Characteristics and Risk Perceptions of Ghanaians Potentially Exposed to Bat-Borne Zoonoses through Bushmeat

Abstract

Emerging zoonotic pathogens from wildlife pose increasing public health threats globally. Bats, in particular, host an array of zoonotic pathogens, yet there is little research on how bats and humans interact, how people perceive bats and their accompanying disease risk, or who is most at risk. Eidolon helvum, the largest and most abundant African fruit bat species, is widely hunted and eaten in Ghana and also carries potentially zoonotic pathogens. This combination raises concerns, as hunting and butchering bushmeat are common sources of zoonotic transmission. Through a combination of interviews with 577 Ghanaians across southern Ghana, we identified the characteristics of people involved in the bat-bushmeat trade and we explored their perceptions of risk. Bat hunting, selling and consumption are widely distributed across regional and ethnic lines, with hotspots in certain localities, while butchering is predominantly done by women and active hunters. Interviewees held little belief of disease risk from bats, saw no ecological value in fruit bats and associated the consumption of bats with specific tribes. These data can be used to inform disease and conservation management plans, drawing on social contexts and ensuring that local voices are heard within the larger global effort to study and mitigate outbreaks.

Avoiding bites and scratches? Understanding the public health implication of human–bat interactions in Ghana

“…The main methods for preparing bat meat were roasting (68.9%), boiling (68.3%) and frying (9.8%). In comparison to the previous studies, those who interacted most with bats, the reasons for human–bat interactions and methods for preparing bat meat for consumption had not changed after the Ebola outbreak (Kamins et al, ; Lawson et al, ).…”

“…In this study, respondents were randomly selected to present the views of a broader, more diverse sample. The evidence provided in this paper will prove useful to existing public health plans, ensuring that local voices are heard within the larger global effort to study and mitigate outbreaks of zoonotic diseases (Kamins et al, ).…”

“…These studies were undertaken in various communities in Ghana before the outbreak of EVD in some West African countries. Kamins et al () focused on the use of the straw‐coloured fruit bat, E. helvum, as bushmeat in southern Ghana ( n = 577). The study examined the characteristics of people involved in the bat‐bushmeat trade and their perceptions of risk.…”

Zoonotic Potential of Emerging Paramyxoviruses

“…In this instance, as suggested by Hahn et al , land management strategies such as forest conservation of known ideal roosting sites for bat reservoir species in areas away from villages could be a useful means of risk management (Hahn et al 2014a). Similarly, by identifying at-risk communities based on more detailed understanding of ecological drivers of spillover risk, education of the most at-risk human populations could be used to minimize the social and cultural practices that are known to determine infection risk at the individual level (Kamins et al 2015; Nahar et al 2010), combined with targeted surveillance to allow early identification of outbreaks.…”

Analyse de situation de l'UICN concernant la faune terrestre et d'eau douce en Afrique centrale et de l'Ouest

“…pers. 2014 ses effectifs sont aussi en déclin et ont été estimés à environ 12 000 individus par East (1999 (Kamins et al 2014).…”