Zoonotic Diseases Raise Concerns

Stakeholders in the animal health sector have converged on Douala for the "Second Coordination Meeting of Laboratory Directors and Chief Veterinary Officers of Beneficiary Countries of the IDENTIFY Project in the Congo Basin." The initiative launched in 2009 by the United Nations' World Health Organisation, through its Food and Agricultural Organisation programme is financed by USAID. The project aims at building the capacities of animal health laboratories in "hot spots" or risk zones for the diagnosis and eventual treatment of zoonotic diseases, also known as "Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT)", support timely reporting of IDENTIFY targeted diseases of animal origin, adopt and improve quality assurance and reliability of reports, and creating a network between laboratories for shared information and communication.

Chairing the opening ceremony yesterday June 4, Littoral Governor, Joseph Beti Assomo, representing the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, lauded the sponsors and all other actors involved in the realisation of this project. In an address, FAO Cameroon representative, Paulin Zongo, revealed that the first two years were marked by thematic trainings, regional workshops, proficiency tests, provision of laboratory equipment and reagents among others, to beneficiary countries. Letters of Agreement have also been signed with FAO.

Implemented within a five-year timeframe, the 32 representatives from 10 different countries will make an overview of the strides covered during the fourth year that runs till September 2013, highlight shortcomings as well as propose solutions for a more efficient output for the final year (September 2013-2014). In the first presentation on an overview of IDENTIFY Project Implementation and Head Quarter work plan, FAO Rome representative, Gwenaelle Dauphin stressed on the actual situation at both regional and world levels. Focusing on Africa and Asia, she equally announced the second phase of the project, intended for implementation next year.