Regional training on field epidemiology for animal health workers

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The training was part of the project “One Health – Controlling Zoonotic Diseases and Antimicrobial Resistance in the Milk Value Chain in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Malawi”, funded by the Government of Norway.

Participants and representation

The 8-day training brought together 22 participants from Ethiopia, Malawi, and Tanzania, representing:

• Ethiopia: Animal Health Institute, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, and the Ministry of Agriculture
• Malawi: Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development
• Tanzania: Various national institutions

Women accounted for 40 % of the participants, reflecting a strong commitment to gender inclusion.

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Opening and lead sessions

The training was officially opened by a representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, alongside Dr. Stella Stephen, CEO of TVLA, and Dr. Geofrey Omarch, who welcomed the participants and introduced the program.

Day one was led by experts from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute. Dr. Edgar Brun introduced foundational topics such as basic epidemiological concepts, disease causality, and diagnostic testing. Prof. Geoffrey Fosgate from Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine, USA, presented on disease frequency, measures of association, and sampling strategies. Dr. Shimaa Ali opened the day with an overview of the project and outlined the training objectives.

The remainder of the training was facilitated by Tanzanian experts with extensive experience in field epidemiology. Key modules included:

• Epidemiological surveillance
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Disease transmission and pathways
• Descriptive data analysis
• Data communication
• Preparedness and disease prevention
• Biosafety and biosecurity

The program combined classroom instruction with practical exercises and fieldwork. Participants visited a dairy factory and a dairy farm to observe milking practices, sample collection, field testing, and sample transportation for laboratory analysis. They also conducted interviews with farmers to gather case histories and enhance community engagement.

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Evaluation and impact

Pre- and post-training evaluations were conducted to assess learning outcomes, and participant feedback was collected to inform future training initiatives. The event served as a valuable platform for cross-country collaboration and knowledge exchange, reinforcing One Health strategies across the region.

Diplomatic engagement

In parallel, the NVI team visited the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dar es Salaam to brief the Minister Counsellor – Regional Envoy for Food Security – on project activities and to explore opportunities for future collaboration.