Prioritizing Zoonotic Diseases for a Healthier Zanzibar
FAO Leads Multisectoral Zoonotic Disease Prioritization in Zanzibar with a One Health Perspective
Zoonotic diseases, with their varying public health burdens and socio-economic impacts, demand prioritization for effective prevention, detection, and response at the national level. Recognizing this, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), in collaboration with the Second Vice President's Office – One Health Coordination Desk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted a systematic prioritization of zoonotic diseases in Zanzibar from 22 to 24 May 2024.
The initiative convened various stakeholders, including government and non-governmental sectors, for a workshop aimed at prioritizing zoonotic diseases for multisectoral collaboration. A group of 38 experts in animal, public, and environmental health from government institutions, research organizations, and universities in Zanzibar and the mainland, along with relevant partners, participated in the workshop.
Utilizing a semi-quantitative One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization tool developed by the CDC, the workshop adhered to a structured approach comprising five pivotal steps. These steps encompassed listing zoonotic diseases for prioritization, formulating ranking criteria, weighing criteria through pairwise comparison, scoring diseases based on predetermined criteria, and consolidating scores to derive a ranked list of zoonoses.
Following rigorous deliberation, the workshop identified the top six priority diseases for Zanzibar, listed in descending order of importance: anthrax, COVID-19, rabies, zoonotic avian influenza, brucellosis, ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fevers (Rift Valley fever, dengue, Marburg, Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic fever).
Commenting on the initiative, FAO ECTAD Country Team Leader, representing FAO, Stella Kiambi, stated, "The prioritization of zoonotic diseases in Zanzibar marks a significant milestone in enhancing the country's capacity for effective disease management. By leveraging the One Health approach, we are better positioned to address the complex dynamics of zoonotic diseases and safeguard public health."
Impact and Next Steps
The prioritization exercise, facilitated by the One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization tool, equips Zanzibar with a structured framework to address the identified priority zoonotic diseases. This framework is instrumental in directing resources effectively and guiding efforts in disease preparedness, detection, prevention, and response. Zanzibar is poised to leverage these findings to enhance its capacity for addressing zoonotic diseases, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for both humans and animals.
Contact:
Alice Maro
National Communications Consultant
FAO Tanzania
Email: [email protected]
Yanira Santana
Emergency Reporting and Outreach Specialist
Bureau FAO ECTAD Africa
Email : [email protected]