Exploring Biodiversity and Zoonotic Disease Dynamics in Guinea

The field team comprised agents from the National Directorate of Veterinary Services (DNSV), particularly from the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (LCVD), the Guinean Office of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves (OGPNRF), and CERFIG/CIRAD. The mission took place in the Faranah (Tindo) and Kindia (Madina-Oula sub-prefecture, Samyankhouré districts) prefectures. The mission objectives were:

• To investigate by capturing and sampling rodents in villages and their surroundings to better understand the links between biodiversity loss and the emergence of zoonotic diseases, aiming to limit their spread through conservation strategies and animal-origin disease surveillance.
• To continue the ecological monitoring of bats in the Samyankhouré cave, capturing and sampling bats to better understand virus transmission dynamics within this group, particularly coronaviruses.
• To continue searching for wild animal faeces in and around the cave to identify possible contamination routes by bats.

Composition of the Team:

• Mr. Souana GOUMOU, Zoologist, Technical Assistant at CERFIG, Mission Leader
• Dr. Grégoire PEREZ, Health Ecologist (CIRAD)
• Sub-Lieutenant Aboubacara DIALLO, Nature Conservator (OGPNRF)
• Mr. Moussa DOUMBOUYA (Biology)
• Mr. Abdoulaye MANET, Driver (CERFIG)

Location of the Mission: Prefectures of Faranah (Tindo) and Kindia (Samyankhouré).

Encounters with Local Authorities: The team conducted administrative formalities at the Prefectural Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock upon arrival. Later, they visited the Prefect's residence and then proceeded to Tindo, where they were welcomed by local authorities. Formalities were conducted before starting activities.

Capture and Sampling of Rodents in Tindo: The team deployed 100 traps in Tindo village and its surroundings. They captured 60 rodents over three nights, euthanising those captured in villages as per the protocol.

Non-Invasive Sampling and Wild Fauna: Twenty faecal samples per tarp were collected inside the Samyankhouré cave. Due to a bushfire, bat populations decreased, affecting sampling results.

Sampling of Bats: Twenty-three bats were captured and sampled. The team observed a decline in bat numbers, likely due to the bushfire.

Capture and Sampling of Rodents in Samyankhouré: One hundred traps were set in Samyankhouré village and surroundings, capturing 30 rodents over three nights. Euthanasia was conducted for rodents captured in villages.

Overall, the mission aimed to study zoonotic disease dynamics and enhance biodiversity conservation efforts in Guinea.