Elaine Tweneboah Lawson¹, Jesse S. Ayivor¹, Fidelia Ohemeng² & Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu^3,4

¹ Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), College of Basic and Applied, Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O.Box LG 209, Legon, Accra, Ghana
² Department of Sociology,, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, University of Ghana, P.O.Box LG 72, Legon, Accra, Ghana
³ Centre for African Wetlands, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 67, Legon Accra, Ghana
⁴ Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, College of Basic and Applied, Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

Correspondence: Elaine T. Lawson, Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies (IESS), College of Basic and
Applied, Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O.Box LG 209, Legon, Accra, GHANA. E-mail: elaine_t@staff.ug.edu.gh

Received: January 26, 2016 Accepted: February 26, 2015 Online Published: March 9, 2016
doi:10.5539/ijb.v8n2p66 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijb.v8n2p66
 

Abstract
Bats are well-recognized reservoirs of a number of zoonotic viruses including henipavirus. The straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) and the Gambian epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus gambianus) can be found in many parts of Ghana, raising concerns about the possibility of a spillover of henipavirus from bats to humans. However the context-specific socio-economic factors that may increase points of contact between bats and humans have still not been adequately identified. Using a number of participatory methods, this in-depth investigation sought to understand the behavioural and socio-economic factors that could facilitate henipavirus spillover to humans in Ghana. Direct exposure included people coming into contact with fresh bat meat through eating, hunting and processing bat meat. Indirect exposure included sitting, selling under bat roosts as well as exposure to water contaminated by bat faeces. Gender was most strongly associated with exposure, compared to age and education. Perceptions of disease risk from bats were generally low among respondents. The study highlights the complexities of sustainably managing a potential henipavirus spillover into humans in Ghana. It recommends the establishment of a multidisciplinary team made up of ecologists, social scientists, legal, veterinary and public health experts to manage such a spillover. The paper also recommends continuous education to encourage behavioural changes in people and to develop sustainable and relevant zoonoses prevention practices especially among identified groups at risk.

Keywords: bats, emerging infectious diseases, henipavirus, natural reservoir, zoonoses

Download full text here.