On April 23, 2024, the One Health Virology group at KCCR organized a workshop focused on Grasscutter and Zoonoses. This event brought together grasscutter farmers, traders, researchers, and public health experts to address the significant health risks associated with zoonotic diseases from grasscutters. Grasscutters, a popular meat source in West and Central Africa, can carry various pathogens that threaten human health. The workshop provided a vital platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration to mitigate these risks.

Prof. Richard Phillips, the Scientific Director of KCCR, delivered the opening address, emphasizing the crucial role of laboratory services in combating zoonotic diseases. Dr. Augustina Sylverken followed with an introduction to zoonoses, underscoring their public health impact and the need for effective mitigation strategies. Additional presentations included “Best Practices for Domesticated Grasscutters” by Mr. Agyemang Prempeh, the Regional Animal Production Officer in Kumasi. Madam Comfort Badu, a grasscutter trader, and Dr. Patrick Amponsah, a Senior Veterinary Officer at the Veterinary Services Department in Kumasi discussed “Game Meat Standards” and “Grasscutter Disease Diagnosis,” respectively. Henrietta Dede Tetteh, a research assistant at KCCR, and also a Master of Philosophy student on the TREPs project presented on an upcoming study aimed at determining the prevalence of viruses in grasscutters as well as also highlighting the importance of ongoing research in understanding and controlling zoonotic diseases.

Participants were encouraged to maintain the workshop’s momentum through continued communication and cooperation.

The workshop was supported by the TREPs project under the German Research Foundation (DFG) funding body.