Ebola in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: One Health approach to infectious disease control

Sikakulya, Franck katembo; Mulisya, Olivier; Munyambalu, Dalton Kambale; Bunduki, Gabriel Kambale

Successfully implementing the One Health approach also requires a global network of qualified individuals working locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to share information, conduct disease surveillance in human and animal populations, monitor the environment, improve food safety and security, and communicate effectively to the public. Such implications need participation of the local population and stability of the area or the nation to make the One Health approach effective. The eastern part of DRC where the EVD outbreak is ongoing is facing some challenges such as community resistance and security issues due to the epicentre being in a conflict zone. This area has experienced successive wars and rebel attacks over the past 20 years, which has led to increased movement of the population. Such conditions in this area may hamper the implementation and delivery of a One Health approach in prevention and control of infectious disease. Effective implementation of One Health approach in both its eastern parts, as well as the rest of DRC, requires the DRC government's support in establishing security and stability in the region.