From neglect to action: scaling up the management of zoonotic helminthoses in Africa: a narrative review

Zoonotic helminthoses remain major public-health and veterinary challenges across Africa. Their persistence is driven by poverty, inadequate sanitation, weak surveillance systems, and close human–animal–environment interactions. Despite progress, control efforts are hindered by limited diagnostics, fragmented policies, declining donor support, and insufficient political commitment. This review synthesizes current evidence on the burden, drivers, and control challenges of some zoonotic helminthoses in Africa. A narrative review was conducted on seven zoonotic helminthoses of public-health importance—dracunculiasis, echinococcosis, taeniasis/cysticercosis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, toxocariasis, and trichinellosis. Studies published between January 2000, and April 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science, supplemented with reports from WHO, FAO, and other authoritative sources. The reviewed infections remain widespread yet underreported across Africa. Their persistence reflects overlapping socio-ecological determinants, including poor sanitation, unregulated meat inspection, unsafe water use, and entrenched cultural practices. Control is further constrained by weak diagnostics, emerging anthelmintic resistance, absence of vaccines, and limited One Health coordination. Effective reduction of zoonotic helminthoses in Africa demands strong political commitment, domestic investment, and operational One Health collaboration. Strengthening surveillance, veterinary public-health infrastructure, and community-based education are essential. Regional partnerships through the Africa CDC and AU-IBAR can enhance data sharing, research capacity, and sustainable, locally driven interventions toward the long-term elimination of these diseases.