Abstract:
The capacity to detect, control and manage emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases in
Africa has been limited by a lack of utilisation of available reporting structures and policies to support
programmes at national and local levels. This study explored the impact of the Zambian government
policies on animal and human disease reporting and management and on One Health opportunities.
An in-depth review and analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the existing
policies and reporting structures in the departments responsible for Veterinary Services, Health, and
Wildlife, was conducted. According to our findings, sub-optimal implementation of existing policies
related to the control of zoonotic diseases was impacting disease reporting, and reporting structures
play an important role in effective and sustainable reporting of zoonotic diseases. Further, the study
explored capacities and strategies in trypanosomiasis control as a case study that could prompt
effective adoption of a One Health approach, and as such, the study suggests measures that could
help to assess the performance of a One Health system in the control of African trypanosomiasis and
other zoonotic diseases.
