Diagnosis of animal diseases improved with laboratory renovated by FAO in Guinea

The Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Conakry, Guinea was officially inaugurated on 14 November 2018, following renovations by FAO, funded by the United States Agency for International Development. The recent Ebola outbreak experienced by the country highlighted the need to strengthen national disease surveillance systems. This includes improving veterinary laboratories for early detection and adequate response to animal diseases and zoonoses, which can be passed to humans, including rabies, brucellosis, avian influenza and anthrax.

FAO has completely renovated the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, reinforced the capacities of its staff through trainings, and acquired advanced equipment including reagents and consumables. This renovation, with a total cost of USD 635 000, has been fully supported by the Global Health Security Agenda Programme and implemented by FAO in partnership with USAID.

Celebrating the inauguration event were Guinea Prime Minister, Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, FAO Representative, Mohamed Hama Garba, FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Diseases (ECTAD) Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa, Baba Soumare, and the US Ambassador of the United States of America, Dennis Hankins.