FAO, in partnership with the Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) of the United States' Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) recently launched a new regional project to strengthen national animal health systems and reduce the risks and impacts of biological threats in Southeast Asia. Regular online coordination sessions serve as a central platform for ensuring timely project planning, coordination and implementation across targeted countries. These sessions facilitate strategic discussions between FAO and national focal points, enabling the seamless coordination of national activities, planning of regional initiatives and organization of project launch events in collaboration with other national programmes throughout 2024.

Discussion on Newcastle disease with public and private sectors poultry stakeholders
With support from USAID, FAO, Ministry of Agriculture and the Association of Indonesian Poultry Veterinarians (ADHPI) held a focused online forum (Obrolan Ringan Akhir Pekan Seputar Unggas/OBRASS) on 24 February 2024. Stakeholders from public and private poultry sectors discussed the development and current situation of Newcastle disease in Indonesia. The Head of the Veterinary Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency and ADHPI shared insights on the impact of Newcastle disease, highlighted the economic threat to food security and implications for human health. The forum emphasized preventive measures through biosecurity, farm management and vaccination.

Foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease scoping visit
FAO and the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Service of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture conducted a scoping visit in Sukabumi from 19 to 21 February 2024. The objective was to collect data on the current foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD) situation. The visit aimed to identify capacity-building gaps and needs, assess existing infrastructure for disease control, and engage with local government veterinary authorities to understand region-specific challenges and opportunities. A focus group discussion with representative authorities in Sukabumi focused on channels and obstacles for disease reporting by farmers, providing essential preliminary data for an effective FMD and LSD intervention programme to enhance prompt responses in Sukabumi.

Avian influenza and rabies school and community forum
The National Animal Health and Production Institute (NAPHRI), FAO and the Communicable Disease Control Department of the Ministry of Health, funded by USAID, successfully collaborated to organize the avian influenza and rabies school and community forum across 32 villages and 32 schools in eight provinces. With the participation of approximately 7 000 people in 64 events, the forums facilitated knowledge sharing, understanding, and prevention strategies for avian influenza and rabies. The initiative empowered schools and communities, cultivating an impact as participants shared their lessons learned with friends and family, contributing to the collective fight against these diseases.

With support from DTRA and USAID, the Regional Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (R-FETPV) conducted an outbreak investigation demonstration workshop on investigating rabies incidence in animals and humans in Chonburi, Thailand, from 29 January to 9 February 2024. This workshop, a component of the R-FETPV curriculum, aimed to empower trainees from Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, and Viet Nam, to be principal investigators in their regions. By focusing on real-world scenarios, participants were equipped with vital fieldwork expertise crucial for outbreak investigation and combating rabies using the One Health approach.

FAO, through USAID funding, strengthened the capacity of animal health officers in Lao People’s Democratic Republic through collaborative efforts with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries. A practical field training manual on basic veterinary epidemiology, developed in partnership with the National University of Laos, covers key concepts and skills. Three workshops conducted from 15 January to 16 February enhanced skills in disease recognition, investigation, reporting and control. The initiative strengthens the veterinary epidemiology network in the region.

The FAO ECTAD RAP team is developing a theory of change (ToC) to strategically guide the development of the veterinary epidemiology workforce in Asia-Pacific. This innovative approach provides a strategic blueprint to guide FAO in planning and mobilizing resources effectively. It aims to enhance expertise, elevate quality and ensure positive impacts on food security and livelihoods across the region.

On 16 February 2024, FAO RAP and Viet Nam met virtually with Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN) to discuss the SEAOHUN fellowship in Viet Nam with the support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The SEAOHUN fellowship programme supports early- to mid-career professionals in human, animal, or environmental health through fellowship placements in Southeast Asia. Previous fellows in FAO Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Cambodia gained practical experience in One Health issues in 2021 and 2022, while a current fellow is contributing to strengthening One Health activities in FAO Indonesia on AMR, zoonotic diseases, emerging infectious diseases and food safety.

FAO and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) discussed One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization (OHZDP) for animal diseases in Asia-Pacific on 22 February 2024. FAO, in collaboration with US CDC since 2019, will employ OHZDP methodology for prioritizing animal diseases in India this year. FAO is also coordinating with US CDC to support OHZDP workshops in the countries that expressed interest to leverage One Health collaboration and implementation by jointly prioritizing zoonotic diseases of greatest concern across sectors.

FAO, WHO and WOAH regional offices, in coordination with the Department of Veterinary Services, are preparing for a joint risk assessment training and workshop in Malaysia. The training is scheduled for May-June 2024, and will utilize the Joint Risk Assessment Operational Tool (JRA OT) to identify zoonotic disease risk factors. The results will guide risk-based surveillance, fostering collaboration between sectors to mitigate disease risks.

FAO participated in the national sub-committee on Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) in Thailand on 16 February 2024. This was an annual meeting to report the progress and discussion on GHSA-related implementation in Thailand. Following the global GHSA leadership in 2021, Thailand has been contributing to the GHSA Steering Group and leading the relevant Action Packages. Both national and sub-national activities have been implemented utilizing the One Health and Whole-of-Society approaches towards GHSA targets.