Zoonoses Action Project (ZAP) is an international project, manned by dedicated volunteers, in collaboration with health and veterinary services in communities in Ghana and other African countries to work towards optimal health for their people, animals and the environment through an integrated One Health approach. One Health recognizes the links between human, animal, and environmental health and associated community well-being. In working with our target communities to improve the health of their domestic animals, we are helping to achieve healthier, safer, balanced communities for people and their animals.

ABOUT US

Brief History

The Zoonoses Action Project (ZAP) is an international organization based in Ghana. It partners with educational, research and health institutions to create awareness on zoonotic diseases and educate the public on the importance and risks associated with zoonoses, especially among domestic animals. ZAP is committed to protecting public health through animal care and responsible pet ownership in our communities. Zoonoses Action Project (ZAP) started in 2015, with an initial focus on dogs. This has been extended to include other domestic animals in an effort to effectively improve and protect public health using the One-Health approach. In partnership with veterinary officers, public health officials, community members, NGOs, and researchers, we aim to integrate the One-Health concept in communities through public education, research and vaccination programmes.

Aims and Objectives

To safeguard public health using the One-Health approach.
Objectives
• To collaborate with communities and provide healthcare for domestic animals.
• To organize periodic vaccination against infectious diseases.
• To create awareness and educate the public on zoonoses.
• To organize collaborative research on infectious diseases with animal origin.

Challenges

  • Injuries from bites of stray animals
  • Lack of medical attention for domestic animals
  • High number of  untreated, free-roaming animals
  • Poor knowledge on zoonotic risks from domestic animals
  • Scanty or no data on animal infections of zoonotic importance
  • No access to veterinary clinics and/or personnel

Achievement

Anti-rabies campaign (“Zero by 30” initiative)
• Anti-rabies health walk to educate members within the Mampong township on the dangers of rabies infection – 30th July 2024.
• Mass vaccination of 200 dogs within the Mampong Municipality in support of the global initiative dubbed “Zero by 30” which seeks to end dog-meditated rabies by 2030 – 2nd to 6th August, 2024.

PROGRAMMES

  • Mass vaccination programs
  • Mass deworming programs
  • One- health surveillance
  • Health education
  • Increased visibility of health and veterinary personnel in the communities
  • Animal clubs in schools
  • Creation of animal shelters

Upcoming Programmes

  1. Certificate

COLLABORATORS

  1. Community members
  2. ZAP volunteers
  3. Veterinary personnel
  4. Public Health personnel
  5. Researchers
  6. Non-governmental organizations

As part of the activities of the Zoonoses Action Project (ZAP), an initiative under the auspices of Department of Biological Sciences Education, AAMUSTED – Asante Mampong Campus, aimed at creating awareness and educating the public on zoonotic diseases, we organized a health walk in the Mampong Municipality on July 24, 2024, where we educated the public on rabies. This was followed by a free vaccination of dogs. In all 200 dogs were vaccinated against rabies within the Municipality.

These activities were carried out in line with the global initiative dubbed Zero by 30 – a flagship of the United Against Rabies collaboration, a One-Health partnership aimed at ending human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 (Zero by 30). The key strategies for achieving this target of Zero by 30 include increasing awareness, vaccinating dogs to prevent the disease at its source and administering life-saving treatment for people who have been bitten.

Rabies is a viral zoonosis of warm-blooded animals transmissible primarily through dog bites. In addition to the injury, pain, and trauma which often accompany the bites, victims may also experience hypersalivation, hyperventilation, hydrophobia, fever, headaches, and aggression. Rabies has a high fatality rate, accounting for an estimated 59 000 deaths annually, out of which 40% occurs in Asia and Africa.

Given the recent spate of rabies in Ghana, as recently reported by the Ghana Health Service, the Ashanti Region has been identified as one of the epicenters of rabies in Ghana. Owing to the increasing number of dogs in urban areas amidst security concerns, it is expedient to ensure dogs are vaccinated to reduce rabies cases. Thus, in an area like the Mampong Municipality, raising awareness and vaccinating dogs serves to improve progress towards achieving Zero by 30 in Ghana and globally.

Achievements

  • Increased awareness of rabies in the Mampong Municipality
  • Reached about 1500 people within the Municipality through the health walk
  • Vaccinated 200 dogs in the Municipality

Plans for the years ahead

ZAP has plans to increase the number of people who will be contacted through awareness raising campaigns. ZAP also has plans to increase the number of dogs vaccinated through annual vaccination programs.

Pictures

Publications

1. Amissah–Reynolds, P. K. Monney I, Adowah L M, Agyemang S O., (2016). Prevalence of helminths in dogs and owners’ awareness of zoonotic diseases in Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana. Journal of Parasitology Research. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1715924

  • 2. Amissah-Reynolds, P. K., Yar, D. D., Gyamerah, I., Apenteng, O. Y., & Sakyi, S. (2020). Fresh Vegetables and Ready-to-eat Salads: Sources of Parasitic Zoonoses in Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 12(2), 47-55. https://doi.org/10.9734/ejnfs/2020/v12i230192             

3. Amissah-Reynolds, P. K., & Ofori, S. A. (2023). Preliminary survey of feline intestinal parasites in Ghana. The Asia Journal of Applied Microbiology, 10(1), 1-9.

4. Amissah-Reynolds, P. K., Kwakye, D. O., Yamoah, J. A. A., Abonie, S. D., Ofori, S. A., & Yeboah, E. O. (2023). Porcine parasitic zoonosis in the Ashanti region of Ghana. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences Research, 8(2), 27-44.

5. Amissah-Reynolds, P. K. et al (2024). Zoonotic Parasites from Dogs in Different Agroecological Zones in Ghana. Journal of the Ghana Science Association. 21(2), 81-90

Project Team

Mr. Papa Kofi Amissah-Reynolds

Project Head

CONTACT

FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES:

Email: kofireynolds@gmail.com,

Phone: +233 5533 78024