One of the core mandates of CTTBD is to conduct tailored courses and training in Animal health, diagnostics and tick-borne disease control.
In mid-2019, CTTBD entered into a partnership with the Government of Burundi’s Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock through the PNSADR-IM project funded by IFAD to supply the Muguga Cocktail vaccine which was successfully shipped in October 2020 as the first consignment of Muguga Cocktail vaccine to Burundi. As a backup intervention, a technical team from CTTBD was assigned to train technical staff in that country with regard to ECF vaccine handling, field immunization of cattle and diagnosis.
The two-week training was conducted from 16th-27th November 2020 at the National Veterinary Laboratory in Bujumbura. A total of nineteen (19) participants from different provinces of the Burundi were successfully trained.
Dr Maurice Ntahiraja, the Livestock Consultant on the PNSADR-IM project officially opened the training program on behalf of Mr. Damase Ntiranyibagira, the Project Coordinator.
Opening remarks given by Dr Maurice Ntahiraja, the Livestock Consultant on the PNSADR-IM project
The training comprised of theory presentations on the epidemiology and control of ECF, and practical demonstrations in laboratory and field diagnosis of ECF, and immunization process against the ECF disease.
The training was largely practically oriented to ensure that participants acquire all the necessary skills as per the objectives of the training. Three field visits were undertaken and focused on how to conduct an ECF immunization, sample collection and how to conduct ECF post-immunization monitoring to identify any reactors.
One of the trainers, Mr. Kamwendo, explaining the immunization process to the participants
Laboratory practicals were also conducted on how to make good lymph biopsies and blood smears, sample processing, microscopic and serological diagnosisParticipants were trained on how to conduct two major serological techniques; Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for antibody detection of common tick-borne diseases: Theileria parva, Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale, Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina.
The training was officially closed by Dr Bimenyimana, the Livestock Expert for the Western region on behalf of the Project Coordinator, Mr. Damase Ntiranyibagira.
A Trainer, Mr. Chombo, elaborating on the ELISA procedure steps.
Special thanks to all the participants, PNSADR-IM project team, IFAD for the funding, CTTBD Trainers, and the Government of the Republic of Burundi for a successful training.
Authored by: Messrs. Nashon Kamwendo and Lustre Chombo, Senior Technicians, CTTBD
Reviewed by: Dr. David Kalenzi Atuhaire, R & D Manager, CTTBD
Edited by: Dr. Namukolo Muyamwa, QA Manager, CTTBD
For CTTBD News updates/2021
