Future Africa supports One Health capacity building in Mozambique

A South African research team visited Mozambique from 8–12 June to strengthen local capacity in wildlife surveillance and diagnostics as part of ongoing regional efforts to improve preparedness for zoonotic disease threats.

The visit formed part of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)–United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) collaboration, led in South Africa by Prof Wanda Markotter, Future Africa Research Chair in One Health and Director of the Centre for Viral Zoonoses at the University of Pretoria.

It built on the regional One Health workshop hosted by Future Africa and the Centre for Viral Zoonoses in February 2026, translating priorities identified during the workshop into practical knowledge and skills transfer.

In Mozambique, activities focused on wildlife surveillance, particularly bats. The team identified suitable bat roosts for sampling and conducted bat-catching activities in botanical gardens. Diagnostic skills were also transferred, enabling the Mozambican research team to conduct analyses in laboratories locally.

The collaboration strengthens regional surveillance and diagnostic capacity, contributing to the broader SAMRC–UKRI programme’s goal of improving Africa’s capacity to prevent, detect and prepare for emerging infectious diseases and future pandemics.