The Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) is a programme by FAO for the planning and delivery of veterinary assistance to member states in responding to the threat of transboundary animal health crises.

Building capacity to prevent, detect and respond to animal disease threat

Through the programme, FAO supports the Federal Government of Nigeria in strengthening the capacities of national and local partners in dealing with various animal disease emergencies through prevention, detection and response to zoonotic and non-zoonotic disease outbreaks at source.

By helping to avoid national, regional and global spread, ECTAD is critical in protecting people and animals from disease threats.

The Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) programme

FAO ECTAD teams facilitate the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) programmes, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These two key programmes build animal health capacity in 35 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East including Nigeria, which joined the GHSA programme in 2019.

FAO is part of the GHSA membership, of over 60 partners, and it supports implementation of five action packages:

·         Zoonotic diseases

·         Biosafety and biosecurity

·         National laboratory systems

·         Workforce development

·         Antimicrobial resistance

GHSA in Nigeria

The GHSA programme aims to increase the contribution of Nigeria Animal Health Services to the prevention and control of infectious diseases and zoonoses, to enhance livelihoods, food security, and safeguard public health.

Specific Objectives

·         To strengthen capacity for risk assessment, early detection, surveillance and diagnosis of high-impact pathogens

·         To enhance prevention, preparedness and response to priority transboundary animal diseases and zoonotic threats

·         To strengthen multisectoral workforce and promote adoption of One Health (OH) approach

·         Establish an operational ECTAD team to support implementation of activities

Geographical Reach including Local Government Areas (LGAs)

·         Nationwide across states and LGAs in Nigeria.

Target Beneficiaries

·         National Veterinary Services

·         Farmers

·         Farmers’ Associations

·         Universities and Research Institutes

·         One Health stakeholders, among others.

Key Result Areas

1.      Risks associated with animal diseases introduction and spread identified and mapped out

2.   Surveillance and diagnostic capacities of the Veterinary Services to reduce impact of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) and zoonoses strengthened

3.    Capacity of the national Veterinary Services in epidemiology, risk analysis, risk-based surveillance and Global Information System (GIS) within the framework of One Health (OH) built

4.       Prevention, preparedness and response planning for effective and timely management of health threats and emergencies improved

5.       Biosecurity and adoption of risk-reduction and good practices along target value chains improved

6.       One Health Multi-sectoral approach among stakeholders promoted

Related websites and products

ECTAD - FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases

GHSA and EPT programmes

Protecting people and animals from disease threats

Northeastern Nigeria | Response overview (April 2021)

Nigeria | Humanitarian Response Plan 2021