USAID-Supported a Regional Laboratory Network Workshop on Diagnosis of Rabies and Newcastle Disease

The IDENTIFY project of USAID's global Emerging Pandemic Threats program (EPT) hosted a regional laboratory network workshop on diagnosis of Rabies and Newcastle Disease at National Institute of Animal Health, Bangkok on August 26 – September 6, 2013.  Led by The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization in collaboration with the Department of Livestock Development, Thailand, and the Australian Animal Health Laboratory provided the hands-on training on Rabies and Newcastle disease diagnosis and the update on the diagnostic concept of the available diagnostics of these two diseases.  

Sixteen veterinary laboratory staffs from seven countries in Southeast Asia region (Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam) participated in the workshop.  The anticipated outcomes of the workshop were to increase diagnostic capability for rabies and Newcastle disease, ensure the quality diagnostic service of the priority diseases within the participating laboratories, and enhance communication among the laboratory staff and the World Reference Laboratory providing technical support to the region.

Source: Health Matters Newsletter RDMA/Office of Public Health