Ветеринары прошли повышение квалификации.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), under the project "Strengthening Capacity in Animal Health, One Health, and Combating Antimicrobial Resistance to Prevent and Mitigate Zoonotic Threats in Uzbekistan," funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is conducting a five-day training seminar on epidemiological control and risk assessment for animal health.
Representatives from the Veterinary and Livestock Development Committee, regional management staff, animal health specialists, and veterinary epidemiology researchers are participating in the seminar. The primary goal is to enhance the knowledge and skills of over 24 veterinary professionals and researchers from various regions of Uzbekistan, including Karakalpakstan, in identifying threats to animal health and responding effectively.
The training program covers priority areas of epidemiological monitoring, risk groups, and practical methods. Special attention is given to animal health issues, combating zoonotic diseases, as well as animal welfare and food safety, particularly livestock products in the context of international trade.
The training program is led by Javier Gutián, an epidemiologist consultant from the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency. He is also the head of the FAO Veterinary Epidemiology Reference Center at the Royal Veterinary College and the director of the Risk Analysis and Modeling Center of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Gutián noted:
- Improving epidemiological monitoring and enhancing measures to protect animal health in Uzbekistan is critically important. This seminar has provided local specialists with access to modern approaches and tools, which will enhance their readiness to identify and address threats to both animal and human health.
The national coordinator of the FAO-USAID project, Habibullo Hamdamov, emphasized:
- This training is a significant step towards enhancing the professional level of specialists. Participants have gained practical knowledge and skills for early disease detection, risk assessment, and effective response to emerging challenges. This plays a crucial role in safeguarding animal health and maintaining epidemiological stability in the country.
During the training, particular attention is given to the following aspects:
- practical implementation of epidemiological monitoring activities, including the identification of priority areas and risk groups;
- conducting qualitative risk assessments on-site, including identifying and detailing pathways of pathogen transmission;
- assessing operational risks using examples of priority diseases relevant to Uzbekistan;
- working on applied research to ensure its practical significance and applicability;
- utilizing simple digital tools for data collection and processing to transition to electronic systems for managing animal health data.
Upon completion of the seminar, participants will acquire skills in applying fundamental epidemiological principles to develop and implement effective animal health monitoring activities, utilizing risk assessment principles to manage health protection issues, and conducting systematic qualitative assessments to identify and analyze risks related to animal health. This knowledge and these skills will empower specialists to effectively protect animal health and ensure epidemiological stability in the country.