One Risk
West and Central Africa
Project Status: Complete. A Success Story!
Challenge
The One Risk program embraces the One Health approach to prevent and control health threats at the interface between production animals, wildlife and humans. Examples of such threats in Africa includes rabies, anthrax, brucellosis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), cysticercosis, Ebola, trypanosomiasis, etc. Action toward addressing these threats should be guided by available evidence and requires cross-sector collaboration efforts – at national, regional and international levels.
“In my opinion, One Risk has demonstrated that it is indeed possible to use data from different sectors and combine them to obtain relevant and useful information. Data sharing between different sectors [involved] was possible, and its added value was demonstrated. In addition, I think it enabled the learners to think outside their comfort zones, and to understand sectoral and multisectoral issues.”
Ms. E. Dibongue, Deputy Permanent Secretary, One Health Platform, Cameroon.
What did we do?
One Risk is a capacity-building initiative in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) to strengthen assessments of health risks at the interface between production animals, wildlife and humans. The quantitative analysis of available surveillance data and risk modeling will inform the response to these risks. This program is free of cost to participants.
One Risk launched with an initial cohort in West and Central Africa, which was funded by USDA-APHIS and supported by WOAH. The project aimed to improve animal health and surveillance systems, including One Health systems; promote safe and fair trade at regional and international levels; strengthen communication within and between countries and regions, and internationally; and foster regional collaboration and research.
“You have created an environment conducive to learning, the exchange of ideas, and collaboration between experts from different backgrounds.”
on behalf of all trainees: Dr. Nancy Nswal (Antimicrobial Residues team) and Dr. Thierry Belinga Etogo (Anthrax Interventions team).
What is One Risk?
Objectives
The objectives of the initial One Risk WCA cohort were to:
- Collaboratively identify and evaluate current disease surveillance data in production animals, and at the interface of wildlife and humans.
- Understand epidemiology and health risks connecting production animals, humans & wildlife.
- Improve disease surveillance and response capabilities while fostering regional and international trade in production animals and related commodities.
- Assess regional capabilities in disease surveillance, assessment, and response.
Selection Process
- The One Risk WCA cohort received applications from 130 teams and 171 individual applicants – totaling 650 people – from 23 countries in WCA.
- A three-step selection process was applied, at the end of which 11 teams consisting of 55 individuals were officially invited into the One Risk WCA cohort.
Activities & example timeline
The One Risk WCA aimed to create and strengthen sustainable capacity in the region, ensuring effective management of animal and public health issues and safety of trade of animals and their commodities through evidence-based policy and collaborative efforts. Here’s an example of our timeline:
- Applications & Selection Process: March – May 2024
- In-person workshop (Dakar): June 10– 14, 2024
- Online Class: July 2024
- Mentored projects: August 2024 – March 2025
- Final in person workshop (Abidjan): March 5 & 6, 2025
Geographical Scope
One Risk WCA cohort eligible countries:
West Africa:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal
Central Africa:
Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Project completed april 2025
“This program has already enabled us to apply the provision for setting up multi-sectoral teams to address the problem of risk assessment, to appreciate the steps to be taken and the difficulties! In view of the importance of such an activity, we believe that the network of these learners should be maintained to share information and experience. What’s more, it could serve as a basis for setting up regional risk assessment systems in Africa or in African sub-regions.”
Dr. V. Kallo, Chief Veterinary Officer of Cote d’Ivoire
One Risk Mentored Projects
- Working in Cameroon, Senegal & Chad
- 5 Team Members
Anthrax is a priority disease identified by the One Health platform in Cameroon. This team is developing a predictive risk model for anthrax in cattle, incorporating climate and soil variables specific to the Far North region of Cameroon. The results will guide effective intervention policies for managing Anthrax outbreaks in the region.
- Working in Cameroon, Nigeria & Republic of Guinea
- 4 Team Members
Anthrax is a deadly disease affecting humans and animals, making it a key One Health issue in West and Central Africa. This team is using risk analysis to forecast anthrax outbreaks in Nigerian livestock based on key disease drivers such as cattle movements and environmental factors such as rainfall and type of soil. Through this project, the team aims to support timely resource allocation for prevention and surveillance, ultimately reducing the impact of anthrax on animal and human health.
- Working in D.R. Congo, Senegal & Burkina Faso
- 5 Team Members
This team is estimating the risk of exposure to antimicrobial residues resulting from the consumption of poultry meat and eggs among residents of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. The results will raise awareness on this One Health issue and highlight the need for better enforcement of recommendations and regulations on antibiotic use in poultry production.
- Working in West & Central Africa
- 5 Team Members
Avian influenza is a serious infectious disease that affects birds and humans. An important tool to control AI is to identify outbreaks in poultry farms and live bird markets and humanely depopulate potentially exposed animals. This requires both diagnostic capabilities, and monetary resources to indemnify farmers with depopulated flocks. This project is using a variety of surveillance and demographic data to predict the future number of depopulated animals and their indemnification costs in Côte d’Ivoire . The predictions will help the Côte d’Ivoire government to plan for sufficient funds to indemnify farmers in a timely fashion, improving the willingness to report of cases, subsequently reducing disease spread among avian and human populations.
- Working in Cabo Verde
- 5 Team Members
- Award - best presentation
This project team is modeling the confidence that Cape Verde’s ruminants are free from brucellosis, following Article 8.4.4. of WOAH’s Terrestrial Code. The analysis accounts for the country’s surveillance data and diagnostic test limitations. The team’s findings will provide valuable insights for the country’s brucellosis surveillance and eradication strategies.
- Working in West & Central Africa
- 5 Team Members
- award - best presentation
This team investigates the risk of exposure to cysticercosis via pork consumption in Benin, where pork is widely consumed. The team aims to raise awareness on this neglected zoonosis and provide recommendations to support national policy on enhanced cysticercosis prevention and surveillance, both in animal and human populations.
- Working in Ghana & Nigeria
- 6 Team Members
- Award - Excellent team work
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), commonly known as Sheep and Goat Plague, is a highly contagious viral disease (closely related to the measles virus) that primarily affects small ruminants such as sheep and goats. PPR is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. It is considered one of the most significant viral diseases affecting small livestock in the region, with outbreaks often leading to severe economic losses. This team is using risk modeling to quantify how vaccination coverage affects the risk of outbreaks of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Ghana’s border provinces. Their findings will contribute to evaluating alternative strategies, including vaccination, to reduce the impact of importing unvaccinated animals from neighboring countries. This work supports Ghana’s progress toward PPR eradication.
- Working in D.R. Congo & Chad
- 5 Team Members
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects both humans and animals, primarily transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal (most commonly dogs). In many parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), dogs are common household animals, and the dog population is often unvaccinated, leading to high rates of rabies transmission. This team is developing a risk model to estimate dog bites and human deaths due to rabies in the Tshangu district of the capital, Kinshasa. These estimates will be compared with local surveillance data on dog bites and human rabies, which will yield important insights to inform and improve rabies surveillance and control policies in the country.
- Working in Nigeria & Ghana
- 5 Team Members
- Award - best presentation
This team is assessing rabies exposure risk among people who handle dogs in Ghana and Nigeria. Among others, their risk model considers rabies prevalence, rate of bite exposures, and use of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) This work aims to promote awareness, training and access to protective equipment and PEP.
- Working in Senegal
- 4 Team Members
- Award - best presentation
African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) was one of the main disease-related constraints to the development of more productive livestock production systems in the Niayes region of Senegal. After a phased eradication effort, the Niayes region of Senegal was declared free of Trypanosomiasis in 2018, but the risk of reintroduction of the disease in the region remains unknown. This team is developing a model to quantify the risk of re-introduction of Trypanosomiasis in the region by combining data on cattle movements and trypanosomiasis prevalence, and environmental suitability for the flies. This work will help prioritize surveillance measures to help keep the Niayes region free of this disease.
One Risk participants gathered together at the final workshop held in Abidjan, March 2025.
Project made possible by
This project was made possible through a contribution from USDA-APHIS, in collaboration with WOAH.
“The program clearly fostered collaboration between the teams, encouraging the sharing of expertise and interdisciplinary synergy. The eight-month commitment strengthened professional ties and initiated work dynamics that will continue beyond the program. To consolidate these achievements, it would be appropriate to set up a regional follow-up network, enabling participants to continue exchanging and collaborating on common projects”
Dr. J.M. Feussom, veterinary epidemiologist, Deputy Director for Sanitary Protection and Epidemiological Surveillance, Cameroon.
Sustainable Development Goals
This project contributes to several of UN’s sustainable development goals
