Barriers to detecting and reporting zoonotic diseases among first responders: a multilevel participatory study of Rift Valley Fever in Uganda
1
Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
2
UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, London, United Kingdom
3
MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, and endemic and neglected zoonoses pose significant threats to global health security and impose heavy economic burdens on livestock-dependent communities. Early detection is essential to limit transmission and reduce impacts. Existing research largely focuses on systemic and institutional challenges, with less attention to the intersected barriers faced by frontline responders.
METHODS:
We use Rift Valley fever (RVF) as a case study to examine animal health-seeking behaviours and decision-making processes among first responders to better understand the barriers to timely detection and reporting of zoonotic diseases in Uganda. In 2025, we conducted 55 one-on-one in-depth interviews and 4 focus group discussions with 83 animal keepers, 20 community animal health workers, and 29 multilevel stakeholders and authorities.
RESULTS:
We find that zoonotic disease detection in Kalungu District is primarily sign-based, with limited awareness of zoonoses such as RVF, which are often confused with other fevers. Preventive practices like vaccination and animal insurance are known but inconsistently adopted, constrained by costs, misinformation and seasonal risks. Community animal health workers are trusted first responders, yet diagnosis remains largely syndromic due to limited access to test kits, cold-chain facilities and timely laboratory feedback. Reporting is further hampered by treatment costs, fear of sanctions, income loss and spiritual beliefs among animal keepers, which contribute to under-reporting or the quiet sale of sick animals. Policymakers acknowledged that while generic outbreak SOPs exist, RVF-specific guidance and training remain scarce. There was a strong call for contextualised targeted training, faster diagnostics, greater community engagement and enhanced resourcing to strengthen surveillance and enable earlier, more reliable detection.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening community knowledge, diagnostic capacity and coordination between animal and human health workers is crucial for overcoming barriers to zoonotic disease detection and reporting, and for improving zoonotic disease outbreak preparedness.
Approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, and endemic and neglected zoonoses pose significant threats to global health security and impose heavy economic burdens on livestock-dependent communities. Early detection is essential to limit transmission and reduce impacts. Existing research largely focuses on systemic and institutional challenges, with less attention to the intersected barriers faced by frontline responders.
METHODS:
We use Rift Valley fever (RVF) as a case study to examine animal health-seeking behaviours and decision-making processes among first responders to better understand the barriers to timely detection and reporting of zoonotic diseases in Uganda. In 2025, we conducted 55 one-on-one in-depth interviews and 4 focus group discussions with 83 animal keepers, 20 community animal health workers, and 29 multilevel stakeholders and authorities.
RESULTS:
We find that zoonotic disease detection in Kalungu District is primarily sign-based, with limited awareness of zoonoses such as RVF, which are often confused with other fevers. Preventive practices like vaccination and animal insurance are known but inconsistently adopted, constrained by costs, misinformation and seasonal risks. Community animal health workers are trusted first responders, yet diagnosis remains largely syndromic due to limited access to test kits, cold-chain facilities and timely laboratory feedback. Reporting is further hampered by treatment costs, fear of sanctions, income loss and spiritual beliefs among animal keepers, which contribute to under-reporting or the quiet sale of sick animals. Policymakers acknowledged that while generic outbreak SOPs exist, RVF-specific guidance and training remain scarce. There was a strong call for contextualised targeted training, faster diagnostics, greater community engagement and enhanced resourcing to strengthen surveillance and enable earlier, more reliable detection.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening community knowledge, diagnostic capacity and coordination between animal and human health workers is crucial for overcoming barriers to zoonotic disease detection and reporting, and for improving zoonotic disease outbreak preparedness.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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