementation of the One Health concept. It also reminds us of an essential lesson: caring for the environment and the animals around us also means caring for ourselves and our loved ones.

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