Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and Response

Zoonotic diseases have devastating impacts on human and animal health, livelihoods, and economies. Addressing the complex web of interrelated factors leading to zoonotic disease emergence and spread requires a transdisciplinary, cross-sectoral approach, One Health. The One Health approach, which con...

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Main Authors: Richard D. Suu-Ire, Evangeline Obodai, J. H. Kofi Bonney, Samuel O. Bel-Nono, William Ampofo, Terra R. Kelly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Journal of Tropical Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8938530
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author Richard D. Suu-Ire
Evangeline Obodai
J. H. Kofi Bonney
Samuel O. Bel-Nono
William Ampofo
Terra R. Kelly
author_facet Richard D. Suu-Ire
Evangeline Obodai
J. H. Kofi Bonney
Samuel O. Bel-Nono
William Ampofo
Terra R. Kelly
author_sort Richard D. Suu-Ire
collection DOAJ
description Zoonotic diseases have devastating impacts on human and animal health, livelihoods, and economies. Addressing the complex web of interrelated factors leading to zoonotic disease emergence and spread requires a transdisciplinary, cross-sectoral approach, One Health. The One Health approach, which considers the linkages between the health of people, animals, and their shared environment, presents opportunities to reduce these impacts through a more holistic coordinated strategy to understanding and mitigating disease risks. Understanding the linkages between animal, human, and environmental health risks and outcomes is critical for developing early detection systems and risk reduction strategies to address known and novel zoonotic disease threats. Nearly 70 countries across the world, including Ghana, have signed on to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), which is facilitating multisectoral approaches to strengthen country capacities in the prevention and early detection of and respond to infectious disease threats. Currently, Ghana has not yet formalized a national One Health policy. The lack of a clearly defined multisectoral platform and limited collaboration among key Ghanaian Ministries, Departments, and Agencies has impacted the country’s ability to effectively mitigate and respond to emerging and reemerging zoonoses. Many of these emerging zoonoses are caused by viruses, which, because of their diversity and evolutionary properties, are perceived to pose the greatest threat to global health security. Here, we review viral zoonoses of national importance and priority in Ghana, highlight recent advancements in One Health capacities, and discuss opportunities for implementing One Health approaches to mitigate zoonotic disease threats.
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spelling doaj-art-bade3b8977074aacbfa988f8b99bba9b2025-08-20T02:19:19ZengWileyJournal of Tropical Medicine1687-96861687-96942021-01-01202110.1155/2021/89385308938530Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and ResponseRichard D. Suu-Ire0Evangeline Obodai1J. H. Kofi Bonney2Samuel O. Bel-Nono3William Ampofo4Terra R. Kelly5School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, GhanaNoguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Off Akilagpa Sawyerr Road, Legon, Accra, GhanaNoguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Off Akilagpa Sawyerr Road, Legon, Accra, GhanaMilitary Veterinarian (Rtd.), P.O. Box CT2585, Accra, GhanaNoguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Off Akilagpa Sawyerr Road, Legon, Accra, GhanaOne Health Institute, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, CA 95616, USAZoonotic diseases have devastating impacts on human and animal health, livelihoods, and economies. Addressing the complex web of interrelated factors leading to zoonotic disease emergence and spread requires a transdisciplinary, cross-sectoral approach, One Health. The One Health approach, which considers the linkages between the health of people, animals, and their shared environment, presents opportunities to reduce these impacts through a more holistic coordinated strategy to understanding and mitigating disease risks. Understanding the linkages between animal, human, and environmental health risks and outcomes is critical for developing early detection systems and risk reduction strategies to address known and novel zoonotic disease threats. Nearly 70 countries across the world, including Ghana, have signed on to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), which is facilitating multisectoral approaches to strengthen country capacities in the prevention and early detection of and respond to infectious disease threats. Currently, Ghana has not yet formalized a national One Health policy. The lack of a clearly defined multisectoral platform and limited collaboration among key Ghanaian Ministries, Departments, and Agencies has impacted the country’s ability to effectively mitigate and respond to emerging and reemerging zoonoses. Many of these emerging zoonoses are caused by viruses, which, because of their diversity and evolutionary properties, are perceived to pose the greatest threat to global health security. Here, we review viral zoonoses of national importance and priority in Ghana, highlight recent advancements in One Health capacities, and discuss opportunities for implementing One Health approaches to mitigate zoonotic disease threats.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8938530
spellingShingle Richard D. Suu-Ire
Evangeline Obodai
J. H. Kofi Bonney
Samuel O. Bel-Nono
William Ampofo
Terra R. Kelly
Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and Response
Journal of Tropical Medicine
title Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and Response
title_full Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and Response
title_fullStr Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and Response
title_full_unstemmed Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and Response
title_short Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and Response
title_sort viral zoonoses of national importance in ghana advancements and opportunities for enhancing capacities for early detection and response
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8938530
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