Activities done

Group Training session on basic AI laboratory diagnostic techniques (24-27 December 2007, Dakar, Senegal)

The training workshop for Group 1 laboratories was hold in Dakar with the financial support of USDA/APHIS and the participation of experts from the two regional laboratories, the Laboratoire de Pathologie Bovine de Bingerville (Côte d’Ivoire) and the RAHC of Bamako. The eight (8) participants were from five (5) countries from Western Africa, (Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone and Togo) and three (3) from Central Africa (Congo Brazzaville, Gabon, and São Tomé & Principe). Topics covered included autopsy, sampling, sample storage and dispatching, use of avian influenza rapid detection kits, and good laboratory practices (GLP), including biosafety in handling suspect samples.

Bench training for Benin national laboratory staff (12-27 January 2008)

Following the first H5N1 outbreak in Benin in December 2007, the network organised a 10-day bench training session on PCR technique for the head of Parakou laboratory at the Central Veterinary Laboratory of Mali. Subsequently, FAO fielded a regional network expert to Parakou to train staff from both Parakou and Bohicon laboratories in avian influenza molecular diagnostic techniques (NB: the PCR equipment was supplied by IAEA). FAO also provided the national laboratory with reagents for avian influenza diagnosis.

Individual training (March 2008)
One-month bench training organized in Dakar, Senegal, and sponsored by USDA-APHIS for one technician from the Lomé Central Veterinary Laboratory on conventional avian influenza diagnostic techniques.

The head of Vom laboratory went to the IZSVe in for a 4-month training on molecular biology and virus characterisation (150 H5N1 isolates shipped from Nigeria).

Overseas Group Training
Two-week training session on avian influenza diagnostic techniques (conventional and real-time PCR) was organized for five French-speaking scientists at IZSVe - Padova in June 2008.

Stock of laboratory reagents (March 2008)
A PCR reagents buffer stock was made available at the RAHC in Bamako.

Procurement of autopsy kits
sampling kits, serology (AGID/HI) kits, rapid antigen kits to national laboratories of Gambia, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau (July 2008).

Supply the Group 3 labs with PCR reagents from buffer storage at the RAHC in Bamako.

Two-week training session on avian influenza diagnostic techniques
(conventional and real-time PCR) for three staff members from national vet lab of Benin, Ghana and Guinea (IZSVe, October 2008).

Training session for Group 2 laboratories
In AGID, ELISA, HA/HI, biosafety and GLP in avian influenza diagnosis (Dakar, 21-25 July 2008).

Training session for Group 3 laboratories
In avian influenza molecular diagnostic virus isolation, isolates serotyping and quality assurance (Vom, 13-17 October 2008).

Specific on site bench training missions for technical staff
In the less advanced national laboratories (e.g. Group 1 laboratories of, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo) or for mastering specific techniques (e.g. setting up molecular diagnosis by PCR in some Group 2 laboratories like Guinea, DR Congo). Period: July-November 2008

With the overall coordination by IZSVe of Padova, this exercise will be implemented for Group 2 (serology tests) and Group 3 (serology and molecular tests) laboratories from September to November 2008.

Annual network coordination meeting
at the RAHC in Bamako to review network activities and proficiency tests results (1-5 December 2008).

Annual inter-regional Coordination meeting
Between the four Regional Animal Health Centers (RAHCs) Regional laboratories Managers and epidemiology Heads to discuss on main epidemiology and lab diagnostic challenges and give directions for future workplans of lab and epidemiology networks (Bamako, December 2008)