Analysis of Cameroonian Veterinary Health Legislation for the Control of Priority Zoonoses in Relation to the OIE/WOAH Guidelines with Regard to the One Health Approach

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), 60% of human pathogens are of animal origin and 75% of these agents are responsible for emerging diseases that can contaminate humans. The objective of this study in Cameroon was to analyse the compliance of Cameroonian veterinary health legislation for the control of priority zoonosis (PNPLZER) with OIE guidelines and to assess the level of knowledge of zoonosis by animal health professionals. The methodology adopted consisted on the one hand in comparing the regulatory texts concerning the control of zoonosis in Cameroon with the OIE guidelines. In addition, a cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 65 animal health stakeholders in the cities of Yaoundé, Douala and Bafoussam. The results of the study show that some recommendations of the OIE guidelines, particularly in the detection, response and prevention of zoonotic diseases, are not taken into account in Cameroonian legislation. The cross-sectional survey found that among the priority zoonotic diseases, 35% of animal health professionals are affected by rabies, 27% by bovine tuberculosis, 18% by avian influenza and 7% by anthrax and 6% by Ebola haemorrhagic fever disease. Also, 63% of these animal health actors do not report registered cases of zoonosis, which can be a brake in the fight against zoonosis. In view of these results, the revision of Cameroonian laws and regulations by the authorities on the control of zoonosis is necessary as well as the awareness/training of the general public on this subject, as zoonosis remain a major public health problem in our country.