What strategies does Africa have to prepare itself, and the world, against the next potential emergent zoonotic event? Our One Health research, training and capacity development network, PANDORA-ID-NET, is the first novel approach to prepare Africa for identification, response and mitigation of zoonoses. Established as an Africa-Europe partnership for tackling emerging and re-emerging infections with epidemic potential, this network works effectively and equitably across African regions, fully engaging with national disease control authorities and public health institutes, liaising with the Nigeria CDC, the Africa CDC and global agencies. Importantly, PANDORA-ID-NET enables strengthening of communication, establishment of trust and “unity of purpose” between governments, local communities, health workers and scientists.
Africa’s diagnostic and surveillance capacities have been expanded due to increased investments arising from COVID-19 responses. Ensuring capacity across multiple diseases and multiple hosts gives us a fair chance of finding pathogens that may have pandemic potential. This should include monitoring humans, animals, vectors and involve environmental testing. Testing systems for many zoonoses are not yet robust, but new ones are coming into use and PCR, which detects small amounts of a pathogen’s DNA, has been effectively used for many diseases, including COVID-19. The rapid scaling up of testing and surveillance during the pandemic were examples of what can be done with political will.
Surveillance using whole genome sequencing has been a success story for Africa, due to the efforts of the Africa CDC, governments and partners, and the innovative use of existing capacities, particularly in response to COVID-19 and Ebola, although challenges remain.
Africa now has backing and funding from policymakers. The hope is that a cohesive health, agriculture and veterinary response will arise. Africa CDC have published a framework for One Health practices in public health institutions.
Currently absent, however, is the capacity and infrastructure for African countries to develop their own therapeutics and vaccines. New initiatives like the Africa CDC Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacture have begun the process of establishing infrastructure in West, East and Southern Africa for vaccine and treatments manufacturing capacity. Cuba announced its support to establish manufacturing of their COVID-19 vaccines Soberana and Abdala in partner countries. BioNTech will also manufacture vaccines in Senegal and Rwanda.
How can we recognise what preparedness strategies are currently in place across Africa? PANDORA-ID-NET identified areas of capacity around zoonotic diseases, focusing on the sub-Saharan African region by analysing the WHO’s Joint External Evaluations (JEEs), which seek to assess how ready a country is for new public health issues. These evaluations include looking at surveillance systems in place, the number of people working on zoonotic diseases and collaboration between public health agencies. The OIE has created a similar evaluation for veterinary practices.
Research into preparedness strategies is also key. PANDORA-ID-NET is building a picture of how and where zoonoses affect humans and animals, including for Chikungunya, Lassa Fever, Zika and bovine tuberculosis. The network is also involved in laboratory capacity development, the expansion of mobile device-based surveillance systems and development of a multi-species Lassa fever diagnostic test. Training through workshops in person and online is also integral. Further, PANDORA-ID-NET is providing rapid response to emerging disease situations, including zoonoses, such as the Chikungunya outbreak in the Republic of Congo, and COVID-19 in Zambia.
What is clear is that whatever disease comes next, we must build on existing capacities and expertise now, as evidenced by Africa’s COVID-19 response. Equity, trust and the quality of priority settings are critical aspects of One Health emergency and disease outbreak plans. Ongoing and new initiatives also require the long-term sustainability of what is being built, and funder and political commitment will be essential.
Learn more about PANDORA-ID-NET and read its list of publications. Visit the One Health research pages on its Global Health Network hub.
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