A One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization (OHZDP) Workshop for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to begin addressing zoonotic disease challenges within the ECOWAS region, was held from December 3–7, 2018, in Dakar, Senegal. Trained U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) facilitators and regional Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) facilitators facilitated the 5-day OHZDP Workshop for ECOWAS.

The purpose of the workshop was to use a multisectoral, One Health approach to identify zoonotic diseases of greatest regional concern for ECOWAS. The specific goals of the prioritization process were:

1. To use a multisectoral, One Health approach to prioritize endemic and emerging zoonotic diseases of greatest regional concern that should be jointly addressed by human, animal, and environmental health ministries and other partners using a One Health approach.

2. To develop next steps and action plans for addressing the prioritized zoonotic diseases through a multisectoral, One Health approach.

CDC’s OHZDP process was used to prioritize zoonotic diseases within the region (Appendix A). The OHZDP process allows for equal representation

amongst the various One Health sectors and uses a transparent and locally adaptable process. Workshop participants represented human, animal, and environmental health ministries from all 15 ECOWAS Member States. Observers from regional and international organizations were also present to observe the workshop proceedings and support future activities for the priority zoonotic diseases.

CS 314439-A

ECOWAS-508.pdf