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Researchers Join to Control Brucellosis in Africa- January 2013 Workshop in Ethiopia

The Agricultural Research Service co-organized a workshop "An integrated Approach to Controlling Brucellosis in Africa" sponsored by the U.S. State Department Biosecurity Engagement Program and with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Brucellosis is a serious disease that can infect animals and humans, causing chronic fever and joint pain in humans, and miscarriages in animals. To learn more about brucellosis and the importance of controlling it, visit the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service brucellosis facts page.

Workshop goals included identifying gaps in brucellosis epidemiology, diagnosis, surveillance, and control programs. The January 29 to 31, 2013 workshop, hosted at the ILRI campus in Addis Ababa, assisted in designing research programs and intervention strategies to aid in the control of brucellosis at national and regional levels.

Experts gathered and addressed:

Transmission of infection from animals to humans
Laboratory biosafety practices
Diagnostics assays-serology and organism identification
Vaccination strategies
Potential research collaborations

Projected outcomes of the workshop:

A more comprehensive understanding of which countries and institutions in Africa are monitoring for, researching, or otherwise addressing Brucella spp. in animals as well as the extent to which brucellosis is addressed as a public health concern
Identification of gaps in monitoring, identifying and controlling brucellosis in animals before it reaches a point of human infection.
Framework/strategy to help control brucellosis, including research, surveillance, diagnostics, interventions, animal-wildlife considerations, and public health awareness in producers/herders as well as the general public.

Participants from across Africa, the United States and other countries included:

Researchers
Laboratory diagnosticians
Veterinary Services representatives
Research directors/Heads of public health programs
Representatives of national, regional or international organizations addressing animal health, one health or related areas in/for Africa.

For additional information, please visit the workshop website, or contact us at:

ARS-Africa-Brucella@ars.usda.gov

Last Modified: 8/13/2016

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