The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the growing threat of zoonotic disease outbreaks in Africa, which are caused by pathogens that originate in animals and then infect humans. According to WHO analysis, there has been a 63% increase in the number of zoonotic outbreaks in the African region over the past decade, with Ebola Virus Disease and other viral hemorrhagic fevers making up nearly 70% of these outbreaks. The latest data shows a significant increase in monkeypox cases since April 2022, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.
Experts attribute the rise in zoonotic cases to Africa's rapidly growing population and increasing demand for animal-derived food products. Additionally, urbanization and encroachment on wildlife habitats are leading to a greater risk of outbreaks, as improved transportation infrastructure facilitates the spread of diseases from remote areas to urban centers. The WHO recommends a one-health approach that involves collaboration among experts in human, animal, and environmental health to combat zoonotic diseases.
The WHO has been collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Organization for Animal Health since 2008 to address zoonotic outbreaks in Africa. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the need for urgent action to contain zoonotic diseases before they can cause widespread infections and turn Africa into a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases.