A One Health Investigation and Response to Mass Fish Mortality along Coastal Communities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

In early 2020, coastal communities in Iwuopom Opolom, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, experienced sudden mass mortality of fish and crustaceans, raising immediate concerns regarding seafood safety, environmental contamination, and socio-economic disruption. A multidisciplinary One Health rapid response team, comprising veterinary officers, environmental health officers, public health personnel, and representatives of One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI), undertook field investigations, community engagement, sampling, and laboratory analyses. Laboratory results revealed a high proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and high inorganic arsenic concentrations in fish tissues that exceeded accepted seafood safety thresholds. Observational findings indicated signs of possible harmful algal activity and poor water quality, which suggested a multifactorial aetiology involving both biological drivers and anthropogenic stressors. Risk communication and coastal conservation education were subsequently conducted to mitigate potential public health impacts and strengthen community awareness. This case study illustrates the applicability of One Health in marine ecological emergencies, demonstrating how integrated scientific assessment, community participation, and environmental education can support rapid response, health protection, seafood safety, and coastal resilience. Overall, the presence of toxic metals in the aquatic environment poses substantial health risks to fish and humans. Thus, routine monitoring and human health risk assessments should be performed. There is also a need for improved integrated One Health surveillance and early-warning systems in Nigeria’s and Africa’s coastal regions.