Effects of Diseases on Wildlife Species in the Congo Basin

Abstract The Congo Basin, spanning eight Central African countries, harbors the world’s second-largest tropical forest and some of the planet’s richest biodiversity. Despite its ecological importance and relatively intact habitats, the region’s wildlife faces threats from both infectious and noninfectious diseases. Infectious diseases caused by viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria impact wildlife health and biodiversity and increase the risk of zoonotic spillovers. Environmental changes, including deforestation and habitat degradation, alter these threats. Noninfectious diseases—such as those linked to toxic exposure and malnutrition from declining food availability—further compromise wildlife resilience and reproductive health. Disease surveillance capacity in the region remains fragmented, with most countries having limited capacity for livestock and public health. The One Health approach offers a framework for coordinated surveillance and response, but is challenged by under-resourced veterinary and environmental sectors. Addressing these gaps through improved monitoring, ecological research and cross-sectoral coordination is essential for safeguarding biodiversity, supporting human health and mitigating future outbreaks in this globally critical ecosystem. This chapter reviews evidence for the presence and impact of infectious and noninfectious diseases on vertebrate wildlife in the Congo Basin.