Often perceived as mere links in the food chain, restaurant and butchers are nevertheless on the front line in the face of contamination risks. In Bafoussam, they have just grasped the extent of their crucial role in preventing zoonoses and food poisoning.
In the tranquil highlands of western Cameroon, the city of Bafoussam awakens each morning to the rhythm of bustling markets, meat hanging from stalls, and poultry piled high in crates. Here, as elsewhere in the country, humans and animals coexist in close proximity, a situation made inevitable by tradition and economic constraints. While this proximity forges strong social and economic ties, it also carries a silent threat that remains difficult to name: zoonoses, diseases that cross the species barrier to strike at the heart of homes.
It is precisely to address this reality that the Zoonoses Program, through its One Health platform, convened key stakeholders in the Bamileke region from August 3rd to 5th, 2026. Administrative authorities with decision-making power, traditional chiefs who uphold customs and traditions, religious leaders who shape consciences, civil society actors, and representatives from the food service industry: all were invited to an unprecedented advocacy and engagement workshop. The stated ambition was clear: to make these community leaders indispensable allies of the One Health approach within their respective communities.
The One Health approach, explored through its core themes, formed the heart of the discussions. Food safety emerged as a crucial issue in a region where bushmeat, raw milk, and offal are prized foods. Antimicrobial resistance, a silent scourge in livestock farming where antibiotics are used indiscriminately, raised serious concerns. Participants grasped the scale of the danger: resistant bacteria rendering treatments ineffective, common infections becoming fatal, a vicious cycle threatening both veterinary and human medicine.
At the end of these three days of work, a new wind has blown through Bafoussam. Strengthened by the knowledge gained, the participants made solemn and measured commitments. The administrative authorities promised to integrate the principles of the One Health approach into their local development plans, to facilitate the organization of animal vaccination campaigns, and to encourage health services to collaborate more closely with veterinarians. The traditional chiefs, guarantors of social cohesion, pledged to use their influence to promote good health practices in their chiefdoms and villages, involving elders and other prominent figures in prevention strategies.
Those involved in the food service industry, whose role in disease transmission is often underestimated, have become aware of their responsibility. Butchers, restaurateurs, meat vendors, and caterers have committed to respecting basic hygiene rules, sourcing their supplies from controlled sources, and training their apprentices in proper food handling practices. They understand that the safety of their customers depends largely on their daily diligence, and that a case of food poisoning can ruin years of reputation.
The Zoonoses program understood that the response to these challenges cannot come exclusively from central health authorities or international organizations. It must emerge from within the communities themselves, driven by those who live, work, and influence them. The Bafoussam workshop laid the groundwork for this quiet revolution: transforming community leaders into public health actors without stripping them of their identity or social legitimacy.
