From threat to protection: How Central African Republic is transforming its fight against Rift Valley fever

The Ministry of Livestock and Animal Health (MESA), in partnership with FAO validated the first national communication strategy on animal and zoonotic disease risks, including Rift Valley fever action plan.

This initiative aims to transform every livestock farmer, every rural family and every community leader into control actors against zoonotic diseases including Rift Valley fever (RVF). With a national livestock population estimated at more than five million head of cattle¹ and a rural population representing 62 percent of inhabitants, the challenge is huge for this country where livestock contributes fifteen to 20 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The urgency of this mobilization crystallized in January 2025, when cases of RVF were detected in Ngaoundaye, in the sub-prefecture of Lim-Pendé. Faced with this threat, FAO immediately activated its Technical Cooperation Programme, deploying emergency assistance to control the epidemic.

Held in Bangui on 16 and 17 September 2025, the validation session finalized the national communication strategy on animal and zoonotic diseases with an action plan on Rift Valley fever, resulting from a participatory process adapted to Central African realities.

MESA now has a comprehensive communication strategy as well as a detailed Action Plan to strengthen awareness and community engagement against the disease. This approach defines adaptable tools and messages, aligned with the cultural and linguistic contexts of the Central African Republic. By empowering communities to understand, detect and prevent RVF, each village becomes a true first line of defense against the disease.

"We finally have the tools to speak the same language as our livestock farmers. This strategy allows us to translate our scientific knowledge into simple and practical messages that every livestock farming family can understand and apply immediately," said Elfège Géovani Ronald Kolega Gbognifon, Director General of Veterinary Services at MESA.

The One Health approach, at the heart of this initiative, recognizes the fundamental interconnection between animal, human and environmental health. A total of 25 experts from various sectors (veterinarians, doctors, environmentalists, water and forestry specialists, MESA communication specialists, civil society representatives and livestock farmer leaders), joined forces during the validation workshop.

A reference for Central Africa

The initiative is part of a long-term perspective that goes beyond managing the current epidemic. By strengthening national capacities for health risk communication, it prepares the country to face future threats of animal, human or environmental origin.