From February to April 2026, WCS Congo’s One Health Program continued its efforts to strengthen health surveillance, institutional collaboration, and community awareness of the risks associated with disease transmission between wildlife, domestic animals, and human populations.
One of the quarter’s major achievements was the signing of a technical cooperation agreement between WCS and the Directorate General of Livestock. This partnership aims to enhance zoonotic disease surveillance, improve the safety of animal-source food products, and promote livestock farming as a sustainable alternative to bushmeat consumption. The initiative reflects an integrated One Health approach, where biodiversity conservation directly contributes to public health and sustainable development.
In the field, the wildlife mortality surveillance network investigated five wildlife carcasses, including three elephants, one gorilla, and one buffalo. Laboratory analyses confirmed a case of anthrax in a forest elephant, while all other samples tested negative for several priority diseases, including Ebola and mpox. These data are essential for the early detection of health threats and for guiding prevention and response measures.
The quarter was also marked by extensive awareness-raising activities. In the Likouala region, WCS teams visited 23 villages and reached more than 1,100 people with information on zoonotic disease risks and preventive practices. Additional training sessions were conducted in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park for field staff, strengthening knowledge of hygiene measures and reducing the risk of disease transmission between people and wildlife.
[Read More...]