Gambia: Well prepared for bird flu

There is currently a lively debate taking place about the purpose of development cooperation and how it is implemented. The ‘GIZ works!’ series showcases the results of GIZ’s work – in partner countries and in Germany’s interests.

When a number of dead birds were found in a Gambian nature reserve in early March 2023, the local authorities soon had a suspicion about the cause. Tests in neighbouring Senegal confirmed that it was bird flu. Gambia is on an important bird migration route between Europe and Africa. Migratory birds can transmit the highly contagious bird flu to local wild birds and domestic poultry and thus spread it across borders. The country’s response was swift. 

An animal welfare officer in Gambia quickly contacted the German Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG). The team works on behalf of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Ministry of Health (BMG) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) to identify and contain infectious diseases and outbreaks at an early stage. And this support was required in the case of the bird flu virus, which is highly adaptable and can mutate rapidly. More and more bird and even mammal species are being affected worldwide. Infections in humans can be very serious and sometimes even fatal. 

Viewing climate change, biodiversity and health together

In The Gambia, SEEG used the proven One Health approach, which views human and animal health together through a single lens. SEEG’s training courses incorporated experience from human and animal health and also environmental aspects. SEEG experts provided diagnostic training to laboratory technicians and anti-infection training to park rangers in The Gambia. SEEG also ran a joint risk analysis with participants from the fields of nature conservation and health care. Jan Matern from SEEG summarised the assignment: ‘Thanks to our dedicated Gambian colleagues, we have established a solid basis for cross-sectoral cooperation that will help The Gambia fight any future bird flu outbreaks.’ Germany is also benefiting from this – if bird flu is under control in West Africa, then migratory birds will not bring the virus to Europe.

The core SEEG team the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is incorporated into the Global Programme for Pandemic Prevention and Response. SEEG has already completed assignments relating to bird flu in five countries in West Africa and Latin America. Experts from the cooperation partners Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Robert Koch Institute and Wadden Sea Secretariat were also involved in the work in The Gambia.