Edition: 21 October to 1 November 2024
 © FAO/Dipesh Solanki | INDIA Launching the Pandemic Fund project in India On 25 October, FAO, in partnership with India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, launched the Pandemic Fund project titled animal health security strengthening in India for pandemic preparedness and response. This project aims to enhance pandemic preparedness by strengthening animal health systems to reduce zoonotic disease risks. FAO Representative in India Takayuki Hagiwara and India’s Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the importance of collaboration and the One Health approach in securing public health. Over 700 participants, including government officials and multilateral organizations, attended this high-level event. Learn more about the project here. |
 © FAO | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA Celebrating 75 years of partnership: FAO and Republic of Korea launch virtual African swine fever exhibition FAO Partnership and Liaison Office (PLO) and the Republic of Korea celebrated the 75th anniversary of their partnership on 30 October in Seoul. During the event, a virtual exhibition showcasing ongoing FAO projects funded by the Republic of Korea (ROK) was launched. FAO participated in the virtual exhibition showcasing its ROK-funded African swine fever (ASF) project, strengthening capacity to control ASF and other high-impact transboundary animal diseases in Asia. The ECTAD-implemented ASF project exhibition featured leverage, lead and level-up themes to showcase its multi-dimensional, programmatic and collaborative approaches to address ASF in the region. The virtual exhibition will run until the end of December, and can be accessed here. |
 © FAO/Andri Jatikusumah | INDONESIA Post-migration management and financing workshop on national animal health information system From 24 to 25 October, FAO and the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (DGLAHS) of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) support, hosted the iSIKHNAS (national animal health information system) post-migration management and financing workshop in Jakarta. The workshop aimed to identify essential requirements for the effective and efficient management of iSIKHNAS including human resources and funding. Participants developed a strategy to meet staffing needs for the transition to the temporary national data center and to create a sustainable financing model for iSIKHNAS post-migration. It was agreed that the iSIKHNAS unit would operate independently under the Secretary of DGLAHS, ensuring its maintenance and development align with MoA Regulation No. 33 of 2023 on electronic government systems. |
 © fao/Bounmee Maokhamphiou | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC AND LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Discussing future collaboration with Lao Department of Livestock and Fisheries In late October, FAO ECTAD Regional Manager Kachen Wongsathapornchai paid a courtesy visit to the Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF) to confirm future funding to support the development of Laos' livestock and fisheries sector. With financial commitments from USAID, the United States’ Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the UK Aid, the Fleming Fund and others, FAO aims to support DLF and government priorities through 2025 and beyond, particularly in advancing the national livestock and fisheries strategy and enhancing laboratory skills in human resources. |
 © fao/Wahid Husein | INDONESIA Finalizing the national animal health roadmap and strategic plans FAO, in partnership with DGLAHS MoA and with support from USAID, held a workshop to finalize the national animal health roadmap and strategic plan on 25 October. This workshop led to the development of a roadmap from the government aimed at advancing the national animal health system and programme towards the 'Golden Indonesia 2045' goals. This initiative involves mobilizing animal health resources to address critical issues such as climate change, rising global temperatures and national food security needs. |
Learn more about our work on partnerships here. | |
 © fao/A K Kimoto | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Online course launched by the FAO Virtual Learning Centers Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affects birds, some mammals, and occasionally humans, threatening poultry, food security, and livelihoods, especially among poorer communities. While some countries use vaccination, others need to adopt or improve programs for better prevention. In this context, FAO Virtual Learning Centers has developed an online course named vaccine stewardship in prevention and control of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which was piloted in Asia and the Pacific region between June and July. This course aims to provide countries with practical guidance on HPAI vaccination strategies, covering the twelve principles of avian influenza vaccination stewardship, decision-making on vaccination use, and how to implement effective vaccination programmes. Read more here.
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 © fao/Brahmi Shah | NEPAL Notifiable disease recognition and reporting training FAO, through the Pandemic Fund, supported the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) in conducting a training on notifiable disease recognition and reporting for animal health technicians from 22 to 23 October in Pokhara. A total of 29 animal health technicians from provincial, district and local levels of Gandaki province participated in the training, which focused on the disease recognition process for 26 notifiable livestock diseases as listed by the Government of Nepal. This training was conducted in collaboration with the Directorate of Livestock and Fisheries Development and the Livestock Service Training Center in Pokhara.
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 © fao/Ratmoko Saputro | INDONESIA Visiting the zoonoses awareness programme FAO, in partnership with the DGLAHS MoA and with support from USAID, conducted visits to twelve selected elementary and junior high schools in the Gunungkidul and Sleman districts of Yogyakarta province from 29 October to 1 November. The team assessed the implementation of the zoonoses awareness programme within the national Merdeka Belajar school curriculum, finding that materials were largely distributed as planned. Integration occurred through the curriculum, the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5) as a co-curricular activity, and extracurricular initiatives. The P5 project effectively promoted zoonoses awareness by engaging students in sustainable living themes, including environmental and personal hygiene activities.
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 © fao/Owaisy Bushra | INDIA Training on antimicrobial susceptibility testing and data analysis With support from USAID, FAO and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducted a training on antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and WHONET data analysis from 15 to 17 October at the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources in Lucknow. The training welcomed over 30 participants, including new members of the Indian Network for Fisheries and Animals Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR) and representatives from State Agricultural Universities. With 35 institutes now in INFAAR, this training ensures new members follow standardized testing protocols to produce harmonized results.
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Learn more about our work on capacity development here.
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 © FAO/Acty George | INDIA Poultry farm biosecurity training organized in Assam
FAO, in collaboration with Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Assam, organized a farm biosecurity training in Guwahati. The training was integral to assess current farm biosecurity practices, increase awareness and promote vaccination among poultry farmers, veterinarians and community workers in the state of Assam. Conducted with support from USAID, the two-day training engaged over 50 participants in lectures and field demonstrations covering personal protective equipment (PPE) donning and doffing, footbath preparation and farm disinfection. The programme included assessment exercises, sample collection for disease diagnosis and practical use of bulk vaccinators for effective poultry vaccination by farmers and community animal health workers. |
Learn more about our work on epidemiology here.
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 © FAO/Siheng Ngon | CAMBODIA Animal health laboratory coordination meeting
FAO and the National Animal Health and Production Research Institute (NAHPRI) of the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production held the meeting aiming to foster regular communication among animal health labs, engage private labs in partnerships and refine the draft terms of reference for the Animal Health Laboratory Network. Funded by USAID, the meeting was organized from 29 to 30 October in Kampot province, involving officials from NAHPRI, Animal Health and Production Office in Kampot, five regional labs, the Royal University of Agriculture, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge and private labs (C.P. Cambodia Co., Ltd. and Betagro). |
 © FAO/Ol Sokhim | CAMBODIA Hands on training on laboratory information management system
In collaboration with the NAHPRI and funding support from the USAID, FAO conducted a hands-on laboratory information management system (LIMS) training on 31 October, in Kampot province, bringing together officials from NAHPRI, the Royal University of Agriculture and the Fisheries Administration. With FAO's support, LIMS was piloted in a single animal health laboratory in Cambodia and four focal persons were trained as data entry officers, under the guidance of international experts from Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale institution two years ago. |
 © FAO/Sharmila Chapagain | NEPAL Laboratory biosafety and biosecurity training
Through USAID funding, FAO supported the DLS in conducting a training on laboratory biosafety and biosecurity measures for veterinary laboratory staffs in Janakpur from 20 to 22 October. The training, conducted in collaboration with the Central Veterinary Laboratory, delivered hands-on training to eleven laboratory officials in essential biosafety practices, including PPE use, biosafety cabinet handling, spill management, fire extinguisher operation and waste management. |
 © FAO/Sharmila Chapagain | NEPAL Training on sample collection, dispatch and epidemiological reporting
FAO, with funding from the Pandemic Fund, supported the Central Veterinary Laboratory in conducting two sessions of a training on sample collection, dispatch and epidemiological reporting in late October in Dhanusha and Dhading districts, respectively. A total of 37 animal health professionals participated in the training. The objective was to equip these professionals with hands-on skills for appropriate sample collection, packaging and dispatch to ensure prompt disease diagnosis. The training was conducted in collaboration with the DLS and the Veterinary Laboratory, Janakpur. |
Learn more about our work on capacity development of laboratory here.
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 © FAO/Pawin Padungtod | VIET NAM Strengthening early warning mechanism for animal health threats
With financial support from DTRA, the Viet Nam National Institute of Veterinary Research (NIVR) and FAO organized a consultation meeting with public and private laboratories in Ha Noi on 30 October to enhance the availability and quality of animal health information. The workshop aimed to introduce project activities in Viet Nam and consult experts to unify activities and implementation modalities, ensuring effective and sustainable project operations. In addition to participating in the consultation, colleagues from FAO headquarters also visited key stakeholders and worked with NIVR to finalize the work plan for government approval. |
 © FAO/Erianto Nugroho | INDONESIA Talks on immunosuppression diseases on poultry health and productivity
On 26 October, FAO and MoA, supported by USAID, hosted the weekend talks about poultry (OBRASS) forum, focusing on immunosuppressive diseases in poultry farms. The forum aimed to foster meaningful discussions on critical poultry health issues. With the Director of Animal Health as the keynote speaker, the discussion highlighted the significant impact of immunosuppression on poultry health and productivity, making chickens more vulnerable to infections and diseases. Additionally, the discussion emphasized that addressing immunosuppression is essential for maintaining flock health and optimizing production. |
 © FAO/Azrina Nawawi | INDONESIA Revising Ministry of Agriculture regulation concerning veterinary control number certification
From 28 to 29 October, with support from USAID, FAO and the DGLAHS MoA held a meeting in Jakarta to revise the norms, standards, procedures and criteria under MoA Regulation No. 11 of 2020 concerning veterinary control number (NKV) certification for animal product business units. This meeting followed up on previous discussions regarding NKV certification requirements for farms and poultry slaughterhouses. The outcome of the meeting was an agreement to add and adjust the types of animal product business units listed, based on developments in its business activities. |
Learn more about our work on risk reduction along the value chain here.
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 © FAO/Pawin Padungtod | VIET NAM Investigation of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in captive wild species FAO, as requested by the Viet Nam Department of Animal Health supported conducting field and laboratory investigations of the two most recent Influenza A(H5N1) outbreaks reported in Dong Nai and Long An province. With funding support from the USAID, the mission team from DAH, together with FAO and USAID, visited the outbreak sites on 24 and 25 October to collect epidemiological data and samples from the remaining animals and environment at the sites and from live bird markets and slaughterhouses in the surrounding communities. Poultry samples will be tested at RAHO6, while wild animal related samples will be tested at the National Centre for Veterinary Diagnostics (NCVD). Any virus identified will be sequenced at NCVD using third-generation sequencing.
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 © FAO/Erianto Nugroho | INDONESIA Dissemination of technical guidelines for surveillance of salmonella enteritidis and pullorum FAO and the DGLAHS MoA, with support from USAID, conducted a hybrid meeting from 29 to 30 October to disseminate the technical guidelines for surveillance of salmonella enteritidis and pullorum disease in poultry business units. The meeting focused on the Director-General of Livestock and Animal Health Services decision which outlines guidelines for salmonella enteritidis surveillance in poultry breeding and farming business units, and the Director-General decision which addresses pullorum disease surveillance in poultry breeding business units. |
 © FAO/Ali Arasyi | INDONESIA Developing avian influenza surveillance technical guideline
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| Learn more about our work on surveillance here. | |
 © FAO/Yin Myo Aye | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Discussing One Health with French National Centre for Scientific Research FAO held a discussion with French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and learned about the CNRS project organizing community-level health training programmes in Southeast Asia from a One Health perspective on 22 October. These training sessions will be conducted in five provinces across Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, following the mapping of relevant stakeholders involved in human, animal and environmental health training programmes. FAO also shared information on ECTAD’s work in animal health, One Health and capacity building.
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 © FAO/Siheng Ngon | CAMBODIA Celebrating World Rabies Day 2024 Towards zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, FAO supports the Government of Cambodia in its efforts to prevent and control rabies, including rabies outbreak investigation responses, laboratory capacity building and public awareness promotion. As a part of its ongoing effort, FAO and partners marked the World Rabies Day on 23 October in Prey Veng province. Funded by USAID, the initiative brought together over 550 students, teachers, veterinarians and officials from GDAHP, World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), IPC and partners to raise rabies awareness and vaccinate over 300 dogs in Mesang district, preventing this deadly animal-to-human virus.
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 © FAO/Yin Myo Aye | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Discussing One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization in the Pacific region The Pacific Community, US CDC, FAO and WHO held a virtual meeting on October 30 to prepare for the upcoming regional training on One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization (OHZDP). This training aims to build capacity and advocate for the importance of disease prioritization in Pacific countries. The OHZDP is a process developed by the US CDC that uses a multisectoral, One Health approach to prioritize zoonotic diseases of greatest concern, facilitating a coordinated response from human, animal and environmental health sectors within a country, region or area. The regional training is currently scheduled for 2025.
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 © FAO/Wahid Husein | INDONESIA Developing workplan on rabies elimination roadmap in two provinces FAO, in partnership with DGLAHS MoA and USAID, organized a workshop to develop operational plans for the roadmap for the Java rabies-free programme based on the stepwise approach towards rabies elimination tools from 29 to 30 October in Bogor, West Java. The workshop began with an introductory presentation outlining the objectives and expected outcomes, followed by a presentation on Java Island’s rabies elimination efforts and insights from the Disease Investigation Centre Subang on their rabies control experience in West Java and Banten provinces.
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 © FAO/Ali Arasyi | INDONESIA Workshop on rabies joint risk assessment in West Java From 21 to 25 October , FAO and DGLAHS MoA, supported by USAID, conducted a workshop on a joint rabies risk assessment (JRA) for Sukabumi district, West Java. The assessment led to jointly developed risk management strategies to reduce animal-to-human transmission risks using the One Health approach. During the workshop, the JRA steering committee established the risk framework to evaluate rabies-related health risks at the human-animal-environment interface in Sukabumi over the next 12 months aiming to support risk mitigation and effective communication.
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| Learn more about our work on One Health here. | |
 © FAO/Pho Samphors | CAMBODIA Workshop on reducing antimicrobial use through nutrition and feeding practices
The workshop on reducing antimicrobial use through animal nutrition and feeding practices, held from 31 October to 1 November, in Siem Reap, brought together 85 participants, including GDAHP officials, development partners, regulators, poultry feed providers and farmers. Supported by FAO and funded by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety ROK, the workshop facilitated knowledge exchange and promoted the Codex Code of Practice on AMR, setting a path for healthier, sustainable livestock practices. |
 © FAO/Surendra Karki | NEPAL Training on good husbandry practice and rational use of antimicrobials
Through the Pandemic Fund, FAO supported the DLS in conducting two orientation sessions on good husbandry practices (GHP) and rational use of antimicrobials for animal health professionals of Chitwan and Makwanpur districts on 23 October in Chitwan. A total of 18 animal health professionals from eight local levels across the two districts, and 30 dairy farmers from Chitwan district participated in the orientation training on GHP and rational use of antibiotics. The sessions introduced GHP provisions related to the GHP directive endorsed by the Government of Nepal and its practical application in farms. This training was conducted in collaboration with the National Livestock Resource Management and Promotion Office. |
 © FAO/Siheng Ngon | CAMBODIA Workshop on mainstreaming alternatives to the antimicrobials use in poultry production
FAO, in close collaboration with the Cambodia Livestock Raisers Association, co-organized the workshop to introduce cost-effective poultry management techniques, reduce foodborne AMR with alternatives to antimicrobial use, connect farmers with sustainable suppliers and green finance options, and build a network of poultry farmers and partners in Cambodia. The workshop was held on 22 October in Phnom Penh, with funding support from the USAID, the Fleming Fund and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety ROK. In total 120 participants from diverse backgrounds, including development partners, educational institutions, banks, poultry feed/medicine suppliers, slaughterhouses and poultry farmers participated in the workshop. |
 © FAO/Cresensia Rara | INDONESIA Analyzing data on AMR economic burden in human health sector
With support from the European Union, FAO, the Coordinating Ministry of Human and Development Affairs and the National Research and Innovation Agency held a meeting to analyze data for the economic burden study of AMR in Indonesia's Human Health Sector from 22 to 23 October in Bogor. The meeting focused on analyzing social security administrator for health microdata for AMR-related claim payments from 2022-2023, alongside data from the Ministry of Health. After clarifying the data with BPJS, the group agreed on an analysis plan, including methodologies to assess the economic burden of AMR. |
 © FAO/Erianto Nugroho | INDONESIA Monitoring AMR control progress in the 2025-2029 National Action Plan
FAO, in collaboration with MoA and support from USAID, convened to discuss the concept of a sentinel site programme as part of the monitoring progress of AMR control indicators in the animal health sector in the 2025-2029 Mid-term National Development Plan and National Action Plan from 24 to 25 October. Sentinel surveillance monitoring involves observing sentinel populations to track the prevalence of specific diseases, including respiratory and digestive issues. Sentinel populations are those at high risk of disease transmission, selected based on target sub-populations and specific locations, with a set number of samples to be tested. Additionally, it also collects demographic data and information on risky behaviors which can be used to estimate the number of farms infected with poultry diseases annually. |
Learn more about our work on AMR here.
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 © FAO/Matthew Teh | THE PHILIPPINES African swine fever preparedness exercise FAO and the Philippine Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) collaborated to organize the ASF preparedness tabletop exercise from 21 to 25 October. The exercise allowed local government units to evaluate and refine emergency response strategies. Participants engaged in dynamic simulation exercises aimed at enhancing their understanding of ASF preparedness plans, ensuring that responders are equipped to tackle potential outbreaks effectively. Representatives from various municipalities in the province and the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VIII participated in the exercise, which was made possible with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of the ROK. |
 © FAO/Rizza Espenido | THE PHILIPPINES FAO and USAID visit community ASF biosecurity intervention sites
FAO and the USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) visited Bais City to observe the progress and meet beneficiaries of community ASF biosecurity intervention (CABI), an initiative aimed at controlling ASF in local communities. FAO and USAID-BHA joined the BAI to gain insights on CABI’s impact. The team observed biosecurity measures introduced to farmers, such as septic tanks, fencing, vector-control nets and disinfectant footbaths. In the meetings, farmers shared that these measures supported by CABI have improved livestock health, increased live weights and reduced disease cases like diarrhea and pneumonia. This visit underscored the benefits of USAID’s support in helping communities build resilience against ASF and secure their livelihoods. |
Learn more about our work on ASF here.
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