Traditional medicine and zoonotic risk: zootherapy challenges and opportunities in West Africa

Abstract

Traditional medicine remains integral to healthcare in West Africa, with 60-80% of the population relying on practices that incorporate animal-derived products, bush meat consumption, and ritual animal use. While culturally significant, these traditions pose substantial zoonotic disease risks, as evidenced by links to Ebola, Lassa fever, and monkey pox outbreaks. This review examines the complex interplay between traditional medicine and zoonotic threats in West Africa, analyzing high-risk practices, implementation challenges, and opportunities for risk mitigation. We identify three key concerns: (1) bush meat handling and wildlife trade facilitating pathogen spillover, (2) use of infectious animal parts in remedies, and (3) ritual practices increasing exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Major barriers to prevention include weak surveillance systems, cultural resistance to biomedical interventions, and economic dependencies on traditional medicine markets. However, case studies from Ghana and Nigeria demonstrate promising intervention strategies, including One Health collaborations with traditional healers, culturally adapted public health campaigns, and sustainable alternatives to high-risk practices. The review highlights the necessity of community-engaged approaches that respect traditional knowledge while improving biosafety protocols. We conclude with recommendations for policy reform, emphasizing the need for integrated surveillance systems, healer education programs, and economic incentives for safer practices. These insights contribute to broader discussions about decolonizing global health and developing culturally appropriate zoonotic prevention frameworks in traditional medicine systems worldwide.