Descrizione
From 9 to 13 July, the training course “Anthrax – A One Health priority” was held at the headquarters of the Ethiopian veterinary institution “Animal Health Institute” in Sebeta, organized, within the ERFAN project, by the National Reference Center for Anthrax and the ERFAN secretariat. Anthrax represents a serious problem for public and veterinary health in several African countries and is one of the most present zoonoses in Ethiopia, due to the numerous cases found in humans due to consolidated food traditions, such as the consumption of raw meat, dried meat and private slaughter.
The course, which consisted of theoretical lessons in the classroom and practical lessons in the laboratory, was attended by Dr. Galante and Pace, teachers of the course, and representatives of eight African countries (Senegal, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Ethiopia), eleven veterinary and medical institutions, such as the National Ethiopian Public Health Institute - represented by Dr. Mesay Hailu - and the Veterinary Faculty of Gondar, represented by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Kassahun Alemu.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Dr. Alemayehu Mekonnen Anbessie, representing the Ethiopian Minister of Agriculture Dr. Regassa, the deputy director of the Animal Health Institute Dr. Getnet Abie Mekonnen, Dr. Scacchia, of the IZS Abruzzo and Molise, coordinator of the ERFAN project. The course then continued with various technical interventions on the topic of the meeting, with particular reference to the epidemiological situation of anthrax in Ethiopia.
This event proved to be extremely fruitful, and allowed participants to exchange experiences, and to learn or deepen the main diagnostic methods for the detection of Bacillus anthracis and the methods of managing anthrax outbreaks.
The mission in Ethiopia, aimed at deepening issues with a high impact on human and animal health, demonstrated how important the synergy and exchange of information between Institutes of different nations is, through the implementation of important international cooperation projects, such as ERFAN.
