Harnessing Global Partnerships to Fight Zoonotic Diseases and Strengthen Public Health Systems in Developing Countries

 The world has learned some hard lessons in recent years as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to understand infectious diseases that spill over from animals to humans. These zoonotic diseases, which account for about three-quarters of all emerging infectious diseases, pose a growing threat in our interconnected global community. The origins of the virus behind COVID-19 serve as a stark reminder of how closely human health is intertwined with the environment, wildlife, and animal populations.

In many developing countries, the fight against zoonoses faces significant hurdles, from limited access to advanced diagnostic technologies to fragile public health infrastructures. However, strategic international collaborations have made promising strides in bridging these gaps. One outstanding example is the partnership between Hokkaido University in Japan and the University of Zambia, where cutting-edge research and training efforts are helping to detect, monitor, and combat zoonotic diseases across continents.

At the heart of this collaboration is the Hokkaido University International Institute for Zoonosis Control (IIZC), based in Sapporo, Japan, and its sister facility, the Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia (HUCZCZ). Established in 2005 and 2007 respectively, these institutions form a unique bridge connecting East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa in their shared mission to unravel the complexities of zoonotic diseases and protect vulnerable populations.

The challenge of zoonotic diseases is not just scientific—it is deeply personal for communities living at the interface of wildlife and human settlements. For example, farmers in rural Zambia often live in close proximity to bats, rodents, and livestock, unknowingly exposing themselves to pathogens carried by these animals. One local farmer, Mr. Mwansa, recalls how his village experienced unexplained fevers that puzzled local health workers until research from HUCZCZ helped identify a viral origin linked to bat populations nearby. This kind of grassroots insight, combined with rigorous laboratory science, exemplifies how collaboration between communities and researchers creates practical impact.

IIZC and HUCZCZ operate rare biosafety level three laboratories in Zambia, which are equipped to analyze highly dangerous viruses. These facilities are among the few on the African continent with such advanced capabilities, enabling early detection of pathogens before they can cause widespread outbreaks. This high-tech capacity is vital given the rise of diseases like Ebola, Marburg virus disease, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever—all zoonotic illnesses that require prompt identification and containment to prevent public health crises.

Beyond laboratory testing, these centers emphasize capacity building through training veterinarians, medical professionals, and researchers. Over the past decade, more than eighty zoonosis control experts trained under this program have gone on to work within government agencies, policy-making bodies, and academic institutions in Zambia, forming a vital knowledge network. One of these experts, Dr. Changula, highlights how practical workshops and exchange visits to Japan have transformed her ability to lead research projects and provide guidance on outbreak response in her home country. Stories like hers illustrate how international partnerships empower local scientists to become leaders in infectious disease control.

The urgency of such efforts became even clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zambian scientists trained at Hokkaido University played an instrumental role in rolling out polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to identify COVID-19 cases and variants within Zambia. This rapid transfer of knowledge allowed Zambia’s health system to respond more effectively during a time when many countries were struggling with delayed testing and surveillance. It is a vivid example of how investing in sustainable, locally driven science can save lives.

On the research front, the centers have been conducting groundbreaking projects on some of the deadliest zoonotic diseases. The Marburg Virus Project, for instance, tracks antibodies for this hemorrhagic fever virus in Egyptian fruit bats, which are believed to be natural reservoirs. While human cases have not been reported in Zambia, this surveillance work functions as an early warning system to prevent potential outbreaks. Using innovative technologies like animal tracking devices attached to bats, researchers gain detailed insights into seasonal behaviors and migration patterns that affect disease transmission risks.

Similarly, investigations into tick-borne Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, conducted in collaboration with local field teams, have shed light on how environmental factors influence pathogen spread. The inclusion of communities in remote areas for sample collection not only enriches the data but also raises awareness of zoonotic risks among people most affected by these diseases.

Neglected tropical diseases, such as Human African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), transmitted by the tsetse fly, remain a persistent threat in rural Zambia. Research led by parasitologist Dr. Hayashida from Hokkaido University focuses on developing accessible diagnostic tools suitable for field conditions. Her work on a portable, cost-effective testing kit using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology is particularly significant because it bypasses the need for expensive PCR machines and refrigeration—barriers that often hinder disease control efforts in resource-limited settings.

Local health workers have shared how these portable tests have enabled quicker diagnoses in villages far from urban centers, leading to timely treatment and reduced fatalities. One nurse from a rural clinic described how before these tests were available, patients often had to travel long distances and wait days for lab results, sometimes with fatal consequences. This innovation represents a lifeline for communities otherwise cut off from modern medical care.

Beyond scientific research and capacity building, the partnership’s commitment to sustainability extends to community engagement and education. Sharing research findings with local populations through posters, workshops, and village meetings helps people understand zoonotic risks and encourages behaviors that reduce disease transmission. For example, after studies linked anthrax outbreaks to consumption of infected hippopotamus meat, local authorities worked with researchers to spread awareness about safe meat handling and avoid risky practices.

Such outreach is essential because science alone cannot control zoonotic diseases without the active participation of those who live alongside wildlife. The deep connection between humans, animals, and their environments calls for solutions that are culturally sensitive and grounded in local realities.

This international collaboration also demonstrates the transformative power of sustained funding and political support. Japanese agencies like the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have provided critical backing for research projects and infrastructure development. Their investment ensures that the Zambia center can operate independently with predominantly local scientists, contributing not only to national health security but also to regional disease control efforts.

The historical roots of this partnership reach back decades, inspired by a 1983 visit to Zambia by Japan’s then-Crown Prince, now Emperor Emeritus, who helped initiate support for veterinary education in the country. The University of Zambia’s School of Veterinary Medicine, established in 2007, stands as a testament to this long-term vision, producing generations of professionals who are now at the forefront of combating zoonotic diseases.

Amid growing global concerns about infectious diseases, especially in light of climate change and habitat loss, the example set by Hokkaido University and the University of Zambia shines as a beacon of hope. It highlights how cross-continental collaboration, investment in local capacity, and integration of scientific innovation with community knowledge are indispensable in protecting public health and preventing future pandemics.

As more countries face the realities of zoonotic threats, stories like these remind us that solutions must come from partnerships that respect and empower local expertise while leveraging global resources. Only then can we hope to stay one step ahead of the next emerging infectious disease and safeguard communities worldwide. 🌍🦠🐾