Coordinated response to anthrax outbreaks in the Upper East Region of Ghana; the role of the One Health approach

High morbidity and mortality from anthrax outbreaks threaten the economy and public health. Recent global recurrence has raised anthrax prevention, surveillance, and control concerns. This essay reports Ghana´s anthrax outbreak and management with a focus on the geographical spread, containment, and response. The anthrax outbreak affected 13 Ghanaian districts in the Upper East of which 100 animals died including 51% sheep, 41% cattle, 6% goats, and 2% pigs. Collaboration between human health and veterinary professionals, private and international organizations, anthrax vaccines, and drone delivery shortened the devastating effects of the anthrax outbreak. The effective multiple sectoral and actors coordination, management, and response to the outbreak, could be a model for other countries for intra- and inter-One Health outbreak control collaborations.