The WP 7 will focus on transfer of knowledge and technology between the members of the consortium which include partners from relevant third countries. In this context the CA will establish links to the national and international organisations (WHO, FAO, OIE, OIRSA) institutions, and laboratories located in the different areas to disseminate and transfer technologies needed for an integrated control measure in areas where these diseases are endemic. Emphasis will be put on the animal health side in particular in the training and capacity building. The partners involved in this WP have a long experience in diagnostics, epidemiology and economic dimension of a number of endemic as well as epidemic animal diseases and have established network in different continents. These networks enable us to contribute in an ideal way to the transfer of scientific and technical knowledge described here. This work package is divided in the following tasks:
1. Workshops and seminars
2. Courses and training in diagnostic tools
3. Training courses for epidemiological tools
The strategy of the project is to train the staff in using tools and technologies required for:
1. a specific and effective detection and differentiation of the pathogens causing the above mentioned diseases,
2. professional epidemiological studies
3. effective control strategies, and
4. a better disease outbreak management
For this purpose, the CA will organize seminars and technical workshop for the harmonization and distribution of pathogen detection and differentiation as well as epidemiological tools.
Strategy for transfer knowledge and technology of Arbo-Zoonet
In the first step pre-educated staff from third countries will be selected to be trained as trainers in different EU’s laboratories specialized in virus diseases especially in reference laboratories which have been recognized by the WHO as reference laboratories based on the availability of knowledge and the required infrastructure. They will then organize training courses in their own countries in close cooperation and coordination with task forces to be established for this purpose. The task force consists of 10 members and will provide aids and know how for the organization of the technical workshop/training course at the national level.
In most cases, human health diagnostic laboratories are better equipped than veterinary laboratories. As these diseases are of zoonotic nature, these laboratories can contribute to transfer technology to veterinary laboratories. An important aspect of this project will be that human and veterinary health authorities as well as veterinary education centers and faculties will work hand in hand to achieve the goals of the technology transfer. For this purpose, arrangements have been done and funds are foreseen for the organization of such training courses in the third countries but also in a number of European countries where it is needed.
