ERFAN Secretariat organized together with the National Reference Centre for Anthrax at Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata the Laboratory training “Anthrax – A One Health priority”.

The course was held at the Animal Health Institute in Sebeta, Ethiopia, from the 10 to the 13 of July.

The main purpose of the training was to deepen topics related to this pathogenic microorganism and to share technical-scientific updates on the analytical methods used in laboratory for identification and characterization of this bacterium. The training dealt with detection of Bacillus anthracis in human and animal organs, biological fluids and environmental samples such as soil. It was the chance as well to discuss about genotyping methods.

The participants came from Angola, Botswana, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia. In detail, the following partner Institutions were involved: Directorate of Veterinary service from Angola; the “National Veterinary Laboratory” from Botswana; the “Office National de Recherches et de Développement de L’Elevage et du Pastoralism” from Mauritania; the “Laboratoire National de l’Elevage et de Recherches Vétérinaires” from Senegal; the “Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency” and the “Central Veterinary Research Laboratory” from Zambia.

This event proved to be extremely productive, allowing attendees to exchange experiences and learn more about methodologies on detection of Bacillus anthracis.