Eritrea’s Zoonotic Disease Surveillance and Control: A Cause for Concern
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Insufficient Efforts in Zoonotic Disease Surveillance and Control
A recent assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted significant gaps in Eritrea’s surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases, posing a threat to public health.
Lack of Structured Planning and Information Sharing
According to the WHO’s Joint External Evaluation report published in October 2016, Eritrea’s surveillance efforts are largely passive, with no structured joint planning, information sharing, or response to zoonotic events. The country’s National Action Plan for Health Security (2017-2021) also fails to address zoonotic disease control.
Absence of Dedicated Department or Agency
Moreover, there is no evidence of a dedicated department, agency, or unit that functions across ministries to tackle zoonotic diseases. The WHO report notes that collaboration between animal and human health sectors is only ad hoc and lacks defined policies and guidelines.
Consequences for Public Health
Experts warn that this lack of coordination and planning can have devastating consequences for public health, particularly in a country where infectious diseases are already prevalent.
Lack of Transparency and Coordination
The FAO’s database, which provides information on national laws and regulations related to agriculture and food security, also failed to yield any relevant information on Eritrea’s zoonotic disease control measures. With no online presence from either the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture, it is unclear what measures are being taken to address these gaps. The absence of relevant media reports or academic studies further underscores the lack of transparency and coordination in Eritrea’s approach to zoonotic disease control.
Global Health Security Concern
As the world grapples with the complexities of global health security, Eritrea’s failure to prioritize zoonotic disease surveillance and control is a concern that needs to be addressed.