Participating and facilitating the USAID field visit to Singburi
FAO, in collaboration with Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD), supported USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) to organize a site visit event in Singburi Province as part of the for USAID's Global Health Security Program (GHSP) Regional Technical Exchange (RTE). The RTE welcomed over 60 participants from USAID Missions across the region who oversee and are directly involved in the GHSP. Around 20 RTE participants joined the site visit in Singburi Province, which featured benefits and impacts of the Regional Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (R-FETPV) supported by FAO that helps to strengthen collaboration between human health and animal health sectors at the field level. FAO team, along with the members from R-FETPV, DLD, and Thailand Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), joined USAID participants and assisted in the facilitation of presentations delivered by the Directors of PLO and PHO, R-FETPV and MoPH representative, and R-FETPV alumni. The site visit ended with the visit to a goat farm.

Facilitating the USAID RTE to the FAO Reference Centre for AMR, Chulalongkorn University
FAO supported a USAID RTE site visit to the FAO Reference Centre for AMR at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Veterinary Science on 10 October. USAID delegates from Bangladesh, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Philippines, Tajikistan, Thailand, USA, and Viet Nam attended. The visit highlighted the Centre’s progress in AMR efforts and joint activities with FAORAP to strengthen regional AMR surveillance in animal health. It also showcased Thailand government's effort in advancing the work on AMR in animal health sector as well as key success contributing to the national capacity improvement as presented and discussed by the Thailand Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and the private sector.

Discussing enhanced in-service training with the Animal Health Training Centre
Animal health field officers, including veterinarians and veterinary paramedics, play a vital role in managing zoonotic cases and outbreaks at the field level. To further support the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in expanding its capacity-building initiatives, FAO, under the new phase of the Global Health Security Program with USAID's support, plans to establish a more sustainable programme to enhance the skills of field officers across additional provinces in Indonesia. On 18 October 2024, FAO and the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (DGLAHS) of the MoA held a coordination meeting with the Animal Health Training Centre (BBPKH) Cinagara. The meeting focused on advancing a sustainable capacity-building programme at BBPKH Cinagara, aimed at improving field officers' ability to detect and respond to zoonoses early, utilizing the One Health approach.

Partnering to develop specimen management protocols
As part of the technical working group with the USAID Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemics Control (EpiC) Project implemented by Family Health International 360 (FHI360), FAO participated in the Workshop on the Development of Manual for Specimen Management for Animal Health Sector from 8 to 11 October 2024 in Antipolo City, Rizal. The workshop aimed to create a comprehensive manual for specimen collection, handling, packaging, storage, and transport by consolidating and localizing the existing guidelines from the government and reference organizations. With the proactive involvement of government and intergovernmental partners, this effort seeks to harmonize protocols across animal health laboratories and service units nationwide. Through this initiative, FAO continues to support capacity-building efforts to strengthen animal health systems in the Philippines.

Sequencing AI viruses isolated from captive wild species
With funding support from the USAID, FAO collaborated with the Department of Animal Health to conduct field and laboratory investigation of H5N1 outbreaks in captive wild animals in Long An and Dong Nai provinces. Laboratory experts from Institute Pasteur Cambodia (IPC) visited National Veterinary Diagnostic Center (NCVD) in Ha Noi from 14 to 17 October 2024 to provide training on third generation sequencing using the samples collected from the affected captive wild animals. Field investigation is planned from 24 to 25 October 2024 to collect epidemiology data and additional samples from the outbreak sites and surrounding communities.

Drafting ministerial decree on veterinary diagnostics and testing laboratory standards
FAO, along with the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (DGLAHS) of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), with USAID’s support, conducted a workshop for drafting the Ministerial Decree on Veterinary Diagnostics and Testing Laboratory Standards from 15 to 16 October 2024. This workshop was attended by approximately 20 experts from the Government of Indonesia, including Disease Investigation Centres (DICs) representatives, other national and provincial laboratories, and FAO. Indonesian veterinary laboratories are crucial for Indonesia's disease surveillance programmes, responsible for diagnosing zoonotic diseases and conducting targeted disease surveillance. Invasion of new animal diseases in recent years have increased the workload of Indonesian veterinary laboratories, especially in DICs.

Developing MoA community participation and risk communication regulation and roadmap
From 14 to 15 October 2024, FAO, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (DGLAHS) of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and with support from USAID, organized a workshop to develop MoA regulations on community participation and risk communication for zoonoses control and management. Representatives from the Directorate of Health Promotion and Community Empowerment and the Ministry of Health's Bureau of Communication and Public Services provided input for regulation and roadmap development. The workshop resulted in a draft roadmap, draft regulations, and a policy brief highlighting the urgency of establishing procedures for community involvement in zoonoses control and management.

Empowering local facilitators through Broiler Farmer Field School training
FAO, with the support of the United Kingdom Aid (UK Aid) and the UK Fleming Fund, conducted a training programme for facilitators from 16 September to 19 October 2024, in preparation for the pilot implementation of the Broiler Farmer Field School (BFFS) in the Philippines. The training comprised two phases: first, an online session where participants completed FFS courses at the FAO eAcademy, which covered essential topics such as the introduction to the FFS approach, implementation of FFS programs, and formulation of FFS initiatives. This was followed by an in-person session focused on broiler management, behavioral science, and a practical application, equipping trainee facilitators with the skills necessary to guide BFFS sessions effectively. Facilitators are tasked with imparting vital knowledge on good animal husbandry practices, strict biosecurity, and prudent antimicrobial use, reducing farmers’ nonessential reliance on antimicrobials for disease prophylaxis, immediate treatment, and increased production. This initiative aims to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by enhancing these farming practices to foster resilient and sustainable farm management.

Reviewing the Community ASF biosecurity interventions (CABI) programme
FAO convened a meeting among key stakeholders to review the Community African swine fever Biosecurity Interventions (CABI) programme last 16-17 October 2024 in Bangkok. CABI partners and implementers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Philippines and Thailand participated along with representatives from the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (BHA-USAID). The implementation of CABI is supported by BHA-USAID and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea.

Field validation of rapid PCR assay for ASF diagnosis on the farm
With support from the Republic of Korea, FAO collaborated with FAO-IAEA Joint Laboratory, Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (FLI), and the Viet Nam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), to validate a rapid PCR assay for African Fever Diagnosis on the farm on 15 October. This assay can shorten the time taken for ASF confirmation and allow farmers to quickly remove infected pigs from the herd. The team will use of this assay to support the development of partial and selective culling handbook for managing ASF in infected farms.

ASF testing and culling methods consultation
With support from the Republic of Korea, FAO collaborated with the FAO-IAEA Joint Laboratory, Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (FLI), and Viet Nam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), to organize the consultation meeting. This meeting, organized on 17 October, aimed to share the draft handbook for managing ASF in infected farms, including the protocol for ASF detection and culling methods, and to collect feedback from 28 farmers and veterinary practitioners dealing with ASF in the field.