Advancing the One Health approach for control of Zoonotic Tuberculosis in Africa

Join Us for World Tuberculosis Day: “Advancing the One Health Approach for Control of Zoonotic Tuberculosis in Africa“

WHO and WOAH are jointly hosting a webinar to mark World Tuberculosis Day which is observed on 24^th March 2026, bringing together human and animal health experts, national programme managers, and development partner to advance the One Health response to zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB) across Africa.

Zoonotic tuberculosis, caused by members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), and principally Mycobacterium bovis  which remains a neglected yet significant burden in the community and in livestock. Transmission occurs primarily through direct contact with infected livestock or consumption of unpasteurised milk and dairy products, disproportionately affecting pastoral and smallholder farming communities in low- and middle-income countries.

In 2017, WHO, WOAH, FAO, and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) jointly published the Global Roadmap for Zoonotic Tuberculosis. Seven years on, implementation of this roadmap across remains uneven, constrained by weak inter-sectoral coordination, diagnostic gaps, and limited investment.

WOAH has provided internationally recognised standards for the diagnosis, surveillance, and control of mammalian tuberculosis in animals through two key instruments: Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Chapter 8.12. and Terrestrial Manual, Chapter 3.1.13.

 In 2024, WOAH published guidelines on control of MTBC infection animal in livestock to provide guidance to for those countries who are looking for alternative approaches to test and slaughter to reduce the burden of the disease in animals.

This webinar provides a timely platform to review progress, and look at the country level evidence from Algeria, Madagascar, and best practises in Ethiopia to mobilise renewed political and financial commitment for zoonotic tuberculosis.

The webinar will be offered in English with simultaneous translation in French.

Last date of registration -15^th March 2026

The webinar is open to public health and veterinary professionals, national TB and zoonoses programme managers, researchers, One Health practitioners, and development partners.

Agenda

Time	Session	Content	Speakers
12:00–12:05	Opening	Welcome address: brief introduction to the webinar, overview of the agenda	Prof Dissou Affolabi National TB Programme Coordinator of Benin and Head of the WARN/CARN-TB Network Secretariat Dr Marcus Lacerda Director, Special programme for research and training in Tropical diseases (TDR) – WHO – Geneva
12:05–12:15	Gaps/Progress in the roadmap for zoonotic tuberculosis and challenges	Current situation & challenges faced in controlling zoonotic TB	Dr Corinne Merle WHO – TDR Irwin Lay WHO, Department of HIV, TB Hepatitis and STIs
12:15–12:25	WOAH Strategies for control of bovine tuberculosis	Tools for endemic countries. Guidelines for control of MTBC infection in livestock	Dr Monal Ajit Daptardar Scientific Coordinator, WOAH
12:25–12:55	1. Madagascar 2. Algeria 3. Ethiopia	Country Perspectives focusing on needs and next steps	Dr Joelle Razafimahefa Faculté de Médecine Fianarantsoa, Madagascar Dr Maamar Khames Université de Médéa, Algérie Dr. Matios Lakew Researcher Animal Health Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia
12:55–13:05	How do countries build a Business Case for investment in ZTB	From a donor’s perspective. How to catalyze investment towards the implementation of ZTB Roadmap – towards a compelling business case	Dr Nick Juleff Deputy Director Gates Foundation
13:05–13:25	Q & A – Interactive discussion on how to scale up	Open round of discussion	All Speakers
13:25–13:30	Closing Remarks	Takeaway messages	Dr Gregorio Torres WOAH