Public Health Aspects, Networking and Training

ConFluTech - Capacity Building for the Control of Avian Influenza Through Technology Transfer and Training

Summary:

Avian influenza (AI) or 'bird flu' is a highly contagious viral infection which can affect all species of birds and can manifest itself in different ways depending mainly on the pathogenicity of the virus involved and on the species affected. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus causes serious disease with high mortality (up to 100%) - notifiable to the OIE. Worryingly, HPAI has been shown to infect and cause death in humans. Up to now, a total of 103 deaths have been recorded due to HPAI infection in a number of countries such as Vietnam, Turkey and Iraq (WHO, 21 March 2006).

Beside the fact that a number of countries were surprised by the outbreaks, an even greater number of developing countries do not have adequate tools to detect and differentiate HPAI and are lacking experience to manage the outbreak of the disease. Thus, there is an urgent need for technology transfer and training. To fulfil these gaps, the partners of this consortium will:

1. organise technical workshops to facilitate technology transfer particularly in the field of molecular diagnostic tools for pathogen detection and differentiation, to reinforce epidemiological analysis for monitoring and modelling of avian influenza especially and to respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases of livestock in general;
2. provide training through organisation of seminars and short-term courses in well qualified laboratories of a number of EU Member States;
3. organise technical workshops, courses and training in the INCO target countries to improve the technical experimental level of the staff and laboratories in charge of livestock infectious diseases.

Problem:

Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral infection which can affect all species of birds and can manifest itself in different ways depending mainly on the pathogenicity of the virus involved and on the species affected. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus causes serious disease with high mortality (up to 100%). Worryingly, HPAI has been shown to infect and cause death in humans in a number of countries such as Vietnam, Turkey and Iraq. Besides the fact that a number of countries were surprised by the outbreaks, an even greater number of developing countries do not have adequate tools to detect and differentiate HPAI and are lacking experience to manage the outbreak of the disease. Thus there is an urgent need for technology transfer and training.

Aim:

The overall aim of this proposal is to facilitate technology transfer and training to promote capacity building in INCO (International Cooperation) target countries, with a particular emphasis on countries that border the EU, for better control of avian influenza and general outbreaks of infectious diseases in livestock. This will be achieved through the organisation of technical workshops and training courses in the following fields:

1. Molecular diagnostic tools for pathogen detection and differentiation.
2. Standardisation and validation of diagnostic tools according to OIE instruction.
3. Epidemiological tools for monitoring and modelling avian influenza outbreaks.
4. Management of disease outbreaks.

Expected results:

The project will result in the transfer of technologies required for specific and rapid diagnosis of diseases, disease surveillance and management of disease outbreak. The impact of the project lies in the introduction of techniques required for the implementation of the required control measures. In addition, the project will serve as a platform for technology transfer for the improvement of livestock disease control measures and will contribute to reducing the risk of the spread of transboundary diseases to Europe. The objectives of the project contribute to the realisation of EU policy regarding food security and food safety in the developing countries. Moreover, they contribute to reducing the risk of diseases spreading to Europe and to protecting Europe's livestock.

Potential applications:

The following technical and scientific advances are expected:

1. Transfer of knowledge and technology for surveillance systems to exploit and understand disease transmission pathways, establishment of reliable indicators and tools for disease monitoring activities (analytical and modelling) to describe the present situation and predict the future course of AI as well as for a better response to diseases.
2. Standardised diagnostic tools and methods.
3. Tools in decision making, communication and information systems.

Coordinator:

Partners: