ADAFSA And CIRAD Conduct First Global Proficiency Test For PPR In Camels
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority's (ADAFSA) Collaborating Centre for Camel Diseases has marked a significant achievement in the global scientific community by conducting the world's first proficiency test for peste des petits ruminants (PPR) serology in camels. This initiative, a collaboration with France's International Reference Laboratory for Peste des Petits Ruminants (CIRAD), aims to validate methods for detecting antibodies to the PPR virus in camels, a crucial step towards understanding and mitigating the spread of this infection.
The proficiency test is part of a broader programme designed to assess the performance of laboratories in detecting PPR antibodies in camels, thereby aiding serological surveys and determining camels' role in transmitting the infection to small ruminants. The first round of this programme saw participation from seven laboratories across various countries, providing valuable data on the efficiency and accuracy of current PPR antibody detection methods in camels.
Asma Abdi Mohamed, Director of the Biosecurity Affairs Division at ADAFSA, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, "This achievement represents a major step forward for the Centre in supporting global efforts to eradicate PPR by 2030." She emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with CIRAD and all participating laboratories to advance in this critical area. Mohamed also expressed optimism about the test results and their potential impact on improving laboratory capacities worldwide, underlining this as a pivotal move towards eradicating PPR.
Mohamed further stressed the importance of international cooperation in combating animal diseases, noting that only through joint efforts can these threats to global livestock and food security be effectively addressed. The ADAFSA's Collaborating Centre for Camel Diseases, recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) in May 2022 as a scientific research arm on camel diseases in the Middle East, plays a vital role in this endeavor. This designation underscores Abu Dhabi and the UAE's leadership in biosecurity and their commitment to enhancing laboratory diagnostic capabilities for camel diseases.
The Centre's focus on developing better diagnostic tools for camel diseases and its contribution to regional biosecurity measures exemplify the UAE's proactive approach to addressing emerging and zoonotic animal disease emergencies. With its advanced diagnostic, research, and training services, the Centre is at the forefront of efforts to safeguard global livestock populations and ensure food security through scientific excellence and international collaboration.
With inputs from WAM
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