Implementation of a One Health surveillance system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Authors: KINZIE, PAIGE - Purdue University; LOMBE, BONIFACE - Veterinary Laboratory Of Central Kinshasa; MERRITT, SYDNEY - University Of California (UCLA); HALBROOK, MEGAN - University Of California (UCLA); HASIVIRWE VAKANIAKI, EMMANUEL - Institute National Research Biomedical; MUKADI, PATRICK - Institute National Research Biomedical; MADIDI L'K'YE, ALEX - Veterinary Laboratory Of Central Kinshasa; MONA, JOHN - Veterinary Laboratory Of Central Kinshasa; Melofchik, Carleigh; Hensley, Lisa; WITTE, DANAE - University Of Florida; MUYEMBE-TAMFUM, JEAN-JACQUES - Institute National Research Biomedical; HOFF, NICOLE - University Of California (UCLA); TWABELA, AUGUSTIN - Veterinary Laboratory Of Central Kinshasa; RIMOIN, ANNE - University Of California (UCLA); MBALA-KINGEBENI, PLACIDE - Institute National Research Biomedical; KANONGE, DADDY - Veterinary Laboratory Of Central Kinshasa; MFWANGKANG, MILETTE - Institute National Research Biomedical

Submitted to: EcoHealth
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2026
Publication Date: 6/7/2026
Citation: Kinzie, P.R., Lombe, B., Merritt, S., Halbrook, M., Hasivirwe Vakaniaki, E., Mukadi, P., Madidi L'K'Ye, A., Mona, J., Melofchik, C.J., Hensley, L.E., Witte, D., Muyembe-Tamfum, J., Hoff, N.A., Twabela, A., Rimoin, A.W., Mbala-Kingebeni, P., Kanonge, D., Mfwangkang, M. 2026. Implementation of a One Health surveillance system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. EcoHealth. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-026-01802-9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-026-01802-9

Interpretive Summary: Veterinary health and surveillance is a cornerstone of One Health principles and practice. As part of a larger surveillance project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a joint team from the National Veterinary Lab and National Reference Laboratory collected serum samples from cows, pigs, attached ticks and animal health workers across the country. This surveillance was primarily targeted to investigate emerging diseases such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, but also has led to capacity building of community animal health workers across the country. Results from this activity include detection of low vaccination rates for animals, and improved surveillance capacity of provincial and local animal health workers.

Technical Abstract: Active veterinary surveillance completed by veterinarians, technicians, and community animal health workers (CAHWs) is essential for detecting emerging zoonoses. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), limited infrastructure, economic instability, and armed conflict constrain surveillance capability. Ongoing work to characterize the prevalence of zoonoses like Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever implements an in-country approach to capacity building in a limited-resource setting. Veterinarians and technicians from the DRC’s Central Veterinary Laboratory with technical support from national and international partners completed 135 site visits across 9 provinces between June 2023 and July 2024 collecting bovine, porcine, and human serum samples along with attached and grossly engorged ticks. At each site, CAHWs and local veterinarians were invited to participate for training in clinical competencies and emerging zoonosis identification. Facility survey data revealed that, while more than half of sites report using antibiotics (63% of sites with cattle; 75% of sites with swine), only a quarter of sites vaccinate livestock (18% of sites with cattle; 28% of sites with swine). This disparity demonstrates a need for veterinary capacity strengthening to realize long-term gains in economic stability. The inclusive activities of the investigation team build disseminated One Health capacity to respond to varied disease challenges.