“Animal disease detectives” trained in Southeast Asia

Agriculture using buffalo in Cambodia. Photo: Sasin Tipchai / Pixabay

A consortium of veterinary scientists was established to train a new generation of “animal disease detectives” in 11 countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

According to program leaders, the crisis of COVID-19 and the swine fever in Africa shows that it is more important than ever to provide veterinarians with tools for investigating and monitoring disease outbreaks. Navenito Dahn University of Sydney Veterinary School and Mary Basil From Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity.

The Science Consortium has more than 40 experts from veterinary schools in Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific.

“The coronavirus outbreak emphasizes how urgent this work is,” said Dund.

“Most emerging infections, such as coronaviruses, are zoonotic diseases and spread from animals to humans.

“To protect humans from these diseases, we must look for pathogens and diseases that are” upstream “of livestock and wildlife before they can spread to human populations. “

Associate professor Dund finds that the consortium works with government and animal health authorities in the Asia-Pacific region to detect outbreaks of animal diseases that could affect human health, animal health, and farmers’ lives. , Strengthening the ability to respond, control and prevent.

The program is Indo-Pacific Center for Health and Safety At the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“Our program supports neighboring countries’ efforts to address these emerging threats, and in doing so enhances Australia’s biosecurity, health and economy,” Dund said. It was.

Researchers emphasize that the coronavirus is derived from animal migration, but there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted from pets or other animals.

Associate professor Dhand said that the frequency of transnational animal diseases that spread rapidly across borders, and the frequency of zoonoses transmitted from animals to humans, is increasing due to various factors.

These include population growth, urbanization, land use change, wild habitat invasion, and increased global air travel.

“These diseases can spread rapidly across national borders and can have significant economic and health implications. We are currently discovering this using the coronavirus,” he said.

The DFAT-funded program will help develop the capacity for early intervention in the investigation and management of animal disease outbreaks in the Asia-Pacific region and help prevent the spread of transnational disease.

“We will work with international partners by strengthening on-the-job training for veterinary and para-veterinarians,” said Dund.

“A focus on disease surveillance will help veterinary authorities identify changes in animal health patterns and take early intervention and preventative measures to prevent the spread of the disease,” he said. He said.

In addition to onsite training, veterinarians and para veterinarians will be provided with project work with the national Ministry of Animal Health. The elected candidates will be offered a fellowship for further training at Australia’s world-class veterinary school.

The Consortium partner Charles Sturt University will lead the para-veterinary component of the program.

Dr. Andrew Peters CSU’s School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences said: “This project is an opportunity for Australian Veterinary Schools to make meaningful changes to animal health and community welfare across the region. Working closely with the University of Sydney and regional partners, Animal Health Officers in the Pacific We look forward to building effective training for you. ”

Carolyn Benigno A Philippine veterinary epidemiology expert said: “This project adds value to current training programs in some countries as it standardizes teaching materials while preserving local conditions and incorporates Southeast Asian field realities. The outcome of the project is regional-wide. It will help countries prepare for illness emergencies in a timely manner. “

This consortium includes world-class epidemiologists from all veterinary schools in Australia and New Zealand and one in the United States. They work with national partners and representatives of the World Health Organization, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and TEPHINET to develop and deliver sustainable training programs that enhance the collaborative capacity of animal health workers. To do. Public health authorities.

The $ 4.3 million program will be implemented for three years in Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, East Timor, Vanuatu and Vietnam.