Information and sensitization of population and institutions on EVD and preventive measures to be observed were made across posters, audio-visual education and seminars. With the recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa, a national committee against EVD was established by the Ivorian authorities. Those wildlife species that might potentially carry pathogens responsible for severe infectious diseases such as Ebola or HIV are of particular concern. Įxploitation of bushmeat has consistently been linked to the conservation issue of those species that are being poached, but also to a risk to the health of the actors involved. However, despite these initiatives to regulate the degree of poaching, the trade of wild animals has remained and has become an established business. The urge to find alternatives to hunting and bushmeat consumption has led to ongoing investigations on the domestication and the promotion of controlled breeding of some wild species, such as grasscutters or snails. Nevertheless, this measure is in reality not respected. However, according to Ivorian laws, since 1974 hunting is forbidden all year (Ministerial order No 003/SEPN/CAB of 20 February 1974). Indeed, access to bushmeat is easier and more important in rural areas, compared with urban settings, because of the close proximity to the wildlife. In rural areas, bushmeat has been considered as the favourite protein source for a long time, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
Thus, there can be a discrepancy in the supply and use of protein sources between rural and urban areas. While the food choices reflect the preferences and eating habits of the population, the composition of a meal also relies on the availability and accessibility of food sources. containing all essential amino acids), whereas vegetable sources generally lack one or more of the essential amino acids. However, animal sources provide a complete range of proteins (i.e. Proteins can be of animal or vegetable origin. In Côte d’Ivoire, an average meal is composed of a starch or cereal-based staple and a sauce containing animal protein sources. To counteract potentially arising protein deficiencies among the population, the development and implementation of fish farming and livestock at short cycle are suggested in order to improve access to protein sources other than bushmeat. However, constraints in availability and utilization of these alternative sources build an inconsistent basis to fulfil the nutritional needs. The ban on bushmeat has led to a reduction in its consumption while fish and edible mushrooms seem to have filled related protein deficits in the households assessed. Vegetable protein sources seem to play a minor role in the diet of the households assessed, whereas edible mushrooms are consumed frequently to complement or substitute animal protein sources. Picking up in the bush is a main mode of supply of some protein sources such as snail or shellfish but their seasonal character limits their use in the households. Fish consumption frequency increased from 4 to 7 times per week in the EVD crisis period. The proportion of households that regularly consume bushmeat decreased to 19.8%, however, this reduction in consumption has been driving by sensitization and repression. Among protein sources, only bushmeat and fish consumptions have been modified with the Ebola threat. The results demonstrated that fish remains the principal animal protein source (92.1% of households) even outside the EVD crisis. It aims to characterize the different protein sources consumed in rural areas in the Toumodi region before and after the EVD outbreak in order to identify alternatives to bushmeat. The present study analyses the influence of the decision to ban bushmeat consumption due to EVD on the patterns of consumption of proteins sources and food security. However, emergence of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa in 2014 has led to a ban and stigmatization of this essential food source in rural zones.
Bushmeat represents an important animal protein source for populations in rural areas of Côte d’Ivoire consequently, the exploitation of the bushmeat reserves has contributed to food security in these areas for long time.
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