Ecological Homeostasis as a Climate Adaptation Strategy for Tsetse Fly–Associated Risks in Sub-Saharan Africa

Climate change is fundamentally altering the ecological dynamics of vector-borne diseasesacross Sub-Saharan Africa, presenting escalating risks to human health, livestock productivity,food security, and community resilience. Among these challenges, tsetse fly–associatedtrypanosomiasis remains a persistent and climate-sensitive threat, disproportionately affectingrural, pastoralist, and smallholder communities—populations already experiencing thecompounding effects of environmental stress and limited adaptive capacity.This paper proposes an Ecological Homeostasis approach to climate change adaptation—afundamental reframing of tsetse fly management away from eradication-based or chemicallyintensive interventions and toward the maintenance of balanced, functional ecosystems capableof reducing disease transmission while preserving biodiversity, livelihoods, and environmentalintegrity. Grounded in the One Health paradigm, this approach recognises the deepinterdependence of human health, animal health, and environmental systems under rapidlychanging climatic conditions.Rather than attempting to eliminate tsetse flies through methods that risk ecological disruption,chemical resistance, and unsustainable resource dependency, ecological homeostasisemphasises adaptive landscape management, livestock resilience, community-basedmonitoring, and the integration of indigenous ecological knowledge with contemporary climateand health science. This model is inherently adaptive, locally responsive, and scalable acrossdiverse ecological and socio-economic contexts.The framework aligns directly with global commitments to climate change adaptation,sustainable development, and health equity, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 2(Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 4 (Quality Education), 13 (Climate Action), and15 (Life on Land). It offers a practical, ethically grounded pathway for reducing disease risk,strengthening food systems, and enhancing community resilience—while avoiding maladaptiveresponses that exacerbate ecological degradation or create new dependencies.This paper calls for coordinated inter-agency collaboration among WHO, UNICEF, andUNESCO—alongside national governments, research institutions, and communities—to pilot,evaluate, and scale ecological homeostasis–based interventions as a flagship One Healthclimate adaptation strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa.